The prelude is a time for preparation for worship.
As we enter the sanctuary, let us prepare through quiet prayer and meditation.
The service is being livestreamed and recorded and will be available on our Facebook page and on YouTube.
The People’s responses are in bold type, and directions are italicized.
PRELUDE
“Prelude on ‘Paderborn’” J. Marsh
Please stand
PROCESSIONAL
“”Glorious things of thee are spoken” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #522
1 Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
he whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
2 See! the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, when such a river
ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver
never fails from age to age.
3 Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner,
light by night, and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which he gives them when they pray.
The Liturgy of the Word
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his 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.
Song of Praise LEVaS II, #246
Praise, praise, honor and glory, Praise, praise, honor and glory,
Praise, praise, honor and glory, Honor and glory to Christ, our King.
Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Please be seated
A Reading from the First Book of Kings (5:1-15)
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, “Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.”
He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.”
But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said: “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.”
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm (30)
(Reader and People read responsively by whole verse.)
1 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6 Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7 While I felt secure, I said, “I shall never be disturbed. *
You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”
8 Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9 I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper.”
12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians (6:1-16)
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand
GRADUAL HYMN
“In the cross of Christ I glory” (v.1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #441
1 In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.
2 When the woes of life o’ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me:
lo, it glows with peace and joy.
3 When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds new luster to the day.
THE GOSPEL
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (10:1-11, 16-20)
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’
“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Please be seated
THE SERMON The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Proper 9 St. Mark’s July 6, 2025
I can just hear the griping and complaining in ancient Israel at the time of today’s first reading. “What in the world was Elisha thinking – going out and healing that Syrian General Naaman? He’s not one of us. He doesn’t worship the same God that we do. He and his people are sometimes even our enemies. I heard that the servant who told him them about Elisha was a girl that they had kidnapped on one of their raids into our territory. What was he thinking? Don’t we have plenty of lepers among our own people? He should have cured one of them, not some foreigner!
“Elisha was making the same mistake as his predecessor and mentor, Elijah. Remember the time that he went out to that widow in Zeraphath in Lebanon, and provided her and her son with food and water during the famine? They were foreigners, too. We had plenty of people right here who could have used his help. He should have taken care of them. After all, we are God’s people. We are the ones that God cares about. We are the ones for whom God intends the fullness of life and all other good things. We need to put Israel first. Those two prophets acted as though God actually cares for and loves all people, not just us! Can you imagine that!”
Apparently, some of them couldn’t. Such a narrow view emerges at times among people of all ages, including those whose stories are found in the bible, both Old Testament and New. Over and over again, people come to think of themselves, and those who happen to think and believe and act the same way that they do, as the real people that God loves and as the only ones who should be receiving God’s loving care as well as the loving care from other human beings as well. Yet time and time again, God reminds them of God’s infinite love and concern for everyone, gifts that God extends to far more people that some are willing to accept.
Earlier this year, I came across an excellent new book, co-written by New Testament scholar Richard Hays and his son, Old Testament scholar Christopher Hays. It is called The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality within the Biblical Story. In it, Richard reverses a position that he took over 30 years ago. He does so by acknowledging that he had, in effect, missed the forest for the trees.
He and many other scholars, and ordinary people as well, have tried to isolate individual passages from the bible in order to determine its teaching on one subject or another. In doing so, they miss the overall message of the scriptures; they miss the big picture. But in this writing, the two authors make a clear and convincing case that the overall story told in the bible is the one of the widening of God’s mercy: God over and over again leading first Israel and then the early church to include and welcome into its full life and fellowship groups of people who had been previously excluded.
That is a message that pervades the biblical narrative. And it is a vitally important one for us and the people of our time and of all time. On the political side, it challenges the narrow view that we, in this country, need to focus on our own wants and needs first and that we can simply disregard the other people of the world, including those who are most at-risk and most in-need. And in the area of religious thought, it leads to attitudes that miss the great message of the scriptures and, along with it, God’s call to us as members of the church today.
I have heard, for example, folks, who otherwise are good caring people, tell friends of theirs who do not share their own narrow view of what it means to be a Christian that they will never “be saved,” which, in their minds, means being welcomed into heaven when they die. Their way, they assert, is the only way to share God’s life.
When I encounter attitudes like that, I am reminded — even though it is 90 degrees outside, and we are currently as far from Christmas as we get each year — I am reminded of Dr. Seuss’ story of the Grinch. You might recall that, at the beginning of the story, the Grinch’s problem was attributed to the fact that he had “a heart two sizes too small.” In the case of those who hold such a narrow view of God and of God’s love and mercy for all people, these folks have a god who is not just two, but millions and billions of sizes too small. They need the God whom the scriptures proclaim to us: a much bigger God!
There is, of course, a risk that we face in affirming the bible’s teaching about God’s universal love and mercy. Some people vehemently reject that message and cling instead to their small and narrow gods. According to the fourth chapter of Luke’s gospel, Jesus himself faced such staunch opposition. Immediately after his baptism and his forty days in the wilderness, he returned to his hometown of Nazareth and taught in their synagogue. He spoke to them of God’s universal love. Specifically, he reminded them: “There were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land, yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many with a skin disease in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard that, Luke says, they were filled with rage and tried to throw Jesus off a cliff.
So then, if our role as followers of Jesus is not that of being the only ones that God really loves and the only ones with whom God seeks to share the fullness of life, what is it? The story of Israel begins with God’s call to Abraham and with God’s charge that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” And the description of Israel’s role, and ultimately our role, includes the explanation from Isaiah 49:6, “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Like Abraham and like Israel, our role is not that of being the only people with whom God wishes and intends to share the fullness of life. Instead, our role is that of being God’s prophets today: that of announcing God’s word to the people in our time just as Elijah and Elisha did in theirs. Our role is, as I have said here over the years, to be a minority in service to the majority. Our role is to proclaim, by our words and by the way that we live our lives, the love of God for all people, and to work to transform this world to be more what God intends it to be: what Jesus called “the reign of God.” That is a great job. And that is the work of and for a lifetime.
Please stand
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
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Church of Nigeria.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for All Saints Portsmouth, St. Andrew in Evansville, and St. Patrick in Dublin.
In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Wayne & Gail Harper, Adam Holmes, Jim & Jackie Hoskinson.
With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”
For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this city for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those on St. Mark’s Prayer List: Jasmyne, Tibby, Patricia, Jim, Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnell family; for others for whom we wish to pray; for the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
In the communion of St. Mark and St. Margaret and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord our God.
Silence
Celebrant Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE CONFESSION
Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God and our neighbors.
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.
THE PEACE
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS
THE OFFERTORY
The Ushers collect the offering at this time
OFFERTORY MUSIC
“O Zion, Haste, thy mission high fulfilling” The Hymnal 1982, #539
1 O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is Light;
that he who made all nations is not willing
one soul should fail to know his love and might.
Publish glad tidings:
tidings of peace,
tidings of Jesus,
redemption and release.
2 Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is Love:
tell how he stooped to save his lost creation,
and died on earth that all might live above.
Refrain
3 Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious;
give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious
till God shall bring his kingdom’s joyful day.
Refrain
4 He comes again! O Zion, ere thou meet him,
make known to every heart his saving grace;
let none whom he hath ransomed fail to greet him,
through thy neglect, unfit to see his face.
Refrain
Please stand as the offerings are brought to the altar.
THE DOXOLOGY (v.3) The Hymnal 1982, #380
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 Liturgy of the Table
God’s Table is open to all, as God’s Love is open to all.
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. 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 life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
THE SANCTUS LEVaS II, #255
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, 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. Amen.
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.
Celebrant Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast.
FRACTION ANTHEM
“My flesh is food indeed” The Hymnal 1982, #S169
My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, says the Lord.
My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, says the Lord.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood dwell in me, and I in them.
My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, says the Lord.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
What we celebrate is not The Episcopal Church’s Supper, but The Lord’s Supper. All are welcome at the Lord’s Table for Communion; those not partaking are invited to come forward, cross your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing.
Please stand
COMMUNION HYMN
“O Spirit of the living God” The Hymnal 1982, #531
1 O Spirit of the living God,
in all thy plenitude of grace,
where’er the foot of man hath trod,
descend on our apostate race.
2 Give tongues of fire and hearts of love,
to preach the reconciling word;
give power and unction from above,
whene’er the joyful sound is heard.
3 Be darkness, at thy coming, light;
confusion, order in thy path;
souls without strength inspire with might,
bid mercy triumph over wrath.
4 Convert the nations! far and nigh
the triumphs of the cross record;
the Name of Jesus glorify,
till every people call him Lord.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Celebrant Let us pray.
All Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE BLESSING
RECESSIONAL
“Jesus shall reign where e’er the sun” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #544
1 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
doth his successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head;
his Name like sweet perfume shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song;
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his Name.
DISMISSAL
People Thanks be to God.
Please exit quietly or remain quietly listening during the Postlude.
POSTLUDE
“Postlude on ‘Hyfrydol’” arr. by H. Hopson
THE ALTAR FLOWERS are give by Ginny Tuxhorn, in memory of Col. Roosevelt N.
Hestle, Maj. Maurice Shaff, & Bill Tuxhorn: “brothers in arms”.
THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP is given by the Wagners in loving memory of Bettie Veazey Babcock.
COFFEE HOUR is hosted by Adam Holmes.
READINGS and MINISTRY SCHEDULE
July 6, 2025: Pentecost 4
Holy Eucharist
Celebrant: The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills
Acolyte: Gabriel Walch
Lay Readers: Jackie Hoskinson, Gabriel Walch
Chalicists: Kendall Rubino, Don Nancarrow
Tech & Facebook Live: Dave Reuter, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn, Jim Rudd
Counters: Sandy Bultman, Carol Nancarrow
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
July Altar Guild: The Welch Family, Janet Reuter
July 13, 2025: Pentecost 5
Morning Prayer
Readings: Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82,
Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37
Officiant: Jackie Hoskinson
Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Don Nancarrow, Carol Williamson, Judy Rudd
Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Wayne Harper, Tony Rubino
Counters: Dave Reuter, Katherine Wagner
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: Steve & Claudia Hurd
Altar Flowers: TBD
Candle: Wagner
July Altar Guild: The Welch Family, Janet Reuter
——————————
Prayers for the Week of July 6
For those we have lost to death, suicide, addiction, or politics.
For those living in fear and uncertainty in these turbulent days.
For those who struggle with the basic necessities of life after natural catastrophic events; with finding asylum in loving, welcoming lands; with losing necessary services in this changing political climate; with unexpected job losses.
For those serving in the military, in public service, in political leadership, and political reform.
For our enemies, foreign and domestic.
For those in our prayer cycles:
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Church of Nigeria.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for All Saints Portsmouth,
St. Andrew in Evansville, and St. Patrick in Dublin.
In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Wayne & Gail Harper; Adam Holmes, and Jim & Jackie Hoskinson.
For those celebrating July Birthdays: 5/Rob Reuter; 23/Susan Kendall; 29/Ann Phillips
For those celebrating July anniversaries: 18/Steve & Tibby Day; 24/TJ& Jenna Walch; 31/Jim & Judy Rudd
For those on our parish prayer list: Jasmyne, Tibby, Patricia, Jim, Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnells.
For those who suffer from illness, grief, or any other adversity:
Akiko, friend of Jim Tallman; Blaze, the Tallman’s grandson; Chip, Jim Rudd’s step-mother; Chris & family, friends of the Reuters; Clara, Pat Tallman’s cousin; Crystal, friend of the Rubinos; Emma, Lowell, & the Burton Family, friends of Juanita Limes and the Darnells; Jane, friend of the Tallmans; Katie, friend of the Reuters; Natasha, the Tallman’s granddaughter; Patti and Rachel, Norma Peachey’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter; Regina, Mary-Anna Welch’s sister; Renea, friend of Juanita and Lisa; Roberta, Tracey Swartz’s mother; Steve, friend of the Hoskinsons; Tonia, Juanita Limes’ daughter-in-law; Tony, Judy Rudd’s brother.
For the mission work of this congregation: CARE House, Canterbury Court, St. Paul’s UMC Food Pantry, Hope4Riverside, Neighborhood Bridges, and for the seven non-profit groups who use our Community Building.
For our Diocesan Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Kristin White
For our Assisting Bishops: The Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs,
The Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera, and The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price
For our Presiding Bishop: The Most Rev. Sean Rowe
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 6
UPCOMING CHURCH SERVICES:
July 13 Morning Prayer led by Jackie Hoskinson
July 20 Morning Prayer led by Don Nancarrow
July 27 Morning Prayer led by Jackie Hoskinson
Aug 3 Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr Mike Kreutzer
Aug10 Morning Prayer led by Don Nancarrow
Aug 17 Morning Prayer led by Jackie Hoskinson
Aug 24 Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr Jack Koepke
Aug 31 Morning Prayer led by Don Nancarrow
BATTER UP! Come cheer on the St. Mark’s softball team on Tuesday, July 8 The first game of the double header is at 7pm, and the second is at 8:30; both on Diamond #3. NEW LOCATION for the games this year: Kettering Fields Softball Complex, 444 N Bend Blvd, Dayton, OH 45404
HOPE FOR RIVERSIDE: School supplies are being collected for the students of Mad River Local Schools, and St. Mark’s has committed to contributing to the cost of 290 packs of notebook paper. The estimated final cost of the notebook paper is $300, and we’re asking for donations to cover that cost. NOTE: We won’t be collecting supplies this year, just collecting money towards the bulk purchase of notebook paper. For more information, see Jim Rudd.
FALL EVENT: The Parish Life team is looking for a replacement location for our longtime gathering at Valley Vineyards. We need a restaurant or other space that’s closer to St. Mark’s, for an event sometime in October. If you have any suggestions, please contact Jackie Hoskinson or Lizzy Reuter, PL vestry liaisons.
PERFUMES, COLOGNES, & OTHER SCENTS: Some of our members and guests have respiratory sensitivity issues when exposed to various scents, so please be aware of that when using perfumes and colognes.
Too much scent can make it difficult for others to breathe!
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND MUSIC
Have you ever noticed? Something incredible happens when we sing. You can feel it when you sing alone, but most especially when you sing as part of a community, a congregation in worship. Something awakens not only in the heart of each person but also in the collective heart of the body of Christ, connecting us to each other and to God in the deepest part of who we are.
Singing as a part of Christian worship is so much more than mere mental exercise. God created us to communicate with the very depths of our spirit, and singing is a way we can accomplish this in a profound and meaningful way.
Music in The Episcopal Church can be as diverse as its worship services. Although final authority over the music used in an Episcopal service is “the duty of every Minister” (Canon 24, Section 1), our hymnal draws all Episcopalians together musically in the same way that the Book of Common Prayer draws us together in prayer and liturgy. It teaches the gospel, strengthens our connection to God, and unites the congregation in shared expression. The Episcopal Church has diverse music during worship, and the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music provides resources and resolutions related to music in worship.
Most recently revised in 1982, The Hymnal of The Episcopal Church offers 720 hymns in addition to liturgical music. While some of the hymns date back to monastic chants, the hymnal offers more modern music as well.
“The Hymnal 1982 retains the best of the past and sets forth many riches of our own time. [The Standing Commission on Church Music] looked for theological orthodoxy, poetic beauty, and integrity of meaning. At the same time, the Commission was especially concerned that the hymnody affirm ‘the participation of all in the Body of Christ the Church, while recognizing our diverse natures of children of God.’ … Texts and music which reflect the pluralistic nature of the Church have been included, affording the use of Native American, Afro-American, Hispanic, and Asian material.”
(Preface, The Hymnal 1982, Church Pension Fund, 1985)
Make a Joyful Noise!
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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
Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
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 use 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.
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St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio,
which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
PARISH LEADERSHIP
Senior Warden: Jim Rudd
Junior Warden: Tony Rubino
Vestry:
Jenna Walch
Gary Welch
Elizabeth Reuter
Jackie Hoskinson
Faggio Nocero-Sargent
Katherine Wagner
Don Nancarrow, Treasurer
Dave Reuter, Recorder
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On-line Giving to St. Mark’s
There are two easy ways to donate online!
Text “LIONGIVING” to 73256.
Or click on the QR code and follow the link
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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
456 Woodman Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45431-2099
Email: st_marks@ameritech.net
Office Phone: 937-256-1082
Website: stmarksdayton.org
Resources:
Website: https://stmarksdayton.org,
Facebook: St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dayton OH
Instagram: St Mark’s Dayton
Liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer 1979
& The Hymnal 1982.
Readings from the New Revised Standard
Version of The Bible.
Music through One License #A-740839.
Katherine Wagner – Bulletin Chief Editor
Dave Reuter – Webmaster
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