Pentecost-13 (Yr A) August 27, 2023

 

 

 

 

PRELUDE                                     “Ubi Caritas”                                              Alan Bullard

 

OPENING HYMN                 “We gather together”                                     Hymn #433

 

1 We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

       he chastens and hastens his will to make known;

   the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:

       sing praises to his Name; he forgets not his own.

 

2 Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

       ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;

   so from the beginning the fight we were winning:

       thou, Lord, wast at our side: all glory be thine!

 

3 We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,

       and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.

   Let thy congregation escape tribulation:

       thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

 

 

Celebrant     Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

People     And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen

 

Celebrant

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets

are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that

we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our

Lord.  Amen

 

 

HYMN OF PRAISE            “Rejoice in the Lord always”                       Voices Found #162

 

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!

Rejoice!  Rejoice!  And again I say rejoice!

Rejoice!  Rejoice!  And again I say rejoice!

 

Repeat one time.

 

 

Celebrant   The Lord be with you.

People   And also with you

 

Celebrant   Let us pray

 

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Ho-ly Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   Amen.

 

                    Please be seated for the lessons.

 

FIRST LESSON            Exodus 1:8—2:10                        A Reading from the Book of Exodus

 

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his peo-ple, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built sup-ply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Isra-elites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.

 

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” The mid-wives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Phar-aoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.”

 

Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.

 

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daugh-ter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

 

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

 

 

PSALM                              Psalm 124                                                  Read responsively by whole verse.

 

 

1 If the Lord had not been on our side, * let Israel now say;

 

2 If the Lord had not been on our side, * when enemies rose up against us;

 

3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive * in their fierce anger toward us;

 

4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us * and the torrent gone over us;

 

5 Then would the raging waters * have gone right over us.

 

6 Blessed be the Lord! * he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.

 

7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; * the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

 

8 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth.

 

 

Epistle                    Romans 12: 1-8                         A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans

 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God– what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL                                “God is love”                                                          Hymnal #577

 

 

GOSPEL                        Matthew 16: 13-20

 

Deacon or Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

 

People:  Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heav-en, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

 

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

 

 

SERMON                                                                                                               The Rev. Cricket Park

 

 

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.

 

 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 

The celebration continues with the Prayers of the People. The Leader and People

pray responsively.

 

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Wayne, our Bishop Provisional; Nedi, Wendell, and Ken, our assisting bishops; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.

 

Silence

 

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.

 

Silence

 

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.

 

Silence

 

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.

 

Silence

 

I ask your prayers for the departed [especially ]. Pray for those who have died.

 

Silence

 

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored [especially whom we remember today]. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

 

Silence

 

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

 

(You are invited to add your own petitions silently or aloud.)

 

Celebrant: 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, no as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

 

 

THE CONFESSION

Deacon/Celebrant: Let us then confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

 

 

Most merciful God: We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and 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.

 

THE ABSOLUTION

 

Celebrant: 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.

 

THE PEACE

Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

Response: And also with you.

 

Please greet one another with a sign of peace.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

OFFERTORY/ANTHEM

        “Thee will I love”                                                                            Jean Pasquat

 

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

 

At this time the ushers will bring up the offering of money and any pantry items. As they do this, please stand and sing the following:

 

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.

 

 

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 continues, with the congregation joining in the words in bold type.

 

God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.

Glory to you for ever and ever.

 

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, gal-axies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.

By your will they were created and have their being.

 

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.

Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

 

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.

By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.

 

And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apos-tles, 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:

 

SANCTUS                                                                                                                     HYMN 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.

 

 

The Celebrant continues

 

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.”

 

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.”

 

Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,

We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

 

Lord God of our Ancestors: God of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah; 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.

Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

 

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.

 

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,

 

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

 

THE FRACTION/THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Please observe silence during the breaking of the bread.

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

Celebrant:   The Gifts of God for the People of God.

 

COMMUNION HYMN            “Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing”                        Hymnal #334

 

1  Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing,

    worship, thanks, devotion voicing;

        glory be to God on high!

    Christ, your cross and passion sharing,

    by this Eucharist declaring

        yours the final victory.

 

2  Scattered flock, one shepherd sharing,

    lost and lonely, one voice hearing,

        ears attentive to your word;

    by your Blood new life receiving,

    in your Body, firm believing,

        we are yours, and you the Lord.

 

3  Sins forgiven, wrongs forgiving, we

    go forth alert and living

        in your Spirit, strong and free.

    Partners in your new creation,

    seeking peace in every nation,

        may we faithful followers be.

 

 

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

May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God’s son, Jesus Christ our Lord. And the Blessing of God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, be with you now and remain with you al-ways.

 

RECESSIONAL HYMN              “Glorious things of thee are spoken”                    Hymn #544

 

1  Glorious things of thee are spoken,

        Zion, city of our God;

    he whose word cannot be broken

        formed thee for his own abode;

    on the Rock of Ages founded,

        what can shake thy sure repose?

    With salvation’s walls surrounded,

        thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

 

2  See! the streams of living waters,

        springing from eternal love,

    well supply thy sons and daughters

        and all fear of want remove.

    Who can faint, when such a river

        ever will their thirst assuage?

    Grace which, like the Lord, the giver

        never fails from age to age.

 

3  Round each habitation hovering,

        see the cloud and fire appear

    for a glory and a covering,

        showing that the Lord is near.

    Thus deriving from their banner,

        light by night, and shade by day,

    safe they feed upon the manna

        which he gives them when they pray.

 

 

4  Blest inhabitants of Zion,

        washed in the Redeemer’s blood!

    Jesus, whom their souls rely on,

        makes them kings and priests to God.

    ’Tis his love his people raises

        over self to reign as kings:

    and as priests, his solemn praises

        each for a thank-offering brings.

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                                  “Trumpet Tune”                                          John Stanley

 

 

————————————-

 

 

Ministers for August 27, 2023

 

Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach

Acolytes: Elizabeth Reuter and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Lay Readers: Judy Rudd and Don Nancarrow

Chalice Bearers: Carol Williamson and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber

Tech Table: TJ Walch

Ushers: Dave Reuter and Carol Williamsonv

Counters: Janet Reuter and Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Rudd/Reuterv Coffee Hour: Joy Brown and Sandy Bultmann

 

 

Ministers for September 3, 2023
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Jim Rudd and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Chalice Bearers: Don Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: Dave Reuter
Ushers: Jim Rudd and Tony Rubino
Counters: Dave Reuter and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Nancarrow/Rudd
Coffee Hour: Could it be you??
Altar Guild for September: Kendall Rubino and Carol Nancarrow

 

 

Calendar:
Sunday, September 10th—Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 17th—Church School begins
Saturday, September 30th—Blessing of the Animals

 

October 7th at Procter Chapel: Regional Confirmations, Receptions, & Reaffirmations
If you are 14 years and up and wish to be confirmed as a member of the Episcopal
Church, please see Rev. Cricket. We need to schedule times for instruction. If you are
joining the Episcopal Church from the Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, or Roman
Catholic traditions, you are welcome to be received into the Episcopal tradition. If
you’ve done all that and wish to renew your commitment to God and the church, you
are welcome to be received. Classes can be done in person or on Zoom, depending
upon candidate availability.

 

 

Welcome to St. Mark’s! During the service, please assume the postures of prayer and
devotion as best suits your ability. If you are able, please stand for the Gospel, singing
hymns, and the prayers. Kneeling and sitting are also appropriate for the prayers of
the people and the Eucharistic prayers. Remember, the posture of your heart is more
important to God than the position of your body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.