Pentecost-15 (Yr B) Sep 5, 2021

 

The Celebration of Holy Eucharist

The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Dayton, Ohio, September 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:

“Andante in G”                Alexandre Guilmant

 

GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS   

 

Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.

 

PROCESSIONAL:                        

“Father we praise thee”                  The Hymnal 1982,  #1

 

1  Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,

     active and watchful, stand we all before thee;

     singing we offer prayer and meditation:

              thus we adore thee.

 

 

2  Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;

     banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;

     bring us to heaven, where thy saints united

              joy without ending.

 

 

3  All-holy Father, Son, and equal Spirit,

     Trinity blessèd, send us thy salvation;

     thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding

              through all creation.

 

 

The Liturgy of the Word

 

Please remain standing

 

Celebrant:  Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 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. Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

 

SONG OF PRAISE:

“Gloria in excelsis”                    The Hymnal 1982,  #S280

 

All: 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.

 

Please be seated

 

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH:

Reader: Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.     (35:4-7a)

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

 

 Please stand   

 

A READING FROM BOOK OF PSALMS:

Reader: Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

All: I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish.

Reader: Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!

All:  whose hope is in the Lord their God; Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.

Reader: The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;

All:  the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. The Lord shall reign for ever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!              (PS 146)

  

Please be seated

 

A READING FROM THE LETTER OF JAMES:

Reader: My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you?  Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.      (2:1-10, 14-17)

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

  

Please stand

 

GRADUAL:                           

“Thou, whose almighty word”      (verses 1-2)                                     The Hymnal 1982,  #371

 

1  Thou, whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard,

          and took their flight;

     hear us, we humbly pray, and, where the Gospel day

     sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light!

 

 

2  Thou who didst come to bring on thy redeeming wing

          healing and sight,

     health to the sick in mind, sight to the inly blind,

          now to all humankind, let there be light!

 

 

THE GOSPEL: 

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant:  Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.  Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”                                         (7:24-37)

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

 

GRADUAL:                        

“Thou, whose almighty word      (verses 3-4)                                     The Hymnal 1982,  #371

 

3  Spirit of truth and love, life-giving, holy Dove,

          speed forth thy flight!

     Move on the waters’ face bearing the gifts of grace,

     and, in earth’s darkest place, let there be light!

 

 

4  Holy and blessèd Three, glorious Trinity,

          wisdom, love, might;

     boundless as ocean’s tide, rolling in fullest pride,

          through the world, far and wide, let there be light!

  

Please be seated

 

THE SERMON 

 

Please stand

 

THE NICENE CREED:  

All: 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.

 

 

Please stand or kneel

 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:  

Reader: We praise and thank you, O Lord, that you have fed us with your Word. Grateful for your gifts to us and mindful of the communion of saints, we offer to you these our common prayers as well as the prayers of our hearts, which are known to you alone.

Reader: Gracious God, we pray for the faithful all over the world, that all who love you may be united in your service. We pray for the Church, for St. Mark’s and for all congregations worshipping and serving Christ and the world in his name. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Reader: We pray for the oppressed: For victims of injustice, prejudice, wrongful imprisonment or violence, and for the safety of all refugees; remembering especially the people of Afghanistan, as well as all American personnel and military seeking evacuation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Reader: We pray for those in need because of famine, drought, flood, fire, mudslide, or earthquake; remembering especially the people of Haiti, Tennessee, North Carolina, California, and Louisiana and all in the path of Hurricane Ida; that they may realize hope anew through the love and faithfulness extended to them by strangers. We pray for all faith communities who minister to those whose lives have been affected by such hardships. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Reader: We pray for the whole of creation: For the land, that the soil may heal and microbial life be restored; for the waters, that every sea, lake, river, wetland and tributary may return to life-sustaining health; for the air, that every breath of every being be clean and life-giving; and we respectfully remember the creatures who inhabit these dwellings. Assist us in ordering our lives in concert with the natural rhythms of the earth and use its gifts with reverence and thanksgiving.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Reader: We pray for all who suffer from physical, mental and emotional unease: For the lonely, those who are afraid and anxious, those experiencing  grief and loss, and especially those in this community we remember this day: Howard, Ruby, George, the Darnell Family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Carmen, Mary, and Vern, and those named on the parish prayer list; extend to them strength and courage. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Celebrant: God of compassion, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting that in you all things are possible. 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 be seated

 

BIRTHDAY and ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS 

 

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.

 

OFFERTORY SENTENCE: 

Celebrant:  All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own, have we given thee. Amen.

 

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

 

THE OFFERTORY:

“We worship you alone”                                                      Penny Rodriguez

 

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 C: 

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: God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.

People: Glory to you for ever and ever.

Celebrant: At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.

People: By your will they were created and have their being.

Celebrant: From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.

People: Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Celebrant: Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.

People: By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.

Celebrant: And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

 

THE SANCTUS:          The Hymnal 1982,  #S130

 

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and

might, Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in

the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest.

  

You may stand or kneel

 

Celebrant: And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

Celebrant: After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, 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.”

Celebrant: Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,

People: We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

Celebrant: Lord God of our Fathers and Mothers; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.

People: Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

Celebrant: Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. 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,  #S164

 

All: Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world: give  us your peace, give us your 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:  

“Taste and see”                                    Wonder, Love & Praise ,#764

 

      Taste and see. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord

     O taste and see. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, of the Lord.

 

1  I will bless the Lord at all times.

     His praise shall always be on my lips;

     my soul shall glory in the Lord;

     for he has been so good to me.

 

     Refrain

 

2  Glorify the Lord with me.

     Together let us all praise his name.

     I called the Lord and he answered me;

     from all my troubles he set me free.

 

     Refrain

 

3  Worship the Lord all you people.

     You’ll want for nothing if you ask.

     Taste and see that God is good;

     in him we need put all our trust.

 

     Refrain

 

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER: 

Celebrant:  Let us pray.  Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.  And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.  To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.  Amen.

 

 

THE BLESSING:

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

 

RECESSIONAL:

“O for a thousand tongues to sing”    (verses 1-3)                             The Hymnal 1982,  #493

 

 

 

DISMISSAL:

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

 

POSTLUDE:

“Scherzo on ‘Azmon’”                     Mark Brampton Smith

 

THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ. It is dedicated this week by Elizabeth Wagner.

 

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Carol Sharp, in thanksgiving for Paul’s recovery from surgery.

 

 

 

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

 

THIS SUNDAY– PENTECOST 15– HOLY EUCHARIST – SEPTEMBER 5:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Tony Rubino, Jim Rudd

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Elizabeth Wagner

Acolytes: Gary Welch, Stephanie Welch

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers: OT/PS: TJ Walch   EP/POP: Gabriel Walch

Counters: Jim Rudd, Gary Welch

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Coffee Hour: OPEN

 

 

NEXT SUNDAY– PENTECOST 16 – HOLY EUCHARIST – SEPTEMBER 12:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Dave Reuter, Tony Rubino

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Mary-Anna Welch

Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson

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

Counters: Janet Reuter, Tony Rubino

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Coffee Hour: Parish Picnic

Altar Flowers: OPEN

Sanctuary Lamp: OPEN

 

 

Events at St. Mark’s this Week

 

THIS SUNDAY (Pentecost 15, Sept 5): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and

on Facebook Live; SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MEETING after the service, Fellowship Room

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

TUESDAY: NA MEETING; 7:30pm, Parish Hall

WEDNESDAY: STAFF MEETING, 9:30am, Office

THURSDAY: SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge; COIN CLUB MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

FRIDAY: STAFF MEETING, 9:30am, Office; COMMUNICATIONS MEETING 10:30am, Zoom

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

NEXT SUNDAY (Pentecost 16, Sept. 12): HOLY EUCHARIST with THE SECOND SUNDAY CHOIR, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live.  PARISH PICNIC on the lawn immediately following worship.

 

 

Places to be, things to do

 

STEWARDSHIP NOTES FOR AUGUST: There were four Sunday services; 186 attended in person and 176 watched via Facebook Live (live and recorded).  An additional 70 people attended the funeral for Joanne Stearns, and 67 watched it online. The monthly plate and pledge collection was $11,468.

PARISH PICNIC: Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept.12 as we kick off the new program year with our annual Praise and Picnic at St. Mark’s (yes, it’s adapted!)  The picnic will be held after our indoor service, and food and drinks will be provided. Donations to help pay for supplies would gratefully be accepted. Please bring a chair and dress casually. There will be fun and games for the kids and the kids at heart.

NEW!!! THE SECOND SUNDAY CHOIR debuts Sunday, Sept. 12: Those who love to sing – please consider joining with 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!

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY: Seminar Sessions will start  Sunday, Sept. 19^th from 1:30 to 4PM , meeting once a week until the end of May 2022. For more information contact Deb Johns at deborah_s_johns@yahoo.com or 765-277-6554.

SUNDAY SCHOOL begins Sunday Sept. 19!  Susan Kendall and Sandy Bultman will be in the Nursery, Janet Reuter and Kendall Rubino will teach the elementary grades, and Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner will teach the middle-and high-schoolers.  More info after the teachers and new Coordinator of Youth Religious Education, TJ Walch, meet on Sept. 5.

DIOCESAN CONVOCATION: The Procter Center will be the site for “Proclaiming the Dream” on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10am-4pm. This gathering of  the diocesan family for the first in-person event in almost two years will be part country fair, part tent revival: there will be fun, formation, and fellowship for all ages! Activities will be mainly outdoors; masks will be required for any activities inside buildings at Procter. This event is free! Food will be available for purchase or you can bring your own. More information available on the DSO website and in the weekly Constant Contact.  

VALLEY VINEYARDS is a go!  Sign up for our annual dinner at this lovely winery on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 6:30pm.  More info coming here and in the Constant Contact.

 

 

The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds

 

STEWARDSHIP NOTES FOR AUGUST: There were four Sunday services; 186 attended in person and 176 watched via Facebook Live (live and recorded).  An additional 70 people attended the funeral for Joanne Stearns, and 67 watched it online. The monthly plate and pledge collection was $11,468.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: If you and your organization or committee have news that would be appropriate for our pre-service announcements, please send them to Katherine by the close of business the Thursday prior to the Sunday you wish the information shared.

HOW TO DONATE ONLINE:  From your phone, text the word “give” to 937-932-1082 and it will take you through the steps to set up your account.  Contact the office if you have questions.

COFFEE HOUR:  will be held outdoors if the weather permits. A sign-up sheet is on the Narthex bulletin board.  Hosts need only to set up, serve, and clean up! Thanks to our weekly hosts.

 

 

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

 

RECOMMENDED FEAST DAY TO OBSERVE:  Thursday, Sept, 9 is the Feast of Constance, Nun, and her Companions “The Martyrs of Memphis,” 1878. In August, 1878, Yellow Fever invaded the city of Memphis for the third time in ten years. By the months end the disease had become epidemic and a quarantine was ordered. While 30,000 citizens had fled in terror, 20,000 more remained to face the pestilence. As cases multiplied, death tolls averaged 200 daily. When the worst was over ninety percent of the population had contracted the Fever; more than 5,000 people had died.  In that time of panic and flight, many brave men and women, both lay and cleric, remained at their posts of duty or came as volunteers to assist despite the terrible risk. Notable among these heroes were Constance, Superior of the work of the Sisters of St. Mary in Memphis, and her Companions. The Sisters had come to Memphis in 1873, at Bishop Quintard’s request, to found a Girls School adjacent to St. Mary’s Cathedral. When the 1878 epidemic began, George C. Harris, the Cathedral Dean, and Sister Constance immediately organized relief work among the stricken. Helping were six of Constance’s fellow Sisters of St. Mary; Sister Clare from St. Margaret’s House, Boston; the Reverend Charles C. Parsons, Rector of Grace and St. Lazarus Church, Memphis; and the Reverend Louis S. Schuyler, assistant at Holy Innocents, Hoboken. The Cathedral group also included three physicians, two of whom were ordained Episcopal priests, the Sisters two matrons, and several volunteer nurses from New York. They have ever since been known as The Martyrs of Memphis, as have those of other Communions who ministered in Christs name during this time of desolation.  The Cathedral buildings were located in the most infected region of Memphis. Here, amid sweltering heat and scenes of indescribable horror, these men and women of God gave relief to the sick, comfort to the dying, and homes to the many orphaned children. Only two of the workers escaped the Fever. Among those who died were Constance, Thecla, Ruth and Frances, the Reverend Charles Parsons and the Reverend Louis Schuyler. The six martyred Sisters and priests are buried at Elmwood Cemetery. The monument marking the joint grave of Fathers Parsons and Schuyler bears the inscription: Greater Love Hath No Man. The beautiful High Altar in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Memphis, is a memorial to the four Sisters.

 

We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.   

(Holy Women, Holy Men)

 

 

 

Prayers for the Week of September 5:

 

FOR PEACE.  For those who have died, especially Gary Matthew Reuter, brother of Dave Reuter; For medical professionals, 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, especially the people of Haiti, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and all in the path of Hurricane Ida, and California; For the millions of refugees worldwide who wander the lands of the earth and whose suffering is greater than we can ever know, especially the people of Afghanistan who seek asylum,  may they find safety and peace.

 

For those in our prayer cycles: in the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan;  in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for Ascension/Holy Trinity in Wyoming, Christ Church Springfield, and Trinity in McArthur;  in our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Ian, Laura, Annabelle, and Ainsley Leach, Juanita Limes, and Don and Carol Nancarrow;  For those celebrating September birthdays:  Eva Reuter (9/1), Jim Tallman (9/6), Tibby Day (9/10), Steve Darnell (9/14), Paul Sharp (9/20), Katherine Wagner (9/26); For those celebrating wedding anniversaries: Rob & Eva Reuter (9/4), Mike and Katherine Wagner (9/25);  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 –  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; Emily – Ann Phillips’ niece; Emma, Lowell, & the Burton Family – friends of Juanita Limes and the Darnells; Gary – Dave Reuter’s brother; Helen C – Wayne Harper’s mother-in-law; Holzwarth Family – friends of the Wagners; Jaime & Ryan – Linda Stagles’ daughter & son-in-law; James – Linda Stagles’ brother; Joni & Leslie – family of  softball team member; Jose & Elena – friends of the Welches;  Katie – friend of the Reuters; Keith & Jeff – friends of Jim Larsen; Lark – friend of Katherine Wagner; Leslie – friend of Juanita Limes; Margaret – Rowena MacGregor’s mother; Mary – friend of the Wagners; Nanci – friend of the Larsens; the Pitcher Family – friends of Katherine Wagner; Renea – friend of Juanita and Lisa; Roberta – Tracey Swartz’ mother; Ron – friend of Ruby Webster; the Russell/Veazey families; Steve & Debi – friends of Linda Stagles; Sue & Tom – friends of the Phillips’; Susan – friend of the Nancarrow’s; Tonia – Juanita Limes’ daughter-in-law; Tony – Judy Rudd’s brother; Tracy – friend of the parish.

 

For faithful animal companions and those who care for them; 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, Hume Jamison, Jacob Cunliffe, Dan Carlson, Amy Cochran, Phoebe Myhrum, Brice Patterson, Mike Struble, Martha Camele, Maggie Gough, Brad Gough, Jason Davis, 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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To read a copy of the August 18, 2021 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

 

 

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937-256-1082

Email: st_marks@ameritech.net

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – noon

 

 

The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor, Priest-In-Charge

570-404-2025   rector@stmarksdayton.org

 

Katherine Wagner, Parish Administrator

parishadmin@stmarksdayton.org

 

Donna Larsen, Music Director

musicdirector@stmarksdayton.org

 

Carol Nancarrow, Senior Warden

Jim Rudd, Junior Warden

wardens@stmarksdayton.org

 

 

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