Easter-6 (Yr C) May 22, 2022

 

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.

 

Liturgical Note: Rogation Sunday is the day when the Church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessings on the fruits of the earth and the labors of those who produce our food. The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask.” Historically, the Rogation Days (the three days before Ascension Day) were a period of fasting and abstinence, beseeching God’s blessing on the crops for a bountiful harvest.

 

Please be seated

 

PRELUDE:

“Chorale Prelude on ‘Christ Lag in Todesanden’”      G. Winston Cassler

 

WELCOME: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

 

Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.

 

PROCESSIONAL:                        

“The spacious firmament on high”   (verses 1-3)               The Hymnal 1982,  #409

 

1  The spacious firmament on high,

   with all the blue eternal sky,

   and spangled heavens, a shining frame,

   their great Original proclaim.

   The unwearied sun from day to day

   does his Creator’s power display;

   and publishes to every land

   the work of an almighty hand.

 

2  Soon as the evening shades prevail,

   the moon takes up the wondrous tale,

   and nightly to the listening earth

   repeats the story of her birth:

   whilst all the stars that round her burn,

   and all the planets in their turn,

   confirm the tidings, as they roll

   and spread the truth from pole to pole.

 

3  What though in solemn silence all

   move round the dark terrestrial ball?

   What though no real voice nor sound

   amid their radiant orbs be found?

   In reason’s ear they all rejoice,

   and utter forth a glorious voice;

   for ever singing as they shine,

   “The hand that made us is divine.”

 

 

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:  Let us pray.

All: 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.

 

COLLECT FOR ROGATION DAYS:

Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things, and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon the lands of the earth from which all our food comes, for the seeds of the new planting, livestock, waters of the earth, all plant and mineral life, and those who tend the fields and bring the forth the harvest. Grant that the fruit of our labors may serve to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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: During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.    (16:9-15)

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

 

Please stand    

 

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS

Reader: May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us.

All: Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth.

 

Reader: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

All: The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.     (PS 67)

 

Please be seated

 

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION OF JOHN:

Reader: In the spirit the angel carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day– and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.    (21:10, 22-22:5)

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

                                                    

Please stand

 

GRADUAL:                           

“We plow the fields”     (verses 1-2)                 The Hymnal 1982,  #291

 

1. We plow the fields, and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand;
he sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine,
and soft refreshing rain.

 

Refrain:
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love.

 

2. He only is the Maker
of all things near and far;
he paints the wayside flower,
he lights the evening star;
the winds and waves obey him,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us, his children,
he gives our daily bread.

 

Refrain:
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love.

 

Please stand

 

THE GOSPEL

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant: Jesus said to Judas (not Iscariot), “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, `I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.”  (14:23-29)

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

 

GRADUAL:                           

“We plow the fields”     (verse 3)                 The Hymnal 1982,  #291

 

3. We thank thee, then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
the seed time and the harvest,
our life, our health, and food;
no gifts have we to offer,
for all thy love imparts,
and, what thou most desirest,
our humble, thankful hearts.

 

Refrain:
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love.

 

 

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: In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.” For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming, we pray to you, O Lord. Here and after every petition the People respond Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For Michael. our Presiding Bishop, for Wayne our own Bishop, for all bishops and other ministers, and for all the holy people of God, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease, and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For those in positions of public trust, especially our elected officials, that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For all who live and work in this community, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For favorable weather, temperate rains, and fruitful seasons, that there may be food and drink for all your creatures, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For your blessing upon the lands and waters, and all who work upon them to bring forth food and all things needful for your people, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For all who care for the earth, the water, and the air, that the riches of your creation may abound from age to age, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For this congregation, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all that we do, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, O Lord.  Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends, and neighbors, remembering especially those on our parish prayer list: Don, Carol S, Ruby, Howard, the Darnell family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, George, and Vern; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Reader: Rejoicing in the fellowship of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to Christ our God. To you, O Lord our God.

Celebrant: Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the depths are broken up and the clouds drop down the dew: We yield thee hearty thanks and praise for the return of seedtime and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering in of its fruits, and for all the other blessings of thy merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people. And, we beseech thee, give us a just sense of these great mercies, such as may appear in our lives by a humble, holy, and obedient walking before thee all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost be all glory and honor, world without end. Amen. 

 

(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. Hand sanitizer is available in the aisle inset as you come up for Communion.

 

Please be seated

 

BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND GRADUATION PRAYERS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:      Wardens

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL RECOGNITION

 

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

“A Hymn of Thanksgiving”                      Eric H. Thiman

 

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:  

“Be thou my vision”                          The Hymnal 1982,  #488

 

1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

   all else be nought to me, save that thou art—

   thou my best thought, by day or by night,

   waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

 

2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;

   I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;

   thou my great Father; thine own may I be;

   thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

 

3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,

   may I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s Sun!

   Heart of my heart, whatever befall,

   still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

 

 

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:

“Earth and all stars”  (verses 1-3)                    The Hymnal 1982,  #412

 

1  Earth and all stars,

          loud rushing planets,

     sing to the Lord a new song!

          O victory,

          loud shouting army,

     sing to the Lord a new song!

 

              He hath done marvelous things.

              I, too, will praise him with a new song!

 

2  Hail, wind, and rain,

          loud blowing snowstorms,

     sing to the Lord a new song!

          Flowers and trees,

          loud rustling dry leaves,

     sing to the Lord a new song!

 

     Refrain

 

3  Trumpet and pipes,

          loud clashing cymbals,

     sing to the Lord a new song!

          Harp, lute, and lyre,

          loud humming cellos,

     sing to the Lord a new song!

 

     Refrain

 

 

DISMISSAL:

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

 

POSTLUDE:

“Allegro Moderato”                                 Edwin Lemare

 

 

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 in honor of Don Nancarrow and in anticipation of his rapid recovery.

 

COFFEE HOUR! We’re celebrating the end of the program year with our annual Ice Cream Social immediately after the service.

 

 

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

 

THIS SUNDAY — SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER HOLY EUCHARIST –  MAY 22:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers:  Wayne Harper, Tony Rubino

Acolytes: Gary Welch, Stephanie Welch

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:

                                                   OT/PS: Carol Williamson

                                                   EP/POP: Gary Welch

                                                   Chalicists: Judy Rudd, Carol Williamson

Tech: TJ Walch, Mary-Anna Welch

Counters: Janet Reuter, Gary Welch

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Reuter/Welch

 

 

NEXT SUNDAY– SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER HOLY EUCHARIST –  MAY 29:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Ushers:  Dave Reuter, Jim Rudd

Acolyte: Gabriel Walch

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:

                                                   OT/PS: Gary Welch

                                                   EP/POP: Susan Kendall

                                                   Chalicists: Jim Rudd, Kendall Rubino

Tech: Gary Welch, Mary-Anna Welch

Counters: Jim Rudd, Mary-Anna Welch

Altar Guild: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Welch, Rudd

 

 

Events at St. Mark’s this Week

 

THIS SUNDAY (Easter 6, May 22): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live; ICE CREAM SOCIAL immediately following worship; EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, 1:30pm, 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:  VESTRY MEETING, 7:15pm, Zoom; SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge

 

FRIDAY:  There are no events scheduled this day

 

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

 

NEXT SUNDAY (Easter 7, May 29): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in person and on Facebook Live; COFFEE HOUR.

 

 

Places to be, things to do

 

ICE CREAM SOCIAL! Celebrate the end of the program year with ice cream, games, and fellowship, right after the service on TODAY, Sunday May 22. 

 

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.

 

SOFTBALL IS BACK!  Come cheer on our team at Fairborn Ball Park on Tuesday evenings.  We play on  May 24  at 7:15pm on Diamond #1.

 

FLAGS FOR HEROES: Several of our parish families and the parish youth have donated to the Beavercreek Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes Program. Along with all the others, “our” flags will be displayed at Be Hope Church and will have an honor medallion reading “Veterans of St. Mark’s Church.” The flags will be on display from Wednesday May 25 through Wednesday June 1.  

 

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

 

SUMMER STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. Rowena+ will be leading a class on the Gospel of Luke during June and July, on Wednesdays at 7pm via Zoom beginning on June 1. The first reading assignment will be announced before the class begins. The New Interpreter’s Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version With the Apocrypha is recommended for this class, and for general use, available from Amazon (used copies for less are also available).

 

 

The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds

 

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

Sunday, May 29 are: Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21,  and    John 17:20-26.

 

 

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

 

RECOMMENDED FEAST DAY TO OBSERVE: Monday,  May 23 is the Feast of

Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler, Astronomers.  Born in 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus first studied law and medicine before serving as a cleric; he first set forth his heliocentric theory of astronomy in a small work called the Commentariolus which was not published until 1878. His argument that the sun, rather than the earth, was the center of the universe around which the planets rotated was developed fully in his 1543 opus De Revolutionibus Orbium Caelestium. The initial ecclesiastical reaction to his revolutionary theory was somewhat muted, but when his thought was further developed by Galileo, the religious debate was intensified, and De Revolutionibus was placed on the index of banned books. Among those chiefly responsible for the solidifying of Copernicus theories was the German astronomer Johann Kepler. Born nearly a century after Copernicus, his first major work on Copernican astronomy was the Mysterium Cosmographicum, in which he believed he had demonstrated God’s geometric plan for the universe. Kepler saw in the relation between the sun and the rotating planets the image of God himself, and like Copernicus, he saw no conflict between his astronomical views and the account of God in the Scriptures. Kepler is chiefly known for his discovery of the laws of planetary motion, set forth variously in his later works. Though their works were each controversial in their own way, Copernicus and Kepler laid the groundwork for modern astronomy. Both men testified to the extraordinary presence of God in creation and maintained, in the face of both religious and scientific controversy, that science can lead us more deeply into an understanding of the workings of the Creator.

As the heavens declare your glory, O God, and the firmament shows your handiwork, we bless your Name for the gifts of knowledge and insight you bestowed upon Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler; and we pray that you would continue to advance our understanding of your cosmos, for our good and for your glory; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all creation, 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 May 22

 

For Graduates, remembering those in our parish who are graduating from Beavercreek High School;  FOR PEACE.  For the victims of violence; remembering especially the victims of the 33 mass shootings in the US this month; 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 Church of the Province of South East Asia;  in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. Patrick’s Lebanon, Holy Trinity in Cincinnati, and St. John’s Worthington;

 

 

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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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

 

Libby Nicholson, Senior Warden

Kendall Rubino, Junior Warden

wardens@stmarksdayton.org

 

Dave Reuter, Webmaster

webmaster@stmarksdayton.org

 

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