Pentecost-17 (Yr A) September 24, 2023

 

PRELUDE                                        “Cantilena“                                  Josef Rheinberger

 

OPENING HYMN         “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven”             Hymn #410

 

1. Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

 

2. Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

 

3. Fatherlike He tends and spares us,
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

 

4. Angels, help us to adore Him,
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him;
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

 

 

 

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                      “Glory to God”                               S278 Matthias

 

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

 

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the

            Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

 

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

     Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

 

Celebrant   The Lord be with you.

People   And also with you

 

Celebrant: Let us pray

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly;
and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold
fast to those that shall endure; 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 16: 2-15                        A Reading from the Book of Exodus

 

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in
the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of
the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of
bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly
with hunger.”

 

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and
each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will
test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when
they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other
days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall
know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the
morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining
against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And
Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of
bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter
against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against
the Lord.”

 

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw
near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the
whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the
glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I
have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat
meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know
that I am the Lord your God.’”

 

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there
was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the
surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the
ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they
did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has
given you to eat.”

 

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

 

 

PSALM                              Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45                      Read responsively by whole verse.

 

1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;*
Make known his deeds among the peoples.

 

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.

 

3 Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the L rejoice.

 

4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *
continually seek his face.

 

5 Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

 

6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.

 

37 He led out his people with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.

 

38 Egypt was glad of their going, *
because they were afraid of them.

 

39 He spread out a cloud for a covering *
and a fire to give light in the night season.

 

40 They asked, and quails appeared, *
and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.

 

41 He opened the rock, and water flowed, *
so the river ran in the dry places.

 

42. For God remembered his holy word *
and Abraham his servant.

 

43 So he led forth his people with gladness, *
his chosen with shouts of joy.

 

44 He gave his people the lands of the nations, *
and they took the fruit of others’ toil,

 

45 That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws.

 

Hallelujah!

 

 

Epistle         Philippians 1:21-30    A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi

 

To me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means
fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between
the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain
in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know
that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so
that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you
again.

 

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come
and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm
in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in
no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction,
but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the
privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well– since you are
having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL              “Forgive our sins as we forgive”                       Hymnal #674

 

3. We all behold one vision,
A stark reality:
The steward of salvation
Was nailed upon a tree.
Yet resurrected Justice
Gives rise that we may share
Free reconciliation
And hope amid despair.

GOSPEL                        Matthew 20:1-16

 

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

 

People:  Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual
daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he
saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the
vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again
about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went
out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing
here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them,
‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to
his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and
then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received
the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive
more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received
it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one
hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and
the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong;
did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go;
I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I
choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the
last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 

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.

 

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

 

For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

 

For this community, the nation, and the world;

For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

 

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

 

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

 

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

 

For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and Wayne, Ken, Nedi, and Wendall our Bishops; and for all bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in the Church.

 

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence The People may add their own petitions

 

Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

 

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence The People may add their own thanksgivings

 

We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your Name for ever and ever.

 

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence The People may add their own petitions

 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

 

Celebrant:  O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the
teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready
to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his
presence; through 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                      “We worship you alone”                       Penny Rodriguez

 

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.

 

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

 

For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.

 

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:

 

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.

 

 

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 forever.   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

Celebrant:   Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People:        Therefore let us keep the feast.

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

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

 

Everyone is welcome to come forward for communion or a blessing.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMN                       “O God, unseen yet ever near”                     Hymnal #332

 

1. O God, Unseen Yet Ever Near,
Thy Presence May We Feel;
And Thus Inspired With Holy Fear,
Before Thine Altar Kneel.

 

2. Here May Thy Faithful People Know
The Blessings Of Thy Love,
The Streams That Through The Desert Flow,
The Manna From Above.

 

3. We Come, Obedient To Thy Word,
To Feast On Heavenly Food;
Our Meat The Body Of The Lord,
Our Drink His Precious Blood.

 

4. Thus May We All Thy Word Obey,
For We, O God, Are Thine;
And Go Rejoicing On Our Way,
Renewed With Strength Divine.

 

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant:  Let us pray.

People:
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

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 always.

 

RECESSIONAL HYMN            “Glorious things of thee are spoken”         Hymn #522

 

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 mayst 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 while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t’ assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.

 

3. Round each habitation hov’ring,
See the cloud and fire appear,
For a glory and a cov’ring,
Showing that the Lord is near;
Thus deriving from our 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 off’ring brings.

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                                 “Choral song”                              Samuel Sabastian Wesley

 

 

 

 

————————————-

 

 

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.

 

 

Ministers for September 24, 2023
Altar Guild for September: Kendall Rubino and Carol Williamson
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolytes: Elizabeth Reuter
Lay Readers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Carol Williamson
Chalice Bearers: Carol Williamson and Judy Rudd
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn and Jim Rudd
Counters: Janet Reuter and TBD
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Coffee Hour: Elizabeth, Janet, and David Reuter
Thank you Janet Reuter, Tracy Swartz, and Stephanie Welch for last week!

 

 

Ministers for October 1, 2023
Altar Guild for October:
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: TJ Walch and Gabe Walch
Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Jim Rudd
Tech Table: Gary Welch
Ushers: Carol Williamson and Tony Rubino
Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Dave Reuter
Open/Close: Nancarrow/Reuter
Coffee Hour: Lee and Carol Smith

 

 

Calendar items:
September 28—Vestry Meeting on Zoom, 7:00pm
September 30—Confirmation and Newcomer class, 10am
Blessing of the Animals, 4pm

 

October 1—CARE House collection day
October 1—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 7—Confirmation at Procter Conference Center, 2 pm
October 8—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 15—Food Pantry collection day
October 15—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 19—Vestry Meeting, 7:00pm
October 21—Valley Vineyards Dinner
October 22—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 29—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 31-November 2: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’, All Souls’

 

November 5—All Saints’ Sunday and CARE House collection day
November 5—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am

 

 

Adult Forum: Fall Feasts and Fasts
There are several significant feast days in September through November. Our Adult
Forum class will talk about these occasions at 9:00am in the Lounge. Come for all;
come for some. Get to know the saints and the history behind a holy day or two.
September 24th—St. Matthew
October 1st—St. Michael and All Angels
October 8th—St. James
October 15th—Teresa of Avila
October 29th—The Autumnal Triduum: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints, All Souls
November 5th—Edith Cavell
November 12th—Hilda of Whitby
November 19th—St. Andrew

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.