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.
The 20th Sunday after Pentecost October 11, 2026
Year A 10:00 am
Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Processional Hymn: 7 “Christ, whose glory fills the skies” Blue Hymnal
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. 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.
Glory be to God on high,
and on earth peace, good will towards men.
We praise thee, we bless thee,
we worship thee,
we glorify thee,
we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,
have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy;
thou only art the Lord;
thou only, O Christ,
with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Exodus 32:1-14
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.” They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.
The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.”
But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Confitemini Domino, Et fecerunt vitulum
1 Hallelujah!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
2 Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord *
or show forth all his praise?
3 Happy are those who act with justice *
and always do what is right!
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favor you have for your people, *
and visit me with your saving help;
5 That I may see the prosperity of your elect
and be glad with the gladness of your people, *
that I may glory with your inheritance.
6 We have sinned as our forebears did; *
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
19 Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb *
and worshiped a molten image;
20 And so they exchanged their Glory *
for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.
21 They forgot God their Savior, *
who had done great things in Egypt,
22 Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *
and fearful things at the Red Sea.
23 So he would have destroyed them,
had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, *
to turn away his wrath from consuming them.
Second Reading: Philippians 4:1-9
My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymn: 345 “Savior, again to thy dear Name we raise" Blue Hymnal
The Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory be to thee, O Lord.
Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to thee, O 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 Prayers of the People Form III
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 our Presiding Bishop, Sean; our Bishops, Matthew and Allen; Alex, our Rector; and for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for Greg and Peggy, our wardens, and for the members of our vestry, that the Lord may guide them, and bless them with wisdom, patience and fortitude.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
We pray for our President, Donald; our Governor, Kathy; and all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
We pray for all victims of violence and terrorism. We pray for all refugees and the countries who shelter them. We pray for our brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces. Protect them and safely bring them home to their family and friends. Comfort and sustain families and friends of those serving in the Armed Forces, and deliver them through this time of trial. We pray for all people who are caught in the midst of war. We pray for peace among the nations. We pray for prisoners and their families, and those who minister to them.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
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.
In the Interparish Council rota of prayer, we pray this week for:
Iglesia Virgen de Guadalupe, Poughkeepsie.
In the communion of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Margaret of Antioch and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord our God.
The Celebrant adds a concluding collect
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against thee
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen.
The Priest stands or sits
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
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And with thy spirit.
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 Hymn: 146 “Break thou bread of life” LEVAS II
The Holy Communion
Eucharistic Prayer II
Celebrant says
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.
The Celebrant says a proper preface
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the
company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious
Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
Sanctus
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 who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst
create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own
image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son
Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death
upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and
perfect sacrifice for 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.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread;
and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke 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 this, all of
you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, 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, we thy people do
celebrate and make, 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; and
looking for his coming again with power and great glory.
And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to
hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and
sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto
us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this
our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer
and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and
bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this
Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious
Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with
thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all
thy whole Church may be made one body with him,
that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same
Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father
Almighty, world without end. 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.
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.
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.
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 always
Communion Hymn: 645 “The King of love my shepherd is” (vs 1, 2, 5, & 6) Blue Hymnal
Communion Hymn: 664 “My Shepherd will supply my need” Blue Hymnal
Post-Communion Prayer
The people stand or kneel
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.
The Benediction
The peace of God , which passeth 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 Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.
Recessional Hymn: 556 “Rejoice, ye pure in heart!” (vs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Blue Hymnal
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude
You are encouraged to stay to listen to the postlude.
Ministers of the Liturgy
Celebrant The Rev. Alexander Herasimtschuk
Organist Gregory Citarella
Reader Peggy Kelland
Lay Eucharistic Minister Leeann Haubrich
Altar Guild Lynn Sheppard
Usher Maya Hennebery and Greg Fredeman
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 NY
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 07, 2025 - Jul 06, 2026
Zion Episcopal Church
12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls, New York
(845) 297-9797
https://zionwappingersfalls.org