Lent-4 (Yr A) Mar 19, 2023

PRELUDE From Deepest Woe I Cry to Thee Robert M. Speed

OPENING HYMN

The Glory of These Forty Days Hymnal1982 #143

1 The glory of these forty days

we celebrate with songs of praise;

for Christ, through whom all things were made,

himself has fasted and has prayed.

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw

the loving God who gave the law;

and to Elijah, fasting, came

the steeds and chariots of flame.

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

delivered from the lions’ might;

and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

the herald of Messiah’s name.

4 Then grant us, Lord, like them to be

full oft in fast and prayer with thee;

our spirits strengthen with thy grace,

and give us joy to see thy face.

5 O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,

to thee be every prayer addressed,

who art in threefold Name adored,

from age to age, the only Lord.

Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

People: His mercy endures for ever.

The Decalogue: Contemporary

Hear the commandments of God to his people: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage.

You shall have no other gods but me.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not make for yourself any idol.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not invoke with malice the Name of the Lord your God.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Honor your father and your mother.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not commit murder.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not commit adultery.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not steal.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not be a false witness.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Celebrant:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8,9

The Deacon/Priest invites the congregation to confession.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

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.

ABSOLUTION
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you
in eternal life. Amen.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Please be seated for the lessons.

Old Testament 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

A Reading from the first book of Samuel

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah

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

Psalm 23 (said responsively by half-verse) Please remain seated.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.

3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.

4 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.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.

6 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.

Epistle Ephesians 5:8-14

A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians

Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL HYMN

Heal Me, Hands of Jesus WLP#773

1 Heal me, hands of Jesus,

and search out all my pain:

restore my hope, remove my fear

and bring me peace again.

2 Cleanse me, blood of Jesus,

take bitterness away;

let me forgive as one forgiven

and bring me peace today.

3 Know me, mind of Jesus,

and show me all my sin;

dispel the memories of guilt,

and bring me peace within.

4 Fill me, joy of Jesus:

anxiety shall cease

and heaven’s serenity be mine,

for Jesus brings me peace!

Please stand as you are able for the Gospel proclamation.

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

Glory to you Lord Christ.

Gospel John 9: 1-41

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.

Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to you Lord Christ.

Sermon The Rev. Cricket Park

Please stand as you are able for the Nicene Creed. We say the Creed in unison.

The Nicene Creed

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 worshiped 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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

The Celebrant continues

Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE PEACE

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

Announcements & Birthday/Anniversary Prayers

Happy Birthday this week to Elizabeth Reuter

OFFERTORY Psalm 23 Colin Mawby

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below;

Praise God above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

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.

The Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.

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:

Celebrant and People

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel. Then the Celebrant continues

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:

Celebrant and People

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

The Celebrant continues

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.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.

Agnus Dei Hymnal 1982 #S164

Jesus, Lamb of God:
have mercy on us,

Jesus, Lamb of God,
Bearer of our sins:
have mercy on us,

Jesus, redeemer,

redeemer of the world:

give us your peace,

give us your peace.

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Come to God’s altar. You are welcome to receive communion. If you wish only to receive a blessing from the priest, please cross your arms when you come forward. If you require a gluten-free wafer, or communion at your pew, please let the ushers know.

COMMUNION HYMN There is a green hill far away Hymnal 1982 #167

1 There is a green hill far away,

outside a city wall,

where our dear Lord was crucified

who died to save us all.

2 We may not know, we cannot tell,

what pains he had to bear,

but we believe it was for us

he hung and suffered there.

3 He died that we might be forgiven,

he died to make us good,

that we might go at last to heaven,

saved by his precious blood.

4 There was no other good enough

to pay the price of sin,

he only could unlock the gate

of heaven and let us in.

5 O dearly, dearly has he loved!

And we must love him too,

and trust in his redeeming blood,

and try his works to do.

SOLEMN PRAYER & BLESSING

Look mercifully on this family, Almighty God, that by your great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN “Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old” Hymnal 1982 #567

1 Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old

was strong to heal and save;

it triumphed o’er disease and death,

o’er darkness and the grave.

To thee they went, the blind, the deaf,

the palsied, and the lame,

the leper set apart and shunned,

the sick with fevered frame.

2 And lo! thy touch brought life and health,

gave hearing, strength, and sight;

and youth renewed and frenzy calmed

owned thee, the Lord of light:

and now, O Lord, be near to bless,

almighty as of yore,

in crowded street, by restless couch,

as by Gennesaret’s shore.

3 Be thou our great deliverer still,

thou Lord of life and death;

restore and quicken, soothe and bless,

with thine almighty breath:

to hands that work and eyes that see,

give wisdom’s heavenly lore,

that whole and sick, and weak and strong,

may praise thee evermore.

DISMISSAL Response: Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah Paul Manz

THE SUNDAY NEWS

COFFEE HOUR: THE EIGHTH SACRAMENT Please volunteer to hot coffee hour. Sign up on the charts in the narthex or contact Rev. Cricket (st_marks@ameritech.net)

EASTER FLOWERS: Your donations toward Easter flowers can be made using the envelopes in the pews. There are envelopes on the usher’s table also.

SANCTUARY LAMPS need adoption. Please adopt a lamp—$7.50 helps us to shine the light of Jesus for all to see.

LENT MADNESS: Pick a saint and join the voting during Lent. Who will win the Golden Halo and a special mug for the local winner! A fun way to learn about church history! Follow the voting at www.lentmadness.org

Beavercreek Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes Program We are now accepting sponsorships for this year (2023). This year’s events will occur on: Memorial Day (May 29^th) at Be Hope Church; Independence Day (July 4^th) at Beavercreek High School, and Veterans Day (November 11^th) at Be Hope Church. The cost of each sponsorship is $55. You may pay by check (Rotary Club of Beavercreek, P.O. Box 340475, Beavercreek, OH 45434) or pay online (https://www.beavercreekflags.org). Also, please let me know (email:jljmrudd@aol.com) the method, amount, and date of your payment. I look forward to your continued participation in this worthwhile community program as we honor our well-deserved heroes.Respectfully, Jim Rudd, Chairperson, Flags for Heroes Program

Ministry Assignments for TODAY March 19, 2023

Acolyte: Gabriel Walch

Lay Readers: Carol Williamson and Jackie Hoskinson

Chalice Bearers: Don Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino

Tech/Facebook Live: TJ Walch

Ushers: Dave Reuter and Ginny Tuxhorn

Counters: Tony Rubino and Carol Nancarrow

Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino

Coffee Hour:

Ministry Assignments for March 26, 2023

Acolyte: Scott Kelly

Lay Readers: Gary Welch and Gabriel Walch

Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Tech/Facebook Live: Gary Welch

Ushers: Tony Rubino and Jim Rudd

Counters: Kendall Rubino and Gary Welch

Open/Close: Reuter/Rubino

Coffee Hour: Tracey Swartz and Stephanie Welch

MINI-CHOIR FOR EASTER VIGIL AND EASTER!

A major feast calls for extra music. Our organist, Donna Larsen, has chosen two anthems for Easter that beg for a choir. The first, “The Strife Is O’er,” uses the familiar tune to “Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing.” The second “Come, ye faithful raise the strain” is also familiar. It would be wonderful to have all four parts covered for these easy anthems. Please see Donna Larsen for music.

CALENDAR ITEMS

TODAY—Food item collection for St. Paul’s Food Pantry. Food should not be expired. Expired food cannot be distributed. Items such as toilet paper, paper towels, hygiene products are welcome also. These items are not included with SNAP benefits.

March 21—Outreach Committee Meeting, 4:30pm, in the Lounge

March 26—Palm Crosses! Help fold palm crosses for Palm Sunday in the fellowship hall after church. No experience necessary. We’ll teach you!

March 23—Vestry Meeting, 7pm, in the Fellowship Hall.

April 1—”Sparkle Day” (Time to be determined.) Clean up for our visitors on Easter!

Holy Week Schedule:

April 2—Palm Sunday, 10:30am

April 6—Maundy Thursday at St. Christopher, Fairborn, 7pm

April 7—Good Friday Service, Noon

April 8—Easter Vigil at St. Mark’s, 7pm (with St. Christopher, Fairborn)

April 9—Easter Day, 10:30am

More information to come. Watch your e-mail!

The Prayer List for St. Mark’s is provided each week through our ENewsletter.

It’s…

The Return of Adult Christian Education!

Don’t freak out! Starting in Eastertide, Rev. Cricket wishes to provide formation opportunities for inquiring parishioners. We’ll meet at 9:15am beginning on April 16th. She’s looking for ideas on what to present!

Please fill out this form and give it to her, or email her at revcricketpark@gmail.com by 3/26.

I’d like to come to:

____Doing Justice ____Prayer Book Basics ____ Anglican Spirituality

____ Prayer Practices ____Book Study (such as CS Lewis, etc.)

____ What Episcopalians need to know about the Bible

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The diocese is currently in a search for its next Bishop.

Vestry

Libby Nicholson, Senior Warden wardens@stmarksdayton.com

Kendall Rubino, Junior Warden wardens@stmarksdayton.com

Fred Berta flbretiredncr@aol.com

Jackie Hoskinson jghoskinson@hotmail.com

Linda Stagles LStagles@gmail.com

Patricia Tallman patskincare@aol.com

Elizabeth Wagner-Weber wagnere17@hanover.edu

Jenna Walch jennawalch@gmail.com

Don Nancarrow, Treasurer nancard@sbcglobal.net

Dave Reuter, Recorder DFReuter@aol.com

Interim Rector

Rev. Cricket Park st_marks@ameritech.net;

revcricketpark@gmail.com

614-806-5248

———————————

Our Mission Statement:

“We gather for worship, education and mutual support;

welcome all people; and serve the community in God’s name”.

A prayer for St. Mark’s in a time of transition

O Lord, Father of life and change, of new and old: You gifted us with abilities to speak and listen, to hear and decide, to choose and know. We thank you for teaching us how to used these abilities, though we must at times remember to combine them with patience. Remind us to speak with kindness, to listen to understand, to hear all voices, to decide on what is just and true, to choose the path of peace, and to know we are not alone. Be with us in this time of transition, that it is as effective as it is unsettling, as comforting as it is confusing. And never leave our side on the journey ahead, as we strive for an unknown destination. In the name of your Son Jesus, who walks alongside us, we pray. Amen.

(written by Elizabeth Wagner-Weber)

The Rev. Cricket Park, Interim Priest-in-Charge

st_marks@ameritech.net

614-806-5248

Libby Nicholson – Senior Warden; Kendall Rubino – Junior Warden,

wardens@stmarksdayton.org

Donna Larsen, Music Director/Organist,

musicdirector@stmarksdayton.org

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

456 Woodman Drive

Dayton, OH 45431

Email: st_marks@ameritech.net