Morning Prayer
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church |
New Harmony, Indiana
June 28, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Welcome to worship.
Please join in speaking the bolded words.
Prelude Mr400
Announcements
The service begins with the ringing of the bell; the people stand as able.
I was glad when they said unto me, “We will go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound H671
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’d first begun.
Confession of Sin
Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.
Silence may be kept; all kneel as able for the confession.
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.
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
The Invitatory and Psalter
All stand as able.
Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Officiant and People
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy:
Come, let us adore him.
Venite, said responsively by half verse Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth,
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
The Response Usquequo, Domine? Psalm 13
Psalm is said responsively by half verse.
How long, O Lord? will you forget me for ever?
how long will you hide your face from me?
How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day?
how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God;
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
But I put my trust in your mercy;
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt with me richly;
I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.
The Lessons
The people are seated. A period of silence will follow each reading.
First Reading
A reading from the book of Genesis. (Genesis 22:1-14)
God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Canticle 9 Surely it is God who saves me
The First Song of Isaiah
The canticle is read responsively by half verse; all stand as able.
Surely it is God who saves me;
trusting him, I shall not fear.
For the Lord defends and shields me
and his saving help is near.
So rejoice as you draw water
from salvation’s living spring;
in the day of your deliverance
thank the Lord, his mercies sing.
Make his deeds known to the peoples;
tell out his exalted Name.
Praise the Lord, who has done great things;
all his works his might proclaim.
Zion, lift your voice in singing;
for with you has come to dwell,
in your very midst,
the great and Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Second Reading
The people sit.
A reading from the book of Romans. (Romans 6:12-23)
Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence may follow.
The people stand as able.
Canticle 11 The Third Song of Isaiah
Surge, illuminare Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19
(The canticle is read responsively by half verse; all stand as able.)
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
Deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise,
And his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open;
By day or night they will neve be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord,
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land,
Ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call you walls, Salvation,
And all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day;
By night you will not need the brightness of the
moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light,
And your God will be your glory.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Gospel Reading
The people are seated.
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew. (Matthew 10:40-42)
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Homily Sheila White
The Apostles’ Creed
All stand as able for the creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the
dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Peace
All stand.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Offertory
The people are seated.
Let us with gladness present the offering and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
During the offertory (or at your own convenience), please consider giving to St. Stephens at the following link: https://onrealm.org/StStephensEpisc/-/give/now or by texting SSNH to 73256 and following the prompts. All donations go towards sustaining our church operations and our ministries.
Offertory Anthem Mr400
Doxology H380 v. 3
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
The Prayers
The people stand or kneel as able for the prayers.
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Officiant
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The Lord be with you.
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People
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And also with you.
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Officiant
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Let us pray.
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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, forever and ever. Amen.
The Suffrages
Said responsively
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
Govern and uphold them, now and always.
Day by day we bless you;
We praise your Name for ever.
Lord, keep us from all sin today;
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy;
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope;
And we shall never hope in vain.
The Officiant and People say responsively
The Collects
A Collect for the Day
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayers of the People: Intercessions
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
The leader and people pray responsively.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Sean, our Presiding Bishop; Jennifer, our Bishop; Mauricio, Bishop of our companion Diocese of Brasilia. For The Standing Committee of the Dioceses of Haiti, and especially for Saint Andrew’s Parish and the School in Mithon. For the Venerable Jean Michelin, and all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept
Leader and People
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
The General Thanksgiving
Officiant and People
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love in the
redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your
mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth
your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
We all are one in mission WLP778
We all are one in mission,
we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single, great commission
compels us from above
to plan and work together
that all may know Christ’s love.
We all are called for service
to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are diff’rent,
our purpose is the same:
to touch the lives of others
by God’s surprising grace,
so people of all nations may feel
God’s warm embrace.
We all behold one vision,
a stark reality;
the steward of salvation
was nailed upon a tree.
Yet resurrected Justice
gives rise that we may share
free reconciliation
and hope amid despair.
Now let us be united
and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel
for God’s redeeming Word.
We all are one in mission,
we all are one in call,
Our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
The Dismissal
Officiant
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Postlude Mr400
Announcements
- CHAIR YOGA, Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
- FOOD PANTRY, Thursday, July 16th.
- CORN CHOWDER, Friday, July 17th.
- HOLY EUCHARIST and DEDICATION of the CONCERT PIANO, Sunday, July 19th with Rev. Mary Bargiel. The concert piano was donated to St. Stephen’s Church by Erik Arneberg in memory of his mother, Jane D. Owen, and grandmother, Jane B. Owen. Gail Angel will be playing special selections on the piano.
- SUMMER CONCERT with Molly Felder & Bill DeMain, Saturday, July 25th at 7:00 p.m.
- DIOCESE PICNIC at Waycross Camp and Conference Center, Saturday, September 12th.
- DEADLINE for submissions for the newsletter and bulletins is 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays
Thanks to those serving!
Altar Guild, Peggy Meyer
Greeter, Phyllis Westfall
Tech Coordinator, Carol Stratton
Officiant,
Lector, Martha Raske
Intercessor, Greg White
Music, Mr400
Homilist, Sheila White
Offertory, Gloria, Doxology, Sanctus, & Communion Anthem
used with permission © Windelm Music.