ST. MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Ante-Communion: Rite II

July 5, 2020 10:30 am

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PRELUDE Dr. Candace Bellamy Todd Wilson, accompanist

PROCESSIONAL HYMN Love divine, all loves excelling Hymnal 657 vss. 1 and 3

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THE OPENING ACCLAMATIONS AND COLLECT FOR PURITY BCP 355

Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. 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.

KYRIE spoken BCP 356

Celebrant Lord, have mercy. People Christ, have mercy. Celebrant Lord, have mercy. Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

The servant said to Laban, “I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.’

“I came today to the spring, and said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also” —let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.”

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And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will.” So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.” Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, “Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

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

PSALM 45:11-18 read responsively by whole verse

11 "Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; * forget your people and your father's house.

12 The king will have pleasure in your beauty; * he is your master; therefore do him honor.

13 The people of Tyre are here with a gift; * the rich among the people seek your favor."

14 All glorious is the princess as she enters; * her gown is cloth-of-gold.

15 In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; * after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.

16 With joy and gladness they are brought, * and enter into the palace of the king.

17 "In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; * you shall make them princes over all the earth.

18 I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; * therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 7:15-25a

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

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

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SEQUENCE HYMN Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy Hymnal 482 vss. 1 and 4

THE GOSPEL Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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

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THE SERMON The Rev. Dr. Andrew Benko

THE NICENE CREED BCP 358

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 III, BCP 387

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons; That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

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Grant the members of our Rector Search Committee your discernment and wisdom, That by your guidance we may call a faithful pastor to shepherd our community.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy; May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. Silence. The People may add their own petitions. The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

CONFESSION OF SIN BCP 359

The Celebrant says Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Minister 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 Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Priest stands and says 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.

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THE PEACE BCP 360

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OFFERING

Today is Good Faith Sunday! If you wish to make a donation, please visit www.tinyurl.com/GiveStMatts.

OFFERTORY HYMN Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Hymnal 544 vss. 1 and 5

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THE LORD’S PRAYER

Officiant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Officiant Let us pray. Officiant and People Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE BLESSING

THE DISMISSAL

MINI-CONCERT Dr. Candace Bellamy

A physician by day and jazz and soul singer by night, Bellamy took up singing as a hobby 12 years ago, paying dues in cover bands, musical theater (her role in an R&B version of Porgy and Bess impressed The New York Times), and with a one-woman show where she told stories of her life in between tunes. Bellamy’s path then led to Austin, Texas, where she has worked with many incredible songwriters including Ruth Carter (composer for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Palmer, and John Mayall), bass-playing legend Jimi Calhoun (player with Dr. John, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Wilson Pickett, and Sly Stone), and Jake Langley (Roberta Flack, Willie Nelson, and k.d. lang). Bellamy’s latest EP, This Feeling, was inspired by love. The title track was co-written with Jake Langley on a sunny afternoon in July. “We were sitting around in his home studio and he started playing an idea for a song on guitar and in my head, I could see a woman walking down the aisle prepared to meet the love of her life. Jake and I both connected instantly with the idea and finished the song that same day and recorded a demo of it.”

All Weekly Word submissions and prayer requests must be received by Wednesday at noon in order to appear in the upcoming Sunday’s edition. Please send Weekly Word articles to Nooshin at nooshin@stmattsaustin.org and prayer requests to Mickie at office@stmattsaustin.org.

Be in the know about parish events and news! You can subscribe to the St. Matthew’s email list by visiting our website at www.stmattsaustin.org and clicking the ‘Subscribe’ button on our homepage.

Cover Art: "Rebekah Comes to Isaac." Postcard from the Edward Gross Co. and Curtis Publishing Co.,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rebekah-Comes-to-Isaac-Antique-Jewish-Biblical-Postcard-Judaica-Camels-1910s-/223475141269. Music: All hymns used by permission. OneLicense A-705727. Psalm refrains reproduced from

Psalter for Worship © 1996 Augsburg Fortress. May be reproduced by permission for local use only.

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IN OUR PRAYERS Clergy: Justin of Canterbury, Archbishop; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Andy, Jeff, Kai and Hector, our Bishops; Christian, Andrew, Chuck, Jerry, and Seth, our clergy. Lay Leadership: The Staff, the Wardens, the Treasurer, the Vestry, the Day School Board of Trustees, the Rector Search Committee, the Endowment Committee, the Memorial Garden Committee, and all the other commissions and councils of the Vestry of St. Matthew’s. Our Outreach Partners and Ministries: Angel Tree (prison ministry), the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Caritas, Casa Marianella, Community First, Daughters of the King, EfM, El Buen Samaritano, Episcopal Veterans Fellowship, Foundation for the Homeless Family Rehousing Initiative, Good Faith Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Helping Our Neighbor, Honduras Good Works, Hope House, Interfaith Action of Central Texas (IACT), Job Support, Kairos (prison ministry), Ladies Let’s Talk, MPAC, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Threads of Love, and the Women’s Story Book Project (prison ministry). Our men and women in the Armed Forces and Peace Corps. Those in civil authority, especially our President, Governor, Mayor, and legislative and judicial branches. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who are actively being persecuted for your name, and all of God’s children who know suffering at the hands of war, disease, natural disasters, injustice, and oppression, especially the Hughes and Lane Murray prison units, frontline responders, and all affected by coronavirus. The students, families, and staff of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School and other schools and seminaries: Seminary of the Southwest. Ongoing Prayer Requests Alex Acosta Jill Bacon Candace Banning Lu Ann Barrow Beatrice Barzetti Judy Bates Bill & Evelyn Beauchamp Bob & Bonita Lucy Boyea Jane & Don Bray LaVaughn Bray Glenda Brown Wanda Burnette Glenda Carl Barbara Bass Clarke Mark Clifton & family Ed & Betty Davis Dedee & Steve Ellen Demotsis & family Josie Dougherty Glenn Dothage Shirley Dyer Glen Ellis

Ender Garza family Elaine Goessling Cliff Harrison Michael & Gina Hatheway Tony & Maly Hatheway Jack Dawn Jarvis John & Deanna Hink & Nancy Johnson Petie Judson Julie & family Caitlin L. Tracy Land Tom LeMond Kim Martinelli Laurie Wells Matson Marianne Leland McCullough Suzanne McDaniel Larry Nichols Margaret & Bud Payne Donald Pearce Bob Peckham

Mary Ratcliffe Larry Richards Lawrence Richards, Jr. Ridgeway family Cletus Romay Nancy Satterfield Earlyne Seaver Jeffrey Seiler Virgie Seiler Jim Sparks Stephanie Steans family Edward Stork Laurie Frucella Thaxton Christine Warner & family Kathleen Webster Cara West Cynthia Wilson Mike & Jocelyn Wilson Kara Wright Bob Yeargain New Prayer Requests Linda Allen Nancy Annas & family

April Chesak family Liz Clark Joanne Comer family Tom & Sue Cooper Pete DeWeese Rani Escalante & family Jean Fuller Gomez family Good Faith Counselors Clark Hughes Loretta Jaro Woody Ledenham Jimmy Noland Jose Prado Mary Kay Schultz Mary Graham Sheppard Sikes/Huffman family Slaughter/Cheek family Wright family Those Who Have Died April Chesak Joanne Comer Beth Ann Sikes Shirley Slaughter

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WEEKLY WORD FOR JULY 5-11 VIRTUAL EVENTS ON WEBPAGE Stay up to date on all of our online offerings—like noonday and evening prayer, small groups, and events for families—by visiting our Virtual Events page, www.stmattsaustin.org/Worship/virtual-events.html, found under the “Worship” tab of our website. SUNDAY, JULY 5 IS GOOD FAITH SUNDAY Please consider making a one-time or recurring online donation to the Good Faith Fund via the “Give Online” button on the homepage of our website, www.stmattsaustin.org. All offerings will go toward helping our Austin neighbors who appeal to St. Matthew's for assistance with rent or utility payments. The Good Faith committee has been receiving an unprecedented number of requests for assistance due to the financial impact of our current health crisis. Your continued generosity is much appreciated! ADULT FORMATION UPDATE Please note that our 9:15 am Adult Formation classes are on hiatus until August. Our Gospel Class meets year-round, however, so contact Sandy Knight through the church directory to get involved. Adult Formation updates will be shared to our website and Facebook page in late July. RUNOFF ELECTION VOTING in Huffman Hall will be on Election Day, Tuesday, July 14. Polling will be from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Social distancing will be followed and masks will be required. Submitted by Chris Schumacher ANTI-RACISM SMALL GROUP UPDATE Is God calling you to work toward Racial Reconciliation, Social Justice, and Beloved Community? Are you ready to do something but you aren't sure what to do or where to start? You may find a home for your heart, head, and feet in our newest small group. The St. Matthew's Anti-Racism Small Group provides a three-pronged approach to dismantling racism through prayer, learning, and action. Join us now for the Learn segment of the group, led by Kristin Braun and Nooshin Ghanbari. Please reach out to nooshin@stmattsaustin.org if interested. RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE The Rector Search Committee work is accelerating with subgroups often meeting several times a week to review applicants and prepare for first round interviews. Though the process requires details of their efforts to remain confidential between the committee and the Diocese, you can show your support for their sacred work by joining me in reciting the same commissioning prayer we said together at our Annual Meeting:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Submitted by Doug Webster, Senior Warden AND HE SAID, “FEED MY PEOPLE” Westover Hills Church of Christ, our neighbor across Steck, has run a food pantry for years serving neighbors twice monthly, but with increased need, they’ve expanded to twice weekly, serving about 175 families last week. They need donations of food and other staples. Currently, they’re most in need of bar soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pancake mix, and beef stew. To donate, please bring items to the Westover church office, on the Mesa side (facing Anderson HS), just to the right of the main entrance. Ring the doorbell and tell the receptionist you’re leaving a donation. Hours: 8-5 Mon-Thu, and 8-noon Fri. When you drop off your items, take a picture of yourself with your donations and send it to nooshin@stmattsaustin.org for our Facebook page. Alternatively, buy items online and have them delivered to Westover Hills Church of Christ Food Pantry, 8332 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78759. Submitted by Joyce Statz LADIES LET'S TALK will be holding summer Zoom sessions on July 10, 17, 24, and 31. Sessions start at 10:30 am and last about 90 minutes or less. If you would like to volunteer to meet immigrant women (online) for conversation and conviviality, please visit www.lltaustin.org to register as a volunteer. Questions? Contact Chichi Armstrong at charityarmstrong48@gmail.com. Submitted by Chichi Armstrong UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS For our July schedule, join our Youth Ministry Mailchimp distribution list! Contact Justin Forgey at justin@stmattsaustin.org or Mickie Dunn at office@stmattsaustin.org to be added.

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FUNERAL FOR JOANNE COMER Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 pm, join St. Julian’s and St. Matthew’s via Zoom for a service honoring the life of Joanne Comer. The link for the service is https://sasaustin.zoom.us/j/94822018909. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations either to Down Home Ranch or Heifer International. Please contact The Rev. Jonathan McManus-Dail at jonathan@stjuliansaustin.org if you have any questions. 2019 AUDIT AVAILABLE The auditors completed the December 31, 2019 audit and presented it to the Vestry. A copy is available to parishioners and members of St. Matthew’s. If interested, please email chris@stmattsaustin.org for a copy. Submitted by Chris Schumacher CHURCH SOFTWARE UPDATE This month, we will be switching our accounting systems and parishioner database to Realm, the latest version of church software. Staff will be trained the week of July 20. The first step will be the second-quarter statements, which we expect to mail in early August. Several members of the Vestry have signed up to be part of the rollout team and they will work with the staff to introduce the new features, like the smartphone app and online giving. Stay tuned for more details. Submitted by Chris Schumacher SMALL GROUPS Small Groups are a chance for parishioners to share a diversity of passions with one other and with our neighbors. If you want to form your own Small Group with support from church staff and clergy, email chawley@stmattsaustin.org and office@stmattsaustin.org. For more detailed group descriptions, we invite you to visit the Small Groups page on St. Matthew’s website. Submitted by Christian Hawley

Art Among Friends Linda Fryer fryer8137@gmail.com Tuesdays at 1:00 pm over Zoom Austin Inklings Jared Henderson jared.zhenderson@gmail.com Currently on hiatus; next meeting to be announced. Cycling Group Adam Bartlett adam@abartlett.org Next cycling event to be announced. Español con amigos (Spanish with friends) Kathryn Miller kathrynmiller497@gmail.com Next meeting to be announced. Family Camping Group Brad Banister bradbanister@gmail.com The next trip is October 2-4, 2020, at Pedernales Falls State Park. Check out the official state park video here: https://youtu.be/_YhD2smYHOo Let’s Go to the Movies Babs Clendenin bacl89atx@gmail.com Wednesday afternoons; please contact Babs for details. Saturday Morning Prayer & Share/OSL Group Sandy Lanier sandy07@flash.net Saturdays at 9:00 am over Jit.si Third Monday Book Club Diane Sparks diane_sparks@att.net Next meeting Monday, August 17, 5:00 pm, B-13 Will discuss books for Fall. Wall Street Musing Chris Wilson cawcfacmt@gmail.com Next meeting to be announced. Young Adult Group Jared Henderson jared.zhenderson@gmail.com Next meeting to be announced.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 8134 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78759

Telephone (512) 345-8314 | Fax (512) 346-2085 www.stmattsaustin.org | Facebook: St Matt’s Austin

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Church Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm