1

Welcome to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355 - (209) 522-3267

www.saintpaulsmodesto.org

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 26, 2020

Mission Statement We are a worshipping, inquiring and inclusive community united in Jesus’ name to change the world.

Welcoming Statement We invite everyone to join in the communal life of the body of Christ, through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the life and sacraments of this church. We affirm that each person is a child of God, and that those of every race, ethnicity, creed, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation and gender identity are called to be one with us.

“The kingdom of heaven is like”….

2

My dear parishioners and friends,

I miss you! Just thought I’d get that out there! I pray you are well, at least as well as can be hoped for under our current circumstances. Needless to say, Stanislaus County becoming one of California’s hot spots for the virus is not encouraging. But with God, hope reigns eternal, and his every-day presence in our lives is suf-ficient for the strength we need to carry on. Once again, I encourage you to stay close to the Word, finding comfort, hope, and joy in God’s unending and perfect love for each of us.

In this coming Sunday’s Gospel (July 26), for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, the reading from Matthew presents us with five parables about the kingdom of heaven. That’s almost one for each day of the week. I encourage you to ponder and pray over this Gospel, seeking to find that with which God wants to feed you this week. The passage is Matthew 13: 31-33 and 13: 44-52.

This week I have two important updates to share with you.

Update #1. Status of our Solar Energy Project through Diocese

On Tuesday evening, July 14, our vestry met virtually with the Bishop, Chancel-lor and CEO of the company that is orchestrating the entire diocesan project. By a vote of 6-1-1, they accepted the responsibility to pay future electric bills as they are generated by solar energy. They received pertinent information regarding rates over the next 25 years, and also regarding Fellowship, the company that will be funding the project. Actual construction and maintenance will by MYNT, a company reputable for its work on many churches in the Roman Catholic dioces-es. Here are a few highlights:

Tentatively, work at St. Paul’s will begin this fall.

Bundled into St. Paul’s rates is the cost of a new roof, which will be negotiat-ed by MYNT. One of the requirements will be an extended warranty on the roof, giving the need for it to last at least 25 years.

In the first year, there will be no savings for St. Paul’s. Savings begin in the second year, and continue throughout the duration. Over the course of the 25 years, it is estimated that St. Paul’s will realize approximately $84,000 in savings by using solar.

The installation, maintenance, cleaning, and repair of all solar equipment will remain the responsibility of MYNT.

3

St. Paul’s main obligations will be to pay the electric bills and to maintain the appropriate insurances, as we currently do.

There is a buyout option by which St. Paul’s can become the owner of the equipment after the first five years.

I know there have been and probably still are a lot of questions, as there are in general in the marketplace, about solar. The type of equipment, estimated savings, maintenance and repair, duration of the equipment, etc., are all important. And for us who are venturing into this arena for the first time, it can be particularly anxie-ty-producing for some of you. In the midst of all of this, let us also remember that we and the diocese are doing our part to live out our faith, as we express through our Care of Creation commitment in the Episcopal Church.

Update # 2. Bishop’s Virtual Visitation

As you know, it is part of a bishop’s responsibility to visit his parishes throughout the calendar year, assessing the well-being of the congregation, its successes and needs, its hopes and dreams. Bishop David was to have visited St. Paul’s this past May. He has now created a new visitation schedule, which begins in August. The visitations will be done virtually on ZOOM. You will all be invited to join in this time of prayer and conversation. Our scheduled visit is for Wednesday, Septem-ber 9. It will begin with Evening Prayer at 7 pm, and the session will end at 8:15 pm. I ask you to mark your calendars now, and plan to be present for this im-portant meeting.

Two weeks before the “visit,” you will receive a link to a video on how to use ZOOM, for those who might not be familiar. Unfortunately, joining in will not be possible for those who do not have the internet. Perhaps if a parishioner does not and another parishioner is aware of this, the latter might invite the former to join in at his/her/their home. In advance of the meeting, all parishioners will receive a link to the ZOOM meeting. I encourage you to watch the video if this is not something with which you are familiar.

In part, during this meeting the Bishop and Canon will share in discussion about the current state of the world.

Well, I think that’s enough for this week. Thank you for taking the time to read this; I believe staying in touch with you is crucial at this time in our history. I pray for you daily, I remember you daily, I love and care for you at every moment.

Fr. Nick

4

5

Morning Prayer Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

All: Shine on us, Lord, like the sun that lights up day. Chase away the dark and all shadow of sin. As day follows night, may we be bathed in your glory. –from A Holy Island Prayer Book

Deacon: Lord open our lips.

People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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.

Deacon: The earth is the Lord’s for he made it: Come let us adore him.

Venite Psalm 95:1-7, BCP page 82

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!

6

Psalm 105:1-11, 45b Confitemini Domino BCP page 738 1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;

make known his deeds among the peoples.

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, and speak of all his marvelous works.

3 Glory in his holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

4 Search for the Lord and his strength; continually seek his face.

5 Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, O children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the Lord our God; his judgments prevail in all the world.

8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, the promise he made for a thousand generations:

9 The covenant he made with Abraham, the oath that he swore to Isaac,

10 Which he established as a statute for Jacob, an everlasting covenant for Israel,

11 Saying, "To you will I give the land of Canaan to be your allotted inheritance."

45b Hallelujah!

7

The Lessons

Genesis 29:15-28

Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the young-er was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beau-tiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days be-cause of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Ja-cob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then La-ban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

Deacon: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

All: Thanks be to God.

(Pause for a brief reflection.)

8

Canticle D A Song of the Wilderness Isaiah 35:1-7,10 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, * the desert shall rejoice and blossom; It shall blossom abundantly, * and rejoice with joy and singing. They shall see the glory of the Lord, * the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weary hands, * and make firm the feeble knees. Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! * Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.” Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, * and the ears of the deaf be unstopped. Then shall the lame leap like a deer, * and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness * and streams in the desert; The burning sand shall become a pool * and the thirsty ground, springs of water. The ransomed of God shall return with singing, * with everlasting joy upon their heads. Joy and gladness shall be theirs, * and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

9

Romans 8:26-39

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predes-tined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deacon: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

All: Thanks be to God.

10

(Pause for a brief reflection.)

Canticle N A Song of God’s Love 1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is Love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Jesus Christ. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we ought also to love one another. For if we love one another, God abides in us, and God’s love will be perfected in us.

The Gospel

Deacon: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. All: Glory to you Lord Christ.

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

11

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weep-ing and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you Lord Christ.

Homily Deacon Greg Masztal

The music in this bulletin is copied under CCLI license #11480010 and streamed under

license # 20490419 for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Modesto CA

12

The Apostles' Creed BCP page 96

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 Prayers of the People

Response: Holy One, hear our prayers.

The Lord’s Prayer BCP page 364

Deacon: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Deacon: Let us pray.

13

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

Suffrage B

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; R. Govern and uphold them, now and always. V. Day by day we bless you; R. We praise your name for ever. V. Lord, keep us from all sin today; R. Have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy. V. Lord, show us your love and mercy; R. For we put our trust in you. V. In you, Lord, is our hope; R. And we shall never hope in vain.

The Collect of the Day

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal,

14

that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for an Epidemic

Deacon: Let us pray.

All: O God, our creator and preserver, we cry out to you along with our brothers and sisters throughout the world who are struggling to over-come the coronavirus epidemic, where so many lives have been lost al-ready and millions more are threatened. We pray for your grace and mercy that an end to this disease will come soon; and that life, labor, community and human touch will be restored. Give us courage and strength to amend our ways of living in the face of this great human tragedy, cooperating with medical authorities to pre-serve our own health and safeguard others. Help us overcome our fears and give us confidence to ask this in the Name of your most blessed Son, who came and gave his life so that we might live fully, Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

A Collect for Sundays

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious res-urrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Deacon: Let us pray.

Dear Jesus, We believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacra-ment. We love You above all things and we desire to receive You into our souls. Since we cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spir-itually into our hearts. We embrace You as if You have already come,

15

and unite ourselves wholly to You. Never permit us to be separated from You. Amen.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi BCP page 833

Lord make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are par-doned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Deacon: Let us bless the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

The Dismissal

Recessional Hymn WLP #812 I the Lord of Sea and Sky (next page)

16

17

Requested Prayers

The sick and suffering members of our families

Tom Allen, WYARNG Brandon Cox, TXARNG Jorgito Fuentes, USN Nick Garber, USA Brandon Alonzo, USAF Cheryl Edelman, USA Carson Repan, USAF Cole Mederios USN

Logan Bryant USN Nate Wallace USAFR Melissa Allen, USAF TJ Browning, USN Jay Colón, USAF Brett List, USN Johnny Olmos, USCG Jenavieve Johnston, USAF

For those who serve in our military

We pray for resurrected life, light and joy for all the deceased members of our families and our parish, and especially for those who have died from COVID-19.

Rossana Tamimi (Rossana’s daughter) COVID-19 patients Marissa Meredith Louisa Bryant RJ Moriconi Olga Lorenzetti Bob Smith Ken Hart and Trish

Marti Persons Dana & Kaitlyn Bonnie Palmer Bob & Clare Jensen Tracey Cox Paula Castro Daniel Cox Greg Cox Sandy Freitas

El Rio Memory Care Community

The Gospel Mission

Bethel Retirement Community

All the ill and suffering in our parish and in our families and the people who are caring for them.

For this world, for peace, unity and change

18

St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Modesto, CA https://www.facebook.com/St-Pauls-Episcopal-Church-of-Modesto-CA-106952012668211/

Then click on videos.

Vacation Bible School

VBS started Monday the 20. We had 29 kids!

Forthcoming Services

Please Note: All services listed as being celebrated by “Fr Nick” will be pre-taped and available on Facebook and You-tube on the given date. Morning Prayer services with Deacon Greg Masztal will be livestreamed on Facebook at 10am on the given date.

Sunday, July 26 - Dcn. Greg Live streaming at 10 am

Sunday, August 2 - Fr. Nick Available: July 31 in evening

Sunday, August 9 - Fr. Nick Available: Aug 7 in evening

Wednesday Morning Online Prayer

All are invited to join us for Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 10 am on ZOOM. Just let Jeni or Fr. Nick know if you wish to be included.

Looking for Something to Do?

The Salvation Army is looking for people to help prepare the dry goods and frozen meat items for Stanislaus County residents. They do this Mon-days through Fridays from 8 to 2. If this is something that you might be able to help with please contact Eric Goossens.

Please Pray

Please pray for our church and The Diocese of San Joaquin. A prayer of thanksgiving that we can meet via social media and phone calls, a prayer of healing for those who are ill and struggling with depression, and a prayer of guidance to help those in need.

19

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Modesto CA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBABwqOZphWFUZVjnc7eFqw

A Message from the Office

Dear Friends,

Well, here we are again, I got back from a few days in nature hiking and canoeing thinking all was well and came home and realized things are worse. Covid cases are on the rise, things are shutting down again, schools won’t have in person education and the list goes on. So immedi-ately I did what any mom of an 11yr old boy with ADHD who just realized he wouldn’t be going back to school would do, I cried. Not just tearful but ugly cried. What I realized is I had lost hope. According to 20 years of sci-entific research conducted by Martin Seligman, hope is one of the most import mental traits. Hope reduces feelings of helplessness, boosts happi-ness, reduces stress and improves our quality of life. We as Christians need to remember we have hope is Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present trou-bles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the trou-bles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.

I know things are difficult right now but don’t lose hope! We will again worship together, we will again eat together, we will again hug each oth-er, and our children will return school.

I’ve started reading a book called The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston and if anyone would like to read it with me, I would love to have book discussions just let me know.

“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” Mar-tin Luther king, Jr

Blessings to you all, Jeni Statzer Parish Administrator

20

Pastoral Team

Fr. Nick Lorenzetti, Rector ........................................... Julested3320@gmail.com

Office: 209-522-3267……….Home:209-567-2433 .......... Mobile:856-278-3949

Archdeacon Emeritus George Cano ................................................ 209-551-2304

The Rev. Deacon Greg Masztal .......................................... gregmasz@gmail.com

Parish Administrator and Facilities Coordinator

Jeni Statzer: 209-522-3267 ................................... stpaulsmodestoca@gmail.com

Other Important Contacts

Music Director, Chuck Sheaffer............................................. cbshea@pacbell.net

Assistant Organist, James Armstrong .............................. JFAworking@gmail.com

Hand Bells, Judy Teter ........................................................... jlpt@sbcglobal.net

Prayer Chain, Jeni Statzer ..................................... stpaulsmodestoca@gmail.com

St. Paul’s Epistle, Cherie Sheaffer ......................................... cbshea@pacbell.net

St. Paul’s Web Page, Social Media, Greg Masztal ................ gregmasz@gmail.com

Finance Committee, Judy Teter ............................................. jltpt@sbcglobal.net

Event Coordinator, Tracy Pugh ....................................... vinofileincal@gmail.com

Visioning our Faith, Niniv & Rossana Tamimi ............... ninivtamimi@sbcglobal.net

Latino Ministry, Wilson Colón ...................................... wisoncolon66@gmail.com

“Safeguarding God’s Children/People” ................. Jeni Statzer & Stephanie Gilmer

Children’s Sunday School, Zach Statzer ............................. bigstatz16@gmail.com

Coffee Hour, Sara Heintz ....................................... sara19811007@sbcglobal.net

Vestry

Senior Warden: Joyce Bell: 275-6502 .................................... bellj1@charter.net

Junior Warden: Claudine Romegialli: 209-489-8722 ..... msgialli06457@yahoo.com

Samantha Bland, Eric Goossens, Lynelle Hains, Sara Heintz, Jim Peck, Chuck Sheaffer, Barbara Vassell

Treasurer: Stephanie Gilmer (non-vestry)

Vestry Clerk: Carolyn List (non-vestry)