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
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PRELUDE: “Nettleton” Donald Busarow
PRAYER REQUESTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS
Please stand as you are able.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
“Come thou fount of every blessing” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #686
1 Come, thou fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace!
Streams of mercy never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! Oh, fix me on it,
mount of God’s unchanging love.
2 Here I find my greatest treasure;
hither, by thy help, I’ve come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
3 Oh, to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee:
prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
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.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People Also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
VETERANS’ DAY LITANY
Celebrant: God of love, peace and justice, it is your will for the world that we may live together in peace. You have promised through the prophet Isaiah that one day the swords will be beaten into ploughshares. Yet we live in a broken world, and there are times that war seems inevitable. Let us recognize with humility and sadness the tragic loss of life that comes in war. Even so, as we gather here free from persecution, we may give thanks for those that have served with courage and honor.
Reader: Those that are in our presence that are either in active duty or reserve duty, and the fathers, mothers, siblings, spouses and grandparents of those that are currently serving.
All: God, we praise you for those that are willing to serve. Let all Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen serve with duty, honor, sacrifice, pride, and compassion. Do not let their hearts be hardened by the actions they must take. Lest them and each of us hope for peace and foster peace. Strengthen their families. Keep them surrounded in your love and peace.
Reader: Those that are in our presence that have served in the military in the past.
All: God, we praise you for those that have served in the military. We thank you for those that put the welfare of others ahead of their own safety. Let us all be inspired by their self-sacrifice in service to those who needed protection.
Reader: Those that are in our presence who have lost a loved one in war.
All: God, we praise you for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. We ask that you comfort those that still feel the pain of their loss. Keep us mindful that you have promised to comfort those that mourn.
Reader: Those who have gathered in your name in safety because of the sacrifices of others.
All: God, we praise you for granting us these freedoms. Let us honor those who have served by working for peace. Let us never forget those that have served, and let us never let go of your promise of peace. Amen
FIRST READING Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Reader 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 Lord and 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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
PSALM 78:1-7
(Reader and People read responsively by whole 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;
SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians
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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GRADUAL HYMN:
“Jerusalem, my happy home” The Hymnal 1982, #620
1. Jerusalem, my happy home,
When shall I come to thee?
When shall my sorrows have an end?
Thy joys when shall I see?
2. Thy saints are crowned with glory great;
They see God face to face;
They triumph still, they still rejoice
In that most happy place.
3. There David stands with harp in hand
As master of the choir:
Ten thousand times would one be blessed
Who might this music hear.
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 25:1-13
Deacon 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.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Please be seated.
THE SERMON The Rev. Jean Vargo
Please stand as you are able.
THE NICENE CREED BCP p.358
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.
ANTIPHON: “O Lord, hear my Pray’r” Taizé
O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r. When I call, answer me.
O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r. Come and listen to me.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for the Province of the Anglican Church of Congo.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Barnabas in Montgomery, the Church of Our Savior, and the 152nd Diocesan Convention.
In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Patricia and Jim Tallman, Ginny Tuxhorn, and the Rev. Jean Vargo.
After each petition the People respond with “Hear Our Prayer”
Celebrant We give thanks for your love and steadfast promises; grant us lives worthy or the gift of your grace and answer our prayers to our benefit and to your glory. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit eternally. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SIN BCP p.360
Celebrant Let us 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 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.
THE OFFERTORY: The ushers collect the offering at this time.
OFFERTORY HYMN
“Take my life and let it be” The Hymnal 1982, #707
1 Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
2 Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King;
take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.
Please stand as you are able.
DOXOLOGY
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” The Hymnal 1982, #380
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Eucharistic Prayer B BCP p. 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 our 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, #S129
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
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.
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;
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:
“O Lamb of God”
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
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.
ALL are welcome to the table of the Lord.
What we celebrate is not The Episcopal Church’s Supper, but The Lord’s Supper.
Those not partaking of Communion are invited to come forward,
cross your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing.
COMMUNION HYMN:
“Let all mortal flesh keep silence” (v. 1-2) The Hymnal 1982, #324
1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Celebrant Let us pray.
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.
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN:
“All creatures of our God and King” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #400
1 All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voices, let us sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beams,
pale silver moon that gently gleams,
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Great rushing winds and breezes soft,
you clouds that ride the heavens aloft,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Fair rising morn, with praise rejoice,
stars nightly shining, find a voice,
Refrain
3 Swift flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for your Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Fire, so intense and fiercely bright,
you give to us both warmth and light,
Refrain
DISMISSAL
People Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
“Lasst Uns Erfreuen” Kevin Hilderbrand
Thank you for joining us in worship.
Please know that your participation with us today,
in person or online, has been a blessing.
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Readings & Ministry Schedule
November 8, Pentecost 24
Readings:
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Music Director: Karen Bocko
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Carol Williamson, Jim Rudd
Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Jim Rudd
Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn, Jim Rudd
Counters: Katherine Wagner, Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Altar Guild: Norma Peachey, Ginny Tuxhorn
Altar Flowers: Wagner
Candle: Festus-Abibo
Coffee Hour: Welch Family
November 16, Pentecost 25
Readings:
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
NO SERVICE AT ST MARKS
At 10am we will join the parishioners of
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
33 W. Dixon Ave
Dayton, OH 45419
to celebrate the 45th anniversary
of Rev. Jean Vargo’s Ordination
Announcements for the week of November 8
On November 11, we celebrate Veterans’ Day,
so today we honor these and all St Mark’s veterans:
Wayne Harper, Lt. Colonel, USAF Retired
Jim Hoskinson, Tech Sergeant, USAF Retired
Chuck Kulhanek, Petty Officer 2nd Class, USN Retired
Jim Tallman, Master Sergeant, USAF Retired
The Altar Flowers are given the Wagner Family, in loving memory of Jim Veazey, Major, USAF Retired.
The Candle in the Sanctuary Lamp is given by Rommel Festus-Abibo
Coffee Hour is hosted by the Welch Family, in celebration of Stephanie’s birthday.
DAY OF CHANGE. You’re still welcome to donate!
When we “fall back”, we take up a special collection for the Food Pantry at St. Paul’s UMC. So as you change your clocks, please bring in your $$ donations and place them in the specially marked baskets in the nave.
FLAGS FOR HEROES: NOV 7-12
Sponsored by the Beavercreek Rotary, Flags for Heroes honors personal heroes in four categories: Military, Family, First Responders, and Teachers/Mentors/Friends. Veteran’s Day is the third of three times the flags are posted publicly; you are welcome to find your heroes in this chart, and visit the memorial during the six days the flags are flying at Be Hope Church, 1850 North Fairfield Rd in Beavercreek. If you’d like to designate someone for this honor, please see Jim Rudd.
Sunday, Nov. 15: NO SERVICE AT ST. MARKS
We will celebrate Rev. Jean’s 45th Anniversary of her
Ordination with a joint service at St. Paul’s at 10am.
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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.
