Worship Bulletin

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
HOLY EUCHARIST
SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 | 10:15 AM

Welcome to St. John’s! If you are new, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the church and join us for Coffee Hour in our Parish Life Center. Please let an usher know if you require hearing assistance.

This is a family friendly congregation. If you have toddlers, please feel free to sit to the front right where we have a “soft space,” and a nursery room is available in the back as needed. Please let an usher know if you require hearing assistance.

Today we celebrate Holy Communion. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, all are welcome to receive at the Lord’s Table.

PRELUDE A Fancy William Byrd

PROCESSIONAL HYMN   Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Blue Hymnal #423

Flowers are given by Jan Britton in celebration of the Britton, Furber, and Verrier families.

OPENING ACCLAMATION Book of Common Prayer p.355

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant & People: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE BENEDICTUS ES Blue Hymnal #S-236

Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers;
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you in the splendor of your temple;
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you, beholding the depths;
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

COLLECT OF THE DAY (PROPER 18) Book of Common Prayer p.233

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Amen.

FIRST READING JEREMIAH 4:11-12, 22-28

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse-- a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.

“For my people are foolish,
they do not know me;
they are stupid children,
they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil,
but do not know how to do good.”
I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.

I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,
and all its cities were laid in ruins
before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation;
yet I will not make a full end.
Because of this the earth shall mourn,
and the heavens above grow black;
for I have spoken, I have purposed;
I have not relented nor will I turn back.

The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 14

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no | God.” *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who |does an-|y good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon us | all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who | seeks af-|ter God.

3 Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned | bad; *
there is none |who does · good; | no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all those | ev-ildoers *
who eat up my people like bread
and do not | call up-|on · the Lord?

5 See how they tremble with | fear, *
because God is in the company | of the | righteous.

6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the af-|flict-ed, *
but the | Lord · is their | refuge.

7 Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of |Zi-on! *
when the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and | Is-rael | be glad.

SECOND READING 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-17

Reader: A reading from the Letter of Paul to Timothy

I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Reader:  The Word of the Lord
People:  Thanks be to God.

SEQUENCE HYMN Amazing Grace Blue Hymnal #671 v.1-4

THE HOLY GOSPEL  LUKE 15:1-10

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory be to you, Lord Christ.

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.“

Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

SEQUENCE HYMN Blue Hymnal #671 v.5

SERMON Rev. Tammy Smith-Firestone

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FORM II Book of Common Prayer p.385

In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.

Leader:I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world; for our Bishop Megan; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.

Silence

Leader:I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

Leader:I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

Leader:I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.

Silence

Leader:I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.

Silence

Leader:Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

CONFESSION OF SIN
Celebrant: Let us confess our ins against God and our neighbor.

Silence

Celebrant and People:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Chrsit, have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,
to the the glory of your Name. Amen.

Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

THE PEACE
Celebrant    The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People        And also with you.

The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE LITURGY OF THE TABLE

OFFERTORY MUSIC Vermont William Bilings

PRESENTATION HYMN Blue Hymnal #397 v.3

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven,
eternal, Triune God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be, evermore. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Eucharistic Prayer A Book of Common Prayer p. 361
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is truly right, and a good and joyful thing…

…Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

SANCTUS  
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Celebrant: …Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
People: Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Celebrant: And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you…

…By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Celebrant:    And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

The Celebrant breaks the bread.

Celebrant: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia

FRACTION HYMN ALLELUIA, PASCHA NOSTRUM
The Celebrant breaks the bread.

Celebrant: Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia.

JESU, AGNUS DEI Blue Hymnal #S-164
Jesus, Lamb of God:
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins:
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world:
Give us your peace, give us your peace.

THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION
Please follow the directions of the ushers. We go to the communion rail to receive. Respond to the words: “The Body of Christ, the Bread of Life” and “The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation” with a hearty “Amen.” After receiving Communion it is appropriate to return to your seat to kneel or sit in silence for personal prayer and thanksgiving.
There are two options for reception. First is drinking from the common cup. When approaching the priest giving the bread or host, raise cupped hands to receive the bread. Consume and then take the cup by its base to tip to your lips to drink. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
The second option for reception is intinction (bread dipped into the wine). As the clergy person approaches, point to the chalice that the priest may take a wafer, intinct it in the wine, and give to you to consume. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
If you are unable to come forth to receive Communion, simply make it known to the usher and the clergy will come out to you to bring the bread and wine. The priest will instinct the bread into the wine and give it to you to consume.
If you are not communing, please consider coming forth for a blessing. As you approach the priest, cross your arms across your chest to indicate you desire a blessing. 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON DICO VOBIS GAUDIUM

COMMUNION HYMN There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy Blue Hymnal #469

POST COMMUNION PRAYER Book of Common Prayer p. 366

Celebrant: Let us pray. Eternal God,
Celebrant and People: heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

BLESSING

FINAL HYMN  Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven Blue Hymnal #410

DISMISSAL
Celebrant: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
People: Thanks be to God.

VOLUNTARY The Irish March William Byrd

Thank you for worshipping with us this morning. If you are new, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the church and join us for Coffee Hour in our Parish Life Center.

       

   St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2341 Floral Avenue, Chico, CA 95926
(530) 894-1971 · office@stjohnschico.org
The Very Reverend Tammy Smith-Firestone, Rector
Jeffrey Cooper, Director of Music

Hymn permission used by Rite Song a one-time use reprint license for congregational use
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-735293. All rights reserved.”