A Celebration of Holy Eucharist
Blessing of the Animals/The 17th Sunday after Pentecost
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Dayton, Ohio, October 2, 2022, 10:30am
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.
PRELUDE:
“Let Us All With Gladsome Voice Praise The Lord Of Heaven” Healey Willan
WELCOME: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor
Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional
PROCESSIONAL:
“Morning has broken” The Hymnal 1982, #8
1 Morning has broken
like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
fresh from the Word!
2 Sweet the rain’s new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness
where his feet pass.
3 Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s re-creation
of the new day!
The Liturgy of the Word
Please remain standing
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. (with gusto!)
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.
All: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS:
Celebrant: Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world, that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE:
“God, my King” 1982 Hymnal, #414
All: God, my King, thy might confessing, ever will I bless thy Name;
day by day thy throne addressing, still will I thy praise proclaim.
Full of kindness and compassion, slow to anger, vast in love,
God is good to all creation; all his works his goodness prove.
Please be seated
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS:
Reader: How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces has become a vassal. She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. Judah has gone into exile with suffering and hard servitude; she lives now among the nations, and finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress. The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her young girls grieve, and her lot is bitter. Her foes have become the masters, her enemies prosper, because the Lord has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe. From daughter Zion has departed all her majesty. Her princes have become like stags that find no pasture; they fled without strength before the pursuer. (1:1-6)
Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS:
Reader: By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, when we remembered you, O Zion.
Reader: As for our harps, we hung them up on the trees in the midst of that land.
Reader: For those who led us away captive asked us for a song, and our oppressors called for mirth: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
Reader: How shall we sing the Lord’s song upon an alien soil.
Reader: If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
Reader: Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.
Reader: Remember the day of Jerusalem, O Lord, against the people of Edom, who said, “Down with it! down with it! even to the ground!”
Reader: O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy the one who pays you back for what you have done to us!
Reader: Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, and dashes them against the rock! (Ps. 137)
Please be seated
A READING FROM PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY:
Reader: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God– whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did– when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. (1:1-14)
Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
GRADUAL:
“All things bright and beautiful” (v. 1-3) 1982 Hymnal, #405
Refrain: 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
Please stand
THE GOSPEL:
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Celebrant: The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, `Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, `We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'” (17:5-10)
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
GRADUAL:
“All things bright and beautiful” (v. 4) 1982 Hymnal, #405
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: All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Please be seated
ANIMAL BLESSING
Please stand
THE CREED IN SONG:
“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 peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For the peace of the world, for the unity of the church of God, and for the well-being of all peoples; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For Joe, our President, for the leaders of nations, and for all in authority; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For this gathering of the faithful, and for all who offer here their worship and praise; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For all the baptized, for all who serve in the church, remembering especially the wardens, Libby and Kendall, for the officers, Don and Dave, for the vestry, for all committees and councils, and for all who serve to support the worship of this community: acolytes, readers, chalice-bearers, the tech team, ushers, musicians, and the altar guild; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For the city of Riverside and the surrounding communities of Dayton and for those who live in them; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For the good earth that God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to care for it and rightly use its resources; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For those who travel by land, water, or air, remembering especially those in this congregation who are traveling, that they may return home safely; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For the aged and infirm, for those who are widowed and orphaned, and for those who are sick, grieving, or suffering from any adversity, remembering especially:
All: Mary-Anna, Linda, Libby, the Berta family, Wayne, Don, Carol S, Ruby, the Phillips family, the Darnell family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, George, and Vern.
Reader: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For the poor and oppressed, for those who are unemployed and destitute, for those who are imprisoned and captive, for refugees and those seeking asylum, and for all who remember and care for them; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For all who have died in the assurance of the resurrection, and for all the departed; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth:
All: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
THE CONFESSION:
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins to God, 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.
The congregation offers the peace of God to one another.
Please be seated
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS: Birthday: Robert Kelly (10/3).
ANNOUNCEMENTS Libby Nicholson, Sr. Warden
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.
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
“The Love Of God” Natalie Sleeth Laura Leach, voice
Please stand
PRAYER FOR THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE:
Celebrant: Let us pray. 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 approach the celebrant by way of the center aisle and returning to your seat by way of the side aisle. The common cup is available for those who feel comfortable drinking from it; please do not dip the wafer in the wine – per Bishop Smith.
Those not receiving the sacrament in either kind are invited to come forward for a blessing; cross your arms across your chest to indicate this to the Celebrant who will administer the blessing. If you are unsure about receiving the sacrament please make an appointment with The Rev. MacGregor who would be delighted to speak with you.
Please remain standing
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER C:
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
People: Glory to you for ever and ever.
Celebrant: At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
People: By your will they were created and have their being.
Celebrant: From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
People: Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
Celebrant: Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.
People: By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.
Celebrant: And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
THE SANCTUS: Wonder, Love, & Praise, #851
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r 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: And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said
the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the
forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
People: We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.
Celebrant: Lord God of our Fathers and Mothers; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
People: Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
Celebrant: Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN! (with gusto!)
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:
“Christ our Passover” Wonder, Love & Praise, #866
All: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION:
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God.
The people may now come forward to receive the Sacrament.
THE PRAYER OF RECEPTION FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING ONLINE:
(to be said by those at home)
Blessed Jesus, with your faithful people at every altar of your church where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and the life to come. Amen.
Please stand
COMMUNION HYMN:
“For the fruit of all creation” 1982 Hymnal, #424
1 For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
For his gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God.
2 In the just reward of labor, God’s will be done.
In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will be done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will be done.
3 For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER:
Celebrant: Let us pray.
All: Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
THE BLESSING:
Celebrant:….. +And may the blessing . . .
RECESSIONAL:
“For the beauty of the earth” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #416
1 For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
Refrain Christ our God, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
2 For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light, Refrain
3 For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight, Refrain
DISMISSAL:
Celebrant: Alleluia! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE:
“Allegro” William Boyce
THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Carol Sharp “for a good life.” and in honor of Paul and Carol’s wedding anniversary on October 22.
THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to
indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ and is dedicated this day by Katherine Wagner on the 20th anniversary of the death of Edward J. Veazey.
Prayers for the Week of October 2:
FOR PEACE. For those who have died; For all those who died by suicide: remembering especially teens and young adults who took their own lives this week; For the people of the Ukraine – and all nations striving for peace and just governance; 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: remembering especially those who lost their homes due to flooding and fires in this nation and around the world in recent weeks; and the homeless of Dayton; For all those addicted to heroin, remembering especially the youth who died this week from overdose; 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, floods, drought, fire, mudslides, and tornadoes; For those who suffer from a lack of water without which there can be no life, we remember especially the people of Jackson, MS; For the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and for the millions of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide who wander the lands of the earth in search of safety, food, water, employment, and family, 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 of Canada; in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. Mary’s, Waynesville, Our Savior, Cincinnati, St. Paul’s, Dayton;
For St. Mark’s Families in our parish prayer cycle.
For those celebrating birthdays.
For those celebrating 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 UMC Food Pantry, Hope 4Riverside, and Neighborhood Bridges; and for all the non-profit groups who use our Community Building;
For our Diocesan Bishops: for the Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith, Bishop Provisional; 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: Phoebe Myhrum, 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 the search for a new bishop for the DSO: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY
THIS SUNDAY – PENTECOST 17 — HOLY EUCHARIST – OCTOBER 2:
Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena MacGregor
Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen
Voice: Laura Leach, as available
Ushers: Tony Rubino and TBS
Acolyte(s): Jackie Hoskinson and Will Day
Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:
OT/PS: TJ Walch
EP/POP: Gabriel Walch
Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner and Jim Rudd
Eucharistic Minister (Home Communions):
Carol Williamson, as available
Tech/Facebook Live: Elizabeth and Katherine Wagner
Counters: Dave Reuter and Kendall Rubino
Altar Guild: Elizabeth and Katherine Wagner
Coffee Hour Hosts: Sandy Bultman and Joy Brown
Open/Close: Elizabeth and Katherine Wagner
NEXT SUNDAY– PENTECOST 18 — HOLY EUCHARIST – OCTOBER 9:
Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena MacGregor
Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen
Voice: Laura Leach, as available
Ushers: Dave Reuter and TBS
Acolyte(s): Stephanie Welch
Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:
OT/PS: Carol Williamson
EP/POP: Jackie Hoskinson
Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner and Kendall Rubino
Eucharistic Minister (Home Communions):
Carol Williamson, as available
Tech/Facebook Live: Gary Welch
Counters: Tony Rubino and Gary Welch
Altar Guild: Elizabeth and Katherine Wagner
Coffee Hour Hosts: Steve, Tibby and Will Day
Open/Close: Rubino and Wagner
Candle Dedication: Elizabeth Wagner
Altar Flowers: Rowena MacGregor+
Happening this Week at St. Mark’s:
THIS SUNDAY (Pentecost 17, October 2): HOLY EUCHARIST and ANIMAL BLESSING and CARE HOUSE COLLECTION; SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: Jr./Sr. High class, 9:30am; Elementary School and Early Education classes, 10:30am; COFFEE HOUR, after worship, Community Room
MONDAY: PARISH OFFICE, 10am-1pm; SAA MEETING, 6:30am, Lounge; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall
TUESDAY: PARISH OFFICE, 10am-1pm; TOPS MEETING, 10:am, Lounge; NA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge; YOGA FOR 12 STEPS, 7;30pm, Parish Hall; STUDY OF LUKE NOT MEETING THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED; CHURCH CRACKED OPEN DISCUSSION GROUP WITH ST. MARGARET’S, 7:15pm, Zoom
THURSDAY: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED; SAA MEETING, 7:30pm; COIN CLUB, 7:30pm, Parish Hall
FRIDAY: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED; there are no events scheduled this day.
SATURDAY: HIDDEN GEMS, 12pm, Parking Lot; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall; VALLEY VINEYARDS DINNER, 5pm, Valley Vineyards, Morrow, OH (pre-registration required)
NEXT SUNDAY (Pentecost 18, October 9): HOLY EUCHARIST and KAIROS COOKIE COLLECTION, 10:30am, in-person and on Facebook Live; SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: Jr./Sr. High class, 9:30am; Elementary School and Early Education classes, 10:30am; COFFEE HOUR, after worship, Community Room
Places to be, things to do:
ANIMAL BLESSING: will be THIS Sunday, October 2 at the 10:30am service. Dogs must be on a leash and cats and other small animals must remain in a carrier or cage.
CARE HOUSE COLLECTION is THIS Sunday, October 2. Items needed: medium sized stuffed animals, individually wrapped snacks (no raisins or peanut butter crackers) with good expiration dates, juice and small water bottles, small denomination gift cards to Kroger, Walmart, or Speedway.
COFFEE HOUR THIS WEEK: Thank you to Sandy Bultman and Joy Brown for hosting coffee hour THIS week, Sunday, October 2 and to Steve, Tibby and Will Day NEXT week, Sunday, October 9, immediately following worship in the Community Room. Sunday, October 16 is the only open week left this month; ask a friend to host with you and sign up in the narthex!
ANNUAL DINNER AT VALLEY VINEYARDS: It’s that time of year once again to dine together in style at the vineyard on Saturday, October 8 at 5pm. To register call the Vineyard directly at 513-899-2485 by Thursday, October 6. There’s a sign-up sheet in church lobby with the menus – please sign up on the sheet so we know how many are attending AND call the vineyard to register. The contact person for this event is Tony Rubino.
CALL FOR HOMEMADE KAIROS COOKIES: The cookie collection bags with instructions are available in the narthex in preparation for the collection dates of Sunday-Tuesday, October 9-11. Kairos is an international prison ministry. Once a year, locally, a special weekend is held in the prison, led by lay ministers, in which the cookies play a significant role. St. Mark’s has been participating in this missional work for many years and all are invited to bake and pray for the men, women and youth who are incarcerated and those who minister to them.
The Community of St. Mark’s Classifieds:
ARE YOU RECEIVING THE ST. MARK’S WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER? If you are new to St. Mark’s and would like to receive the weekly newsletter with more detailed information about the parish and its ministries as well as articles from the wider church, email or call the church office to request to be added. It is sent out every Friday morning.
PRAYER LIST UPDATING: Please take a moment to review the prayer list insert and if you need to remove or add a name please email Rowena+ to do so.
CANDLE/FLOWER OPENINGS: The Eternal Light dedication ($5) and Altar Flowers ($30) remaining in October: Candle -10/23. This is a lovely way to honor a loved one or a special
occasion. The flower arrangement is yours to take home after the service. The signup sheet is located in the entry to the sanctuary (narthex) on the bulletin board.
THE REV. ROWENA MACGREGOR will be visiting her mother in NC during the first week of October. The Study of Luke will NOT meet on October 4 and Fr. Ben Speare-Hardy will be leading the Church Cracked Open Discussion Group on Wednesday, October 5 during Rowena’s time away. The church office will be closed Wednesday-Friday.
THE SUNDAY READINGS can be found at www.lectionarypage.net. The readings for next
Sunday, October 9 are: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, and Luke 17:11-19. Reading at least the gospel lesson in preparation for worship can be a useful spiritual practice.
LESSER FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK TO OBSERVE:
Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2018
Conforming to General Convention 2018
OCTOBER 3: JOHN RALEIGH MOTT, Ecumenist and Missionary,
1955
A dedicated missionary for the worldwide spread of the gospel, John
Raleigh Mott connected ecumenism and evangelism as related tasks
for modern Christianity.
John Mott was born in Livingston Manor, New York, on May 25,
1865, and moved with family to Iowa in September of that same
year. After graduating from Cornell University in 1888, Mott became
student secretary of the International Committee of the YMCA and
chairman of the executive committee of the Student Volunteer
Movement. In 1895, he became General Secretary of the World
Student Christian Federation, and, in 1901, he was appointed the
Assistant General Secretary of the YMCA. During World War I,
President Woodrow Wilson appointed him to the National War
Work Council, for which he received the Distinguished Service
Medal.
His ecumenical work was rooted in the missionary slogan “The
Evangelization of the World in this Generation.” Convinced of the
need for better cooperation among Christian communions in the
global mission field, he served as chairman of the committee that
organized the International Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in
1910, over which he also presided. Considered to be the broadest
gathering of Christians up to that point, the Conference marked the
beginning of the modern ecumenical movement.
Speaking before that Conference, Mott summed up his view of
Christian missions: “It is a startling and solemnizing fact that even
as late as the twentieth century, the Great Command of Jesus Christ
to carry the Gospel to all mankind is still so largely unfulfilled…The
church is confronted today, as in no preceding generation, with a
literally worldwide opportunity to make Christ known.” Mott
continued his involvement in the developing ecumenical movement,
participating in the Faith and Order Conference at Lausanne in 1927,
and was Vice-President of the Second World Conference on Faith
and Order in Edinburgh (1937). He also served as Chairman of the
Life and Work Conference in Oxford, also held in 1937.
In 1946, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in
establishing and strengthening international organizations which
worked for peace. The World Council of Churches, the founding of
which was largely driven by Mott’s efforts, elected him its life-long
Honorary President in 1948. Although Mott was a Methodist, the
Episcopal Church recognized his work by making him an honorary
canon of the National Cathedral. Mott died in 1955.
I Give us grace, O merciful God, to seek and serve thee in all
nations and peoples, following the example of thy servant John
Raleigh Mott, that all the peoples of the earth, who divided and
enslaved by sin, might be led into that glorious liberty that thou
desirest for all thy children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom
with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, now and for
ever. Amen.
II Give us grace, O merciful God, to seek and serve you in all
nations and peoples, following the example of your servant John
Raleigh Mott, that all the peoples of the earth, who divided and
enslaved by sin, might be led into that glorious liberty that you
desire for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom
with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.
Lessons and Psalm
Isaiah 60:1–5
Psalm 71:17–24
Luke 7:11–17
Preface of All Saints
OCTOBER 4: FRANCIS OF ASSISI, Friar and Deacon, 1226
Francis, the son of a prosperous merchant of Assisi, was born in
1182. His early youth was spent in harmless revelry and fruitless
attempts to win military glory. Various encounters with beggars and
lepers pricked the young man’s conscience, however, and he decided
to embrace a life devoted to Lady Poverty. Despite his father’s
intense opposition, Francis totally renounced all material values and
devoted himself to serve the poor. In 1210, Pope Innocent III
confirmed the simple Rule for the Order of Friars Minor, a name
Francis chose to emphasize his desire to be numbered among the
“least” of God’s servants.
The order grew rapidly all over Europe. But, by 1221, Francis
had lost control of it, since his ideal of strict and absolute poverty,
both for the individual friars and for the order as a whole, was found
to be too difficult to maintain. His last years were spent in much
suffering of body and spirit, but his unconquerable joy never failed.
In his later years he was ordained as a deacon, but he resisted all
efforts to persuade him to become a priest.
Not long before his death, during a retreat on Mount La Verna,
Francis received, on September 14th, Holy Cross Day, the marks of
the Lord’s wounds, the stigmata, in his own hands and feet and side.
Pope Gregory IX, a former patron of the Franciscans, canonized
Francis in 1228 and began the erection of the great basilica in Assisi
where Francis is buried.
Of all the saints, Francis is perhaps the most popular and admired
but probably the least imitated; few have attained to his total
identification with the poverty and suffering of Christ. Francis left
few writings; but, of these, his spirit of joyous faith comes through
most truly in the “Canticle of the Sun,” which he composed at Clare’s
convent of St. Damian’s. The version in The Hymnal begins (The
Hymnal 1982, #406; #407):
Most High, omnipotent, good Lord,
To thee be ceaseless praise outpoured, —
And blessing without measure.
Let creatures all give thanks to thee
And serve in great humility.
I Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant thy people grace to
renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of
blessed Francis, we may, for love of thee, delight in thy whole
creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
II Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to
renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of
blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole
creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Lessons and Psalm
Galatians 6:14–18
Psalm 121
Matthew 11:25–30
Preface of a Saint (3)
OCTOBER 7: BIRGITTA OF SWEDEN, Mystic and Prophetic Witness,
1373
Birgitta Birgersdotter came from a noble Swedish family and was
born around 1302 or 1303. Early in her life she discerned a religious
vocation, but was married against her will at the age of 13 to a
member of the Swedish nobility. The couple had eight children.
Brigid sought to live a holy, religious life. When her husband was
absent, she openly practiced a strict asceticism, and when he was
home, she did so secretly. Both she and her husband became
members of the Franciscan Third Order which admitted laypeople.
From childhood, Brigid had experienced visions. Christ, Mary, and
the saints spoke with her often in Swedish and shared with her
warnings intended for others, which Brigid would write down or
dictate to her confessor. Eventually these messages became
increasingly political, which caused her great discomfort. Although
Brigid enjoyed a good relationship with the royal family, she sharply
criticized the king, becoming a symbolic leader for the aristocratic
Swedish opposition.
Brigid advised popes and rulers throughout Europe, and criticized
the extravagant lifestyles of the clergy, monastic orders, and laity,
challenging four popes to return to Rome from Avignon. She also
tried to persuade the rulers of England and France to negotiate
peace and end the war that would later be called the Hundred Years’
War. Because of her struggles, she was recognized throughout
Europe as an uncomfortable counselor and a visionary.
After the death of her husband in 1344, Brigid devoted herself
entirely to the religious life. The Order she founded, the Brigittines,
was based on the revelations she had received earlier in her life. Her
monastery would always have a women’s and men’s cloister next to
one another, joined by a shared church, in which the monks, nuns,
and laity would pray together. The abbess would be in charge of both
the men’s and women’s cloister. To get papal approval for her
order’s founding, Brigid traveled to Rome. In 1370, Urban V
recognized the new Order and allowed its foundation at Vadstena,
Sweden. Brigid was, in fact, not the first abbess there, but rather her
daughter Catherine.
Except for several pilgrimages, Brigid remained in Rome for the rest
of her life. She ministered to rich and poor, sheltered the homeless,
and worked untiringly for the return of the pope from Avignon to
Rome. In 1372, she was spurred by a vision to visit the Holy Land.
On the return trip from Jerusalem Brigid fell ill and entered eternal
life on July 23rd, 1373. In Sweden she is celebrated on October 7th,
which is the anniversary of her canonization.
I O God, who beholds all things and whose judgment is always
mercy; by the example of thy servant Brigid of Sweden, give to us in
this life the vision of thy Kingdom, where Jesus Christ is all and in all,
that we may pattern our lives on things heavenly, where our lives
are hidden with Christ in thee, O Father, who with him and the Holy
Ghost livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
II O God, who beholds all things and whose judgment is always
mercy; by the example of your servant Brigid of Sweden, give to us
in this life the vision of your Kingdom where Jesus Christ is all and
in all, that we may pattern our lives on things heavenly, where our
lives are hidden with Christ in you, O Father, who with him and the
Holy Spirit live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Lessons and Psalm
Sirach 51:13–22
Psalm 12
Matthew 11:2–11
Preface of a Saint (1)
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
456 Woodman Drive
Dayton, OH 45431
Email: st_marks@ameritech.net, Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10am-1pm
Office closed on Friday, 937-256-1082
(Please contact The Rev. Rowena MacGregor directly to report a pastoral emergency.)
The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor, Priest-In-Charge, 570-404-2025, rector@stmarksdayton.org
Donna Larsen, Music Director/Organist,
musicdirector@stmarksdayton.org
Jill Dryden, Sexton,
Contact via church office
Libby Nicholson – Senior Warden,
Kendall Rubino – Junior Warden,
wardens@stmarksdayton.org
Resources:
Website: https://stmarksdayton.org,
Facebook: St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dayton OH
Instagram: St Mark’s Dayton
Rowena’s Blog: perfectionundone.blogspot.com
Licensing for music use and streaming:
One License – #A-740839: Annual license with podcasting;
B – 26 to 100 average weekend attendance.
For the complete Weekly Prayers with parishioners’ names, click HERE.
(NOTE: Password Protected: Contact Dave or Rowena for Password.)
To read a copy of the latest Vestry Minutes, click HERE.
(NOTE: Password Protected. Same as above. Updated yearly.)
For more announcements, click HERE.
Dave Reuter – Webmaster
webmaster@stmarksdayton.org
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