Epiphany-6 (Yr A) Feb 12, 2023

 

 

Note: the service is being livestreamed and recorded, and will be available on our Facebook page.If you prefer a gluten-free host please notify an usher prior to the service.

 

PRELUDE:

Variations on “If thou but trust in God to guide thee”             Johann Christian Kellner & Georg Boehm

 

Please stand as you are able.

 

PROCESSIONAL

“Father All Loving Who Rulest in Majesty”    The Hymnal 1982,  #568

 

1) Father all loving,
who rulest in majesty,
judgement is thine,
and condemneth our pride;
stir up our leaders
and peoples to penitence,
sorrow for sins that
for vengeance have cried.

 

2) Blessed Lord Jesus,
who camest in poverty,
sharing a stable
with beasts at thy birth,
stir us to work
for thy justice and charity,
truly to care
for the poor of the earth.

 

3) Come, Holy Spirit,
create in us holiness,
lift up our lives
to thy standard of right;
stir every will
to new ventures of faithfulness,
flood the whole Church
with thy glorious light.

 

4) Holiest Trinity, perfect in unity,
bind in thy love
every nation and race;
may we adore thee
for time and eternity,
Father, Redeemer,
and Spirit of grace.

 

 

The Liturgy of the Word

 

Celebrant  Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be God’s 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.

 

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Celebrant  The Lord be with you. 

All: And also with you. 

 

Celebrant  Let us pray.

All  O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

GLORIA                  The Hymnal 1982,  #S280

 

All

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

You alone are the most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

     in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Please be seated.

 

A Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy                                                 (30:15-20)

Moses said, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

 

The Word of the Lord. 

People    Thanks be to God.

 

Please stand as you are able.

 

PSALM 119:1-8

1 Happy are they whose way is blameless, *
who walk in the law of the Lord!

 

2 Happy are they who observe his decrees *
and seek him with all their hearts!

 

3 Who never do any wrong, *
but always walk in his ways.

 

4 You laid down your commandments, *
that we should fully keep them.

 

5 Oh, that my ways were made so direct *
that I might keep your statutes!

 

6 Then I should not be put to shame, *
when I regard all your commandments.

 

7 I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, *
when I have learned your righteous judgments.

 

8 I will keep your statutes; *
do not utterly forsake me.

 

Please be seated.

 

A Reading From the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians                                  (3:1-9)

Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human?

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

 

The Word of the Lord. 

People    Thanks be to God.

                                               

Please stand as you are able.

 

GRADUAL                         

“Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word”                                                    The Hymnal 1982, #440

 

1  Blessèd Jesus, at thy word

          we are gathered all to hear thee;

     let our hearts and souls be stirred

          now to seek and love and fear thee;

     by thy teachings pure and holy,

     drawn from earth to love thee solely.

 

2  All our knowledge, sense, and sight

          lie in deepest darkness shrouded,

     till thy Spirit breaks our night

          with the beams of truth unclouded;

     thou alone to God canst win us;

     thou must work all good within us.

 

3  Gracious Lord, thyself impart!

          Light of Light, from God proceeding,

     open thou our ears and heart,

          help us by thy Spirit’s pleading.

     Hear the cry thy Church upraises;

     hear, and bless our prayers and praises.

 

 

THE GOSPEL

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.       (5:21-37)

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

 

Celebrant Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.  “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. 

People  Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

Please be seated.

 

THE SERMON:  Rev. Cricket Park             

 

Please stand as you are able.

 

THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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.

 

Please stand or kneel.

 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  

 In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

 

For this community, the nation, and the world;

For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

 

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

 

For those on our Parish Prayer List: Patricia, Jim, Mary-Anna, Linda, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, George, Vern, the Bertas, Phillips, and Darnells; and for all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

 

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

 

For Michael, our Presiding Bishop, and Wayne, our Bishop Provisional; and for all bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in his Church.

 

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

The People may add their own petitions silently or aloud.

Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

 

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

The People may add their own thanksgivings silently or aloud.

 

We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your Name for ever and ever.

 

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

The People may add their own petitions silently or aloud.

 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

 

Celebrant Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask:  Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

THE CONFESSION

Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God, our neighbor, and all our relations.

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.

 

Please stand as you are able.

 

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE

Celebrant    The peace of the Lord be always with you.  And also with you.

The congregation offers the peace of God to one another.

 

Please be seated.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS                              Libby Nicholson, Sr. Warden

 

BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS:   Vestry Installation

 

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

Celebrant Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High.   Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.

 

OFFERTORY

“Teach Me O Lord”               Soloist: Laura Leach                      Bernard Hamblen

  

Please stand as you are able.

 

PRAYER FOR THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE 

Celebrant  Let us pray

Most Holy God, the author of life and creator of all that is, receive and bless our offerings this day; that the currency of worldly value may become the currency of transformation through the worship  and work of this community. Amen.

 

 

The Liturgy of the Table

 

We welcome our visitors today, and we invite all baptized Christians to join us in receiving Communion.  If you are unable to come to the priest, please notify an usher.  Those not partaking of Communion are invited to come forward, cross your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing.

 

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER B  

Celebrant  The Lord be with you.

People  And also with you.

Celebrant  Lift 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.

Celebrant  It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son 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:

 

THE SANCTUS                         Wonder, Love, & Praise   #858

 

All:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest. 

 

 

Celebrant      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 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, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory;

Celebrant 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 gifts 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 St. Mark 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.

All Amen.

 

Celebrant: As our Savior Christ has taught us we now pray:

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

All Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.  Amen.

 

FRACTION ANTHEM

“O Lamb of God”                                                  The Hymnal 1982, #S155                 

 

All

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

therefore let us keep the feast.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God.

 

THE PRAYER OF RECEPTION FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING ONLINE

(to be said by those at home)

Blessed Jesus, with your faithful people at every altar of your church where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and the life to come.  Amen.

 

Please stand.

 

COMMUNION HYMN  

“If Thou But Trust In God To Guide Thee”                           The Hymnal 1982,  #635

 

1  If thou but trust in God to guide thee,

       and hope in him through all thy ways,

   he’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,

       and bear thee through the evil days.

   Who trusts in God’s unchanging love

   builds on a rock that nought can move.

 

 

2  Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving;

       so do thine own part faithfully,

   and trust his word, though undeserving;

       thou yet shalt find it true for thee;

   God never yet forsook in need

       the soul that trusted him indeed.

 

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant   Let us pray. 

All  Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

 

THE BLESSING

 

RECESSIONAL

“Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing”                                                   The Hymnal 1982,  #344

 

1  Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing;

       fill our hearts with joy and peace;

   let us each, thy love possessing,

   triumph in redeeming grace:

       O refresh us, O refresh us

   traveling through this wilderness.

 

 

2 Thanks we give and adoration

       for thy Gospel’s joyful sound:

   may the fruits of thy salvation

   in our hearts and lives abound:

       ever faithful, ever faithful

   to thy truth may we be found;

 

 

3 so that when thy love shall call us,

       Savior, from the world away,

   fear of death shall not appall us,

   glad thy summons to obey.

       May we ever, may we ever

   reign with thee in endless day.

 

 

DISMISSAL

The congregation is dismissed.

People     Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE

Epilogue William H. Harris

 

The CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to signal the presence of Christ in the Reserved Sacrament.  It is given this week, along with the ALTAR FLOWERS, in celebration of Jim Larsen’s birthday.

 

 

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

 

February 12, the Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

Celebrant: The Rev. Cricket Park

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Acolyte(s):  Elizabeth Wagner-Weber, Scott Kelly

Lay Readers: Gabriel Walch, Jim Rudd

Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber, Carol Williamson

Eucharistic Minister (Home Communions):

                                             Carol Williamson, as available

Tech/Facebook Live: Gary Welch

Ushers:  Ginny Tuxhorn, Jim Rudd

Counters: Janet Reuter, Gary Welch

Altar Guild: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Open/Close: Reuter/Wagner

Coffee Hour: Joy Brown and Sandy Bultman

 

 

February 19, the Last Sunday After the Epiphany

Celebrant: The Rev. Cricket Park

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Acolyte(s):  Jackie Hoskinson, Will Day

Lay Readers: Judy Rudd, Don Nancarrow

Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd, Kendall Rubino

Eucharistic Minister (Home Communions):

                                             Carol Williamson, as available

Tech/Facebook Live: Katherine Wagner

Ushers:  Dave Reuter, Ginny Tuxhorn

Counters: Carol Nancarrow, Dave Reuter

Altar Guild: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter

Altar Flowers: TBD—last week for flowers until Easter!

Candle Dedication: TBD

Coffee Hour: TBD

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HUNGER SUNDAY is next week, February 19. Please remember to bring in non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry at St. Paul’s Methodist Church.  In addition to canned, jarred, and packaged food items, they can also use bar soap, laundry soap, tissues, toilet paper, diapers, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, and paper/plastic bags. They also welcome financial donations; make your check out to St Mark’s with “Food pantry” in the memo line.  Thank you for your generosity!

 

PANCAKE SUPPER, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd. Returning after a 2 year hiatus, we say goodbye to Epiphany with plenty of fat and sugar. Come share a Mardi Gras meal, pick a saint for Lent Madness, and say goodbye to the alleluias until Easter.

 

COST INCREASES: Because of increased operating and supply costs, the altar flowers are now $40 per arrangement (you still keep them), and the candle in the sanctuary lamp is now $7.50 per week. You can sign up for both in the Narthex.

 

LIONS CLUB COLLECTION OF USED ITEMS: St. Mark’s is collecting used eye glasses, hearing aids, cell phones, plastic pill bottles (please remove labels), and plastic bags (to be recycled into benches). Please use the box provided in the narthex for all items but the plastic bags.

 

THE LESSONS FOR NEXT WEEK ARE: Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew

17:1-9, Psalm 2

 

 

 

Our Mission Statement:

 

“We gather for worship, education and mutual support;

welcome all people; and serve the community in God’s name”.

 

A prayer for St. Mark’s in a time of transition

O Lord, Father of life and change, of new and old: You gifted us with abilities to speak and listen, to hear and decide, to choose and know. We thank you for teaching us how to used these abilities, though we must at times remember to combine them with patience. Remind us to speak with kindness, to listen to understand, to hear all voices, to decide on what is just and true, to choose the path of peace, and to know we are not alone. Be with us in this time of transition, that it is as effective as it is unsettling, as comforting as it is confusing. And never leave our side on the journey ahead, as we strive for an unknown destination. In the name of your Son Jesus, who walks alongside us, we pray. Amen.

(written by Elizabeth Wagner-Weber)

 

 

The Rev. Cricket Park, Interim Rector

st_marks@ameritech.net

614-806-5248

 

 

Libby Nicholson – Senior Warden;   Kendall Rubino – Junior Warden,

wardens@stmarksdayton.org

 

Donna Larsen, Music Director/Organist,

musicdirector@stmarksdayton.org

 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

456 Woodman Drive

Dayton, OH 45431

 

Email: st_marks@ameritech.net

Office Phone: 937-256-1082

 

Resources:

Websitehttps://stmarksdayton.org,

Facebook: St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dayton OH

Instagram: St Mark’s Dayton

Licensing for music use and streaming:

One License – #A-740839: Annual license with podcasting; 

B – 26 to 100 average weekend attendance.

 

 

To read a copy of the latest Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

(NOTE:  Password Protected.  Same as above.  Updated yearly.)

 

For more announcements, click HERE.

 

Dave Reuter – Webmaster

webmaster@stmarksdayton.org

 

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