Before the Service
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Welcome one and all! If you are new here, we would love to get to know you a bit better. Please fill out a brief welcome form at hcec.link/welcome.
The children’s nursery is in the Education Building. All children ages
0-3 years are welcome, our staff has completed the child safety course,
Safeguarding God’s Children. A family room is
also available near the woman’s restroom in the back of the church.
Please ask an usher for an assistive listening device to help hear the service. Also find our services online at www.hcec.link/watch.
Our Mission
We worship God, love our neighbors, create community, follow Jesus, and steward our resources.
Welcome & Announcements
Processional — (H 380) From all that dwell below the skies
PROCESSIONAL : (H 380) From all that dwell below the skies
All singing
Opening Acclamation
Opening Acclamation (BCP p. 355)
Celebrant: 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 Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song OF Praise — (S 280) Glory to God
SONG OF PRAISE: (S 280) Glory to God
Collect of the Day
COLLECT OF THE DAY (BCP p. 357)
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
First Lesson — Exodus 12: 1-14
First Lesson: Exodus 12:1-14
A Reading from the book of Exodus.
1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. 12For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Psalm 149
Psalm 149 (BCP p. 807) Read responsively by whole verse.
1Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2Let Israel rejoice in his Maker;
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3Let them praise his Name in the dance;
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people
and adorns the poor with victory.
5Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;
let them be joyful on their beds.
6Let the praises of God be in their throat
and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7To wreak vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples;
8To bind their kings in chains
and their nobles with links of iron;
9To inflict on them the judgment decreed;
this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah!
Second Lesson — Romans 13: 7-14
Second Lesson: Romans 13:7-14
A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome.
7 Pay to all what is due to them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. 8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. 11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Please stand as you are able.
Sequence Hymn — I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
SEQUENCE HYMN: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Gospel — Matthew 18: 15-20
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
15 (Jesus said,) “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
The Sermon
A moment of reflection.
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed (BCP p. 358) – Please stand.
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.
Prayers of the People
The Prayers of the People (BCP p. 359)
Leader: In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
Leader: Tend to all people in their daily life and work;
People: Watch over our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
Leader: Create rest for this community, the nation, and the world;
People: Give strength to all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
Leader: Bring about the just and proper use of your creation;
People: Grant relief to the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
Leader: Rescue all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
People: Empower those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
Leader: Reveal the peace and unity of the Church of God;
People: Encourage all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
Leader: Confer wisdom to all bishops and other ministers;
People: Anoint all who serve God in the Church.
Leader: For Christine, The Smith Family, Donna’s Family, John, Jerry, Charles & Marilyn, Connie, Marilyn, Gene, Maria, and for the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Leader: Hear us, Lord;
People: For your mercy is great.
Leader: We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings
Leader: We will exalt you, O God our King;
People: And praise your Name for ever and ever.
Leader: We pray for Donna, and all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Leader: Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
People: Who put their trust in you.
Celebrant and People
Gracious God, whose Son Jesus calls the dead to new life awaken us to your will, deepen our love for one another, and give us a clear vision, that we may be a place of holy comfort in a hurting world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Confession of Sin
CONFESSION OF SIN (BCP p. 359)
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence
Celebrant and People
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.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
The Peace (BCP p. 360)
The people may exchange signs of peace with one another.
Offertory
Celebrant: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
Place the wooden tokens and financial gifts in the offering plate. You may make a gift online in Church Center at www.hcec.link/give
Please stand as the gifts (bread and wine and offering) are presented and placed on the altar, and remain standing for The Great Thanksgiving.
Offertory Hymn — (H 474) When I survey the wondrous cross
OFFERTORY HYMN: (H 474) When I survey the wondrous cross
The Great Thanksgiving
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (BCP p. 367)
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
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:
Sanctus (S 130) Holy, Holy, Holy
Please remain standing or kneel.
Celebrant continues: (BCP p. 362)
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.
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.
The Lord's Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (BCP p. 363)
Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Celebrant 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.
Breaking of the Bread
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.
A period of silence is kept.
Fraction Anthem (S 169)
Celebrant: 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 Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these words:
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.
All who seek God’s blessing are welcome to stand or kneel at the altar rail. If you are not yet baptized, or do not wish to receive for any reason, cross your arms over your chest and you will be given a blessing.
All baptized Christians are invited to receive the bread and wine. To receive a wafer of bread, extend your hands with your palms up; to receive a gluten free wafer, extend your hands with your palms down.
You may either drink from the chalice or dip the bread in the wine. If you wish to be baptized, please let our clergy know.
Communion Hymn # 1 — Abide
Communion Hymn # 1: Abide
Post-Communion Prayer
Post-Communion Prayer (BCP p. 365)
Please stand or kneel.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
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.
Recessional Hymn — (H 436) Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates
Recessional HYMN: (H 436) Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates
Blessing
Dismissal
Dismissal (BCP p. 366)
Announcements
Vestry Person of the Day – Alice El-Hamaki
Growing Faith: today through September 27. Join us for Growing Faith, a four-week Adult Discipleship class as we explore this year’s Baptismal Covenant question: “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?” Together, we will discover what each part of this promise means and how it can shape our daily lives as followers of Jesus. Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church or have been part of it for years, all are welcome.
Lunch Bunch: Join us on the 1st Sunday of each month after the Discipleship Hour (or noon) for lunch and fellowship. Our first “Lunch Bunch” will be today at the Louisiana Fish House, 1402 Spring Cypress Road, Spring, Texas 77373
9/11 Prayer Service: this Friday, September 11 at 3:30 PM. We will come together as a community to mark the 25th anniversary of this solemn day in our nation's history through a special edition of our Evening Prayer Service. All are welcome.
Visioning Groups: Our Visioning Work is moving into its next phase! See this month’s The Dove for more information. Based on feedback from the spring Dove Gatherings, parish survey, and Vestry discussions, four focus areas have been identified. Join a planning group for one of these focus areas and help brainstorm possibilities for our future together. Please complete the interest form by September 14 and select your top two focus areas at www.hcec.link/Visioning.
Holy Comforter Book Club: Wednesday, September 16 at 7 PM. The Holy Comforter Book Club meets on the Third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM on Zoom. We will be reading The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston for our August Book Club gathering. Please contact Linda Barry, at lgblan281@gmail.com for information about the book we will discuss at our next meeting. Please join us for interesting conversation. You can access the Zoom link through www.hcec.link/bookclub
Monday Morning Maintenance Muster: 1st & 3rd Mondays of the Month. Meet the Jr. Warden at 8 a.m. the first and third Mondays of the month to help with projects around our campus. The first meeting in on Monday, September 7th. Questions? jrwarden@holycomforterspring.org
Vestry Elections: In the coming months, one-third of our Vestry members will complete their terms, and we are looking for parishioners who feel called to help guide and support the work of Holy Comforter. If you are interested in learning more about serving on Vestry, please speak with any current Vestry member or Father John. Those who would like to be considered for Vestry service can complete the online interest form at www.hcec.link/Vestry.
“The Dove” Monthly Magazine: The September 2026 edition of The Dove is out now! To read, visit
Community Table
September 20: Register to Vote
Sunday Schedule
Nursery is available from 8:45-11:45am
8 am – Rite I Holy Eucharist
8:45 am – Community Table in Parish Hall
9:30 am – Rite II Holy Eucharist with Music
Weekly Schedule
Various Times – Discipleship Small Groups, www.hcec.link/dsg
Wednesday 9 am – Morning Prayer Rite II – Chapel
Monthly Meetings
Book Club – Third Wednesday at 7 pm – Zoom, hcec.link/bookclub
Clergy & Staff
John Soard, Rector
Ebele Okonkwo Onuigbo, Deacon
Kate Mumey, Curate
Debbie Daigle, Assisting Priest
debbie@holycomforterspring.org
STAFF
Faith Almond, Newcomers Minister
Kim Faasse, Director of Youth Ministries
Ashley Andreevska, Director of Music
ashley@holycomforterspring.org
Julie Rhodes, Financial Administrator
Taylor Brittain, Communication Coordinator
taylor@holycomforterspring.org
Email the vestry with thoughts and questions at vestry@holycomforterspring.org
www.holycomforterspring.org (281) 288-8169