Lent-2 (Yr A) Mar 5, 2023

PRELUDE How Firm a Foundation Lee Hastings Bristol

OPENING HYMN

“The God of Abraham Praise” Hymnal 1982 #401

1 The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;

Ancient of everlasting days, and God of love;

the Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven confessed:

we bow and bless the sacred Name for ever blest.

2 He by himself hath sworn: we on his oath depend;

we shall, on eagle-wings upborne, to heaven ascend:

we shall behold his face, we shall his power adore,

and sing the wonders of his grace for evermore.

3 There dwells the Lord, our King, the Lord, our Righteousness,

triumphant o’er the world and sin, the Prince of Peace;

on Zion’s sacred height his kingdom he maintains,

and, glorious with his saints in light, for ever reigns.

4 The God who reigns on high the great archangels sing,

and “Holy, holy, holy,” cry, “Almighty King!

Who was, and is, the same, and evermore shall be:

eternal Father, great I AM, we worship thee.”

5 The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high;

“Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!” they ever cry;

hail, Abraham’s Lord divine! With heaven our songs we raise;

all might and majesty are thine, and endless praise.

Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

People: His mercy endures for ever.

The Decalogue: Contemporary

Hear the commandments of God to his people: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not make for yourself any idol.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not invoke with malice the Name of the Lord your God.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Honor your father and your mother.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not commit murder.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not commit adultery.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not steal.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not be a false witness.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Celebrant:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8,9

The Deacon invites the congregation to confession.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

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.

ABSOLUTION
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.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please be seated for the lessons.

Old Testament Genesis 12:1-4a

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 121 (said responsively by half-verse) Please remain seated.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *

from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, *

the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved *

and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *

shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The Lord himself watches over you; *

the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *

it is he who shall keep you safe.

8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *

from this time forth for evermore.

Epistle Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

A Reading from the Letter to the Romans

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL HYMN

“O Spirit of Life” Hymnal 1928 #505

1 O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

in every need thou bringest aid;

thou comest forth from God’s great throne,

from God, the Father and the Son;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

2 O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

increase our faith in our dear Lord;

unless thy grace the power should give,

none can believe in Christ and live;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

3 O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

make us to love thy sacred word;

the holy flame of love impart,

that charity may warm each heart;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

4 O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

enlighten us by that same word;

teach us to know the Father’s love,

and his dear Son, who reigns above;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

Please stand as you are able for the Gospel proclamation.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

Glory to you Lord Christ.

Gospel John 3:1-17

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you Lord Christ.

Sermon The Rev. Cricket Park

Please stand as you are able for the Nicene Creed. We say the Creed in unison.

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 PEACE

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

Announcements & Birthday/Anniversary Prayers

OFFERTORY More Love to Thee Timothy Shaw

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

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.

Amen.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

The Celebrant proceeds

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 was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.

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:

Celebrant and People Hymnal 1982 #S130

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. Hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant continues

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

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

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

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

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

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
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

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.

Agnus Dei Hymnal 1982 #S164

Jesus, Lamb of God:
have mercy on us,

Jesus, Lamb of God,
Bearer of our sins:
have mercy on us,

Jesus, redeemer,

redeemer of the world:

give us your peace,

give us your peace.

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

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.

Come to God’s altar. You are welcome to receive communion. If you wish only to receive a blessing from the priest, please cross your arms when you come forward. If you require a gluten-free wafer, please let the ushers know.

COMMUNION HYMN “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Hymnal 1982 #691

1 My faith looks up to thee,

thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

take all my guilt away;

O let me from this day

be wholly thine.

2 May thy rich grace impart

strength to my fainting heart,

my zeal inspire;

as thou hast died for me,

O may my love to thee

pure, warm, and changeless be,

a living fire.

3 While life’s dark maze I tread,

and griefs around me spread,

be thou my guide;

bid darkness turn to day;

wipe sorrow’s tears away,

nor let me ever stray

from thee aside.

After Communion, the Celebrant says

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.

SOLEMN PRAYER & BLESSING

Grant, Almighty God, that your people may recognize their weakness and put their whole trust in your strength, so that they may rejoice for ever in the protection of your loving providence; through Christ our Lord.

CLOSING HYMN “How Firm a Foundation” Hymnal 1982 #636

1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

2 “Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

3 “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

4 “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;

the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

DISMISSAL

Response: Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE In the Cross of Christ I Glory Robert J Powell

***

THE SUNDAY NEWS

COFFEE HOUR: THE EIGHTH SACRAMENT Please volunteer to host coffee hour. Sign up on the charts in the narthex or contact Rev. Cricket at st_marks@ameritech.net.

LENT MADNESS: Pick a saint and join the voting during Lent. A fun way to learn about church history! Follow the voting at www.lentmadness.org

Hope4Riverside’s Annual Community Celebration Service will be held on TONIGHT in the Stebbins High School Auditorium. The event will start at 6:00 PM. If you have not already, register by sending an email to MadRiver@buildingbridges.com.

CARE HOUSE: Their supply of drinks/juices, bottled water (8oz), and snacks are nearly depleted. If you are able, please go to Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, or wherever you purchase items for delivery and send them some. The address is 410 Valley St., Dayton, 45404; phone: 937-641-4545

KAIROS: God’s Special Time Please pray for the men who are experiencing the KAIROS Weekend March 9-12 at Lebanon Correctional Institution. Also, please consider baking cookies for the weekend. The KAIROS team needs 10,000 DOZEN cookies to share God’s love throughout the prison over the three days. Instructions for cookie baking are in the narthex. Please bring baked cookies to church NO LATER than noon

THIS Wednesday, March 8th.

Happy Birthday this week to Juanita Limes and Dave Apple,

The Prayer List for St. Mark’s is provided each week through our ENewsletter.

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response Working through Action by Church Together Alliance, ERD is responding to this disaster through existing networks. The organization is also in contact with other local partners as they assess the needs of their communities. ERD provides emergency and long-term support for those who are impacted by natural disasters so they can make full and sustained recoveries, as well as resources and training to help people prepare for the next disaster. Fliers are in the entrance way if you wish to donate with a check. To donate with a credit card go to www.episcopalrelief.org.

PROCTER SUMMER CAMPS are back!

Silver Camp (age 50+) June 21-24, $250*

Senior High Camp (9th-12 grades) June 26-July 1, $475*

Family Camp July 12-15

Middle School Camp (6th-8th grades) July 17-22, $475*

Tween Camp (3rd-5th grades) July 24-26, $190*

Family Camp July 26-29

Silver Camp (age 50+) August 1-4, $250

*The true cost of each camp is actually higher than these listed. If you are able to pay this true cost amount, it helps subsidize the price for all. We never turn a camper away because of cost. If needed please complete the Campership paperwork registration process.

Go to https://www.Proctercenter.org/camp2023/

Ministry Assignments for Lent III, March 12, 2023

Acolyte(s): Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Lay Readers: TJ Walch and Gary Welch

Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Don Nancarrow

Tech/Facebook Live: Katherine Wagner

Ushers: Carol Williamson and Tony Rubino

Counters: Kendall Rubino and Jim Rudd

Open Close: Rudd/Welch

Altar Guild: Mary-Anna Walch, Stephanie Walch, & Janet Reuter

If you are unable to serve on your date, please find your substitute and notify the church office.

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The diocese is currently in a search for its next Bishop.

Vestry

Libby Nicholson, Senior Warden wardens@stmarksdayton.com

Kendall Rubino, Junior Warden wardens@stmarksdayton.com

Fred Berta flbretiredncr@aol.com

Jackie Hoskinson jghoskinson@hotmail.com

Linda Stagles LStagles@gmail.com

Patricia Tallman patskincare@aol.com

Elizabeth Wagner-Weber wagnere17@hanover.edu

Jenna Walch jennawalch@gmail.com

Don Nancarrow, Treasurer nancard@sbcglobal.net

Dave Reuter, Recorder DFReuter@aol.com

Interim Rector

Rev. Cricket Park st_marks@ameritech.net;

revcricketpark@gmail.com

614-806-5248

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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

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 used 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.

(written by Elizabeth Wagner-Weber)

The Rev. Cricket Park, Interim Priest-in-Charge

st_marks@ameritech.net

614-806-5248

Libby Nicholson – Senior Warden; Kendall Rubino – Junior Warden,

wardens@stmarksdayton.org

Donna Larsen, Music Director/Organist,

musicdirector@stmarksdayton.org

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

456 Woodman Drive

Dayton, OH 45431

Email: st_marks@ameritech.net