Advent-2 (Yr C) Dec 5, 2021

The Celebration of Holy Eucharist

The Second Sunday of Advent

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Dayton, Ohio, December 5, 2021, 10:30 AM

Note: the service is being livestreamed and recorded and will be available on our Facebook page.

If you’re new to St. Mark’s please see an usher for a welcome packet so we might acknowledge your visit and include you on our email list for weekly updates and information regarding St. Mark’s and the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The RESTROOM is located to the right as you enter the building.

Throughout the service the people’s responses are in italics; directions are in bold italics.

If you prefer a gluten-free host please notify an usher prior to the service.

PRELUDE:

“Savior of the Nations, Come” Johann Pachelbel

WELCOME: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.

PROCESSIONAL:

“Prepare the way, O Zion” The Hymnal 1982, #65

1 Prepare the way, O Zion,

your Christ is drawing near!

Let every hill and valley

a level way appear.

Greet One who comes in glory,

foretold in sacred story.

Oh, blest is Christ that came

in God’s most holy Name.

2 He brings God’s rule, O Zion;

he comes from heaven above.

His rule is peace and freedom,

and justice, truth, and love.

Lift high your praise resounding,

for grace and joy abounding.

Refrain

3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion;

your Savior’s rule embrace.

His tidings of salvation

proclaim in every place.

All lands will bow before him,

their voices will adore him.

Refrain

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Please remain standing

Celebrant: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots, a branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

ADVENT LIGHTING ANTHEM:

“Light one candle” (The first two Advent candles are lit.)

All: Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope, He brings hope to ev’ry heart, he comes! He comes! Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace, He brings hope to ev’ry heart, he comes! He comes!

The Liturgy of the Word

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (With gusto!) 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.

COLLECT OF THE DAY:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:

“People look East” (verse 1) Wonder, Love & Praise, #724

All: People, look East. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as

you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look East and sing today: Love the

guest is on the way.

Please be seated

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF BARUCH:

Reader: Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God. Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting; for God will show your splendour everywhere under heaven. For God will give you evermore the name, ‘Righteous Peace, Godly Glory’. Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look towards the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne. For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God. The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God’s command. For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him. (5:1-9)

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

Please stand

THE SONG OF ZECHARIAH:

Reader: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
All: He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.

Reader: Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
All: the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Reader: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
All: to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

Please be seated

A READING FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS:

Reader: I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (3:9-13)

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

Please stand

GRADUAL:

“Savior, to the nations, come” (verses 1-2) The Hymnal 1982, #54

1 Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

2 Wondrous birth! Oh, wondrous child

of the Virgin undefiled!

Mighty God and Mary’s son,

eager now his race to run!

THE GOSPEL:

Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant: In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”(3:1-6)

Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

GRADUAL:

“Savior, to the nations, come” (verses 3-4) The Hymnal 1982, #54

3 Thus on earth the Word appears,

gracing his created spheres;

hence to death and hell descends,

then the heavenly throne ascends.

4 Come, O Father’s saving Son,

who o’er sin the victory won.

Boundless shall your kingdom be;

grant that we its glories see.

Please be seated

THE SERMON

Please stand

THE NICENE CREED:

“I believe in God almighty” Wonder, Love, & Praise, #769

1 I believe in God almighty, author of all things that be,

Maker of the earth and heavens, Keeper of the sky and sea.

I believe in God’s son, Jesus, now for us both Lord and Christ,

of the Spirit and of Mary born to bring abundant life.

2 I believe that Jesus suffered, scourged and scorned and crucified;

taken from the cross, was buried— True Life there had truly died.

I believe that on the third day Christ was raised up from the grave,

then ascended to God right hand. He will come to judge and save.

3 I believe in God’s own Spirit, bonding all the saints within

One church, catholic and holy, where forgiveness frees from sin;

in the body’s resurrection, for the breaking of death’s chain

gives the life that’s everlasting. This the faith that I have claimed.

Please stand or kneel

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:

Reader: Let us call upon the name of God, who faithfully acts on behalf of those who wait in hope.

Reader: That the leaders of nations may turn their hands from violence and iniquity and embrace instead the ways of righteousness and peace. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: That hardened hearts may be softened and straying steps guided home by the touch of God’s hand through the love of Christians. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: That the sick, especially those named on the parish prayer list, may be supported by the presence and prayers of family and friends, and so experience the healing power of our Redeemer. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: That this congregation may be shaped by God’s hand, enriched by God’s gifts, and strengthened to be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ; Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: That the departed may rejoice as they are called into fellowship with Christ by the One who is ever faithful; Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: For your church, called to be a place of communion for every human being: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: For the coming of your kingdom within us by the gift of the Holy Spirit: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: By the coming of your kingdom at the end of time, when you will be all in all: Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant: In the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, and in the dream of Joseph, your promise is spoken and takes flesh in the womb of the Mary. May Emmanuel find welcome in our hearts, take flesh in our lives, and be for all peoples the welcome advent of redemption and grace. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose Day draws near; your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

THE CONFESSION:

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins to God and our neighbor.

All: 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: Our Lord Jesus Christ has bestowed power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to those who are truly repentant, absolution and remission of sin. Therefore, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, be reconciled to God through grace and “go and sin no more.” Amen.

Please stand

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE:

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

REMAINING IN THEIR PEWS, the congregation offers the peace of God to one another.

Please be seated

ONLINE COMMENTS

BIRTHDAY and ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERTORY SENTENCE:

Celebrant: O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power; because you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Rev. 4:11)

Thank you for your generous weekly gifts.

The day-to-day mission and ministry of St. Mark’s

is funded primarily by gifts received in the offering plate each week.

Please be seated

OFFERTORY

“Come, Jesus, Holy Son of God” G.F. Handel

Please stand

PRAYER FOR THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE:

Celebrant: Let us pray.

All: Most Holy God, the author of life and creator of all that is, receive and bless my offering this day; that the currency of worldly value may become the currency of transformation through the worship and work of this community. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS RECEIVED FOR CARE HOUSE:

Celebrant: Let us pray. Lord Jesus, who took the children into your arms and embraced them with your love, receive these gifts for the children of CARE House. Through the power of your Spirit, may these offerings and the offering of all our ministries to them, bring them comfort and healing. May they come to know and feel in their hearts and in their souls the fullness of life and of love given to all of us by our one God and Father. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Table

To receive the sacrament, please line up in the center aisle; at your turn approach the Celebrant to receive the Host. Return to your seat via the side aisles.

Those not receiving the sacrament are invited to come forward for a blessing; cross your arms across your chest to indicate this to the Celebrant who will administer the blessing. If you are unsure about receiving the sacrament please make an appointment with The Rev. MacGregor who would be delighted to speak with you.

Please remain standing

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER B:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give God 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. Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. 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:

THE SANCTUS: The Hymnal 1982, #S129

All sing: 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.

You may stand or kneel

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.

Celebrant: 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 give 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 the, 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,

All: 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 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 Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with 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.

People: AMEN! (with gusto!)

Please stand

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.

FRACTION ANTHEM: “Agnus Dei “ The Hymnal 1982, #S158

All: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Grant us thy peace.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God.

The people may now come forward to receive the Sacrament.

THE PRAYER OF RECEPTION FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING ONLINE:

(to be said by those at home)

Blessed Jesus, with your faithful people at every altar of your church where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and the life to come. Amen.

Please stand

COMMUNION HYMN:

“Blessed Jesus at thy word” The Hymnal 1982, #440

1 Blessèd Jesus, at thy word

we are gathered all to hear thee;

let our hearts and souls be stirred

now to seek and love and fear thee;

by thy teachings pure and holy,

drawn from earth to love thee solely.

2 All our knowledge, sense, and sight

lie in deepest darkness shrouded,

till thy Spirit breaks our night

with the beams of truth unclouded;

thou alone to God canst win us;

thou must work all good within us.

3 Gracious Lord, thyself impart!

Light of Light, from God proceeding,

open thou our ears and heart,

help us by thy Spirit’s pleading.

Hear the cry thy Church upraises;

hear, and bless our prayers and praises.

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.

THE BLESSING:

Celebrant: ….. +And may the blessing . . .

RECESSIONAL:

“Come, thou long expected Jesus” The Hymnal 1982, #66

1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

2 Israel’s strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art:

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

3 Born thy people to deliver,

born a child, and yet a king,

born to reign in us for ever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

4 By thine own eternal Spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all-sufficient merit

raise us to thy glorious throne.

DISMISSAL:

Celebrant: Alleluia! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

POSTLUDE:

“Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying” Wayne L. Wold

THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ. This week in shines in honor of Mildred Browning’s 102 years on this earth.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given in honor of Mildred Browning, 4/23/19–11/28/21.

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

THIS SUNDAY– ADVENT 2- HOLY EUCHARIST – DECEMBER 5:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Dave Reuter, Tony Rubino

Tech: TJ Walch, Mary-Anna Welch

Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers: OT/PS: Carol Williamson EP/POP: Gary Welch

Counters: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Altar Guild: Mary-Anna Welch, Stephanie Welch, Janet Reuter

NEXT SUNDAY– ADVENT 3- HOLY EUCHARIST – DECEMBER 12:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Wayne Harper, Jim Rudd

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Elizabeth Wagner

Acolytes: Gary Welch, Stephanie Welch

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers: OT/PS: Don Nancarrow EP/POP: Jim Rudd

Counters: Dave Reuter, Tony Rubino

Altar Guild: Mary-Anna Welch, Stephanie Welch, Janet Reuter

Altar Flowers: OPEN

Sanctuary Lamp: OPEN

Events at St. Mark’s this Week

THIS SUNDAY (Advent 2, Dec. 5): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on

Facebook Live. EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, 1:30pm, Fellowship Room; CARE HOUSE SUNDAY.

MONDAY: SAA MEETING, 6:30am, Lounge; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

TUESDAY: TOPS MEETING, 9:30am, Fellowship Room; NA MEETING, 7:30pm,

Parish Hall

WEDNESDAY: STAFF MEETING, 10:00am, Office; COMPLINE, 7pm, Zoom

THURSDAY: SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge

FRIDAY: COMMUNICATIONS MEETING; 9am, Zoom

SATURDAY: HIDDEN GEMS, noon, parking lot; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

NEXT SUNDAY (Advent 3, Dec. 12): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person

and on Facebook Live; EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, 1:30pm, Fellowship Room

Places to be, things to do

THE CHRISTMAS PROJECT BEGINS! Dates to remember: Dec 12: Gift ingathering. Please return all gifts (unwrapped), as we will have a special blessing for the children who will enjoy them; Dec 20: Food shopping, sorting, and delivery. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those able to help on Dec. 20. Financial donations also welcome, as are donations of gift wrap supplies: wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape. See the Constant Contact or Carol Nancarrow for more information.

SECOND SUNDAY CHOIR: For those who love to sing, please consider joining other members of St. Mark’s in a monthly choral (with safety protocols) offering. Please let music director, Donna Larsen, know you are interested so you can get the music ahead of time. Practice will be at 10am on the second Sunday; the anthem will be sung that day. Family members are encouraged to sing together! The next choir performance will be Sunday, Dec. 12.

THE CHURCH CRACKED OPEN BOOK GROUP will meet again at 7pm on Wednesday, Dec. 15 via Zoom. We do have one copy of the book available for $16.00; St. Margaret’s is participating with St Mark’s in this important work.

COMPLINE will be said via Zoom at 7pm on Wednesday Dec. 22, by the Rev. Rowena MacGregor.

The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds

STEWARDSHIP NOTES FOR NOVEMBER: There were four Sunday services; 156 attended in person and 153watched via Facebook Live (live and recorded). The monthly plate and pledge collection was $10,177.

FOLLOWING DSO/CDC GUIDELINES: the church windows will be open, even during colder weather, for ventilation during the ongoing pandemic. There are shawls in the Narthex if you wish to borrow one; remember to dress for the weather!

ADVENT CALENDARS from Forward Movement are available on the Ushers’ Table. These poster-size calendars feature the humorous artwork of the Rev. Jay Sidebotham with the creative commentary of Susan Elliott.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: are a lovely way to celebrate or remember someone special. If you would like to make a donation toward our beautiful Christmas flowers, there will be envelopes in the pews today through Dec. 19.

2021 CONTRIBUTIONS: In order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2021, contributions must be received in the church office no later than NOON Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

RECOMMENDED FEAST DAY TO OBSERVE: Tuesday, Dec. 7 is the Feast of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Ambrose was the son of a Roman governor in Gaul, though brought up in a Christian family, he had not been baptized. He became involved in the election of a Bishop of Milan only as mediator between the battling factions of Arians and orthodox Christians. The election was important, because the victorious party would control the powerful see of Milan. Ambrose exhorted the nearly riotous mob to keep the peace and to obey the law. Suddenly both sides raised the cry, “Ambrose shall be our bishop!” He protested, but the people persisted. Hastily baptized, he was ordained bishop on December 7, 373. Ambrose rapidly won renown as a defender of orthodoxy against Arianism and as a statesman of the Church. He introduced antiphonal chanting, and wrote straightforward, practical discourses to educate his people in such matters of doctrine as Baptism, the Trinity, the Eucharist, and the Person of Christ. His persuasive preaching was an important factor in the conversion of Augustine of Hippo. A meditation attributed to him includes these words: “Lord Jesus Christ, you are for me medicine when I am sick; you are my strength when I need help; you are life itself when I fear death; you are the way when I long for heaven; you are light when all is dark; you are my food when I need nourishment.” He is also known as the patron saint of learning.

O God, you gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men)

Prayers for the Week of Dec. 5

FOR PEACE. For those who have died; For medical professionals, and all those who are suffering from exhaustion and burnout in the midst of the pandemic; For the homeless; For all those addicted to heroin, remembering especially those who died this week from overdose; For all those who have committed suicide; For all our brothers and sisters who have died by violence around the world, remembering especially the recent acts of violence across the nation; For our enemies; For the safety of all American military and civilian personnel where ever they serve, remembering especially all those serving at Wright-Patterson AFB; For those who struggle with the basic necessities of life after natural catastrophic events, especially those misplaced by earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, drought, fire, mudslides, and tornadoes; For the millions of refugees worldwide who wander the lands of the earth and whose suffering is greater than we can ever know.

For those in our prayer cycles: in the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Burundi; in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. James in Piqua, Simon of Cyrene in Cincinnati, and St. Luke in Granville; in our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Susan Kendall, Jim and Donna Larsen, and Ian, Laura, Annie, and Ainsley Leach; For those celebrating upcoming birthdays: Hay Jones (12/3), Vern Hogden (12/10), Janet Reuter (12/15), Carol Sharp (12/15), Elizabeth Wagner (12/21), Jim Hoskinson (12/26), Sean Weber (12/26), Jackie Hoskinson (12/27); For those celebrating wedding anniversaries: Bridgette & Jen Bonifas (12/20); For those on our parish prayer list: Howard, Ruby, George, the Darnell Family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Carmen, Mary, Vern; For those who suffer from illness, grief, or any other adversity: Ann – Carol Nancarrow’s mother; Ann – friend of the Bertas; Caiti – friend of Ann Phillips; Carl – friend of the Welches; Carol – friend of the Rubinos; Carrie – Susan Kendall’s daughter; Cassie and Jane – friends of the Tallmans; Chip – Jim Rudd’s step-mother; Chris & family – friends of the Reuters; Cindy & Marvin – friends of Elizabeth Wagner; Clara – Pat Tallman’s cousin; Danielle – Jenna Walch’s sister; David – Vern Hogden’s son; Dick & Sandy – friends of the Wagners; Emily – Ann Phillips’ niece; Emma, Lowell, & the Burton Family – friends of Juanita Limes and the Darnells; Helen – Wayne Harper’s mother-in-law; James – Linda Stagles’ brother; Joni & Leslie – family of softball team member; Jose & Elena – friends of the Welches; Kathy & Gloria – friends of Katherine Wagner; Katie – friend of the Reuters; Keith & Jeff – friends of Jim Larsen; Ken – the Berta’s son; Leslie – friend of Juanita Limes; Leslie – friend of the Welches; Lynne – friend of the parish; Margaret – Rowena MacGregor’s mother; Maya, Liz, and Peter – Rowena MacGregor’s family; Meghan – friend of Elizabeth Wagner; Mike – friend of Katherine Wagner; Nanci – friend of the Larsens; the Pitcher Family – friends of Katherine Wagner; Rachel – Norma Peachey’s daughter; Renea – friend of Juanita and Lisa; Roberta – Tracey Swartz’ mother; Ron – friend of Ruby Webster; Sarah – friend of the Wagners; Steve & Debi – friends of Linda Stagles; Steve & Elinor – friends of the Bertas; Sue & Tom – friends of the Phillips’; Susan – friend of the Nancarrows; Tonia – Juanita Limes’ daughter-in-law; Tony – Judy Rudd’s brother; Tracy – friend of the parish.; Vickie – friend of Rowena MacGregor.

For faithful animal companions: Max, longtime canine companion to the Tallman family, and Coco, canine companion to Norma Peachey, and those who care for all animals; For the mission work of this congregation: CARE House, Canterbury Court, St. Paul’s UMC Food Pantry, Becoming Beloved Community Initiative, and for the non-profit groups who use our Community Building; For our Diocesan Bishops: for our Provisional Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith; The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price, the Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera, and the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs; For our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry; For all postulants and candidates for holy orders in this Diocese: Patricia Rose, Jacob Cunliffe, Dan Carlson, Amy Cochran, Phoebe Myhrum, Brice Patterson, Martha Camele, Maggie Gough, Brad Gough, Catherine Duffy, Alane Osborne, Libbie Crawford, Gayland Trim.

For all faith communities as we navigate the way forward in a world being transformed by a number of crises – that we remain faithful in our devotion to God and open to constant change and ongoing self-evaluation.

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ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

The Rev. Rowena MacGregor facilitates various adult educational/spiritual development offerings (Zoom). Be sure to check the Sunday bulletin for times and dates of her most recent programs.

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For more announcements, click HERE.

To read a copy of the November 18 21, 2021 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

(NOTE: Password Protected: Contact Dave or Katherine for Password.)

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