Pentecost-19 (Yr A) October 8, 2023

 

 

 

PRELUDE                                                 “Chorale in E“                                  Gordon Young

 

OPENING HYMN                          “Christ is made the sure foundation”               Hymn #518

 

1  Christ is made the sure foundation,

          Christ the head and cornerstone,

     chosen of the Lord, and precious,

          binding all the Church in one;

     holy Zion’s help for ever,

          and her confidence alone.

 

2  All that dedicated city,

          dearly loved of God on high,

     in exultant jubilation

          pours perpetual melody;

     God the One in Three adoring

          in glad hymns eternally.

 

3  To this temple, where we call thee,

          come, O Lord of Hosts, today;

     with thy wonted loving-kindness

          hear thy servants as they pray,

     and thy fullest benediction

          shed within its walls alway.

 

4  Here vouchsafe to all thy servants

          what they ask of thee to gain;

     what they gain from thee, for ever

          with the blessèd to retain,

     and hereafter in thy glory

          evermore with thee to reign.

 

 

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

People     And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. 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

 

 

HYMN OF PRAISE                      “Glory to God”                               S278 Matthias

 

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.

 

 

Celebrant   The Lord 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.

 

                    Please be seated for the lessons.

 

FIRST LESSON    Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20      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.”

 

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

 

 

PSALM                 Psalm 19                       Read responsively by whole verse.

 

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.

 

 

Epistle         Philippians 3:4b-14    A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi

 

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.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL         “Father, we thank thee who has planted”                 Hymn #302

GOSPEL                        Matthew 21:33-46

 

Deacon or Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord 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.

 

The Gospel of the Lord. Response:    Praise to you Lord Christ

 

 

SERMON                                                                                                               The Rev. Cricket Park

 

 

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 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

 

The celebration continues with the Prayers of the People. The Leader and People

pray responsively.

 

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 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, Ken, Nedi, and Wendall our Bishops; and for all bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in the Church.

 

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence The People may add their own petitions

 

Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

 

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence The People may add their own thanksgivings

 

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.
Silence The People may add their own petitions

 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

 

Celebrant:  O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the
teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready
to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his
presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

THE CONFESSION

Deacon/Celebrant:   Let us then confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

 

Most merciful God: We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and 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.  

 

THE 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:     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/ANTHEM       “Through all the Changing Scenes of Life”          Theron W. Kirk

 

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

 

At this time the ushers will bring up the offering of money and any pantry items. As they do this, please stand and sing the following:

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

The Celebrant continues, with the congregation joining in the words in bold type.

 

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

 

For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.

 

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                                                                                                                     HYMN S128

 

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.

 

 

Then the Celebrant continues

 

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

 

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

 

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

 

Celebrant and People:

 

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

 

The Celebrant continues:
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

 

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

 

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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 forever.   AMEN.

 

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 

 

THE FRACTION/THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Celebrant:   Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People:        Therefore let us keep the feast.

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

Celebrant:   The Gifts of God for the People of God.

 

Everyone is welcome to come forward for communion or a blessing.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMN            “And now, O Father, mindful of the love”           Hymnal #337

 

1  And now, O Father, mindful of the love

          that bought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree,

     and having with us him that pleads above,

          we here present, we here spread forth to thee,

     that only offering perfect in thine eyes,

     the one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.

 

2  Look Father, look on his anointed face,

          and only look on us as found in him;

     look not on our misusings of thy grace,

          our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:

     for lo! between our sins and their reward,

     we set the passion of thy Son our Lord.

 

3  And then for those, our dearest and our best,

          by this prevailing presence we appeal;

     O fold them closer to thy mercy’s breast!

          O do thine utmost for their soul’s true weal!

     From tainting mischief keep them pure and clear,

     and crown thy gifts with strength to persevere.

 

4  And so we come; O draw us to thy feet,

          most patient Savior, who canst love us still!

     And by this food, so awesome and so sweet,

          deliver us from every touch of ill:

     in thine own service make us glad and free,

     and grant us nevermore to part from thee.

 

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant:  Let us pray.

People:
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 HYMN          “Give praise and glory unto God”                            Hymn #375

 

1   Give praise and glory unto God, the Father of all blessing;

     his mighty wonders tell abroad, his graciousness confessing.

     With balm my inmost heart he fills, his comfort all my anguish stills.

          To God be praise and glory.

 

2   The host of heaven praiseth thee, O Lord of all dominions;

     and mortals then, on land and sea, beneath thy shadowing pinions,

     exult in thy creative might that doeth all things well and right.

          To God be praise and glory.

 

3   What God hath wrought to show his power he evermore sustaineth;

     he watches o’er us every hour, his mercy never waneth.

     Through all his kingdom’s wide domain, his righteousness and justice reign.

          To God be praise and glory.

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                            “Plein jeu a la couperin’”                         Gordon Young

 

 

        Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Room of the Community Building.

 

 

————————————-

 

 

Welcome to St. Mark’s! During the service, please assume the postures of prayer and
devotion as best suits your ability. If you are able, please stand for the Gospel, singing
hymns, and the prayers. Kneeling and sitting are also appropriate for the prayers of
the people and the Eucharistic prayers. Remember, the posture of your heart is more
important to God than the position of your body.

 

 

Ministers for October 8, 2023
Altar Guild for October: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson
Lay Readers: Carol Williamson and Jackie Hoskinson
Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Don Nancarrow
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Dave Reuter and Carol Williamson
Counters: Tony Rubino and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Wagner/Rudd
Sanctuary Lamp is given in loving memory of Edward Veasey by Katherine Wagner.
Coffee Hour: Jackie and Jim Hoskinson
Thank you TJ Walch for your addition to the duet on October 1st.

 

 

Ministers for October 15, 2023
Altar Guild for October: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Elizabeth Reuter
Lay Readers: Gary Welch and Gabe Walch
Chalice Bearers: Kendall Rubino and Judy Rudd
Tech Table: Dave Reuter
Ushers: Tony Rubino and Jim Rudd
Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino
Open/Close: Reuter/Rubino
Sanctuary Lamp is given by Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Coffee Hour: This week is open.

 

 

Calendar items:
October 8—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 15—Food Pantry collection day
October 15—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 19—Vestry Meeting, 7:00pm on Zoom
October 21—Valley Vineyards Dinner
October 29—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 31-November 2: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’, All Souls’
November 5—All Saints’ Sunday, Pledge Sunday, and CARE House collection day
November 5—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am

 

 

Adult Forum: Fall Feasts and Fasts
There are several significant feast days in September through November. Our Adult
Forum class will talk about these occasions at 9:00am in the Lounge. Come for all;
come for some. Get to know the saints and the history behind a holy day or two.

October 8th—St. James
October 15th—Teresa of Avila
October 29th—The Autumnal Triduum: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints, All Souls
November 5th—Edith Cavell
November 12th—Hilda of Whitby
November 19th—St. Andrew

 

 

 

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.