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THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
(PROPER 13)
The Holy Eucharist - Rite II (Year C)
August 3, 2025 9:30 AM
THE ENTRANCE RITE
(In preparation for worship, please remain in silent meditation, ensuring that your mobile devices are silenced.)
Opening Sentence and Prayer
Entrance Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #408) ‘Sing praise to God who reigns above’
Greeting and Acclamation Prayer Book, page 355
Prayer of the Day Prayer Book, page 232
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (1: 2, 12 - 14; 2: 18 - 23) Judith Bennett-Murray
2Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 12I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, 13applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. 14I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 18I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me 19—and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? 23For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (49: 1 - 11) Audite hæc, omnes Prayer Book, page 652/653 Lois Newland
1 Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world, * you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.
2 My mouth shall speak of wisdom, * and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
3 I will incline my ear to a proverb * and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
4 Why should I be afraid in evil days, * when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,
5 The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, * and boast of their great riches?
6 We can never ransom ourselves, * or deliver to God the price of our life;
7 For the ransom of our life is so great, * that we should never have enough to pay it,
8 In order to live forever, * and never see the grave.
9 For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish * and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
10 Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their dwelling places from generation to generation, * though they call the lands after their own names.
11 Even though honored, they cannot live forever; * they are like the beasts that perish.
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians (3: 1 - 11) Adrienne Sandiford
1If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8But now you must get rid of all such things-anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #707) ‘Take my life, and let it be’
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (12: 13 - 21)
13Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
Sermon
Profession of Faith (The Nicene Creed) Prayer Book, page 358
Prayers of the People (Form I, modified) Nashane Frazer Prayer Book, page 383
Confession of Sin and Absolution Prayer Book, page 360
Gesture of Peace ‘Greet somebody in Jesus Name
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Offertory Hymn (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #189) ‘Great is thy faithfulness’
Doxology (African American Heritage Hymnal, #651)
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (Eucharistic Prayer A) Prayer Book, page 361
Hymns during the Administration of Holy Communion
(Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #62 / #151 / #157) ‘In Christ there is no East or West’ / ‘One bread, one body’ / ‘Revive us again’
Prayer after Communion (Stand or kneel) Prayer Book, page 365
The Blessing
Welcome / Announcements (Blessings: Birthday, Travel, Children, Other)
The National Anthem of Jamaica
Eternal Father, bless our land, guide us with Thy mighty hand,
Keep us free from evil powers, be our light through countless hours.
To our Leaders, Great Defender, grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, truth be ours forever, Jamaica, land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.
Teach us true respect for all, stir response to duty’s call,
Strengthen us the weak to cherish, give us vision lest we perish.
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father, grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, truth be ours forever, Jamaica, land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.
Mission Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #594) ‘God of grace and God of glory’
Organ Postlude
(Please remain seated until the Postlude ends and the candles are extinguished. Be mindful of those who have stayed behind for prayer.)
WELCOME * BIENVENIDOS * BIENVENUE
The Clergy, Wardens, and Vestry of our Parish welcome all visitors and members who have joined us in celebrating God in Christ Jesus.
We hope that you have had a rewarding spiritual experience, and we pray that you will come again. If you are looking for a spiritual home, we invite you to join our fellowship and worship. Please speak with the Priest or one of the Ushers.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
Holy Eucharist, Sundays, 9:30 am (Sanctuary / Online)
(Facebook / YouTube / Zoom ID: 970 3502 6969 / Passcode: 026667)
1st and 3rd Sundays, Community Prayer Walk, 1pm
Holy Eucharist, Wednesdays, 10 am (Sanctuary / Zoom ID: 953 4196 0007 / Passcode: 025388 / Telephone: 1.646.876.9923 / ID: 953 4196 0007)
Saturday, August 16, Back to School Drive (Community Relations and Evangelism)
Saturday, August 23, 10am, Safe Church Training
Sunday, September 21, 9:30 am, Back to Church Sunday
Friday, September 26, 120th Anniversary Gala and Dance (Glen Terrace)
Sunday, September 28, 9:30 am, Patronal Festival
SPECIAL OFFERINGS AND INTENTIONS
ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: The Episcopal Church in the Philippines; Niger West, Nigeria; Nike, Nigeria; Nimule, The Episcopal Church of South Sudan; Nnewi, Nigeria; Northern Izon, Nigeria; Northern Territory, Australia.
ANNIVERSARY
Bread and wine is given by Canon Leys in thanksgiving to God as he observed the fortieth anniversary of ordination to the Order of Deacons (July 28, 1985). To God be the Glory!
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY: Shirlene Cumberbatch (5), Phillip Van Rossum (5), Harold Miller (8).
DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: Staff of the Episcopal Church Center; Saint John's, Fishers Island; Church of the Atonement, Quogue; Church of the Transfiguration, Freeport; Church of the Holy Apostles, Brooklyn; Episcopal Real Estate of Long Island; Church of the Messiah, Central Islip;
HEALING PRAYERS for SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS: Nola Archer-Springer, Claudette Baptiste, Janet Beaton, Orion Best, Gwendolyn Blackett, Joyce Bourne, Eleanor Brown, Margaret Burke, Beverly Clark, Marie Clarke, Andria Clarke-Worrell, Ena Dixon, Ruby Doris, Harris Edwards, Esther Elder, Kenneth Fleary, Pearl Fox, Dolsy Greaves-Prince, Lindora Hall, Nerissa Hawker-King, Alice Herbert, Lynette Hunte, Monica Jones, Mavis King, Emmie Lambert, Germaine Mascoll, Raymond Maynard, Norma McKenzie, Deborah McPherson, Lynette Neptune, Ashton Parris, Lucille Peters, Miriam Prince, Erene Radix, Ursula Richards, Edgar Roper, Barbara Sammerson, Deonne Squires-Gilbert, Frederica Smith, Jean Soso, Ivonne Waldron, Winslow Wilson, Ines Wyatt.
HEALING PRAYERS for SICK and SHUT-IN RELATIVES and FRIENDS: Jennifer Allen, Sandra Alleyne, Claudette Butler, Adrian Garner, Carmen Baez, Manuela Blot, Richard Boyce, Cheryl Clarke, Tiffany Clarke, Patrick Codrington, Gilberto Donaldson, Cleve Esson, Sonia Estrada, Raymond Fenty, Celia Fikes, Denise Flatts, Zie Garraway, Hazel Gittens, Avril Green, Al Shura Hayden, Anthony Hayden, Antonette Hayden, Vernice Hinds, Myrna Johnson, Edward Jones, Elizabeth Kane, Colleen Kane, Cyril Kane, Ika Kane, Thelma Kane, Vilima Kane, Carol Kane-Hicks, Syrrea Kane-Price, Cedric Layne, Adrienne Le’Blanc, Maureen Lewis, Mildred Liburd, Michael Mayo, Igor Nelubin, Princess O’Garro, Paul Oseni, Leroy Peterson, Jeannine Pierre-Louis, Margaret Roach, Pheobe Roberts, Joan Scott, Gamal Steele, Alana Tompkins, Philip Tudor, Ann Walker, Mary Forde-Walters, Bryon Wilson, Lemar Wynn.
IN MEMORIAM +
Our prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of The Right Reverend Daniel S. Allotey (Sunrise: May 18, 1944 and Sunset: July 28, 2025),. Bishop Allotey was an Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Long Island and Bishop in Residence here at St. Gabriel’s. His Visitation and Vigil will be on Thursday, August 7, 2 pm to 7pm in the Sanctuary and the Funeral Mass on Friday, August 8 10am at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 50 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, New York.
Bread and wine is offered to the glory of God and in blessed memory of Leslin Yvonne Maynard on her birthdate (July 16). Given by her devoted husband Raymond, together with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, in deep gratitude for her life, faith, and enduring love. “But the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Psalm 112:6)
Our prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Austin Daly who died on July 30. Austin is the father of Yvonne Daly-Nelson. We pray for those who mourn his death. May his soul rest in peace and rest in glory.
STUDENTS AT COLLEGE: Malike O. Cummings (Queens College), Kesiena Gbidi (Medgar Evers College), Najite Gbidi (Kingsborough Community College), Elrid Holder (NYC College of Technology). Angelique Agard (Essex County College), Nyla Bartholomew (University of North Carolina), Desmond Jordan (Kingsborough Community College), Marshal Neptune (John Jay Community College), Jayden Richardson (University at Albany), Marliah Samuels (Binghamton University), Cynnia Semper (Norfolk State University), Jada Skye Spencer (Clark Atlanta University), Saige Wilson (Fordham University).
UNITED STATES MILITARY: Bernard Abraham (Army, North Carolina), Bennett Barnes (Army, Poland), Kibwe Cummings (Coast Guard, Maryland), Keron Glasgow (Army, Fort Bliss, Texas), Alonso Hall (Air Force, Japan), Richard Hinds (Army, South Korea), Trevaughn Luncheon (Navy, Florida), Shequita and Nephi Marston (Air Force, Germany), Shaquan McKenzie (Navy), Ashley McKenzie (Navy), Tacoma Washington (Army).
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY: JAMAICA
Today, we pray for the island nation of Jamaica, the West Indies, as it celebrates the 63rd Anniversary of its Independence on August 6.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Hosted by the members from the country of Jamaica. If you would like to host it on any given Sunday, please contact Cynthia Daniel, Fay Hunt, Dianne Miller, Gloria Miller or Zelma Murray.
HVAC SYSTEM: There are special offering envelopes provided in the pews. Thanks for your continued support.
OFFERINGS: Please bring your offering to the Office, mail it to the Church, or send it via Zelle (SaintGabrielsBrooklyn@gmail.com). Please write checks to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Inc.
OFFERING ENVELOPES 2025: Available in the Church Office. As you prepare your offering, please print your name on each envelope you use.
PRACTICE OF HOLY HABITS: As a Christian Steward, I affirm that I am tithing or have adopted a plan to work towards tithing as a minimum standard of giving, and if I am not already doing so, I am committed to giving priority to Corporate Worship, Personal Daily Prayer and Study and Sabbath Time in my life.
PRAYER BOOKS, BIBLES and HYMNALS are available for purchase. They are $30 each. Please visit the Office if you need any of these books.
READINGS: WEDNESDAY, August 6 (The Transfiguration): Exodus 34: 29 - 35 (Lois Newland); Psalm 99: 5 - 9; 2 Peter 1: 13 – 21 (Helen Walker) ; Luke 9: 28 - 36; Prayers of the People, Form I (Michael Ashby, Sr.). THE NINTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST, August 10: Genesis: 15: 1 - 6 (Michelle McKenzie); Psalm 33: 12 - 22 (Dianne Miller); Hebrews 11: 1 – 3, 8 - 16 (Linda-Watson Lorde); Luke 12: 32 - 40; Prayers of the People, Form II (Helen Walker).
RENAMING OF THE ‘CRY ROOM’: Your participation in this proposed renaming is asked. Send suggestions to the office. (‘Gabriel’s Room’ / ‘Gabriel’s Quiet Space’/ ‘Message Room’ / ‘Nurturing Room’ /‘The Reflection Room’ / ‘The Renewal Room’ / ‘The Richard Buery Room’) Thanks.
THANK YOU: Canon Leys would like to thank the Church Family for the outpouring of love in the time of his 40th anniversary celebration of ordination to the Order of Deacons. The calls, the cards, and the best wishes were much appreciated.
THANK YOU: The Ushers’ Guild extend thanks to all those who attended the ‘Ushers Bingo Night’ on Friday, August 2.
TRAINING (REHEARSALS) Acolytes: 1st and 2nd Sundays, 1 pm; Altar Guild: Saturdays, 12:30 pm; Eucharistic Ministers: 3rd Sundays, 1 pm
TREE OF LIFE: To memorialize your deceased loved ones, please call the Church Office for details.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Flowers are offered in celebration of the 6th wedding anniversary of Teon and Gennel Loncke. “May God continue to bless our union and guide us in our journey together.”
WEEKLY BULLETIN: Please submit information for publication to the Office by noon on Wednesdays (stgabrielschurchbrooklyn@gmail.com)
SAINT GABRIEL’S OLDER ADULT CENTER
(1.718.773.4049)
Monday, August 4: Computer Class / Monitoring Hypertension / Tai Chi for Arthritis
Tuesday, August 5: Arts and Craft / Exercise Class / Bingo
Wednesday, August 6: Town Hall Meeting with Mayor Eric Adams
Thursday, August 7: Arts and Craft / Hypertension Screening / Tai Chi for Arthritis
Friday, August 8: Computer Class / Exercise / Bingo
The Listening Sessions are opportunities for clergy and lay members of the Diocese of Long Island to share their voices, hopes, concerns, and dreams for the future of the diocese. These gatherings—held both on Zoom and in person—are part of the discernment process to help shape the diocesan profile and inform the search for the Ninth Bishop. Each session includes time for prayer, reflection, and respectful listening, guided by members of the Search Committee.
Zoom Sessions
Laity
August 6, 2025: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
August 14, 2025: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Clergy
August 12, 2025: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Please register for the Zoom sessions at this link.
In-Person Sessions
Clergy and Lay
Sunday August 3, 2025
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday, August 9, 2025
St. Alban the Martyr, St. Albans
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Spiritual Theme 2025
‘Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?’
(The Book of Common Prayer, Page 305)
Ministers of the Church
The Very Reverend Canon Donovan Ivanhoe Leys, Priest and Rector
1.917.216.7599 / sgecpriest@gmail.com
The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Long Island
Jillian Gbidi and Noel Browne, Wardens
R. Clifford Loncke and Ivonne E. Waldron, Wardens Emeritus
Andrea Wesley, Administrative Assistant
Christopher Bryant, Organist and Music Minister
Pablo Martinez and Zelma Murray, Custodians
THE VESTRY OF OUR CHURCH
The Very Reverend Canon Donovan Ivanhoe Leys, Chair
Jillian Gibidi (1.718.219.0922) / Noel Browne (1.917.681.6312), Wardens
2026: Carl Elbers, Adrienne Sandiford, Linda Watson-Lorde
2027: Audrey Cox, Dianne Miller (Treasurer), Leila Reid (Secretary)
2028: Malike Cummings, Heather Moise, M. Helen Walker
Live Steaming
Groups
