Easter-4 (Yr C) May 8, 2022

The Holy Eucharist

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Dayton, Ohio, May 8, 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.

WELCOME: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

FLOWERING OF THE CROSS: During the hymn, please bring your flowers & place them in the wooden cross.

“All things bright and beautiful” The Hymnal 1982, #405

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful,

the Lord God made them all.

1 Each little flower that opens,

each little bird that sings,

he made their glowing colors,

he made their tiny wings.

Refrain

2 The purple-headed mountain,

the river running by,

the sunset, and the morning

that brightens up the sky,

Refrain

3 The cold wind in the winter,

the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden,

he made them every one.

Refrain

4 He gave us eyes to see them,

and lips that we might tell

how great is God Almighty,

who has made all things well.

Refrain

Please be seated

PRELUDE:

“A Meditation on ‘Brother James’ Air’” Harold Darke

Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.

PROCESSIONAL:

“Awake, arise, lift up your voice” (verses 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #212

1 Awake, arise, lift up your voice,

let Easter music swell;

rejoice in Christ, again rejoice

and on his praises dwell.

2 Oh, with what gladness and surprise

the saints their Savior greet;

nor will they trust their ears and eyes

but by his hands and feet,

3 those hands of liberal love indeed

in infinite degree,

those feet still free to move and bleed

for millions and for me.

The Liturgy of the Word

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

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: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:

“Hail, thou once despised Jesus”

All: Worship, honor, power, and blessing thou art worthy to receive; loudest praises, without

ceasing, right it is for us to give. Help us, bright angelic spirits — joined with ours, your voices

raise; help to show our Saviour’s merits, help to sing Immanuel’s praise.

(Bakewell 1721-1819 and others, verse 4)

Please be seated

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS:

Reader: Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner. (9:36-43)

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

Please stand

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS:

Reader: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.

All: He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Reader: You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
All: you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (PS 23)

Please be seated

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION OF JOHN:

Reader: I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (7:9-17)

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

Please stand

GRADUAL:

“We walk by faith” (verses 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #209

1 We walk by faith, and not by sight;

no gracious words we hear

from him who spoke as none e’er spoke;

but we believe him near.

2 We may not touch his hands and side,

nor follow where he trod;

but in his promise we rejoice,

and cry, “My Lord and God!”

3 Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

and may our faith abound,

to call on you when you are near,

and seek where you are found:

Please stand

THE GOSPEL:

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant: At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (10:22-30)

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

GRADUAL:

“We walk by faith” (verse 4) The Hymnal 1982, #209

4 that, when our life of faith is done,

in realms of clearer light

we may behold you as you are,

with full and endless sight.

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: With shouts of Alleluia at Christ’s victory over death, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

Reader: Almighty God, we give you thanks for making us witnesses to your resurrection. Give us eyes to see your ongoing works of revelation, ears to hear you call us into a more meaningful life, and voices to tell of your mighty works and deeds. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Reader: We give you thanks for all of creation. Make us good stewards of the earth and its resources, that all may share in its bounty for many years to come; that we may live in harmony with all our relations. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Reader: We pray for an end to war, remembering especially the people of Ukraine: for refugees and for those who are providing sanctuary and aid, for civilians joining the Ukrainian army in defense of their country, for those who have died, for the wounded and those who grieve, for those who are living in fear, for the whole world watching and praying, and for nations who discern right action as well as measures of mercy and aid. Assist us Lord in the restoration of peace. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Reader: We pray for those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit, we remember especially those named on the parish prayer list, especially Carol S, Ruby, Howard, the Darnell family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, George, and Vern. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Reader: We pray for all those who live in the Dayton area; remembering especially the residents of Riverside who are served by this parish. Hear us O God, your mercy is great.

Reader: We pray for the ministries and mission work of this congregation; the work of the Spirit in the midst of unrest and distress; keep us faithful and diligent in our service to you. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Reader: In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you all who have died; May light perpetual shine upon them. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Celebrant: God of All Creation, you call each of us to evolve, to recognize that you hold all that is in your loving embrace. As we grow in your love, may we learn to hold others in an ever expanding embrace as well. May we see the entire sweep of history as your self-communication that calls us to awaken to who we are in you – and who you are in us. In the mutual embrace that we share, may we together hold the entire cosmos, each and every person, each and every creature, in a way that nurtures and sustains and calls forth the gifts that are given for all. May each of us participate fully in a personal evolution that transforms us and transforms the world. Amen. (Judy Cannoto, Field of Compassion)

(As is customary, the confession will be omitted through the Great 50 Days of Easter.)

Please stand

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE:

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

The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord. Please do not attempt to shake hands with those who do not appear comfortable doing so. Hand sanitizer is available in the aisle inset as you come up for Communion.

Please be seated

BIRTHDAY and ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Wardens

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

“Beautiful Savior” Tom Fettke

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.

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. You may drink from the common cup, then return to your seat via the side aisles. Each person should decide whether to receive in one kind (bread only) or to drink from the cup as well. Intinction, once so common in the Episcopal Church, contributes to the spread of communicable diseases.

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 A:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 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. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.

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:

“Holy, holy, Holy Lord” The Hymnal 1982, #S128

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.

You may stand or kneel

Celebrant: Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave 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 them, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Celebrant: We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. +Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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. Amen.

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:

“My flesh is food indeed” The Hymnal 1982, #S169

Cantor: My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, says the Lord.

All: Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood dwell in me, and I in them. My flesh is food

indeed, and my blood is food indeed, says the Lord.

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:

“Give thanks for life” Wonder, Love and Praise, #775

Please stand

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:

“Christ the Lord is risen again! ” The Hymnal 1982, #184

1 Christ the Lord is risen again!

Christ has broken every chain!

Now through all the world it rings

that the Lamb is King of kings.

Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Christ, our Paschal Lamb indeed,

Christ, today your people feed.

Alleluia!

2 He who gave for us his life,

who for us endured the strife,

takes our sin and guilt away

that with angels we may say:

Alleluia!

Refrain

3 He who bore all pain and loss

comfortless upon the cross

is exalted now to save,

wresting victory from the grave.

Alleluia!

Refrain

DISMISSAL:

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

POSTLUDE:

“Christ is Risen, Shout Hosanna!” Franklin Ashdown

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

indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ. It is given this week to celebrate and honor mothers in every form.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given by the Wagner Family, in honor of all mothers past and present, especially Colleen, the newest mother in our family.

COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Sunday School students.

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

THIS SUNDAY — FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER– HOLY EUCHARIST – MAY 8:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Dave Reuter, Tony Rubino

Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:

OT/PS:Elizabeth Wagner

EP/POP: Carol Williamson

Chalicists: Kendall Rubino, Judy Rudd

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Elizabeth Wagner

Counters: Janet Reuter, Tony Rubino

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter

NEXT SUNDAY– FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER– ANTE COMMUNION – MAY 15:

Leader: Fred Berta

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers: Wayne Harper, Jim Rudd

Acolytes: Elizabeth Wagner, Scott Kelly

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

Tech: Katherine Wagner, Mary-Anna Welch

Counters: Tony Rubino, Mary-Anna Welch

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Wagner, Rubino

Altar Flowers: OPEN

Coffee Hour: OPEN

Events at St. Mark’s this Week

THIS SUNDAY (Easter 4, May 8): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live; FLOWER SUNDAY; EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, 1:00pm, Fellowship Room.

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

TUESDAY: TOPS MEETING, 10a, Lounge; NA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

WEDNESDAY: BOOK STUDY, 7pm, Zoom

THURSDAY: SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge;

FRIDAY: There are no events scheduled this day

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

NEXT SUNDAY (Easter 5, May 15): ANTE-COMMUNION, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live; HUNGER SUNDAY; EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, 1:00pm, Fellowship Room.

Places to be, things to do

FLOWER SUNDAY is TODAY May 8. Please place your flowers in the wooden cross during the prelude. We will also use this service as an opportunity to take our Annual PARISH PORTRAIT. Everyone who is in church today is part of our parish family when we take this picture!

SOFTBALL IS BACK! Come cheer on our team at Fairborn Ball Park on Tuesday evenings. This week’s doubleheader on May 10 begins at 7:15pm on Diamond 3, then continues at 8:30pm on Diamond #1.

THE CHURCH CRACKED OPEN BOOK STUDY continues on Zoom on Wednesday May 11 and May 25, at 7pm. This is a joint study between St. Mark’s and St. Margaret’s.

PAUL’S OAKWOOD PRESENTS HARPS OF GRACE. This concert of classical, Celtic, and American music will be presented on Sunday, May 15 at 3pm. The 14-member harp ensemble is directed by Leslie Stratton, the Dayton Philharmonic’s principal harpist. There is no charge for the concert, but a freewill offering will be accepted.

INVITATION TO COMPLINE WITH ROWENA+: One of the 12 ways to promote the vitality of a parish, according to The Rev. Thom Rainer, is an active communal prayer life. While the Episcopal church has beautiful written prayers that serve as conduits of prayer, it is the prayers that spontaneously fall from our lips in the company of others that have the power to deepen relationships and foster loving understanding. I invite you, therefore, to join me and your fellow congregants from 7 to 7:30pm on May 18 to share in the written prayers of the church and to offer your personal thanksgivings and the prayers of your heart.

CANTERBURY COURT BUTTERFLY GARDEN PARTY! You can help with this event by donating sun-loving perennials or annuals May 16-20, and also by weeding and planting on Friday May 20 from 9am-11am. Bring your own tools, and pizza will be provided after planting. RSVP to Terry at 937-859-7490 ext 108, or email tramirez@erslife.org. For more info contact Jim Rudd 937-429-9948, jljmrudd@aol.com.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CARMEN DAVIS will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, Beavercreek location, on Monday, May 23. The visitation will be from 1-2pm and the service will be at 2pm. The Rev. Rowena MacGregor will officiate.

The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds

WELCOME JILL DRYDEN to the St Mark’s staff! Jill began this week as the new Sexton,

replacing Doug Plummer, who served St. Mark’s for 20 years. A “Stephanie card” is going around today and you are asked to please sign it as a welcome to the newest member of the staff. –Rowena+

THE SUNDAY READINGS can be found at www.lectionarypage.net. The readings for

Sunday, May 15 are: Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35

COFFEE HOUR RETURNS! Let’s celebrate fun, fellowship, and food with our church family! Sign up in the Narthex.

THE SANCTUARY LAMP schedule is in the Narthex. Cost is only $5 per week to have the lamp dedicated to someone you love. This is also how we cover the cost of the candles used in the lamp, so please dedicate one today!

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

RECOMMENDED FEAST DAY TO OBSERVE: Sunday, May 8 is the Feast of Dame Julian of Norwich. Of Dame Julian’s early life we know little, only the probable date of her birth (1342). Her own writings in the Revelations of Divine Love are concerned only with her visions, or showings, that she experienced when she was thirty years old. She had been gravely ill and was given the last rites, when suddenly all pain left her, and she had fifteen visions of the Passion. “From that time I desired oftentimes to learn what was our Lord’s meaning, and fifteen years after I was answered in ghostly understanding: Wouldst thou learn the Lord’s meaning in this thing? Learn it well. Love was his meaning. Who showed it thee? Love. What showed he thee? Love. Wherefore showed it he? For Love. Hold thee therein and thou shalt learn and know more in the same. Thus it was I learned that Love was our Lords meaning.” She became a recluse, an anchoress, at Norwich soon after her recovery from illness, living in a small dwelling attached to the Church of St. Julian. Even in her lifetime, she was famed as a mystic and spiritual counselor and was frequently visited by clergymen and lay persons, including the famous mystic Margery Kempe. Lady Julian’s book is a tender and beautiful exposition of God’s eternal and all-embracing love, showing how his charity toward the human race is exhibited in the Passion. Again and again she referred to Christ as our courteous Lord. Many have found strength in the words the Lord had given her: “I can make all things well; I will make all things well; I shall make all things well; and thou canst see for thyself that all manner of things shall be well.” Lord God, in your compassion you granted to the Lady Julian many revelations of your nurturing and sustaining love: Move our hearts, like hers, to seek you above all things, for in giving us yourself you give us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 May 8

For Mothers and all who care for and nurture the children of God, Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Mother Earth who cares and nurtures all of creation; FOR PEACE. For the victims of violence; For the people of Ukraine: for refugees, for those who have died and those who grieve, for those in the military defending the sovereignty of this nation; For those who have died; For those affected by natural disasters; For medical and wellness practitioners, who are assisting people with mental, physical, and financial conditions and issues related to the Covid 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 violence in our nation; For our enemies; For the safety of all American military and civilian personnel where ever they serve, remembering especially all those serving at Wright-Patterson AFB; For those who struggle with the basic necessities of life after natural catastrophic events, especially those misplaced by earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, drought, fire, mudslides, and tornadoes; For the millions of refugees worldwide who wander the lands of the earth and whose suffering is greater than we can ever know.

For those in our prayer cycles: in the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church in Rwanda; in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for Trinity in Troy, St Barnabas in Montgomery, and St John’s in Cambridge;

For St. Mark’s Families in our parish prayer cycle;

For those celebrating April birthdays;

For those celebrating April wedding anniversaries;

For those on our parish prayer list;

For those who suffer from illness, grief, or any other adversity.

For faithful animal companions 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, Phoebe Myhrum, Brice Patterson, Martha Camele, Maggie Gough, Brad Gough, Catherine Duffy, Alane Osborne, Libbie Crawford, Gayland Trim, Molly Cook, Victoria Lewis, Kate Meeks, Kyle Schenkewicz, Gregory Williams.

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 the complete Weekly Prayers with parishioners’ names, click HERE.

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

To read a copy of the March 24, 2022 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.

(NOTE: Password Protected: Same one as above. Updated yearly.)

For more announcements, click HERE.

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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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