Zion Episcopal Church

SCRIPTURE - TRADITION - REASON

  We promise to share the love of Christ with all of God’s children
in our worship, words and witness.


 

Holy Cross Sunday                                                                             September 13, 2026

Year A                                                                                                                   10:00 am

Holy Eucharist (Rite II)

 

Prelude

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Processional Hymn: 473    “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim”           Blue Hymnal

                                                                                                                                                       

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

People      And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

                

The Celebrant says

 

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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Glory to God  S–278                      Gloria in excelsis                                           William Mathias

 

 

The Collect of the Day 

Officiant    The Lord Be with you.

People       And also with you.

Officiant    Let us pray.

 

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.  

 

First Reading:  Isaiah 45:21-25

 

Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!

Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?

Was it not I, the Lord?
There is no other god besides me,

a righteous God and a Savior;
there is no one besides me.

 

Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.

By myself I have sworn,
from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness
a word that shall not return:

“To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear.”

Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me,
are righteousness and strength;

all who were incensed against him
shall come to him and be ashamed.

In the Lord all the offspring of Israel
shall triumph and glory.

               

            The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm 98

 

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.

2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.

3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.

7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.

8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.

10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.

 

Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.


  Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 

            The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Hymn: 382                 “King of glory, King of peace”                         Blue Hymnal       

                                                                                                                                 

The Gospel:   John 12:31-36a

 The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People   Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

 

 The Gospel of the Lord.

            People   Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

 

The Sermon  The Rev. Alexander Herasimtschuk

 

The 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.

                               

The Service of Admission to the Daughters of the King

Presenter: It is my privilege to present Leann Haubrich as a candidate for membership in The Order of the Daughters of the King®.

Clergy: We are gathered here in the sight of God and before this congregation to admit Leann into The Order of the Daughters of the King®. We commend her to your earnest prayers that she may have grace to fulfill the obligations of The Order and that her labors may be to the glory of God and to the welfare of all His people.

Addressing the candidates

Clergy: The Daughters of the King is an Order for women whose mission is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom, especially among women and girls, through prayer, service and evangelism. Do you desire to become a member of The Order of the Daughters of the King®?

Candidate: I do.

Clergy: Do you promise to obey faithfully the two Rules of The Order, the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service?

Candidate: I do with God’s help.

Clergy: Do you promise to offer your support to the clergy for the good of the parish and the extension of Christ’s kingdom?

Candidate: I do with God’s help.

Clergy: Do you promise to wear faithfully the cross of The Order? And to work for its purposes, as God may give you the opportunity?

Candidate: I do with God’s help.

Clergy: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit I receive and admit you as a member of The Order of the Daughters of the King®.

Addressing the congregation

Clergy: Will you support Leeann in her ministry of prayer and service?

Congregation: We will.

The clergy blesses the cross.

Clergy: Bless, O Lord, this cross and grant to your servant now admitted into this Order such an abundance of your grace that she may wear this sacred symbol in the spirit of humility and with devotion to the service of the King of kings. Amen.

All Daughters of the King: “Accept and wear faithfully the cross of The Order, remembering the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

New Member: Almighty God, help me to pray so faithfully that I may draw near to you and learn your will. Help me to serve so joyfully that others may be drawn to you. May your Holy Spirit guide me each day, that all I think, do, or say may be pleasing in your sight. I ask it all for the sake of Him whose cross I wear, my King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

All Daughters of the King: O Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your heavenly Kingdom. Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world. Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross through the battles of our earthly life. Give us strength to overcome temptation and the grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always remember it is your work we are called to do; that all we think, do or say may be pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Clergy: May your love, O Lord, help the Daughters live lives of love, and may your holiness lead them to be examples of virtue, that they, strengthened by your Holy Spirit, may pray and serve you all their days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

 

The Peace                        

 

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People      And also with you.

 

Blessing of those celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

Offertory Sentence

 

Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name.  Bring offerings and come into His courts.

 

Offering  You may continue to bring your gift to the altar through the online payment application VANCO.

 

Offertory Choir Anthem     “Lead Me Lord, lead me in thy righteousness”            Richard Farrant

Offertory Hymn: 598       “Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth”              Blue Hymnal              

 

The Liturgy of the Holy Communion

 

  Eucharistic Prayer A

 

The people stand.

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.

 

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-
where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.

 

The Celebrant says a proper preface.

 

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:

 Holy, holy, holy Lord S-129            Sanctus                   Robert Powell

 

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.

 

The people stand or kneel.

 

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us
for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become
subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human
nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the
God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself,
in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

 

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our
Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks
to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take,
eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the
remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given
thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you
and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me."

 

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

 

Celebrant and People

 

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

 

The Celebrant continues

 

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in
this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,
resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the
Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new
and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully
receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy,
and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints
into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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. Amen.

 

And now, as our Savior
Christ has 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 Fraction

 

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.

 

Fraction Anthem S– 161                                  Agnus Dei                                      David Hurd

 

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Take them in remembrance that Christ died for
you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith,
with thanksgiving.

 

The Distribution

All baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord’s table.  Worshippers are welcome to receive the Eucharist in both kinds (bread and wine) or in one kind (bread only), as partaking in one kind is considered sufficient under certain circumstances, according to the Book of Common Prayer. If anyone receiving in one kind desires to reverence the holy chalice, please make the sign of St. Andrew’s cross. If anyone desires to receive a blessing instead of the Eucharist, please also make the sign of St. Andrew’s cross.  For those who are joining us in worship and prayer, but do not yet feel called to receive the Eucharist, you are welcome to sing our communion hymns, or to spend time in prayer and reflection. Gluten-Free host, as always, is available upon request. May God’s peace and blessings be with you all.

Communion Hymns: 471   “We sing the praise of him who died”  Blue Hymnal     

                                      441   “In the cross of Christ I glory”                Blue Hymnal

Let us pray.

 

Eternal God, 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.

                                   

The Benediction

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and

minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be upon you and remain with you for ever.  Amen.

 

Recessional Hymn: 413      “New songs of celebration render”       Blue Hymnal       

The Dismissal

       

Celebrant   Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

People       Thanks be to God.                                     

           

 You are encouraged to stay to listen to the postlude.

 

 

 

 

Ministers of the Liturgy

 

Celebrant                                The Rev. Alexander Herasimtschuk

Organist                                  Gregory Citarella

Reader                                    Joy Maryniak

Lay Eucharistic Minister        Anne Bolter

Acolytes                                  Jody Fredeman, Leeann Haubrich; Joseph A. Yarnall

Altar Guild                              Annette Goodwin

Ushers                                        Roland and Marie Norris

 

Wardens  

Greg Fredeman

Peggy Kelland

 

Treasurer

Maya Hennebery

 

Vestry

Barbara Clark

Phil Engle

Maya Hennebery

Wendy McNeil

Leo Ocola

Betty Oommen

Sylvia Propfe

 

Bishop                                                                The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of New York

Suffragan Bishop                                                                                   The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin

   

Please remember Zion Episcopal Church of Wappingers Falls in your will so this magnificent church may be upkept and mission in the name of the Lord Jesus may continue after you have joined the Church Triumphant.

 Limited Podcast / Streaming License, Category A average weekly attendance 1 to 25.

M-400628 for Jul 06, 2027 – Jul 07, 2027

 

 

 

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Zion Episcopal Church

12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls, New York

‍ ‍(845) 297-9797        

‍ ‍https://zionwappingersfalls.org

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