PRELUDE
OPENING HYMN Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding Hymn #59
1 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding:
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say;
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”
2 Wakened by the solemn warning,
from earth’s bondage let us rise;
Christ, our sun, all sloth dispelling,
shines upon the morning skies.
3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
comes with pardon down from heaven;
let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
one and all to be forgiven;
4 so when next he comes with glory,
and the world is wrapped in fear,
may he with his mercy shield us,
and with words of love draw near.
Celebrant: Blessed be the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: God’s mercy endures forever.
COLLECT FOR PURITY
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
Week One – verses one and two Week Two – verses three and four
Week Three – verses five and six Week Four – verses seven and eight
1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
2 O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain
3 O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
4 O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave. Refrain
5 O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode. Refrain
6 O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. Refrain
7 O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain
8 O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you
Celebrant Let us pray.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Celebrant
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare
the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our
sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God.
Please be seated.
First Lesson Baruch 5: 1-9
Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;
put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,
“Righteous Peace, Godly Glory.”
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;
look toward the east,
and see your children gathered from west and east
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went out from you on foot,
led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you,
carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made
low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree
have shaded Israel at God’s command.
For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory,
with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.
The Word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God.
PSALM Canticle 16—The Song of Zechariah Please read in unison
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
EPISTLE Philippians 1: 3-11
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of
my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until
now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring
it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all
of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me,
both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God
is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is
my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight
to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and
blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus
Christ for the glory and praise of God.
The Word of the Lord. Response Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL HYMN What is the crying at Jordan? Hymn #69
1. What is the crying at Jordan?
Who hears, O God, the prophecy?
Dark is the season, dark our hearts
and shut to mystery.
2. Who then shall stir in this darkness,
prepare for joy in the winter night.
Mortal in darkness we lie down blindhearted,
seeing no light.
3. Lord, give us grace to awake us,
to see the branch that begins to bloom;
in great humility is hid all heaven
in a little room.
4. Now comes the day of salvation,
in joy and terror the Word is born!
God comes as gift into our lives;
oh let salvation dawn!
GOSPEL Luke 3: 1-6
Gospeler The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
People Glory to you Lord Christ.
Jesus In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was
governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of
the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the
high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of
Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming
a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the
book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”
The Gospel of the Lord. Response Praise to you Lord Christ
SERMON
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 – Form I
Leader: With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying “Lord,
have mercy.”
For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our
souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have
mercy.
For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to
the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this city, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray
to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve
it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel on land, on water, or in the air, let us pray to the Lord. Lord,
have mercy.
For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering,
let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners
and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us
pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to
the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach,
let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
In the communion of Mark and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one
another, and all our life, to Christ our God. To thee, O Lord our God.
Celebrant:
Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who
now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty;
even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
CONFESSION
Celebrant/Deacon: 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.
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.
People: And also with you.
Please greet one another with a sign of peace.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Following the announcements, the ushers will collect this week’s offering.
OFFERTORY
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.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING – Eucharistic Prayer B
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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant
It is right, and a good and joyful think, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father
Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you sent your beloved Son to
redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that
when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may
without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
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 – Holy Holy Holy The Hymnal 1982, Service Music, #124
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.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made
known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken
through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in
these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior
and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us
worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of
sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command O Father,
Celebrant and People:
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory.
The Celebrant continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting
to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be
the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to
your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by
the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ,
and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Mark and all your saints, we may
enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
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 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD/FRACTION
Celebrant Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Response Therefore let us keep the feast.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION:
Celebrant: The gifts of God for the people of God.
All are invited to God’s table. Receive the bread with outstretched hands. You may
sip from the chalice or lightly dip the wafer into the wine. (Please use hand sanitizer
available in the aisle.) If you prefer a blessing, cross your arms over your chest as a
signal to the ministers.
COMMUNION HYMN On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry Hymnal #76
1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings.
2 Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within,
and let each heart prepare a home
where such a mighty guest may come.
3 For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge, and our great reward;
without thy grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.
4 To heal the sick stretch out thine hand,
and bid the fallen sinner stand;
shine forth, and let thy light restore
earth’s own true loveliness once more.
5 All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whose advent doth thy people free;
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Spirit evermore.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Celebrant Let us pray.
Eternal God, heavenly Father,
you have 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
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers Hymn #68
1 Rejoice! rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
and soon he will draw nigh;
up, watch in expectation!
at midnight comes the cry.
2 See that your lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The marriage-feast is waiting,
the gates wide open stand;
rise up, ye heirs of glory,
the Bridegroom is at hand!
3 Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, thou Sun so longed for,
above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption,
and ever be with thee!
DISMISSAL
The congregation is dismissed.
Response Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE “The Glory of the Spirit” Lani Smith
Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Room of the Community Building.
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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.
Ministry Assignments for December 8, 2024
Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Lay Readers: TJ Walch and Gabe Walch
Chalice Bearers: Jim Rudd and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Dave Reuter and Carol Williamson
Counters: Kendall Rubino and Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn
Altar Guild: The Welch family and Janet Reuter
Interim Organist: Joel Hootman
Candle is given by the Wagner family in honor of Jamie’s 3rd birthday.
Ministry Assignments for December 15, 2024
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Judy Rudd and Jackie Hoskinson
Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: Dave Reuter
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn and Tony Rubino
Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: TBA
Altar Guild: The Welch family and Janet Reuter
Interim Organist: Joel Hootman
We have openings for coffee hour. Please sign up to help on the bulletin board sheets
next to the church office. The sign-ups for flowers and candles are there also.
If you are unable to serve on your date, please find your substitute and notify the
church office.
Christmas Flowers
Please use the envelopes provided in the pews to donate toward Christmas flowers.
Write your name on the front of the envelope. Please provide any information regarding
whether your donation is in honor of or in memory of someone.
Healing Service at St. Paul’s, Oakwood
The congregation is invited to a service for healing and unity at St. Paul’s on Monday,
December 18, at 7 p.m. The bishop has informed the parish of her godly judgment to
separate the agreement between the parish from the former rector-elect.
Our prayers are with the Phillips family as they mourn the death of their
husband and father Howard. Funeral arrangements are pending but will likely
take place after the first of the year.
Christian Formation Calendar (Sundays)
Senior High Youth classes — 9:30 a.m.
Junior High Youth classes — 10:10 a.m.
Nursery/Young Children classes — 10:30 a.m.
Adult Forum classes — 9:30 a.m.
Bethlehemian Rhapsody reprise — December 22
If you would like to be part of the puppet show on Advent IV, please come to a rehearsal
on December 15 after church.
Diocese of Southern Ohio Youth Post-Christmas Lock-in
December 27-28th at Redeemer, Hyde Park
Join 6th-12th graders from across Southern Ohio for the ultimate overnight event! We’ll
have an unforgettable night filled with faith, fun, fellowship, and activities for everyone. Our
overnight adventure will be packed with epic activities (like yoga, board games, video
games, laser tag, karaoke, and more), all your favorite snacks and eats, and meaningful
moments to kick off the new year with joy and community. Don’t miss the lock-in event of
the year. For more information contact tym@redeemer-cincy.org or 513-800-1459.
Recycle this bulletin!
Share it with a friend. This is a great way to introduce our service to someone who
may be searching for a church home. It’s easy evangelism.
Sign Up for Coffee Hour and/or Flowers and/or Candles
There are many blank spaces available for your name. Sign up through December!
LOVE. GROW. SERVE
Outreach at St. Mark’s: Make a difference right now
Hope4Riverside Ministry
Hats, gloves, and socks are solicited for grades PK through 12 th for the students of Mad
River Local Schools. These items are being collected for these needy students through
the month of November. Please drop your donations off in the narthex. Thank you.
Neighborhood Bridges
Using the platform created by Neighborhood Bridges, which identifies specific needs for
individuals in participating school districts, we will be meeting urgent personal needs
for students at Riverside’s Mad River Local Schools. The Outreach Committee will be
choosing different “Opportunities for Kindness” which will be announced in church, and
inviting parishioners to participate by donating the requested items the following week.
This program connects us directly to neighbors who need support in concrete and
manageable ways. For more information about Neighborhood Bridges, visit
https://www.neighborhoodbridges.org. For questions about fulfilling needs selected by
the Outreach Committee, see the flyers in your pew or email Justine Kelly.
Canterbury Court
Episcopal Retirement Services is proud to offer rent-subsidized, affordable senior living
communities that provide a variety of options and services not often found in communities
for seniors with limited incomes. As part of ERS, Canterbury Court, an affordable housing
community in West Carrollton, is looking for volunteers to join it in its mission to enrich the
lives of its seniors. Contact Jim Rudd for more information.
CARE House
CARE House involves a partnership between Dayton Children’s Hospital, Montgomery
County Prosecutor’s Office, Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s
Office and Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services- Children’s
Services Division. In addition to these founding partners, all law enforcement agencies
in Montgomery County partner with CARE House for their child abuse investigations. We
accept donations of individual snacks, small water bottles, stuffed animals (huggable
sized), and gift cards (gas, Walmart, fast food) and pass them on to CARE House.
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St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio,
which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Vestry
Libby Nicholson, Senior Warden
Kendall Rubino, Junior Warden
Jackie Hoskinson
Jim Rudd
Mary Sones
Patricia Tallman
Jenna Walch
Don Nancarrow, Treasurer
Dave Reuter, Recorder
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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)
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
456 Woodman Drive
Dayton, OH 45431
Email: st_marks@ameritech.net
Office Phone: 937-256-1082
Resources:
Website: https://stmarksdayton.org,
Facebook: St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dayton OH
Instagram: St Mark’s Dayton
Licensing for music use and streaming:
One License – #A-740839: Annual license with podcasting;
B – 26 to 100 average weekend attendance.
To read a copy of the latest Vestry Minutes, click HERE.
(NOTE: Password Protected.)
For more announcements, click HERE.
Dave Reuter – Webmaster
webmaster@stmarksdayton.org
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