Pentecost-9 (Yr B) Jul 25, 2021

The Celebration of Holy Eucharist

The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Dayton, Ohio, July 25, 2021, 10:30 AM

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.

GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.

PROCESSIONAL:

“O worship the King, all glorious above” (verses 1-3)

The Hymnal 1982, #388

1 O worship the King, all glorious above!

O gratefully sing his power and his love!

Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,

pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

2 O tell of his might! O sing of his grace!

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,

and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3 The earth, with its store of wonders untold,

Almighty, thy power hath founded of old,

hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,

and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

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. O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE: JUBILATE:

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Please be seated

A READING FROM THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL:

Reader: In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, “This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she was purifying herself after her period.) Then she returned to her house. The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.” So David sent word to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the people fared, and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house, and wash your feet.” Uriah went out of the king’s house, and there followed him a present from the king. But Uriah slept at the entrance of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. When they told David, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “You have just come from a journey. Why did you not go down to your house?” Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah remain in booths; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field; shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing.” Then David said to Uriah, “Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day. On the next day, David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die.” (11:1-15)

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

Please stand

A READING FROM BOOK OF PSALMS:

Reader: The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

All: All are corrupt and commit abominable acts; there is none who does any good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon us all, to see if there is any who is wise, if there is one who seeks after God. Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; there is none who does good; no, not one.

Reader: Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon the Lord?

All: See how they tremble with fear, because God is in the company of the righteous. Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, but the Lord is their refuge. Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! when the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad. (PS14)

Please be seated

A READING FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS:

Reader: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (3:14-21)

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

Please stand

GRADUAL:

“Here, O my lord” (verses 1,2) The Hymnal 1982, #318

1 Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;

here would I touch and handle things unseen;

here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,

and all my weariness upon thee lean.

2 Here would I feed upon the Bread of God;

here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven;

here would I lay aside each earthly load,

here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

THE GOSPEL:

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant: Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. (6:1-21)

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

GRADUAL:

“Here, O my lord” (verses 3,4) The Hymnal 1982, #318

3 I have no help but thine; nor do I need

another arm save thine to lean upon;

it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;

my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.

4 Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness;

mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing Blood.

Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;

thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.

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: Gracious God, it is in the power of your abundant and life-giving Spirit that we call upon you in prayer. Deepen our understanding and experience of your constant presence and the fulfillment of your promises, and in the name of Jesus we offer you these prayers.

Reader: Empower with your Spirit, O Lord, all ministers of the gospel, that they may preach the word boldly, administer the sacraments faithfully and above all, lead your people with love and into love. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: Empower with your Spirit, O Lord, all the leaders of nations, that they may be unrelenting in their quest for peace and tirelessly pursue the well-being of the people. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: Empower with your Spirit, O Lord, all those who suffer persecution for doing justice; for teachers, authors, and leaders who encourage critical thinking, for those identifying and

opposing oppressive systems and institutions, for those of every race who are educating and

dismantling culturally conditioned racism, and for those promoting the well-being of the earth and all her creatures. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: Empower with your Spirit, O Lord, the sick and those who suffer from any adversity, remembering Howard, Ruby, George, the Darnell Family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Carmen, Joanne, Mary, and Vern; and all those named on the parish prayer list; that in their weakness they put their trust in you and therein find comfort and joy even in the midst of suffering. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: Empower with your Spirit, O Lord, all those who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled and that they may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 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: Those with birthdays or anniversaries may come forward for a blessing.

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.

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.

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, and the Eucharistic Minister to receive the wine (intinction only.) Return to your seat via the side aisles. If you prefer a gluten-free host, please notify an usher prior to the service.

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 from a safe distance and without touch.

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:

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.

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.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD:

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

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:

“Heal me, hands of Jesus” Wonder, Love and Praise, #773

1 Heal me, hands of Jesus,

and search out all my pain:

restore my hope, remove my fear

and bring me peace again.

2 Cleanse me, blood of Jesus,

take bitterness away;

let me forgive as one forgiven

and bring me peace today.

3 Know me, mind of Jesus,

and show me all my sin;

dispel the memories of guilt,

and bring me peace within.

4 Fill me, joy of Jesus:

anxiety shall cease

and heaven’s serenity be mine,

for Jesus brings me peace!

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:

“Christ for the world we sing” The Hymnal 1982, #537

DISMISSAL:

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

You’re invited to enjoy a cup of coffee and socialize after the service.

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 Katherine Wagner in loving memory of William Veazey.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given by the Bertas in celebration for the birthdays of their great-grandchildren, Penelope (2) and Robbie (4).

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

THIS SUNDAY– PENTECOST 9– HOLY EUCHARIST – JULY 25:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Musicians: Laura Leach, Bridgette Bonifas

Ushers: Tony Rubino, Jim Rudd

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Elizabeth Wagner

Acolyte: Jennifer Phillips

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

Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Carol Williamson

Counters: Jim Rudd, Kendall Rubino

Altar Guild: Norma Peachey, Ginny Tuxhorn

Coffee Hour: The Walch Family

NEXT SUNDAY– PENTECOST 10– HOLY EUCHARIST – AUGUST 1:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Dave Reuter, Ginny Tuxhorn

Tech: TBD

Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers: OT/PS: Jim Rudd EP/POP: Carol Williamson

Chalicists: Elizabeth Wagner, Kendall Rubino

Counters: Carol Nancarrow, Janet Reuter

Altar Guild: Norma Peachey, Ginny Tuxhorn

Coffee Hour: Elizabeth Wagner

Altar Flowers: Phillips

Sanctuary Lamp: Wagner

Events at St. Mark’s this Week

THIS SUNDAY (Pentecost 9, July 25) : HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live

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

TUESDAY: TOPS MEETING, 10am, Fellowship Room; NA MEETING; 7:30pm, Parish Hall

WEDNESDAY: STAFF MEETING, 9:30am, Office

THURSDAY: SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge

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

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

NEXT SUNDAY (Pentecost 10, August 1) : HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live.

Places to be, things to do

THE SOFTBALL TEAM is back in action at Fairfield Park! Come watch them play a double header on Thursday, July 29 at 7:15pm and 8:30pm (Diamond 2).

CRAYONS TO CLASSROOMS: St Mark’s Outreach Committee is excited to partner with Crayons to Classrooms’ annual Stuff the Bus campaign, a school supply drive that provides needed supplies to over one hundred schools serving low-income students in the Dayton area. We will be collecting supplies July 1-August 15 . Take advantage of Ohio’s “tax free” weekend on August 6-8! The ten most-needed items are listed on the collection box in the Narthex , and will be shared on St Mark’s Facebook page and Constant Contact as well.

CANTERBURY COURT MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

Canterbury Court is soliciting scratch-off lottery tickets for a fundraiser for the West Carrollton Police and Fire Departments. Please provide any ticket donations to Jim Rudd by August 1^st.

TAILGATE PICNIC WITH ST. MARGARET’S! Mark your calendars for a fun picnic at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, August 21, from 3-6pm. BYO food, drinks, utensils, tables, chairs, grills, and games; water will be provided. More info to follow; if you have questions, see the Rev. Rowena, Fred or Phyllis Berta, or Libby Nicholson. Sign-up sheet is on the Narthex bulletin board.

The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds

THE JUNE VESTRY MEETING was held on Wednesday, June 30. Minutes were emailed, and copies available in the Narthex.

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.

ONLINE GIVING and THE SMARTPHONE GIVING APP ARE SET UP ! St. Mark’s now has online giving services through ShelbyNext as an alternative to cash or check donations. You can still give through traditional methods, but you can also make one-time or recurring gifts online with a credit/debit card or electronic check, using your computer or smartphone. On 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: held outdoors if the weather permits, and in the Fellowship Room if it doesn’t. A sign-up sheet is on the Narthex bulletin board. Coffee will be made, over the summer months, coffee hour will be hosts only to set up, serve, and clean up! Thanks to our weekly hosts.

SOCIAL MEDIA: If you are on social media, please help us get the word out about what’s happening at St. Mark’s. NOTE: Our Facebook page is public, meaning anyone can view it. What we need from you is for you to actually click the “LIKE” button–this affects the algorithm and keeps our posts in the public eye. So please make sure you’ve LIKED us, comment, and share the posts. Thanks!

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

RECOMMENDED FEAST DAY TO OBSERVE: Monday, July 26 is the Feast of the Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Gospels tell us little about the home of our Lord’s mother. She is thought to have been of Davidic descent and to have been brought up in a devout Jewish family that cherished the hope of Israel for the coming kingdom of God, in remembrance of the promise to Abraham and the forefathers. In the second century, a devout Christian sought to supply a fuller account of Mary’s birth and family, to satisfy the interest and curiosity of believers. An apocryphal gospel, known as the Protevangelium of James or The Nativity of Mary, appeared. It included legendary stories of Mary’s parents Joachim and Anne. These stories were built out of Old Testament narratives of the births of Isaac and of Samuel (whose mother’s name, Hannah, is the original form of Anne), and from traditions of the birth of John the Baptist. In these stories, Joachim and Anne, the childless, elderly couple who grieved that they would have no posterity, were rewarded with the birth of a girl whom they dedicated in infancy to the service of God under the tutelage of the temple priests. In 550 the Emperor Justinian I erected in Constantinople the first church to Saint Anne. The Eastern Churches observe her festival on July 25. Not until the twelfth century did her feast become known in the West. Pope Urban VI fixed her day, in 1378, to follow the feast of Saint James. Joachim has had several dates assigned to his memory; but the new Roman Calendar of 1969 joins his festival to that of Anne on this day. Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men)

Prayers for the Week of July 25:

FOR PEACE. For those who have died; 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, may they find rest and peace.

For those in our prayer cycles: in the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Scottish Episcopal Church; in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. Philip’s in Circleville, St. Luke in Granville, and Christ Church Dayton; in our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Elizabeth Wagner and Sean Weber, Gary, Mary-Anna, and Stephanie Welch, and Carol Williamson; For those celebrating July birthdays: Rob Reuter (7/5), Fred Berta (7/13), Susan Kendall (7/23), Ann Phillips (7/29); For those celebrating wedding anniversaries: Steve and Tibby Day (7/18), TJ and Jenna Walch (7/24), and Jim and Judy Rudd (7/31); For those on our parish prayer list: Howard, Ruby, George, the Darnell Family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Carmen, Joanne, Mary, Vern; For those who suffer from illness, grief, or any other adversity: the Kramer Family; Ann – friend of the Bertas; Bisi & Bitrus – friends of Joanne Stearns; Caiti – friend of Ann Phillips; Carl – friend of the Welches; Carol – friend of the Rubinos; Carrie – Susan Kendall’s daughter; Cassie & Debbie – friends of the Tallmans; Chip – Jim Rudd’s step-mother; Chris & family – friends of the Reuters; 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; Jaime & Ryan – Linda Stagles’ daughter & son-in-law; James – Linda Stagles’ brother; Jane – friends of the Tallmans; Joni – friend of the softball team; Jose & Elena – friends of the Welches; Katie – friend of the Reuters; Keith & Jeff – friends of Jim Larsen; Leslie – friend of Juanita Limes; Margaret – Rowena MacGregor’s mother; Mary – friend of the Wagners; Nanci – friend of the Larsens; Renea – friend of Juanita and Lisa; Roberta – Tracey Swartz’ mother; Ron – friend of Ruby Webster; 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 the newly elected 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.

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For more announcements, click HERE.

To read a copy of the June 30, 2021 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

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

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