St. Peter's by-the-Sea

What does it mean to treat every person as made in the image of God? In his sermon at St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Bishop Nicholas Knisely unpacks Matthew 10:40-42 — Jesus' promise that even the smallest act of kindness, a cup of cold water offered in his name, carries an extraordinary reward. Bishop Knisely makes the case that true kindness flows not from...

What does it mean to receive peace from someone you failed? On the Second Sunday of Easter, Fr. Craig Swan preaches on one of the most striking moments in John's Gospel: the risen Christ walking through locked doors to stand before the disciples who had abandoned him — and offering not judgment, but peace. Fr. Craig explores the shame the disciples carried on that first Easter evening, why forgive...

On the night of April 4, 2026, St. Peter's by-the-Sea gathered in darkness to proclaim that Easter doesn't begin after the darkness lifts — it begins inside it. The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of Rhode Island, delivered the sermon for this year's Great Vigil of Easter. Drawing on the witness of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bishop Knisely distinguishes between optimism — "I think things will get...

What if the crowd on Palm Sunday wasn't wrong to shout "Hosanna" -- they just didn't know how big the answer would be? On the Sunday of the Passion, we hold two moments at once: the joy of Jesus entering Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and the weight of the full Passion Gospel (Matthew 26:14 -- 27:66), read dramatically by the congregation. In his sermon, Fr. Craig Swan refle...

What would it mean to be truly seen — not for your labels, your past, or your failures, but for who you really are? In this sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Craig Swan explores the story of the Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42) — a Samaritan woman, ostracized by her community, who encounters Jesus at noon by Jacob's Well. Fr. Craig draws a moving parallel between her experience of being...

What does it mean to truly trust God — not just believe in God, but let go of everything you know and step out in faith? In this sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Craig Swan explores the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-17) — a leader who comes to Jesus in the night, drawn toward a teacher whose radical message both thrills and unsettles him. Fr. Craig traces the thread of trust across th...

First Sunday in Lent The Holy Eucharist Rite One Great Litany, Eucharistic Prayer 1 Sunday, February 22, 2026 The Word of God GREAT LITANY All stand. The People respond with the words in italics. I. Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth. Have mercy on us. Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy on us. Holy, blessed and glo...

ENTRANCE HYMN #135 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise SEQUENCE HYMN #542 Christ Is the World's True Light OFFERTORY ANTHEM Christ, Upon the Mountain Stands (Lehman) COMMUNION ANTHEM Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) POST-COMMUNION HYMN #137 O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair THE COLLECT OF THE DAY O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to...

ENTRANCE HYMN #372 Praise to the Living God SEQUENCE HYMN #601 O Day of God, Draw Nigh OFFERTORY ANTHEM Prayer for Peace (Harlan) COMMUNION ANTHEM I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light (Thomerson, arr. Harlan) POST-COMMUNION HYMN #408 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which yo...

ENTRANCE HYMN #569 God the Omnipotent! SEQUENCE HYMN #656 Blest Are The Pure In Heart OFFERTORY ANTHEM Be Thou My Vision (arr. Behnke) COMMUNION ANTHEM Beatitudes (Avery & Walsh, arr. Wilson) POST-COMMUNION HYMN #556 Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart, vss. 1-5 THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of yo...

ENTRANCE HYMN #542 Christ is the World's True Light SEQUENCE HYMN #543 O Zion, Tune Thy Voice OFFERTORY ANTHEM Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether (Moore) COMMUNION ANTHEM Behold the Lamb of God (Benham) POST-COMMUNION HYMN #535 Ye Servants of God THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacramen...

Celebrant The Rev. Craig R. Swan, Rector Organist & Choir Director Tony B. Romeo Flute Lindsay Gearhart Trumpet Nick Schleyer Percussion Joe DeMarco (4pm) Desiree Glazier-Nazro (10pm) Choir Brian Bannon, Britt Bell, Dan Caramante, Lawren Casagrande, Margret Celico, Carol Cimilluca, Sean Connaughton, Susan Dvorak, Gloria Fontaine, Danielle Grilli-Marzan, Sarah Hamel, Timothy Hoyt, Joan Hudson,...

Prelude                                                             The Spirit of the Lord God...

Prelude                                            "Comfort Ye, My People" from  Messiah  (Handel)            ...

Fr. Mead contrasts résumé-religion with the tax collector’s plea for mercy and calls us to drop the scorecard and trust Christ alone.  Luke 18:9–14 Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was pray...

This sermon on Luke 18:1–8 explores the widow’s relentless petition and Jesus’ call to  pray always and not lose heart . We name real places of waiting—illness, grief, caregiving—and practice a faith that keeps knocking while trusting God’s timing. Includes three simple habits for a week of hopeful perseverance.  Theme: Persistent prayer, patience, and trust in God’s timing Key texts: Lu...

This Sunday centers on the  new covenant written on the heart  (Jeremiah 31) and the  sweet, wisdom-forming Word (Psalm 119) equipping us “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3–4). In the Gospel, Jesus commends the widow’s relentless petition as a model of  persistent prayer for justice  and asks whether he will find  faith on earth  (Luke 18:1–8). Together with the...

Entrance Hymn #410                     Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven Sequence Hymn #411                      O Bless the Lord, My Soul Offertory Anthem    ...

Today’s sermon names the reality: following Jesus isn’t the “easy button.” Yet even mustard‑seed faith can grow in hardship. As we celebrate St. Francis and bless our animals, we remember that the God who guards the treasure of faith also delights in all creatures and calls us to humble, joyful perseverance.

Entrance Hymn #390                     Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Sequence Hymn #601                      O Day of God Draw Nigh Offertory Anthem    &nbsp...

Entrance Hymn #388                     O Worship the King, All Glorious Above Sequence Hymn #393                      Praise Our Great and Gracious Lord Offertory Anthem &nbsp...

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. FIRST READING                &nbs...

Entrance Hymn #637                     How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord Sequence Hymn #393                      Praise Our Great and Gracious Lord Offertory Anthem&nbsp...

Entrance Hymn #372                        Praise to the Living God Sequence Hymn #601                        O Day of God, Draw Nigh Offertory Anthem ...

Entrance Hymn #473                        Lift High the Cross Sequence Hymn #697                        My God Accept My Heart This Day Offertory Anthem&nb...