Easter-4 (Yr A) Apr 30, 2023

OPENING HYMN “Hail, thou once despised Jesus” Hymnal #495

1 Hail, thou once despisèd Jesus! Hail, thou Galilean King!

Thou didst suffer to release us; thou didst free salvation bring.

Hail, thou universal Savior, bearer of our sin and shame!

By thy merit we find favor: life is given through thy Name

2 Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, all our sins on thee were laid:

by almighty love anointed, thou hast full atonement made.

All thy people are forgiven through the virtue of thy blood:

opened is the gate of heaven, reconciled are we with God.

3 Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory, there for ever to abide;

all the heavenly hosts adore thee, seated at thy Father’s side.

There for sinners thou art pleading: there thou dost our place prepare;

ever for us interceding, till in glory we appear.

4 Worship, honor, power, and blessing thou art worthy to receive;

highest praises, without ceasing, right it is for us to give.

Help, ye bright angelic spirits, all your noblest anthems raise;

help to sing our Savior’s merits, help to chant Emmanuel’s praise!

Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen.

People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

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.

HYMN OF PRAISE “Canticle 13” Hymn #S236

1. Glory to you, Lord God of our Fathers;

you are worthy of praise; glory to you.

2. Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name;

we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.

3. Glory to you in the splendor of your temple;

on the throne of your majesty, Glory to you.

4. Glory to you seated before the Cheribim;

we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.

5. Glory to you beholding the depths;

in the high vault of heaven.

6. Glory to you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

we will highly exalt you, Glory to you.

Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you

Celebrant Let us pray
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we
hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he
leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Please be seated.

First Lesson Acts 2: 42-47 A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The Word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God.

Psalm Psalm 23 Read in unison.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.

3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,*
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Epistle 1 Peter 2:19-25 A Reading from the First Letter of Peter

It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

The Word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL “The king of love my shepherd is” Hymn #645

1 The King of love my shepherd is,

whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am his,

and he is mine for ever.

2 Where streams of living water flow,

my ransomed soul he leadeth,

and where the verdant pastures grow,

with food celestial feedeth.

3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,

but yet in love he sought me,

and on his shoulder gently laid,

and home, rejoicing, brought me.

4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill

with thee, dear Lord, beside me;

thy rod and staff my comfort still,

thy cross before to guide me.

5 Thou spread’st a table in my sight;

thy unction grace bestoweth;

and oh, what transport of delight

from thy pure chalice floweth!

6 And so through all the length of days

thy goodness faileth never:

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise

within thy house for ever.

Gospel John 10:1-10

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People: Glory to you Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Christ

SERMON The Rev. Cn. Jack Koepke

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 from the Virginn

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

The celebration continues with the Prayers of the People. Please keep silence between the petitions until you are invited to add your own intentions.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for Wayne, Ken, Nedi, and Wendell, our bishops; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.

Pray for the Church.

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people.

Pray for justice and peace.

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed and those in

prison.

Pray for those in any need or trouble.

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of God.

Pray that the may find and be found by God.

I ask your prayers for the departed.

Pray for those who have died.

I ask your prayers and thanksgivings for (please add your own petitions)

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Celebrant: Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

THE PEACE

Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

Response: And also with you.

Please greet one another with a sign of peace.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERTORY/Presentation of Gifts (to the tune of H#618)

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.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

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.

But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.

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:

Celebrant and People

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,

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.

SANCTUS HYMN S 128

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.

The people stand or kneel. Then the Celebrant continues

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;

The Celebrant continues

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 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.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,

THE FRACTION The Breaking of the Bread Anthem Be known to us, Lord Jesus Hymn #875

Be known to us Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread

The bread which we break alleluia is the communion of the body of Christ

Be known to us Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread

One body are we alleluia for though many we share one bread

Be known to us Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread

(The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread.)

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God.

COMMUNION HYMN “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless” Hymnal #343

1 Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless

thy chosen pilgrim flock

with manna in the wilderness,

with water from the rock.

2 We would not live by bread alone,

but by thy word of grace,

in strength of which we travel on

to our abiding-place.

3 Be known to us in breaking bread,

and do not then depart;

Savior, abide with us, and spread

thy table in our heart.

4 Lord, sup with us in love divine

thy Body and thy Blood,

that living bread, that heavenly wine,

be our immortal food.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant Let us pray.

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 mem-

bers 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 HYMN “Before the Lord’s eternal throne” Hymn #391

1 Before the Lord’s eternal throne,

ye nations, bow with sacred joy;

know that the Lord is God alone;

he can create, and he destroy.

2 His sovereign Power without our aid

formed us of clay and gave us breath;

and when like wandering sheep we strayed,

he saved us from the power of death.

3 We are his people, we his care,

our souls, and all our mortal frame:

what lasting honors shall we rear,

almighty Maker, to thy Name?

4 We’ll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,

high as the heavens our voices raise;

and earth, with her ten thousand tongues,

shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.

5 Wide as the world is thy command,

vast as eternity thy love;

firm as a rock thy truth must stand,

when rolling years shall cease to move.

DISMISSAL

The congregation is dismissed.

People Thanks be to God.

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Ministers for April 30, 2023

Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Lay Readers: Don Nancarrow and TJ Walch

Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Don Nancarrow

Tech/Facebook Live: TJ Walch and Gary Welch

Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn and Jim Rudd

Counters: Janet Reuter and Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Welch/Nancarrow

Coffee Hour: The Bertas

Ministers for May 7, 2023

Acolytes: Stephanie and Gary Welch

Lay Readers: Kendall Rubino and Judy Rudd

Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Carol Williamson

Tech Table: TJ Walch

Ushers: Dave Reuter and Tony Rubino

Counters: Mary-Anna Welch and Dave Reuter

Open/Close: Dave Reuter and Katherine Wagner

Coffee Hour: You?

St. Mark’s This Week:

May 1: SAA at 6:30am; AA at 7:30pm

May 2:: TOPS at 10:00am; NA at 7:30pm

May 3:: SAA at 7:30pm

May 6: Hidden Gems at Noon; AA at 7:30pm

May 7: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Adult Formation: What Episcopalians Need to Know about the Bible

The Book of Judges was our topic this morning. Next week: The Gospel of Mark. Learn about how the Bible came to be, why it’s holy, and why we take it seriously. We’ll be reading several full books of scripture and discussing them. Bring your own study Bible (one you can write and highlight in if you wish).

Baptism Anyone?

There are five days designated in the Book of Common Prayer as especially appropriate for baptisms. One of those days—Pentecost—is coming up on May 28th. If you have members of your family who wish to be baptized, please let Rev. Cricket know. The next opportunity will be in November on All Saints’ Sunday.

Outreach Baskets in the Back Pew

The “Outreach Bunny” keeps going and going. There are several donation baskets in the pew on the right when you are entering the sanctuary. These are for food and paper goods for the St. Paul’s Food Pantry; Lion’s Club eyeglasses, cell phones and pill bottles; and snacks and huggables for Care House. The baskets can be filled each week. Please don’t forget our neighbors in need.

St. Margaret’s Requests Our Assistance

Our sister parish in Englewood is looking for a volunteer or two to serve on a Discernment Committee for one of their parishioners who is considering a call to ordination. The Discernment Committee meets over several months to listen for the Holy Spirit’s call for the person and provides input to the Commission on Ministry. If you are interested, please let Rev. Cricket know.

Celebrating our Sunday School Volunteers

May 21st is “Sundae School Recognition” at St. Mark’s. Therefore, we need someone who is not a Sunday School teacher to coordinate our ice cream social Sunday. Please let Jackie Hoskinson or Rev. Cricket know if you are able to do this. We want to show our teachers our biggest and best appreciation for their work with our young people.

Pentecost is May 28th!

It is also Memorial Day weekend. For the morning, please ignore the ‘white and blue’ and just wear red to church. We will remember those armed services members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Holy Spirit, however, will not be ignored. Will there be flames above our heads? Come and see!

Mark your Calendar:

May 21st “Sundae” School Recognition

May 20, Vestry Retreat

June 3, Dayton Pride Festival

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The diocese is currently in a search for its next Bishop.

Vestry

Libby Nicholson, Senior Warden

Kendall Rubino, Junior Warden

Fred Berta

Jackie Hoskinson

Patricia Tallman

Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Jenna Walch

Don Nancarrow, Treasurer

Dave Reuter, Recorder

Interim Rector

Rev. Cricket Park st_marks@ameritech.net;

Office Hours by appointment. 937-256-1082

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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 Priest-in-Charge

st_marks@ameritech.net

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