The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 22 • Year A
St. Francis Day and Blessing of the Animals
[Image: Wood carving design of Moses holding the tablets of the Ten Commandments]
4th October 2026
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
402 Lincoln St, Santa Maria, Ca.
zionepiscopal.com
The Reverend Courtney A. U. Tan, Priest
The Reverend Judy Mackey, Deacon
Welcome to St. Peter’s. Please do not hesitate to ask anyone if you need directions or assistance. This Order of Service will guide you through the service. If you do not want to take it home, please leave it in your pew (seat) or on the table in the narthex (at the back of the church). If you have any questions, please ask someone.
We respectfully recognize that we are on traditional, ancestral territories of the Amuwu, Salinan, and Chumash Nations. We acknowledge their lasting impact and ongoing commitment to this area.
Thank you to everyone who makes this service possible – the Vestry, the Altar Guild, the musicians and all the volunteers.
Here is a handy map of the Church buildings to assist you in finding your way around.
¡Bienvenidos a la Iglesia de San Pedro! Si ocupan ayuda o direcciones, por favor pregunten a alguien. Aquí está un mapa de los edificios de la Iglesia para dirigirlos a los diferentes sitios. Este boletín le guiará a través del proceso de la misa. Si no se lo quiere llevar a casa por favor déjelo en la banca (asiento) o en la mesa en el nártex (en la parte trasera de la iglesia). Si tiene preguntas, pregúntele a alguien.
Reconocemos respetuosamente que estamos en territorios tradicionales y ancestrales de las naciones Amuwu, Salinan y Chumash. Reconocemos su impacto duradero y su compromiso continuo con esta área.
Gracias a todos que hacen este servicio posible – la Junta Parroquial, el Gremio de Altar, los músicos y todos los voluntarios.
[Image: Detailed map layout of St. Peter's Church buildings showing the Sanctuary, Narthex, Courtyard, Parish Hall, Offices, and Meeting Rooms]
Serving Us Today
- Camera Operator: Terri Oneschuck
- Counter: Vacant
- Lay Eucharistic Minister: Sara Macdonald
- Lectors: Michael Holiday, Jim Brenneman
- Musician: The Rev. Judy Mackey
- Prayers of the People: Marty Durrett, Daughters of the King
- Ushers: Jan Lavelle, Ernie Houston
- Vestry Representative: Terri Oneschuck
The Vestry
- Senior Warden: Marty Durrett (2026)
- Junior Warden: Marianne Converse (2026)
- Dawn Jimenez (2027)
- Bob Norwood (2027); Clerk
- Terri Oneschuck (2028)
- Lisa Ziemba (2028)
- Treasurer: Joe Ardizzone
Staff & Contact
Priest-in-Charge:
The Reverend Courtney A.U. Tan
Phone: 408-431-6810
Email: priest@stpeterssm.org
Priest’s Day of Rest: Friday
Office Staff:
Roberta Slosson, Ray Ayala (bilingual)
Parish Office Hours:
9:30 am – 1:00 pm, M-Th
Office Phone: 805-922-3575
Email: admin@stpeterssm.org
Weekly Service Times
Sunday 8 a.m.
Spanish / Misa en español
Sunday 10 a.m.
English / Misa en inglés
Wednesday 10 a.m.
Contemplative Service followed by Bible Study
(bring a snack or lunch, if you would like)
Miércoles 10 a.m.
Misa Contemplativa seguida por estudio bíblico
The Service of the Word
Welcome
Processional: How Firm a Foundation Blue Hymnal #637
How Firm a Foundation (Blue Hymnal #637) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
Salutation
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s Kingdom, now and forever. Amen
Collect for St. Francis Day
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord: Grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfect joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Gloria: Blue Hymnal S280
Gloria (Blue Hymnal S280) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
The Collect for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Celebrant: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Lector: A reading from the Book of Exodus.
Then God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.”
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 19 Caeli enarrant
The Psalm is read as directed, reverently pausing between the verses
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
The Epistle Philippians 3:4b-14
Lector: A reading from the letter to the Philippians.
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.
People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual: Day By Day Blue Hymnal #654
Day By Day (Blue Hymnal #654) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
The Gospel Matthew 21:33-46
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
Celebrant: This is the Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
Rev. Courtney Tan
After the sermon there will be a moment of silence for reflection...
The Nicene Creed
Celebrant or Leader: Let us affirm our faith in the words of 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,
By the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of 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
Presider: Let us offer our prayers to God saying, “Hear our prayer.”
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: At this time of changing seasons, we thank you, O Lord, for the beauty of our earth and all the creatures with which we share your creation.
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: We pray for the Church in all times and places. Strengthen us in our faith as we seek to do your will and care for one another and our earthly home.
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: Guide the leaders of our land that we may consider the well-being of all creation, working for peace, and understanding, and striving to be a blessing to other nations of the earth.
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: Grant that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that we may live in justice and seek healing for one another and our planet.
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth to preserve what we have, to change that which does not serve, and to ensure justice and an equal division of everyday necessities.
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: O God, the strength of those who labor, grant that we may never forget that our common life and the health of all who live on earth depends upon each other’s toil.
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: Remember, O Lord, in mercy all those who suffer or are in any trouble, knowing that you do not willingly afflict or grieve us. We remember especially those in need in our own parish, including Linda and Janet, Jan Scott, Natalyn, Andrew, Sam, Nancy, Kit, Martha, Darlene, Jan, Maggie, Anita, Bev, Kirk, Michael, Alex, Pam, Jim, Marty, Earlene, Roberta, Bob, Joyce, Erin, Karolin, Vivian, and Andy, all those on the Daughters of the King Prayer List. I invite any other prayers of intercession or thanksgiving, silently or aloud.
You are invited to add your own petitions here . . . Silence
People: Hear our prayer.
Intercessor: Grant your blessing to all who have died in the hope of resurrection; especially Kurt, Sheila, and Brian, may they rest in peace.
People: Hear our prayer.
Presider: 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
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept
Minister and People:
Lord Jesus Christ, you call on your church to be a place where we can find your forgiveness.
And in our doubting in our unfaithfulness, you offer us renewal and a share in your resurrection life.
And so we come to you with all our doubts, with all our faults and in silence ask to know of your presence forgiving each of us, as we forgive one another. Amen.
Absolution:
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
Celebrant: May the peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
[Graphic: Line drawing of a dove holding an olive branch]
The Service of the Table
Celebrant: Jesus said, “Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Offertory Music
While the people’s offerings are brought forward, the Doxology is sung.
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer 2 EOW 1
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to God.
Presider: Let us give thanks to God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Presider: We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing. You made us in your image and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you and wandered far away; and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. And so, this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing:
Sanctus: Blue Hymnal S129
Sanctus (Blue Hymnal S129) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
The presider continues:
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God. Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself, yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” *
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” *
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People:
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit + upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation +, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us, with St. Peter and all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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.
Fraction Anthem EOW 1
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.
Presider: God of promise, you have prepared a banquet for us.
People: Happy are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.
Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following invitation:
Presider: 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.
All are welcome at God’s table.
All baptized persons are welcome to receive the Eucharist in the Episcopal Church. If you would prefer a blessing, please indicate this by crossing your hands across your chest. Gluten-free wafers are available, please indicate your preference when receiving the sacrament.
Please note, the Communion wine contains alcohol; receiving the sacrament in only one kind, i.e., bread is valid.
The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these words
Minister: The Bread/Cup of blessing.
Response: Amen.
Communion Hymns
Hymn 1: I come with joy to meet my Lord Blue Hymnal #304
I come with joy to meet my Lord (Blue Hymnal #304) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
Hymn 2: My God, thy table now is spread Blue Hymnal #321
My God, thy table now is spread (Blue Hymnal #321) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
Post-Communion Prayer
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People:
In gratitude, in deep gratitude for this moment, this meal, these people, we give ourselves to you.
Take us out to live as changed people because we have shared the Living Bread and cannot remain the same.
Ask much of us, expect much of us, enable much by us, encourage many through us.
So, God, may we live to your glory, both as inhabitants of earth and citizens of heaven. Amen.
Special Blessings & Milestones
You are invited to come forward for blessings and prayers for any significant event in your life or those close to you: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Healing, Sobriety Milestones, Travel, Graduations, etc.
Birthday Prayer BCP 51: Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace which passes all understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Parke’s Birthday Prayer: Many happy returns on the day of your birth, may sunshine and gladness be given. May God in his mercy prepare you on earth for a beautiful birthday in Heaven. Amen. (Prayer written by a former rector of St. Peter’s)
Blessing of Gifts: Martha’s Market Wagon, and/or any other in-kind gifts are blessed.
Announcements
Blessing
Be careful as you go out into God’s creation, for it does not belong to you.
Be gentle with yourself and with one another, for you are the dwelling place of the Most High God.
Be alert and hesitant, for sometimes God is but a whisper.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
World Council of Churches • oikoumene.org
Recessional: Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve. Blue Hymnal #546
Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve (Blue Hymnal #546) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
Dismissal
Celebrant: Let us go forth rejoicing in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia!.
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
St. Francis Day • October 4th 2026
Blessing of the Animals
Will take place in the courtyard following each service.
If you are unable or prefer not to bring your pet, we will also bless photographs or mementos.
[Illustration: Drawing of St. Francis with birds, dogs, and wildlife]
Announcements — September 2026
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church • 402 S. Lincoln Street, Santa Maria, Ca 93458
Weekly Service Times: Sunday: 8 a.m. Spanish; 10 a.m. English, Wednesday 10 a.m.
Parish Office Hours: Weekday hours: Mon. to Thur. 9:30 to 1:00. Other times by appointment. Please phone before arrival, to be certain someone is available to assist you. Rev. Courtney is not in the Office on Fridays.
Altar Flowers
The Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God, and in thanksgiving for his father, Dennis Pankratz by Thomas, and in thanksgiving for the birthday of Faye McQueen by Lisa Ziemba.
Book Group
Meets on Mondays at 2:00 p.m. in the Guild Room. We are engaging with a series of articles & other materials for a season. Please join us, Drop-ins welcome!
Bell Choir
Meets on Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to join. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office or Marianne Converse (805-406-8196) for details.
Bible Study
A look at the lessons and themes of the day’s readings and how they are at work in our own lives. Wednesdays at 11-ish, following the service. It is not necessary to attend the Wednesday service to attend. No meeting August 12th.
First Sunday Brunch
Every first Sunday of each month. Please join us in the parish hall following the service. Everyone is welcome at the table. It is not necessary to bring a contribution to participate.
Vestry Meetings
The Vestry (Parish Council) customarily meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Next Meeting: October 20th.
Daughters of the King
Meet on the third Sunday of each month at 11:15 a.m. in the Guild Room. Please help yourself to coffee and join us in the guild room or multi-use room. Contact Martha Martel for details. Next meetings: Oct. 18th.
Stuffed Doll Ministry
Stuffed Doll (Or Other Cuddly Toy) Ministry: Dolls are given to children undergoing treatment at the hospital. If you would like to participate in this project, please speak to Jan Lavelle, Rev. Courtney, or the Parish Office.
Martha’s Market Food Pantry
Every Thursday, beginning at 7:30 am, we distribute food to those in need. Volunteers welcome to help sort, bag, unpack, and distribute food to clients. Community service hours are available.
Martha’s Market Resurrection Collection
The Red Wagon is in the Narthex. Every item helps. Suggested items: cereal, crackers, pop-top or key opening canned fruits, meats or fish, toiletries. Thank you for your generous donations so far.
Crochet/Craft Group
Coming soon! Watch for more information!
Forthcoming Services and Events
Book Forum: Theo of Golden, a novel
Several members of the congregation have read, and been impacted by the writing, story and community energies of Alan Levi’s first novel. Copies of the book are available from the Parish Office. Sam Johnson will lead a discussion at a date to be determined.
Mutual Ministry Review
The required next step in the process to call Rev. Courtney as the next Rector of St. Peter’s. October 10th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebration of Life: Brian Hall
October 10th at 3 p.
