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.
As a courtesy to others, please silence your cell phone.
The Hymnal 1982 is the blue hymnal; Wonder, Love, & Praise is the green hymnal; Lift Every Voice and Sing II is the red and black hymnal
PRELUDE:
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” arr. John Behnke
Prayer Requests, Birthdays/Anniversaries and Announcements
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
“Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love” LEVaS, #74
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love,
show us how to serve the neighbors
we have from you.
1 Kneels at the feet of his friends,
silently washes their feet,
Master who acts as a slave to them.
Refrain
2 Neighbors are rich and poor,
neighbors are black and white,
neighbors are near and far away.
Refrain
3 These are the ones we should serve,
these are the ones we should love;
all these are neighbors to us and you.
Refrain
4 Loving puts us on our knees,
serving as though we are slaves,
this is the way we should live with you.
Refrain
5 Kneel at the feet of our friends,
silently washing their feet,
this is the way we should live with you.
Refrain
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
Song of Praise,
“Praise, honor, and Glory” LEVaSII, # 246
Praise, praise, honor and glory,
Praise, praise, honor and glory to Christ, our King.
Praise, praise, honor and glory,
honor and glory, honor and glory to Christ, our King.
Collect of the Day
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; 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.
First Reading: Genesis 29:15-28
Reader A reading from the book of Genesis
Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Response: Psalm 105:1-11, 45b;
1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *
continually seek his face.
5 Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God; *
his judgments prevail in all the world.
8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
the promise he made for a thousand generations:
9 The covenant he made with Abraham, *
the oath that he swore to Isaac,
10 Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *
an everlasting covenant for Israel,
11 Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be your allotted inheritance.”
45b Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Romans 8:26-39
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GRADUAL HYMN:
“Blessed feasts of blessed martyrs” The Hymnal 1982, #238
1 Blessed feasts of blessed martyrs,
Holy women, holy men,
With our love and admiration,
Greet we your return again.
Worthy deeds they wrought, and wonders,
Worthy of the name they bore;
We, with joyful praise and singing,
Honor them for evermore.
2 Faith prevailing, hope unfailing,
Loving Christ with single heart,
Thus they, glorious and victorious,
Bravely bore the martyr’s part,
By contempt of ev’ry anguish,
By unyielding battle done;
Victors at the last, they triumph,
With the host of angels one.
3 Therefore, all that reign in glory,
Faithful heirs with Christ on high,
Join to ours your supplication
When before Christ we draw nigh,
Praying that, this life completed,
All its fleeting moments past,
By Christ’s grace we may be worthy
Of eternal bliss at last.
The Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Please be seated
The Homily The Rev. Jean Vargo
Please stand as you are able.
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.
Prayers of the People
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Anglican Church of Tanzania.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Mary’s in Hillsboro, and the DSO entity: College for Congregational Development.
In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray George Snyder, Tracey Swartz, and Patricia & Jim Tallman.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those on our Parish Prayer List: Jim H., Hayward, George, Patricia, Jim T., Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnell family; and for all who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Celebrant Thanksgiving, blessing and praise be yours, God of the incarnation; because you care for us and for our prayer. May our love for you and our likeness to you be strengthened every time we pray. Amen.
The Confession of Sin
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 BCP p. 360
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The Offertory – The ushers collect the offering at this time
Offertory Hymn:
“Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” LEVaSII, #114
O ev’ry time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart, I will pray.
Yes, ev’ry time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart, I will pray.
1 Upon the mountain when my God spoke,
out of His mouth came fire and smoke.
All around me looks so fine,
asked my Lord if all was mine. [Refrain]
2 The Jordan river runs right cold,
it chills the body, not the soul.
Ain’t but one train on this track,
runs to heaven and right back. [Refrain]
Please stand as you are able.
PRESENTATION HYMN:
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” LEVAS #56
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Eucharistic Prayer B (The Book of Common Prayer, page 367)
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. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord” The Hymnal 1982, #S128
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.
Please stand or kneel
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;
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 BCP p. 364
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread BCP p. 364
FRACTION ANTHEM:
“Christ our Passover” The Hymnal 1982, # S154
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
therefore let us keep the feast.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
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.
Please be seated.
ALL are welcome to the table of the Lord. If you choose not to receive Holy Communion and wish to receive a blessing please cross your arms over your chest. Come to the Great Eucharist thanking God for all he has done and will do for us.
COMMUNION HYMN:
“I come with joy to meet my Lord” The Hymnal 1982, #304
1 I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.
2 I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread.
3 As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
That love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.
4 And thus with joy we meet our Lord.
His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see, and praise him here.
5 Together met, together bound,
we’ll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world,
we’ll live and speak his praise.
Post-Communion Prayer
Celebrant Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
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:
“Holy God, we praise thy name” (vs. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #366
1 Holy God, we praise thy Name,
Lord of all, we bow before thee;
all on earth thy scepter claim,
all in heaven above adore thee;
infinite thy vast domain,
everlasting is thy reign.
2 Hark, the loud celestial hymn
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heavens with sweet accord:
holy, holy, holy Lord!
3 Lo, the apostolic train
join, thy sacred Name to hallow;
prophets swell the loud refrain,
and the white-robed martyrs follow;
and, from morn till set of sun,
through the Church the song goes on.
Dismissal
People Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE:
“Voluntary in G” Robert Lau
Thank you for joining us in worship.
Please know that your participation with us today,
in person or online, has been a blessing.
July 26, 2026
Pentecost-9
Readings:
Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Organist: Percy Jones, Jr.
Acolyte: Faggio Nocero–Sargent
Lay Readers: TJ Walch, Jim Rudd
Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Tony Rubino, Jim Rudd
Counters: Dave Reuter, Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
July Altar Guild: Janet Reuter & the Welch Family
Coffee Hour: Steve Hurd
August 2, 2026
Pentecost-4
Joint Worship at 10am — St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Readings:
Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7,16
Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Organist: Percy Jones, Jr.
Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Lay Readers: Laura Leach, Judy Rudd
Chalicists: Jim Rudd, Judy Rudd
Tech & Facebook Live: TJ Walch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Dave Reuter, Wayne Harper
Counters: Janet Reuter, Tony Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino
August Altar Guild: Norma Peachey & Ginny Tuxhorn
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Announcements for the Week of July 26
The CANDLE in the Sanctuary Lamp shines brightly over the Parish of St. Mark’s as we keep the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.
The ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Natalie Reeser and the Phillips Family in honor of Ann’s 90th birthday.
MENTORING AND TUTORING PROGRAM – St. Mark’s is partnering with Mad River Local Schools to support 1st–4th graders at Saville Elementary through mentoring or tutoring. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside the church office for more information.
Next Sunday, August 2, is CARE House Sunday, and they can use our help! Snack suggestions include fresh fruit, string cheese, yogurt, applesauce; individual packs of almonds, pretzels, raisins, popcorn, granola bars, pb crackers. Huggable-size soft stuffed animals are always welcome, as are cash and gift cards.
The 2026 Ohio Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for Friday, August 7 — Sunday, August 9. This three-day event provides a full weekend to save on essential school-related purchases. The back-to-school holiday applies to all items of clothing priced at $75 or less, school supplies priced at $20 or less, and school instructional materials priced at $20 or less. There’s no limit on the amount of the total purchase. The qualification is determined item by item.
The Sign-Up Sheets for COFFEE HOUR, ALTAR FLOWERS, and SANCTUARY LAMP have plenty of spaces available on the bulletin board next to the Office! There are plenty of Sundays that need a Coffee Hour host, so sign up to celebrate with your church family before the service. The Sanctuary Lamp candles are $7.50 per week, and the Altar Flowers $40 per week (and are yours to keep!) We will make sure all requests are listed in the bulletin.
JOINT Worship Services/Events for St. Mark’s and St. Paul’s
Sunday, Aug 2 – Outreach Project and Joint Worship Service at St. Mark’s at 10am.The Outreach Committees at both parishes will work together to organize details for a joint outreach project.
Sunday, Oct 4 – Outdoor Worship service & Pet Blessing at 10am. Location TBD.
A Holy Cycle
The transition process is a holy cycle.
It begins with discovering what God is already doing in our community. We observe, listen, and ask questions.
We look for the small and large ways God’s love is at work among our neighbors – whether they live next door or in the next town.
As we learn the needs of our community, we also pray and reflect on our own gifts and passions, both individually and as a parish. We remember Jesus’ call to go and make disciples and Isaiah’s promise that God is making all things new. Our passions, shaped by the Spirit, meet the needs of the world around us. This is where ministry begins.
To be the church is to participate in God’s work. It is less about filling pews or balancing budgets – important as those are – and more about living the gospel with compassion, mercy, and Christ-like love. It is being the hands and feet of Christ wherever we are.
As we shape our parish goals, we shape them for the sake of our neighbors. We offer our community a church that cares for them, prays for them, and is present with them. And as God continues to inspire us, the cycle begins again: discovering need, noticing God’s activity, and listening for the Spirit’s leading.
May the Spirit of God inspire and guide you.
