Sunday October 18 2026

Opening Sentences

BCP p. 323

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Summary of the Law

BCP p. 324

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Collect of the Day

BCP p. 183

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And with thy spirit.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in Christ hast revealed thy glory among the nations: Preserve the works of thy mercy, that thy Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of thy Name; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

People: Amen.

First Lesson Exodus 33:12–23

Reading responses: BCP p. 325

A reading from the Book of Exodus.

Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people,” but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.” Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’

The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will also do this thing that you have asked, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord,” and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.’

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Responsory Psalm 99

BCP p. 728

1 The Lord is King; let the people tremble; * he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.

2 The Lord is great in Zion; * he is high above all peoples.

3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.

4 ‘O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.’

5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and fall down before his footstool; * he is the Holy One.

6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, * they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; * they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.

8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; * you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.

9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; * for the Lord our God is the Holy One.

Epistle 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

Reading responses: BCP p. 325

A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For they report about us what kind of welcome we had among you and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Matthew 22:15–22

Gospel responses: BCP p. 326

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this and whose title?’ They answered, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed, and they left him and went away.

Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev. Patrick Hall

The Nicene Creed

BCP pp. 326–327

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.

The Prayers of the People

BCP pp. 328–330

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church and the world.

Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: Receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers [especially ____________________], that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.

And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and every land [especially ____________________], that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.

Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.

And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor [____________________ and] all those who in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear [especially ____________________], beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of [____________________ and of] all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.

Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Confession of Sin

BCP pp. 330–332

Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest says:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace

BCP p. 332

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And with thy spirit.

Eucharistic Prayer I

BCP pp. 333–336

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And with thy spirit.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up unto the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

People: It is meet and right so to do.

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.

Here a Proper Preface is said or sung.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy Glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.

Priest consecrates the wine and bread and says:

For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me."

Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.

And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.

And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord;

By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

BCP p. 336

And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

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 Breaking of the Bread

BCP pp. 337–338

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

The following prayer may be said:

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Post Communion Prayer

BCP p. 339

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Blessing and Dismissal

BCP pp. 339–340

Celebrant blesses the people and dismisses them, saying:

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

Those Serving Today

Vestry Person of the Day: Richard Magness

Altar Guild: Betty Fortner, Stephanie Buchanan, and Samme Barton Harris

Hospitality: Connie Wilder and Libby Lovejoy

8:00 a.m. Greeters: Ray and Cherry Daugbjerg

10:30 a.m. Greeters: Chris Duckworth and Ted Duckworth

8:00 a.m. Lay Eucharistic Minister: Mike Callaway

10:30 a.m. Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Wendy Bergin and Chris Bullock

Parish Prayers

Military: Ferrel Noel, Michael Plummer

Parishioners: Clair Johnson, Tyler Rankin, Chuck Esterak, Jan Pledger, Richard & Annette Stadelmann, James Bobo, Gil Brown, Joe Al Picone, Merle Picone, Judy Esterak, Bess Manning

Friends of St. Peter’s: Melissa Hightower, Marvin & Penny Spreen, Susie Houston, JB Royer, Jeannie Smith, Lynnlee Kocurek, Lincoln Tiemann, Kay Przyborski, Brian Krizan, Mike Harlan, Chet Dorman, Johnny Murphy, Jeff Held

Flowers given to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the ministry of the St. Peter’s Vestry.

Welcome The Rev. Patrick Hall

Patrick has served the Episcopal Diocese of Texas since his ordination in 2007—as associate rector at Holy Spirit and Palmer Memorial in Houston, where he replanted Autry House, the historic Episcopal chaplaincy to Rice University; and most recently as rector of Epiphany, Houston, concluding seven years of ministry there this summer. He chairs the Diocese of Texas Board of Examining Chaplains and co-chairs its task force on artificial intelligence. A graduate of the University of Texas and Virginia Theological Seminary, Patrick lives in Houston’s historic Old Sixth Ward with his wife, Julia, and their young son, Cal.

Parish Announcements

Stewardship 2027

Practice–Prepare–Plan. Our goal is $400,000. Pledge cards will be gathered and blessed November 1.

Parish Meeting and Potluck

Sunday, October 25, after the 10:30 a.m. service. Elect Vestry members and Diocesan Council delegates. Fried chicken provided; please bring a dish.

Faith Mission Pizza & Pumpkins

Wednesday, October 28. Watch for volunteer information.

First Sunday Breakfast

Sunday, November 1, 9:00 a.m., Lower Deck. Everyone is welcome.

Hardman Piano Dedication Concert

Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m., at St. Peter’s. Dedication and fundraising concert for Dr. Henry and Teddy Boehm’s 1900 Hardman piano. Free-will offering for piano repairs.

Christmas with Brenham Chorale

Messiah Is Coming — Monday, November 30, 7:00 p.m., at St. Peter’s. Free-will offering; reception follows. All are invited.

Ways to Help

The food pantry welcomes canned meals. Daughters of the King are collecting toiletries for Brenham Middle School.