Listen to the Sermon
A House of Prayer for all People and the Episcopal Church in Colorado
THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
October 25, 2026 | 10:30 am
Welcome to Saint John’s! We are glad you are here. If you are new, please see this time as one of connection and restoration. Our prayer is that you encounter God as you participate in today’s service. Before the service begins, please take a moment to silence your electronic devices. Hearing Impaired guests: Hearing Loop Installed. Switch your hearing aid to “T-coil”.
THE WORD OF GOD
VOLUNTARY
Elegy
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Elegy
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
All stand for the procession.
HYMN 381
Thy strong word did cleave
Ton-y-Botel
Thy strong word did cleave
Ton-y-Botel
OPENING ACCLAMATION and COLLECT FOR PURITY
Presider
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 your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. 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 your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
| Presider | The Lord be with you. |
| People | And also with you. |
| Presider | Let us pray. |
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.
All sit.
THE FIRST LESSON
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Lector: Sarah McAfee
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Lector: Sarah McAfee
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 of Moab, 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.
| Lector | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
PSALM 90:1-6, 13-17
Saint Martin’s Psalter
Saint Martin’s Psalter
Sung by the choir.
| 1 Lord, you have been our refuge * from one generation to another. |
| 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 suddenly 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 our life. |
| 15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us * and the years in which we suffered adversity. |
| 16 Show your servants your works * and your splendor to their children. |
| 17 May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; * prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork. |
THE SECOND LESSON
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Lector: James Wagstaff
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Lector: James Wagstaff
You 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.
| Lector | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
All stand for the proclamation of the Gospel.
THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Choir and Congregation sing the Acclamation.
Verse Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion.
THE GOSPEL
Matthew 22:34-46
Matthew 22:34-46
| Minister | 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.
| Minister | The Gospel of the Lord. |
| People | Praise to you, Lord Christ. |
THE SERMON
The Reverend Canon Paul Keene
Canon for Parish Life
The Reverend Canon Paul Keene
Canon for Parish Life
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.
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.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Intercessor: Anne Enderby
Intercessor: Anne Enderby
After each petition is said
| Intercessor | God of Abundance, |
| People | hear our prayer. |
Intercessor We pray for those celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, saying,
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Intercessor We pray for our discernment and calling of a new dean saying,
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a dean for this cathedral and parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Intercessor We pray for our discernment and calling of a new dean saying,
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a dean for this cathedral and parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Presider says a concluding collect and the People respond Amen.
THE CONFESSION of SIN and ABSOLUTION
| Minister | Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. |
All kneel and a moment of silence is kept.
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.
Presider
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.
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.
Presider
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
| Presider | The peace of Christ be always with you. |
| People | And also with you. |
All sit.
ANNOUNCEMENTS and STEWARDSHIP
Stay connected and check out upcoming opportunities here.
Support the work of Saint John’s by making by making a financial gift.
Support the work of Saint John’s by making by making a financial gift.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
The congregation remains seated during the Offertory Anthem.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
O Lord, increase our faith
Henry Loosemore
O Lord, increase our faith
Henry Loosemore
O Lord, increase our faith, strengthen us and confirm us in thy true faith; endue us with wisdom, charity, and patience, in all our adversities sweet Jesu, say Amen.
HYMN 400
All creatures of our God and King
Lasst uns erfreuen
Stanza 1
All creatures of our God and King
Lasst uns erfreuen
Stanza 1
Children and their parents are welcome to come forward and sit on the carpet to be closer to the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer.
At the invitation of the Presider, all stand.
At the invitation of the Presider, all stand.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Eucharistic Prayer A
Eucharistic Prayer A
| Presider | The Lord be with you. |
| People | And also with you. |
| Presider | Lift up your hearts. |
| People | We lift them to the Lord. |
| Presider | Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. |
| People | It is right to give him thanks and praise. |
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 and BENEDICTUS
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
All kneel.
Presider
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, send 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 before 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:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
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 Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
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, send 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 before 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:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
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 Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
Silence.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Presider 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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
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 BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Presider breaks the consecrated bread.
PASCHA NOSTRUM
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
Verse Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast.
THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Following the invitation to Communion, all are invited forward. Extend your hands to receive a wafer from the priest. Gluten-free is available upon request. You may stand or kneel at the altar rail; please fill in from the outside toward the center. A verger is present if you need assistance. For those desiring to receive wine, it is available from the common Cup or you are invited to intinct your wafer in the chalice. When receiving the wine from the chalice, please help guide the chalice to your lips. If you choose to receive a blessing, please cross your arms over your chest.
ANTHEM
Ave verum corpus
Edward Elgar
Ave verum corpus
Edward Elgar
Jesu, Word of God Incarnate, of the Virgin Mary born; on the cross thy sacred body, for us men with nails was torn. Cleanse us by the blood and water streaming from thy pierced side. Feed us with thy body broken, now and in death’s agony.
HYMN 707
Take my life, and let it be
Hollingside
Take my life, and let it be
Hollingside
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
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.
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.
If there are Eucharistic Visitors to be sent forth, the Presider says to them
In the name of this congregation, we send you forth bearing these Holy Mysteries, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
We who are many are one body, because we all share in one bread, one cup.
We who are many are one body, because we all share in one bread, one cup.
THE BLESSING
The peace of God, which passes 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 Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
HYMN 610
Lord, whose love
Blaenhafren
Lord, whose love
Blaenhafren
THE DISMISSAL
| Minister | Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
VOLUNTARY
Toccata and Fugue in d BWV565
Johann Sebastian Bach
Toccata and Fugue in d BWV565
Johann Sebastian Bach
CATHEDRAL CHAPTER
The Very Reverend Patrick Gahan
Interim Dean
The Right Reverend Rob O’Neill
Bishop-in-Residence
The Reverend Canon Paul Keene
Canon for Parish Life
The Reverend Deacon Jack Karn
Deacon for Community Partnerships
MUSICIANS
Dr. Michael Boney
Director of Music
Saint John’s Cathedral Choir
FLOWER TEAM
Kathy Graveley & Jane Ellis
Co-Directors
ALTAR GUILD
Robin Van Atta
Director
SACRISTAN
Mason McKay
The Very Reverend Patrick Gahan
Interim Dean
The Right Reverend Rob O’Neill
Bishop-in-Residence
The Reverend Canon Paul Keene
Canon for Parish Life
The Reverend Deacon Jack Karn
Deacon for Community Partnerships
MUSICIANS
Dr. Michael Boney
Director of Music
Saint John’s Cathedral Choir
FLOWER TEAM
Kathy Graveley & Jane Ellis
Co-Directors
ALTAR GUILD
Robin Van Atta
Director
SACRISTAN
Mason McKay
Welcoming and inclusive of all.
1350 N. Washington Street | Denver, Colorado 80203
303.831.7115
Visit Our Website
The Right Reverend Kimberly D. Lucas
Bishop of Colorado
The Very Reverend Patrick Gahan
Interim Dean
The Right Reverend Rob O’Neill
Bishop-in-Residence
The Reverend Canon Paul Keene
Canon for Parish Life
The Reverend Deacon Jack Karn
Deacon for Community Partnerships
Keep In Touch
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
We are excited to have you stay connected to our cathedral family! Our weekly newsletter, The Cathedral Voice, is sent weekly by email. In it, you will find reflections from our clergy & staff, upcoming events, and opportunities to volunteer. We always respect your privacy.