THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

October 25, 2026

11:00 AM

RECTOR, PRESIDER & PREACHER: The Rev. Martin Pommerenke

MUSIC DIRECTOR and ORGANIST: Stephen Kennedy 

VANDELINDER FELLOW and ASSISTANT ORGANIST: Jimmy Jeffery

VANDELINDER FELLOW and ORGANIST: Dominic Fiacco

We seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
We strive for justice and peace among all people,
respecting the dignity of every human being

Welcome We seek to mirror the love of God and the hospitality of Jesus in our worship and our service to others. We are a community welcoming all races, ethnicities, faiths, genders, orientations, and abilities. Our worship is open to all, and every person is invited to receive communion

‍VOLUNTARY   Pari intervallo (1976) - Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)

THE ENTRANCE RITE

INTROIT Ego clamavi

HYMN 372 Praise to the living God

OPENING ACCLAMATION

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS Christ Church Mass - Stephen Kennedy (b. 1962)

The Word of God

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land ofMoab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

GRADUAL: PSALM 90

Domine, refugium

Choir.

Cantors:

1 Lord, you have been our / refuge *

from one generation / to another.

All:

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the / earth were born, *

from age / to age you are God.

3 You turn us back to the / dust and say, *

"Go / back, O child of earth."

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is / past *

and like / a watch in the night.

5 You sweep us away / like a dream; *

we fade away sud-/ denly like the grass.

6 In the morning it is green and / flourishes; *

in the evening it is dried / up and withered.

13 Return, O Lord; how long will you / tarry? *

be gracious / to your servants.

14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the / morning; *

so shall we rejoice and be glad / all the days of life.

15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you af-/ flicted us *

and the years in which we suf- / fered adversity.

16 Show your servants your / works *

and your splendor / to their children.

17 May the graciousness of the Lord our God be u-/ pon us; *

prosper the work of our hands; pros-/ per our handiwork.

SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

ALLELUIA VERSE Lauda anima mea

GOSPEL: Matthew 22:34-46

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Gospeler: The Gospel of the Lord

People : Praise to you, Lord Christ

THE SERMON The Rev. Martin W. Pommerenke III

Please take a moment for silent reflection.

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,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

and became truly human.

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,

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who 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 Form III, BCP 387

All remain standing or kneel

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.

7We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;

That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

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.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect:

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION OF SIN

The Celebrant says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Minister 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

Parish announcements and offertory sentence

OFFERTORY- To donate electronically, please scan this QR code.

Donate here

Your monetary offering- whether given in the offering plate or by online donation- supports the worship, pastoral care, and outreach of Christ Church as we seek to love and serve God and our neighbors. Thank you for your generosity.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE HOLY COMMUNION

OFFERTORY HYMN 375 Give praise and glory unto God

SURSUM CORDA

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

PROPER PREFACE

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and 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    

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.

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 holySacrament, 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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Fraction Anthem

Parish Notices

ANNUAL FUND PLEDGE SEASON ANNUAL FUND PLEDGE CARDS SENT – RETURN BY NOVEMBER 5

We’ve mailed out cards to those regularly attending our parish that you can use to let us know what you plan to give next year. (Please write to office@christchurchrochester.org if you didn’t get one.) Pledges of any amount are helpful for us to budget for 2027. You can return these cards by mail, place them in the offering plate, or bring them to our All Saints Gala dinner. (See next page.) The amount you write on these are meant to be estimates of your giving. If your financial situation changes, you can contact us to let us know if you’re able to give more or less. We’d like to have all cards in by November 5.

THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25: RECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND COLLECTION

Open plate cash offerings on each fourth Sunday of the month will be designated to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. We use these monies to provide financial assistance to those connected to our parish who speak to Fr. Martin about their needs. Donations to the fund electronically or by check are welcome – memo: Rector’s Discretionary Fund

COFFEE & TEA IN THE SACRISTY AT 9AM STARTS NEXT WEEK (Treats appreciated!)

We’ll experiment with a small coffee hour in-house following the 8 a.m. Mass during November and December. Whether you attend the early service or not, you’re welcome to stop into the Sacristy for tea, coffee, and visiting. Find the sacristy by walking all the way down the hallway beside the church, past the red spiral staircase to the last door on your left. We’d be glad for people to bring treats, too.

ALL SAINTS’ DAY - Sunday, November 1

All Saints Day is the feast of the church year when we celebrate apostles, martyrs, teachers, and other heroes of the Church throughout history who have shaped our faith. This year, All Saints falls on a Sunday. At the 11 a.m. Mass, we’ll have incense, especially festive music, and the renewal of baptismal vows with asperges (sprinkling).  If you'd like your child to be baptized, email martin@christchurchrochester.org.

Monthly Tuesday Lunch with the Rector - STARTS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Bring a brown bag lunch and eat with Fr. Martin monthly each first Tuesday at 1 p.m. (Enjoy Tuesday Pipes first at 12:10.) No agenda, just an informal get-together and unstructured discussion about whatever comes up.

All Souls' REQUEIM Mass – Thursday, November 5 AT 6:45 p.m.

The official name of All Souls Day in the Episcopal Church is the Commemoration of all Faithful Departed, always celebrated on November 2. (We’re observing it a few days later on November 5.) Mass that evening at 6:45 p.m. will feature a memorial censing and a reading of names of our loved ones who have died. This will be the first of the worship services offered on Thursdays. Be sure to print the names of loved ones who have died in our All Souls’ Name Registry at the back of the church for recitation at this Mass.

ALL SAINTS GALA DINNER – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 AT 6 P.M.

Our annual fund drive will conclude with our annual All Saints Gala potluck dinner on Friday, November 6 at 6 p.m. Please sign up to bring something on the sheet on the bulletin board in the side entry hallway. We’ll enjoy delicious food, visiting with Christ Church friends, and musical entertainment by the incomparable Jimmy Jeffrey and Caleb Myerhoff.

THURSDAY EVENINGS AT CHRIST CHURCH start in November

Weekly schedule (except Thanksgiving and in Christmastide):

• Evensong with Marian Devotions (or Mass for transferred feast days) from 6:45 to about 7:30.

• Adult Formation from 7:30 to 8:45 in the Guild Room.

  • This November’s classes will be taught by Fr. Martin. They will be on Episcopal Church history, highlighting the (far from perfect) saints who have made our dear church what it is today.

Celebration of new ministry - Saturday, November 21

Saturday, November 21, Bishop Kara Wagner Sherer will preside at the Celebration of New Ministry between us and our new rector.  The service will start at 11:00 am and a reception will follow in the Guild Room for all.

Thanksgiving Day Mass – Thursday, November 26

We’ll again be offering Mass on Thanksgiving Day; this year’s service will happen at 10 a.m. Fr. Stephen Metcalfe will preside.

CANDLELIGHT CONCERT SERIES

First Sunday concerts preceding Compline at 8:30 p.m. Receptions

follow 9:00 p.m. on these evenings

OCTOBER 4: Elinor Freer and Andrew Harley pianists

NOVEMBER 1: William Porter organist

*NOVEMBER 8: Renée Anne Louprette, organist

DECEMBER 6: Malcolm Matthews organist

JANUARY 5: Andrew Johnson organist

FEBRUARY 2: Dominic Fiacco organist

MARCH 2: James Jeffery organist

APRIL 6: Noah Fields and Chris Petit, Arvo Pärt Fratras and more

*Extra concert part of the Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative (EROI) Festival

TOM BOHRER PERFORMS FAMOUS PUNCH & JUDY SHOW

10:30 AM ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT 505 MOUNT HOPE AVE

Tom Bohrer, a longtime member of Christ Church, will be doing a puppet show for adults at the Chapel of the Episcopal Church Home. With roots in the Victorian puppeteer tradition, these performances still happen today in seaside resorts in Great Britain. Tom's shows have been performed at venues all around Western and Central New York.

PARISHIONER ACCOMMODATION SOUGHT

We’ve had a request from a student in our community looking for a shared room in a house or a small studio for between $900 - $1,000 per month anywhere around the Rochester area. If you know of a place, write to office@christchurchrochester.org or speak with Fr. Martin and we’ll put you in touch.

TUESDAY ZOOM BOOK GROUP

The Tuesday morning book group on Zoom at 9:30-10:15, has just started Paul: A Biography by N.T. Wright.  "Wright draws attention to Paul the man--the man who survived assassination attempts, imprisonments, and shipwrecks all while inventing new language and concepts for faithfully translating Jesus's story for the Gentile world" If you'd like to join us, please email Shirley Ricker, and a link will be sent to you to join.

Name tags for everyone

Please fill out a name tag at the table at the back of the church to get acquainted with everyone who enters. Peel-and-stick name tags welcome newcomers and help everyone, even long-timers, remember names.

Rector's Discretionary Fund

Open plate cash offerings on the fourth Sunday of the month will be designated to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. We use these monies to provide financial assistance to those connected to our parish who speak to Fr. Martin about their needs. Donations to the fund electronically or by check are welcome – memo: Rector’s Discretionary Fund.

A MEAL AND MORE

This twice-weekly feeding ministry always welcomes volunteers to serve lunches to the hungry on Wednesdays and especially on Sundays when you can dash in after church. Contact Debra Nelson at amam.volunteers@gmail.com to sign up.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS

We now have a sign-up board for those who would like to host coffee hour following the 11 a.m. Mass. This is an important time for congregants to connect with one another. For details on what’s involved, see Fred Scipione.  

GIFTS - ROCHESTER RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK

has a fund to support our immigrant neighbors

in urgent need: things like grocery shopping, rent relief, and other financial needs. This fund comes entirely

from individual contributions via Venmo. If you would like to contribute, their Venmo handle is

@rocrapidresponse.

OFFICE INFORMATION

Lori Frank, Office Administrator office@christchurchrochester.org

The Rev. Martin Pommerenke, Rector martin@christchurchrochester.org

Office Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday

Phone: (585)-454-3878

Sexton’s Hours: Sundays: 6:30 - 1 and 3:30 - 5 / Mon to Thurs: 7:30 to 3:30

Rector’s Workdays: Sunday to Thursday (Saturday work make-up day: Monday)

PARISH LEADERSHIP

Rector- The Rev. Martin W. Pommerenke III

Wardens- Val Jutsum, Deb VanderBilt Vestry- Jeremy Cooney, Jim Kurmis, Norma Hopcraft,

Kristy Liddell, Nancy Norwood, Shirley Ricker, Craig Smith, Jim Ford, Fred Scipione

MONTHLY EVENTS

Vestry Meeting - 3rd Tuesday Monthly @ 6:30 – 8:00 pm – Guild Room

Writer’s Circle at Christ Church – 1st Saturday of the month @ 3:00-5:00 pm contact John Cedarleaf.

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please keep these people and intentions in your prayers this week -

Our new rector, Martin Pommerenke, the wardens, and vestry. The sick and the suffering, John D’Amanda,

Norma Kurmis, Bob Brennan, Cora McCallum, Kevin Finnigan, Ellen Iaia (Steve’s mother), Adele (John

D’Amanda’s 9 yr old niece) Kina Knight (Kristy Liddel’s mom), Antonio Taylor, Judy (Kevin Finnigan’s

cousin), John Ford, David Tinkelman, Meg Love’s brother, Tim, Hugh Gray’s sister who lost her home in a

flood, Tom, a friend of Jim Ford, Kat’s roommate, and Capt. Charles Lewis, deployed to the Middle East; for

refugees and immigrants, those lacking housing, employment, and the necessities of life. Those affected by

poverty, bigotry, violence, war, and oppression. In thanksgiving for the many blessings, we have been given.