Prelude
“Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men”
Johann Gottfried Walt
The Word of God
Celebrant Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
People Glory to God for ever and ever.
Collect For Purity
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.
(BCP p.356)
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you
Celebrant Let us pray.
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the First Book of Jonah 3:1-5, 10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Psalm 62:6-14
6 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in him.
7 He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
8 In God is my safety and my honor; *
God is my strong rock and my refuge.
9 Put your trust in him always, O people, *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
10 Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
11 On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *
all of them together.
12 Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride; *
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
13 God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *
that power belongs to God.
14 Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 7:29-31
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 1:14-20
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
The Sermon
The Epiphany Season is marked by three great events in our Lord’s earthly life. First is the visit from the Magi, the three kings, when Almighty God placed a star in the East to tell the world that His Son had been born. This was a special gift to the whole world, not just to the Jewish nation. The Gentiles were the ones who saw the Star, understood its significance and came to worship the newborn king. The second great event is the one we hear about today in the Gospel according to St. Mark. An event of this significance, which began our Lord formal ministry among us, one would think that many verses and much time would be spent on this event, yet St. Mark uses three short verses to convey this event. The third event is our Lord’s first miracle at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. But let us look for a moment at our Lord’s Baptism. In our baptismal rite, there are many important words said. “Do you promise to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” “Do you believe in God the Father Almighty?” I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” These and many other words are summed up in the words at the end of the Baptismal rite, “We welcome you in to the Household of God…” There are also significant action that are a part of the Baptism, pouring of water, the sign of the cross placed upon the candidate’s forehead with Holy Oil, and the lighting of a candle. All of these are a part of the Baptismal rite, but with our Lord’s Baptism, there is no mention about the words said, or the promises made. There is no mention about godparents, no sign of the cross, no baptismal candle. Mark relates only two facts concerning our Lord’s Baptism, there was a vision and there was a voice. The vision was the opening of the heavens. But there was no mention of golden shafts of light zeroing in on Jesus; there was only the appearance of a bird – a simple dove at that. Then the voice, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” A vision and a voice. “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens open up and God’s Spirit descended like a dove on him.” The only place in the entire Bible that God’s Spirit is identified with a dove is at the Baptism of Jesus. Yet for 2,000 years the descending dove has been the Church’s symbol of the Holy Spirit. This alone should tell us something about the importance of this vision. But the vision was God’s very own presence, the immediacy of God presence in the world. The dove’s vision tells us that God was in the middle of this important event. And here God is telling Jesus, telling us, telling the world, that this carpenter from Nazareth of Galilee is the Son of God. Baptism is far more than a religious ritual, it is a sacrament of the Church, an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace. When a candidate is presented for Baptism, supported by those around them – sponsors, godparents, parents, friends, God is in the midst of them. How do we know? Because God has promised to be with us just like He was present at Jesus’ Baptism. The voice reminds us of the words of Isaiah, when he said, “I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” It is no easy task to bring forth justice in the world, or to work for an end to human suffering, or to bring peace where there is hatred and discord. Yet that is the ministry which was given to Jesus by His Heavenly Father; it is also the mission that is laid upon every person who is washed in the waters of Baptism. Justice does not happen naturally. Peace is elusive when conflicts of human wills and desires are involved. Human suffering is easier to ignore because of its pain. But these are the areas of life that Jesus ministered to, and because we share in His Baptism, we also are called to minister, to do something. We are to bring healing, reconciliation, and change. We are to bring an end to injustice and oppression. We are to care for the hungry and homeless. We are to work to make peace a reality. It seems like an overwhelming task. Yet God accepts us just the way we are – at a time when we are small, helpless, and crying – at a time when we cannot even begin to understand our new life in Christ. But God tells us that once the waters of baptism have flowed over our head, we are not alone, but God is with us, to help us, to strengthen us, to guide us. Baptism is about life, because baptism is an entrance into the life of Jesus Christ and into the life of Christ’s Church. Baptism marks us as God’s own. Remember the words, “You are marked as Christ’s own forever.”
Meditation
“They Cast Their Nets in Galilee”
Charles Callahan
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
worshipped 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 Church of Bangladesh.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. Barnabas in Montgomery, St. John’s in Worthington, and St. Patrick’s in Lebanon.
In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for TJ, Jenna, Gabriel, and Wesley Walch; Dave, Amy, and Kaitlyn Apple; and Steve, Lisa, Sophie, and Carly Darnell.
In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Bishop, Thomas; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.
Pray for the Church.
Silence
I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people.
Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the sick (N); for the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison.
Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him.
Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the departed [especially __________ ].
Pray for those who have died.
Silence
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored.
Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Silence
Celebrant Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
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 for ever. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you
Act of Spiritual Communion
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.
Blessing
Dismissal
The congregation is dismissed.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
Joseph Prentiss
For today’s announcements, click HERE.
To read a copy of the December 17 Vestry Minutes, click HERE
(NOTE: Password Protected: Contact Dave or Katherine for Password.)
———–
St. Mark’s Vestry
Senior Warden: Gary Welch
Junior Warden: Katherine Wagner
Treasurer: Don Nancarrow
Secretary: Dave Reuter
Vestry Members:
Carol Nancarrow, Tracey Swartz
Susan Kendall
Kendall Rubino, Jenna Walch
St. Mark’s Staff
Rector:
Parish Administrator Katherine Wagner
Music Director Donna Larsen
Sexton Douglas Plummer
Webmaster Dave Reuter
Look for us…
On the web: www.StMarksDayton.org
Facebook: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dayton, Ohio
Instagram: stmarksdayton
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