Christmas-2 (Yr C) Jan 2, 2022

The Celebration of Holy Eucharist

Second Sunday of Christmas

 

 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Dayton, Ohio, January 2, 2022, 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:

“Chorale Prelude on ‘In Dulci Jubilo’”                    Dietrich Buxtehude

 

WELCOME: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

 

Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.

PROCESSIONAL:                        

“We three kings of Orient are”                    The Hymnal 1982,  #128

 

1 We three kings of Orient are,

    bearing gifts we traverse afar,

        field and fountain, moor and mountain,

    following yonder star.

 

           O star of wonder, star of night,

           star with royal beauty bright;

               westward leading, still proceeding,

           guide us to thy perfect light!

 

2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,

    gold I bring to crown him again,

        King for ever, ceasing never

    over us all to reign.

 

    Refrain

 

3 Frankincense to offer have I:

    incense owns a Deity nigh;

        prayer and praising, gladly raising,

    worship him, God Most High.

 

    Refrain

 

 

4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

    breathes a life of gathering gloom;

        sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

    sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

 

    Refrain

 

5 Glorious now behold him arise,

    King and God and Sacrifice;

    heaven sings alleluia:

    alleluia the earth replies.

 

        Refrain

 

 

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. O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

SONG OF PRAISE:

“The first Nowell”    (verses 1 & 3)                   The Hymnal 1982,  #109

 

The first Nowell the angel did say

  was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,

  on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

  born is the King of Israel.

 

And by the light of that same star

  three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent,

  and to follow the star wherever it went.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

  born is the King of Israel.

 

Please be seated

 

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH:

Reader:  Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;  say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.”  For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,  over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd;  their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.  Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry.  I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,  says the Lord.        (31:7-14)

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

 

Please stand 

 

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS:

Reader: How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts!
All: My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

 

Reader: Happy are they who dwell in your house! they will always be praising you.

All: Happy are the people whose strength is in you! whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way. Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, for the early rains have covered it with pools of water. They will climb from height to height, and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

 

Reader: Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob.

All: Behold our defender, O God; and look upon the face of your Anointed. For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

 

Reader: For the Lord God is both sun and shield; he will give grace and glory;

All: No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity. O Lord of hosts,
happy are they who put their trust in you!   
(PS 84)

 

Please be seated

 

A READING FROM THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS:

Reader: When Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.”  He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.   (10:5-10)

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

 

Please stand

 

GRADUAL:                           

“What star is this with beams so bright”  (verses 1-2)                The Hymnal 1982,  #124

 

1  What star is this, with beams so bright,

    more beauteous than the noonday light?

    It shines to herald forth the King,

    and Gentiles to his crib to bring.

 

 

2  True spake the prophet from afar

    who told the rise of Jacob’s star;

    and eastern sages with amaze

    upon the wondrous token gaze.

 

 

THE GOSPEL: 

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant:  In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.                                               (2:1-12) Celebrant:  The Gospel of the Lord.   Praise to you, Lord Christ.  

GRADUAL:                           

“What star is this with beams so bright”  (verse 3)             The Hymnal 1982,  #124 

 

3  The guiding star above is bright;

    within them shines a clearer light,

    and leads them on with power benign

    to seek the Giver of the sign.

 

 

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:  In prayer let us call on God who draws near to us in Christ, the Beloved One on whom God’s Spirit rests.  (A moment of silent prayer is observed.)

Reader:  That your church everywhere be places of welcome for people of every race and tongue; that we may be instruments of transformation.  Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader:  That God’s Word, descending on us like winter’s snow, accomplishes its purpose and yields a harvest of obedient faith and generous love. Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader:  That the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations may weld their authority with a spirit of justice and act rightly for the people under their charge; we pray for an end to war and oppression.  Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: That you might extend to us a reverence for the earth and your own creation and use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.

Reader:  That those who are ill or who suffer from any adversity be blessed by your abundant mercy; we remember especially Ann, Ruby, Howard, the Darnell Family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, Carmen, George, Vern, and all those named on the parish prayer list.  Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader:  That all the departed share in the victory by which Christ conquers death, especially Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Most holy God, creator of the universe, whose Son, Jesus Christ, came into the world, pour your Holy Spirit upon your church, that all people, being led by your Word, may offer the gold of intellect, the frankincense of devotion, and the myrrh of discipline, to him, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever, one God, world without end. Amen. 

 

THE CONFESSION:

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

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

 

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.

 

OFFERTORY

“Come to Bethlehem”                 Peter Warlock

 

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 gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. 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,  #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:  

“’Twas in the moon of wintertime”              The Hymnal 1982,  #114

 

1  ’Twas in the moon of wintertime,

        when all the birds had fled,

    that God the Lord of all the earth

        sent angel-choirs instead;

    before their light the stars grew dim,

    and wondering hunters heard the hymn:

 

           Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,

           in excelsis gloria.

 

2  Within a lodge of broken bark

        the tender babe was found,

    a ragged robe of rabbit skin

        enwrapped his beauty round;

    but as the hunter braves drew nigh,

    the angel-song rang loud and high:

 

    Refrain

 

3  The earliest moon of winter-time

        is not so round and fair

    as was the ring of glory on

        the helpless infant there.

    The chiefs from far before him knelt

    with gifts of fox and beaver-pelt.

 

    Refrain

 

 

4  O children of the forest free,

        the angel song is true;

    the holy child of earth and heaven

        is born today for you.

    Come kneel before the radiant boy,

    who brings you beauty, peace, and joy.

 

    Refrain

 

 

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:

“As with gladness men of old”        The Hymnal 1982,  #119

 

1 As with gladness men of old

   did the guiding star behold;

   as with joy they hailed its light,

   leading onward, beaming bright;

   so, most gracious Lord, may we

   evermore be led to thee.

 

2 As with joyful steps they sped

   to that lowly manger-bed;

   there to bend the knee before

   him whom heaven and earth adore;

   so may we with willing feet

   ever seek the mercy-seat.

 

3 As they offered gifts most rare

   at that manger rude and bare;

   so may we with holy joy,

   pure and free from sin’s alloy,

   all our costliest treasures bring,

   Christ! to thee, our heavenly King.

 

4 Holy Jesus! every day

   keep us in the narrow way;

   and, when earthly things are past,

   bring our ransomed souls at last

   where they need no star to guide,

   where no clouds thy glory hide.

 

5 In the heavenly country bright,

   need they no created light;

   thou its light, its joy, its crown,

   thou its sun which goes not down:

   there for ever may we sing

       alleluias to our King.

 

DISMISSAL:

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

 

POSTLUDE:

“Postlude on ‘Adeste Fideles’”                                                             Eric Thiman

 

THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to

indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ.

 

 

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

 

THIS SUNDAY– CHRISTMAS 2- HOLY EUCHARIST – JAN. 2:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers:  Dave Reuter, Wayne Harper

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Mary-Anna Welch

Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner

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

Counters: Dave Reuter and Tony Rubino

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

 

NEXT SUNDAY– EPIPHANY 1 –  HOLY EUCHARIST – JAN. 9:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers:  Tony Rubino, Jim Rudd

Tech: Gary Welch, Mary-Anna Welch

Acolyte: Stephanie Welch

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers: OT/PS: Elizabeth Wagner EP/POP: Carol Williamson

Counters: Jim Rudd, Mary-Anna Welch

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Sanctuary Lamp: OPEN

Altar Flowers: OPEN

 

 

Events at St. Mark’s this Week

 

THIS SUNDAY (Christmas 2): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on

 Facebook Live.  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: BOOK STUDY,  7pm, Zoom

THURSDAY: SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge

FRIDAY:  No events this day

SATURDAYMUSIC COMMITTEE MEETING, 10:30am, church; HIDDEN GEMS, noon, parking lot; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

NEXT SUNDAY (Epiphany 1,  Jan. 9):  HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on

 Facebook Live.  EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, 1:30pm, Fellowship Room

 

 

Places to be, things to do

 

CARE HOUSE SUNDAY is TODAY. Donations of small water bottles, healthy snacks, and gift cards (gas, Kroger, Wal-Mart) are welcome. Monetary donations will be noted on your contribution sheet. NOTE: Please check the expiration dates of all food products, as CARE House cannot distribute anything that has expired.

THE CHURCH CRACKED OPEN BOOK GROUP will meet again at 7pm on Wednesday, Jan. 5 via Zoom.  We have one copy of the book available in the office for $16.00. St. Margaret’s is participating with St Mark’s in this important work.

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, Jan. 9.

COMPLINE will be said via Zoom at 7pm on Wednesday Jan. 12 by the Rev. Rowena  MacGregor.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 30.  Mark your calendars; more details coming!

 

 

The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds

 

STEWARDSHIP NOTES FOR DECEMBERThere were four Sunday services; 93 attended in person and 113 watched via Facebook Live (live and recorded).  Our Christmas Eve service had 68 in person and 15 watched online.  The monthly plate and pledge collection was $9628.00

 

 

 

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

 

RECOMMENDED FEAST DAY TO OBSERVE:  Tuesday, Jan. 4 is the Feast of Elizabeth Ann Seton, Founder of the American Sisters of Charity, 1821. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the founder of Sisters of Charity, the first community of sisters native to the United States. She was also a wife, a widow, a single mother, an educator, a social activist and a spiritual leader. She was born in New York in 1774. She endured a turbulent childhood and suffered severe bouts of depression. She survived by immersing herself in poetry, piano lessons, and devoted participation in the Episcopal Church. Marrying William Seton in 1795, she was widowed in 1803, leaving her with five children and few resources. While living in Italy, she discovered Roman Catholicism; returning to New York, she encountered bitter opposition to her new religious leanings. With five children to support, she felt alone and estranged. She turned to Roman Catholic clergy for support and in 1805 she formally converted to Roman Catholicism. In 1806, she met Father Louis Dubourg, S.S. who wanted to start a congregation of women religious, patterned after the French Daughters of Charity. In 1809 Elizabeth Ann took vows and became Mother Seton to a small community of seven women dedicated to teaching. The sisters were given land in rural Maryland and in 1810 they opened St. Josephs Free School to educate needy girls. The Sisters intertwined social ministry, education and religious formation in all their varied works. Mother Seton dispatched sisters to operate orphanages in Philadelphia and New York. Elizabeth Ann Seton remained the Mother of the Sisters of Charity until her death on January 4, 1821.

Holy God, you blessed Elizabeth Seton with your grace as wife, mother, educator and founder, that she might spend her life in service to your people: Help us, by her example, to express our love for you in love of others; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  Holy Women, Holy Men)

 

 

Prayers for the Week of Jan. 2

 

FOR PEACE.  For those who have died: especially Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as the victims of violence and natural disasters in 2021;  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: remembering especially teens and young adults who took their own lives this week; 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 Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo;  in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for Church of the Advent in Cincinnati, Good Samaritan in Amelia, and St. Paul’s in Logan;  in our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Jeff & Libby Nicholson, Norma Peachey, and Howard and Ann Phillips; For those celebrating upcoming birthdays: Libby (1/3), Madeline (1/4), Laura (1/9), Linda (1/14), Carolyn (1/19) and Ruby (1/21); For those on our parish prayer list: Ann, 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‘s mother; Ann –  friend of Fred and Phyllis; Caiti  – friend of Ann; Carl – friend of the Welches; Carol – friend of Tony and Kendall; Carrie – Susan’s daughter; Cassie and Jane – friends of Pat and Jim; Chip – Jim’s step-mother; Chris & family – friends of Dave and Janet; Clara – Pat’s cousin; Danielle – Jenna’s sister; David – Vern’s son; Emily – Ann’s niece; Emma, Lowell, & their Family – friends of Juanita and Steve and Lisa; Helen – Wayne’s mother-in-law;  James – Linda’s brother; Joni & Leslie – family of  softball team member; Jose & Elena – friends of Gary and Mary-Anna;  Kathy & Gloria – friends of Katherine; Katie – friend of the Dave and Janet; Keith & Jeff – friends of Jim; Ken – the F and P’s son; Leslie – friend of Juanita; Leslie – friend of Gary and Mary-Anna; Lynne – friend of the parish; Margaret – Rowena’s mother;  Mary – friend of Mike and Katherine; Maya, Liz, and Peter –  Rowena’s family;  Meghan – friend of Elizabeth;  Miriam – friend of Mike and Katherine; Nanci – friend of Jim and Donna; the Pitcher Family – friends of Katherine; Rachel – Norma’s daughter; Renea – friend of Juanita and Lisa; Richardson Family – friends of Mike and Katherine; Roberta – Tracey’s mother; Ron – friend of Ruby; Sarah – friend of Mike and Katherine; Steve & Debi – friends of Linda; Steve & Elinor – friends of Fred and Phyllis; Sue & Tom – friends of Howard and Ann; Susan – friend of Carol and Don; Tonia – Juanita,s daughter-in-law; Tony – Judy’s  brother; Tracy – friend of the parish

 

For faithful animal companions: Hallie, longtime canine companion to Dave & Janet Reuter;  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.

 

 

For more announcements, click HERE.

 

To read a copy of the December 16 21, 2021 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

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

 

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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 December 16 21, 2021 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

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

 

 

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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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