Pentecost-24 (Yr A) November 12, 2023

 

 

 

PRELUDE                         “Jesu, Priceless Treasure”                                Johann Walther

 

OPENING HYMN       “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing”      Hymn #433

 

1 We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

       he chastens and hastens his will to make known;

   the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:

       sing praises to his Name; he forgets not his own.

 

 

2 Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

       ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;

   so from the beginning the fight we were winning:

       thou, Lord, wast at our side: all glory be thine!

 

 

3 We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,

       and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.

   Let thy congregation escape tribulation:

       thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

 

 

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of
the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having
this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with
power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever.  Amen.

 

                    Please be seated for the lessons.

 

FIRST LESSON      Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25    A Reading from the Book of Joshua

 

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders,
the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves
before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of
Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived
beyond the Euphrates and served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham
from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his
offspring many.

 

“Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put
away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and
serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day
whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond
the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for
me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

 

Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to
serve other gods; for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up
from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs
in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the
peoples through whom we passed; and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples,
the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for
he is our God.”

 

But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God.
He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake
the LORDand serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and
consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No,
we will serve the LORD!” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses
against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.”

 

And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that
are among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” The people
said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” So
Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances
for them at Shechem.

 

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

 

 

PSALM                 Psalm 34: 1-10, 22                      Read responsively by half-verse.

 

1 Hear my teaching, O my people; *
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

 

2 I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.

 

3 That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us, *
we will not hide from their children.

 

4 We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, *
and the wonderful works he has done.

 

5 He gave his decrees to Jacob
and established a law for Israel, *
which he commanded them to teach their children;

 

6 That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn; *
that they in their turn might tell it to their children;

 

7 So that they might put their trust in God, *
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments;

 

 

Epistle   1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   A Reading from Paul’s first letter to the Church in Thessolonica

 

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have
died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with
him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that
we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede
those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the
archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be
caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we
will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL             “Jesus Lover of My Soul”                       LEVAS#79

GOSPEL                        Matthew 25:1-13

 

Deacon or Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

 

People:  Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took
their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five
were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the
wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of
them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is
the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and
trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for
our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for
you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready
went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other
bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell
you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor
the hour.”

 

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

 

Our celebration continues with the Prayers of the People.

 

 

Deacon or other leader:  In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy”.

 

For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found
without fault at the day of your coming, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

Here and after every petition the People respond:   Lord, have mercy.

 

For Michael our Presiding Bishop, for Kristin our Bishop-Elect, for all bishops and other
ministers, and for all the holy people of God, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease,
and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the Gospel to the
ends of the earth, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, that they
may receive the light of the Gospel, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among
nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For those in positions of public trust, especially Joseph our President and Michael our
Governor, that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every
person, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For all who live and work in this community, especially volunteers and staff of Neighborhood
Bridges, Hope 4 Riverside, CARE House, and the St. Paul’s Food Pantry, we pray to you O Lord.

 

For a blessing on all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of creation, that
the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and
all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For this congregation, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show
forth your glory in all that we do, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all whom we have injured or
offended, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends, and
neighbors; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we
pray to you, O Lord.

 

For those on our hearts this day (especially ______________), we pray to you O Lord.

 

For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is
known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where
there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.

 

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mark and all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and
one another, and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.

 

Silence            The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect, or the following Doxology.

 

For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory, now and for ever. 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                      “Thanksgiving”                                arr. Laura Wendel

 

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                   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.

 

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.

 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and
the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life12

 

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

 

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 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.   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

 

Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us. 

Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. 

Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world,

give us your peace, give us your peace.

 

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

Celebrant: Behold who you are. May you become one with the One you receive

 

Everyone is welcome to come forward for communion or a blessing. You may receive the bread and the wine, or the bread or the wine. If you prefer a blessing only, please cross your hands over your chest as a signal to the priest.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMN                 “O God unseen, yet ever near”                  Hymnal #332

 

1  O God, unseen yet ever near,

        thy presence may we feel;

    and thus inspired with holy fear,

        before thine altar kneel.

 

 

2  Here may thy faithful people know

        the blessings of thy love,

    the streams that through the desert flow,

        the manna from above.

 

 

3  We come, obedient to thy word,

        to feast on heavenly food:

    our meat the Body of the Lord,

        our drink his precious Blood.

 

 

4  Thus may we all thy word obey,

        for we, O God, are thine;

    and go rejoicing on our way,

        renewed with strength divine.

 

 

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

 

May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in
the knowledge and love of God, and of God’s son, Jesus Christ our Lord. And the
Blessing of God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, be with you now and remain with you always.
Amen.

 

 

RECESSIONAL HYMN          “Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round”                Hymn #617

 

1  Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round

        of circling planets singing on their way,

    guide of the nations from the night profound

        into the glory of the perfect day;

    rule in our hearts, that we may ever be

        guided and strengthened and upheld by thee.

 

 2  We would be one in hatred of all wrong,

        one in the love of all things sweet and fair,

    one with the joy that breaketh into song,

        one with the grief that trembleth into prayer;

    one in the power that makes thy children free

        to follow truth, and thus to follow thee.

 

 3  Oh, clothe us with thy heavenly armor, Lord,

        thy trusty shield, thy word of love divine;

    our inspiration be thy constant word,

        we ask no victories that are not thine;

    give or withhold, let pain or pleasure be;

        enough to know that we are serving thee.

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed by the deacon or the priest.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                     “Basse et Dassus de Trompette”                   Louis-Micolas Clerambault

 

 

        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 November 12, 2023
Altar Guild for October: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Gabe Walch
Lay Readers: Jim Rudd and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Chalice Bearers: Carol Williamson and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech Table: Gary Welch
Ushers: Carol Williamson and Tony Rubino
Counters: Janet Reuter and Kendall Rubino
Open/Close: Nancarrow/Reuter
Coffee Hour: The Welch Famiily
Flowers: The Welch Family in honor of Stephanie’s 30th birthday.
Sanctuary Candle: In memory of Jim Veazey and Eleanor Kehl by Katherine Wagner

 

 

Ministers for November 19, 2023
Altar Guild for November: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson
Lay Readers: Don Nancarrow and TJ Walch
Chalice Bearers: Don Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Dave Reuter and Ginny Tuxhorn
Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: Youth Fundraiser
Sanctuary Candle and Flowers: The Rubino Family

 

At this time, there has not been a volunteer for coffee hour on the Sunday after
Thanksgiving (Christ the King Sunday). The priest suggests a pot-luck of Thanksgiving
leftovers. Sides, salads, and pies anyone?

 

Calendar items:
November 12—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
November 12—Collection of Cooking Ingredients for Canterbury Court
November 19—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
November 23—Thanksgiving Day
November 26—Food Pantry collection day
December 3—Advent I and CARE House collection
December 10—Advent II
December 17—Advent III
December 24—Advent IV, 10:30am; Christmas Eve, 5:00pm
December 24—Food Pantry collection day
December 31—Christmas II

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

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.

November 12th—Hilda of Whitby
November 19th—St. Andrew

November 26th—no adult forum due to Thanksgiving weekend.

December 3rd—first Sunday in Advent—ideas anyone?

 

Canterbury Cookie Fundraiser

Donations of INGREDIENTS for a cookie sale to raise funds for the residents
of Canterbury Court have been requested. The following items are needed:

 

All-purpose flour                                       Granulated sugar
Butter-flavor Crisco                                  Brown sugar
Parchment paper                                       Almond extract
Walnuts                                                    Vanilla extract
Butter-cake mix (yellow cake)                Toffee Chips
Nutmeg                                                   Condensed milk
Peaches in heavy syrup                          Cherries in heavy syrup
Please bring your donations to church no later than November 12th.

 

“Adventurer’s Guide to the Bible” High School Retreat
November 17-19 at Procter Center
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to gather at Procter for a weekend of immersion
in the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The campaign runs parallel to the events
of the Bible, but the way the plot unfolds is up to you! Experienced players and those
new to the game are welcome.
Register here.

 

Please sign up for December ministries.
There are empty spaces for flowers, sanctuary lamps, and coffee hours. The sign-up
sheet is on the bulletin board by the church office. A separate sign-up will go out via
email for Christmas flowers.

 

Have you turned in your pledge card? If so, thank you! If not, please do. There are
forms on the table in the narthex/foyer.

 

 

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