SAINT MICHAEL
and All Angels Episcopal Church
The Last Sunday After The Epiphany February 15, 2026
9 AM TRADITIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME
FROM THE RECTOR
The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
We’re so glad you’ve joined us at Saint Michael today. We’d love to get to know you better, so please take a moment to fill out the welcome card, either physically or digitally, that can be found on this page or in the pew back in front of you. Our Welcome Team members are in the hallways today to help you with anything you need.
The holy season of Lent begins this week. Lent serves as a poignant reminder of God’s love and grace, allowing individuals to be honest and true in the absence of judgment, and fostering a community of openness and authenticity. Ash Wednesday is February 18, and we will have services throughout the day, so please make a plan to join us.
During Lent, we will offer a new season of Weekday Meditations from the Saint Michael clergy, as well as Lenten Devotionals through A Word for Thought each day to support your growth. In addition, I hope you will consider joining us for our Annual Lenten Retreat, led by the Rev. Dr. Russell Levenson, and events in March led by the Women of Saint Michael and the Men of Saint Michael will help you make the most of this holy season.
Please pick up a Sunday News handout if you haven’t already and join us for our special programming whenever you can. As we prepare to worship together, I invite you to take a moment and center yourself on God’s presence. Worshiping, learning, and giving together help us grow closer to who God created us to be, and you’re part of that work. May God bless you today and every day, and I hope to see you again very soon!
CONNECT WITH US
Scan the QR Code to fill out the welcome card, sign up for emails, and register for Saint Michael 101. saintmichael.org/welcome
The Last Sunday After The Epiphany
Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The service begins on page 355 of The Book of Common Prayer. Hymns may be found in the blue hymnal in the pew rack.
The Word of God
Prelude
Toccata in F Major, BuxWV 157
Welcome
Dietrich Buxtehude
Entering Procession (standing, sung by all) Hymn 135
“Songs of thankfulness and praise” Salzburg
The Opening Acclamation and Collect for Purity (standing)
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. 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 (standing, sung by all)
“Glory to God in the highest”
The Collect of the Day (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Hymn S 278
Dietrich Buxtehude’s
Toccata in F Major, BuxWV 157, is a significant work within the North German Baroque organ tradition, embodying the stylus fantasticus through its large-scale, sectional structure that alternates between free, improvisatory passages and strict, contrapuntal writing.
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from g lory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
Children ages three through eight are invited to meet a member of our ministry staff by the pulpit to be escorted to children’s chapel; they will return to the congregation following the Peace.
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lesson (seated) 2 Peter 1:16-21
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and g lory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm (seated)
The LORD is King; let the people tremble; * he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
The LORD is great in Zion; * he is high above all peoples.
Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.
“O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and fall down before his footstool; * he is the Holy One.
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, * they called upon the
Chanted by the Choir to a psalm setting by Thomas Attwood.
LORD, and he answered them.
He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; * they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; * you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.
Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and worship him upon his holy hill; * for the LORD our God is the Holy One.
Sequence Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“Of the Father’s love begotten” Divinum mysterium Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be, honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore!
The Gospel (standing)
Matthew 17:1-9
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This
is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon (seated) The Reverend Kenneth H. Brannon
The Nicene Creed (standing)
All 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.
The Prayers of the People: Form IV (standing)
Celebrant Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Lector Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. [In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for ____. ] Lord, in your mercy.
People Hear our prayer.
Lector Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. [We pray for Donald, our President; Greg, our Governor; and Eric, our Mayor.] Lord, in your mercy.
People Hear our prayer.
Lector Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Lord, in your mercy.
People Hear our prayer.
Parish Prayers of the People as of February 4, 2026
James Albergo
John Aldridge
Susanna Allen
Roland Anderson
Larry Andros
Rami Angir
Linda & Greg Austin
Don Baty
Larry Been
Barbara Hart Bell
Shirley Blackman
Bob Buchanan
Len Bourland
Elise Broer
Helen Bustamante
Jenie Wissink Calvin Cosette “Coco” Cathey
Carolyn Cochran
Jean Coleman
Elise Connolly
Carlos Cuellar
Christian Davis
Bill Douglass
Terese Finitzo
Rashad Friendly
Jean Fuller
Gerald Gaston,Jr.
Curtis Green
Forest Germany
Jody Guenther
Roberto Hernandez
Josh Hight
Barbara Hornback
Jack Hubbell
Micah Jones
Julie Kenrick
Lynne Kent
John Khoury
Trina Lake
Danny Landeros
Tom Luce
Leigh Ann McCartin
Celia Smith McGrath
Sarah Margaret Mannes
Dimitri Margetis
Wilbur Marshall
Thomas Martin
Michael Matamoras
Janie Meyer
Tink Moir
John Morelock
Heather Nemec
John Oncken
Leslie Parker
Sallie Plummer
Jim Riggert
Celso Rocha
Brad Smith
Carlos Smith
Chandler Wade Smith
Dianne Smith
Fadey Suleiman
Byrd Teague
Renee Torres
Travion Waites
Keller Webster
John Wieden
Ann Williams
Mary Wolf
Lector Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and g rant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. [We give thanks for___.]
Lord, in your mercy.
People Hear our prayer.
Lector Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. [We pray for all those on the Saint Michael prayer list, and for___.]
Lord, in your mercy.
People Hear our prayer.
Lector We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. [We pray especially for ____.]
Lord, in your mercy.
People Hear our prayer.
Celebrant 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 and Absolution (kneeling)
Celebrant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
All 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 (standing)
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements (please be seated)
The Birthday Blessing (those with birthdays in February please stand)
All Watch over your 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 your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem (sung by Saint Michael Choir)
O Thou the Central Orb Charles Wood
O Thou, the central orb of righteous love, Pure beam of the most High, eternal Light
Of this our wintry world, Thy radiance bright Awakes new joy in faith, hope soars above.
Come, quickly come, and let thy glory shine, Gilding our darksome heaven with rays Divine.
Thy saints with holy lustre round Thee move, As stars about thy throne, set in the height Of God’s ordaining counsel, as Thy sight
Gives measured grace to each, Thy power to prove.
To make a gift scan this QR code.
Charles Wood composed most of his music later in life, and his sacred works reflect a mature style influenced by late-Romantic composers like Stanford, Elgar, and Parry. The text is by English priest Henry Ramsden Bramley, known for his collaboration with John Stainer on Christmas Carols, New and Old, a collection that popularized Christmas carols in late-Victorian England.
Anthem continues on the next page.
All baptized persons of any age regardless of their denomination and tradition are welcome to share in the banquet of the Lord’s Supper.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.
Let Thy bright beams disperse the gloom of sin, Our nature all shall feel eternal day In fellowship with thee, transforming clay To souls erewhile unclean, now pure within. Amen.
— H. R. Bramley
Presentation Hymn (standing, sung by all) Hymn 380, v. 3 “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” Old 100th
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant L ift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant 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 g ive thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
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 (standing, sung by all)
“Holy, holy, holy”
Please kneel as you are able.
Hymn S 128
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before
you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and g ave 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, according to his command, O Father, All We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory; 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.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these g ifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Saint Michael and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 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.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or 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.
All are invited to come forward to the Communion rail at the direction of our ushers. Stand or kneel at the rail as you are able, and receive the wafer in the palm of your outstretched hands. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, clasp your hands in front of you with your palms down. Receive the wine by drinking from the chalice as it is offered to you, or by retaining the wafer, to dip lightly into the chalice for yourself. If you are not receiving, you may cross your arms over your chest and receive a blessing. If you are unable to physically come to the rail, please indicate to an usher that you would like to receive Communion at your seat.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
All 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.
The Breaking of the Bread (kneeling, sung by all) Hymn S 154
“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia”
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.
Communion Hymn (sung by all) Hymn 134
“O
Light of Light, Love given birth” Jesu dulcis memoria
Communion Anthem (sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
We have Heard with Our Ears
Herbert Howells
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou hast done in their time of old. How thou hast driv’n out the heathen with thy hand, and planted them in; how thou hast destroy’d nations, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession through their own sword, neither was it their own arm that helped them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
Thou art my King, O God: send help unto Jacob. Through thee will we over-throw our enemies: And in thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, it is not my sword that shall help me. But it is that thou that savest us from our enemies, and puttest them to confusion that hate us. We make our boast of God all day long, and will praise thy name for ever. Alleluia.
- Psalm 44:1-8
The Post-Communion Prayer (kneeling, spoken by all)
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.
The Blessing (kneeling)
In this piece, Herbert Howells vividly paints the story of God’s faithfulness to His people. In an unusual choice for an extended anthem, Howells sets the majority of the text in unison writing for the choir. Until the final “Alleluia,” there are only two phrases set in harmony: “Thou art my King, O God; send help unto Jacob” and “We make our boast of God, we make our boast of God all day long, and will praise thy Name for ever.”
These two phrases are set apart with greater embellishment because they frame the text. It is because God heard the Psalmist’s prayer to send help that he praises God. The final “Alleluia” is stunningly set, with elaborate imitation between voices that contrasts with the sparsity of the preceding material. The two framing statements and the final “Alleluia” are the only sections set in a major key, further emphasizing the hope and elation of the Psalmist whose prayer God has answered.
Frank Bridge studied at London’s Royal College of Music from 1899 to 1903 under Charles Villiers Stanford and others. Although he was neither an organist nor closely associated with English church music, his short organ pieces remain among his most performed works.
The Dismissal (standing)
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.
Departing Procession (standing, sung by all) Hymn 137, v. 1-4
“O wondrous type! O vision fair” Wareham Postlude
Allegro marziale e ben marcato
Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE # M - 402151.
Frank Bridge
7:30 AM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
9 AM Traditional Church
Joy! A Children’s Service
Saint Michael Chapel
10 AM Education for All Ages
11 AM
Contemporary Church
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
5:30 PM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
sunday at Saint Michael
EDUCATION CLASSES
Sundays | 10 a.m. | 2nd floor of the Education Wing
Please enter and exit the Education Wing from the south entrance on Colgate Ave.
Adults
Bible Series | Walking Through the Psalms Room 203 | Led by the Rev. David Faulkner
Explore the Psalms’ place in Scripture, the instruction the hymns give us, and how to pray using the Psalms.
Faith & Practice | God is Revealed
Room 201 | Led by the Rev. Dr. Chris Girata
Explore the Christian understanding of revelation, God’s gracious self-disclosure. God is revealed to us through Word and Spirit, as well as in the scriptures, the sacraments, and the mission of the church.
How to Raise Happy, Independent, and Confident Children
Room 212 | Led by Dr. Reggie McFarland
Join us to study how to raise happy, independent, and confident children when today’s world provides so many challenges.
Saint Michael 101 | Introduction: The Episcopal Church Room 200 | Led by the Rev. Ken Brannon
Those who are new to our church or interested in membership will learn about Saint Michael’s mission and purpose.
Youth
Middle School: 6th and 7th Grade | Youth Room A
Confirmation: 8th Grade | Youth Center
High School: 9th – 12th Grade | Youth Room B
Children
Godly Play: PreK – 1st Grade (Ages 3 – 7)
PreK (Room 213) | Kindergarten (Room 211) | 1st Grade (Room 208)
One Family of Faith: 2nd – 3rd Grade | Room 209
Launch 45: 4th – 5th Grade | Room 207
Nursery available in rooms 19 & 20 in school hallway. Enter through the Sunday Education Wing entrance. See map for details.