Pentecost-22 (Yr A) October 29, 2023

 

 

 

PRELUDE                        ’How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place                       Harold Darke

 

OPENING HYMN          “How lovely is thy dwelling place”                          Hymn #517

 

1  How lovely is thy dwelling-place,

          O Lord of hosts, to me!

     My thirsty soul desires and longs

          within thy courts to be;

     my very heart and flesh cry out,

          O living God, for thee.

 

 

2  Beside thine altars, gracious Lord,

          the swallows find a nest;

     how happy they who dwell with thee

          and praise thee without rest,

     and happy they whose hearts are set

          upon the pilgrim’s quest.

 

 

3  They who go through the desert vale

          will find it filled with springs,

     and they shall climb from height to height

          till Zion’s temple rings

     with praise to thee, in glory throned,

          Lord God, great King of kings.

 

 

4  One day within thy courts excels

          a thousand spent away;

     how happy they who keep thy laws

          nor from thy precepts stray,

     for thou shalt surely bless all those

          who live the words they pray.

 

 

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity;
and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command;
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      Deuteronomy 34: 1-12      A Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy

 

Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah,
which is opposite Jericho, and the LORD showed him the whole land: Gilead as
far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah
as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho,
the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. The LORD said to him, “This is the
land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to
your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross
over there.” Then Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab,
at the LORD’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite
Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred
twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not
abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the
period of mourning for Moses was ended.

 

Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his
hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the LORD had commanded
Moses.

 

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew
face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent
him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his
entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power
that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

 

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

 

 

PSALM                 Psalm 90: 1-6, 13-17                                     Read responsively.

 

1 The 1 Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the land and the earth were born, *
from age to age you are God.

 

3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *
“Go back, O child of earth.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past *
and like a watch in the night.

 

5 You sweep us away like a dream; *
we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
in the evening it is dried up and withered.

 

13 Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? *
be gracious to your servants.
14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

 

15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
and the years in which we suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your works *
and your splendor to their children.

 

17 May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; *
prosper the work of our hands;
prosper our handiwork.

 

 

Epistle      1 Thessalonians 2:1-8    A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Church in Thessolonica

 

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but
though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you
know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great
opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery,
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the
gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our
hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery
or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or
from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were
gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we
care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but
also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL              “Sing my soul, his wondrous love”                Hymn #467

GOSPEL                        Matthew 22:34-46

 

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

 

People:  Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered
together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets.”

 

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question:
“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him,
“The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls
him Lord, saying,

 

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

 

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him
an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

 

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:

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the
way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of
righteousness, that they may become your kingdom.  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                      “All Hail the Power”                           Mark Hayes

 

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              “Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love”               Hymnal #602

 

   Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love,

              show us how to serve the neighbors

              we have from you.

 

 

1  Kneels at the feet of his friends,

     silently washes their feet,

     Master who acts as a slave to them.

 

     Chorus

 

 2  Neighbors are rich and poor,

     neighbors are black and white,

     neighbors are nearby and far away.

 

     Chorus

 

 3  These are the ones we should serve,

     these are the ones we should love.

     All are neighbors to us and you.

 

     Chorus

 

 4  Loving puts us on our knees,

     serving as though we were slaves;

     this is the way we should live with you.

 

     Chorus

 

 

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            “O God, our help in ages past”                 Hymn #680

 

1  O God, our help in ages past,

          our hope for years to come,

     our shelter from the stormy blast,

          and our eternal home:

 

2  under the shadow of thy throne

          thy saints have dwelt secure;

     sufficient is thine arm alone,

          and our defense is sure.

 

3  Before the hills in order stood,

          or earth received her frame,

     from everlasting thou art God,

          to endless years the same.

 

4  A thousand ages in thy sight

          are like an evening gone;

     short as the watch that ends the night

          before the rising sun.

 

5  Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

          bears all our years away;

     they fly, forgotten, as a dream

          dies at the opening day.

 

6  O God, our help in ages past,

          our hope for years to come,

     be thou our guide while life shall last,

          and our eternal home.

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                          Overture                              Robert J. Powell

 

 

        Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Room of the Community Building.

 

 

————————————-

 

 

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 October 29, 2023
Altar Guild for October: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Gabe Walch and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Lay Readers: Gabe Walch and Jim Rudd
Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd and Carol Williamson
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Carol Williamson and Jim Rudd
Counters: Dave Reuter and Kendall Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Coffee Hour: Laura Leach

 

 

Ministers for November 5, 2023
Altar Guild for November: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Elizabeth Reuter
Lay Readers: Judy Rudd and Don Nancarrow
Chalice Bearers: Jim Rudd and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: Dave Reuter
Ushers: Dave Reuter and Jim Rudd
Counters: Tony Rubino and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Wagner/Rudd
Coffee Hour: Carol Williamson

 

 

Calendar items:
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, Pledge Sunday, and CARE House collection day
November 5—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
November 10—Family Game Night, 6pm
November 11—Diocesan Convention
November 23—Thanksgiving Day
December 3—Advent I and CARE House collection
December 10—Advent II
December 17—Advent III
December 24—Advent IV, 10:30am; Christmas Eve, 5:00pm

 

 

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.

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

November 26th—no adult forum due to Thanksgiving weekend.

December 3rd—first Sunday in Advent—ideas anyone?

 

 

Happy Hallowe’en!
On October 29th, costumes are welcome at church!

 

All Saints’ Sunday—November 5

Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed.
Bring all your coins for a Day of Change offering. (Dollar bills are good too.)
Bring your pledge card and place it on the altar as a sign of your commitment to
St. Mark’s in 2024.
Bring a picture of a relative/ancestor for our All Saints’ Sunday ofrenda.

 

Family Game Night—November 11

Mark your Calendars for our November 10, 6pm, evening of games and
laughter. Questions? Contact TJ Walch.

 

Day of Change—November 5

Please remember to set your clocks back one hour and bring your
contributions for the food pantry at St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
This is the time of year when there is an even greater need for food.
No amount is too small-or too large! Thank you in advance for your
continuing support.

 

Canterbury Cookie Fundraiser

Donations of INGREDIENTS for a cookie sale to raise funds for the residents
of Canterbury Court have been requested. The following items are needed:
All-purpose flour                                       Granulated sugar
Butter-flavor Crisco                                  Brown sugar
Parchment paper                                       Almond extract
Walnuts                                                    Vanilla extract
Butter-cake mix (yellow cake)                Toffee Chips
Nutmeg                                                   Condensed milk
Peaches in heavy syrup                          Cherries in heavy syrup
Please bring your donations to church no later than November 12th.

 

“Adventurer’s Guide to the Bible” High School Retreat
November 17-19 at Procter Center
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to gather at Procter for a weekend of immersion
in the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The campaign runs parallel to the events
of the Bible, but the way the plot unfolds is up to you! Experienced players and those
new to the game are welcome.
Register here.

 

Please sign up for December ministries.
There are empty spaces for flowers, sanctuary lamps, and coffee hours. The sign-up
sheet is on the bulletin board by the church office. A separate sign-up will go out via
email for Christmas flowers.

 

At this time, there has not been a volunteer for coffee hour on the Sunday after
Thanksgiving (Christ the King Sunday). The priest suggests a pot-luck of Thanksgiving
leftovers. Sides, salads, and pies anyone?

 

Finally—
Please sign the get-well card for Mary Sones. It’s in the narthex. Mary is in the hospital.
Thank you Stephanie Welch for creating the card.

 

Mark Your Calendars: Youth Group Fundraising Coffee Hour on November 19th!
Come hungry and help the youth raise money for Neighborhood Bridges. Coney dogs
are the menu item for the day!

 

 

A Letter from the Stewardship Committee:

 

October 2023

 

Dear Friends in Christ:

 

Greetings! Welcome to the St. Mark’s 2024 annual pledge campaign. As we plan for this next year,
we are excited for the future of St. Mark’s. There have been many changes to our small parish in the
past few years. We have a new spiritual leader in The Rev. Cricket Park, who returned to this diocese
following her recent retirement, and brings a new perspective on how to be followers of Jesus.
As difficult as it is to say goodbye to old friends, we rejoice in worshiping every Sunday with new
friends, some of whom are seeking to be followers of Jesus for the first time! The music is inspiring,
the church looks beautiful, and we are challenged every Sunday with a clear message about being
disciples of God.

 

Getting to know our neighbors in Riverside is important to us. This past year we have supported
Hope4Riverside, a collaborative of churches. Through their Neighboring Bridges affiliation, St.
Mark’s will be loaning space to store the many items kept on hand to help those in need. Another
outreach initiative that has been well-received is the St. Arbuck’s ministry that Cricket leads every
Wednesday, across the street at our new neighborhood Kroger. Is there anything more welcoming
than a cup of coffee, a place to sit, and people to talk with? This is just one example of how we take
the church to the people.

 

Like our own families, we have bills to pay. This is where you come in. We have worked hard to curb
expenses and to make the physical plant more efficient through grants, but we need your help. With
all the hopeful and positive energy at St. Mark’s, we ask you to prayerfully consider what you can
give to support our mission.

 

Accompanying this letter, you will be asked to make a pledge to St. Mark’s for this next year. On November 5, as we celebrate All Saints’ Day, you will be given the opportunity to lay your pledge card
on the altar, along with those of your fellow worshipers. Can’t you already hear the refrain,” for the
saints of God are just folks like me, and I mean to be one, too!”

 

Yours in Christ.

 

The 2024 Stewardship Committee
Jim Rudd, Chair
Don Nancarrow
Libby Nicholson
Kendall Rubino

 

 

2024 Pledge Card
I/We pledge to support the community of St. Mark’s, Riverside, through our prayers and presence.

 

In addition we pledge $__________ for 2024.

 

We will provide this offering
O weekly      O monthly      O quarterly

 

Contact Information:

 

Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
City: ______________________ State: ____
Zipcode: __________
E-mail: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________

 

Please bring this pledge to church on November
5th or mail it to St. Mark’s c/o Jim Rudd.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

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