PRELUDE              “Come you Faithful, raise the strain”                      David M. Cherwith

 

OPENING HYMN          “Christ the Lord is risen again”                         Hymnal #184

 

1  Christ the Lord is risen again!

     Christ has broken every chain!

     Now through all the world it rings

     that the Lamb is King of kings.

          Alleluia!

 

              Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

              Christ, our Paschal Lamb indeed,

              Christ, today your people feed.

              Alleluia!

 

2  He who gave for us his life,

     who for us endured the strife,

     takes our sin and guilt away

     that with angels we may say:

          Alleluia!

 

     Refrain

 

3  He who bore all pain and loss

     comfortless upon the cross

     is exalted now to save,

     wresting victory from the grave.

          Alleluia!

 

     Refrain

 

 

Celebrant    Alleluia. Christ is risen.

     People    The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

 

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                          “Canticle 13”                                  Hymn #S 236

 

1. Glory to you, Lord God of our Fathers;

you are worthy of praise; glory to you.

 

2. Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name;

we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.

 

3. Glory to you in the splendor of your temple;

on the throne of your majesty, Glory to you.

 

4. Glory to you seated before the Cheribim;

we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.

 

5. Glory to you beholding the depths;

in the high vault of heaven.

 

6. Glory to you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

we will highly exalt you, Glory to you.

 

 

Celebrant     The Lord be with you.

     People      And also with you

 

Celebrant     Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new
covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship
of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
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.)

 

First Lesson         Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35      A Reading from Acts

 

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no
one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned
was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not
a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them
and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it
was distributed to each as any had need.

 

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

 

 

PSALM                   Psalm 133                Please read responsively.

 

9 1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!

 

2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,

 

3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

 

4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.

 

5 For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.

 

 

EPISTLE    11 John 1:1-2:2   A Reading from the first letter of John

 

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we
have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands,
concerning the word of life– this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify
to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed
to us– we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may
have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his
Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light
and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him
while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk
in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and
the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is
faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if
anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for
the sins of the whole world.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL HYMN          “We walk by faith and not by sight”                 Hymn #209

 

1  We walk by faith, and not by sight;

          no gracious words we hear

     from him who spoke as none e’er spoke;

          but we believe him near.

 

2  We may not touch his hands and side,

          nor follow where he trod;

     but in his promise we rejoice,

          and cry, “My Lord and God!”

 

3  Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

          and may our faith abound,

     to call on you when you are near,

          and seek where you are found:

 

4  that, when our life of faith is done,

          in realms of clearer light

     we may behold you as you are,

          with full and endless sight.

 

 

GOSPEL                      John 20:19-31

 

Gospeler     The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
People         Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the
house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came
and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he
showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw
the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if
you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

 

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said
to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the
mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

 

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them.
Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
“Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my
hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed
because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have come to believe.”

 

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not
written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus
is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life
in his name.

 

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.

 

 

                          PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 

The celebration continues with the Prayers of the People. Please keep silence between the petitions until you are invited to add your own intentions.

 

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for Kristin, Ken, Nedi, and Wendell, our bishops; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.

Pray for the Church.

 

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

Pray for justice and peace.

 

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.

 

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of God.

Pray that they may find and be found by God.

 

I ask your prayers for the departed.

Pray for those who have died.

 

I ask your prayers and thanksgivings for (please add your own petitions)

 

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

 

Celebrant:  Hasten, O Faither, 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.

 

 

THE PEACE  

Celebrant:  The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:       And also with you.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM

 

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 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.

 

Celebrant
We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and
brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every
living thing.

 

You made us in your image, and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled
against you, and wandered far away; and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you
would not forget us.

 

Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. And so this day we
join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting
our voices to magnify you as we sing (say):

 

Celebrant and People                                                                      HYMNAL 1982 #S130

 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest.

 

 

                                   The people stand or kneel.

 

Then the Celebrant continues

We Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.

 

To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace,
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and
bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God.

 

Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed
the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to
himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. Then, the time came for him to
complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.

 

On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread,
gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my
Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified
and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be
the Body and Blood of Christ.

 

Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of
Christ given for the world you have made. In the fullness of time bring us, with Mark
and all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at
the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.

 

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be
honor, glory, and praise, for ever and 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 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.

 

 

TTHE FRACTION ANTHEM         Be known to us, Lord Jesus     Hymn                 #S75

 

The bread which we break alleluia is the communion of the body of Christ

Be known to us Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread

 

One body are we alleluia for though many we share one bread

Be known to us Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread

 

(The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread.)

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

Celebrant    The Gifts of God for the People of God.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMN     “Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face”           Hymn #318

 

1  Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;

       here would I touch and handle things unseen;

   here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,

       and all my weariness upon thee lean.

 

2  Here would I feed upon the Bread of God;

       here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven;

   here would I lay aside each earthly load,

       here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

 

3  I have no help but thine; nor do I need

       another arm save thine to lean upon;

   it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;

       my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.

 

4  Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness;

       mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing Blood.

   Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;

       thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.

 

 

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

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

 

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the
great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make
you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing
in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

 

 

CLOSING HYMN                 “O sons and daughters let us sing”               Hymn #206

         

              Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

1  O sons and daughters, let us sing!

     The King of heaven, the glorious King,

     o’er death and hell rose triumphing.  Alleluia!

 

 

2  That night the apostles met in fear;

     amidst them came their Lord most dear,

     and said, “My peace be on all here.”  Alleluia!

 

 

3  When Thomas first the tidings heard,

     how they had seen the risen Lord,

     he doubted the disciples’ word.  Alleluia!

 

 

4  “My piercèd side, O Thomas, see;

     my hands, my feet, I show to thee;

     not faithless, but believing be.”  Alleluia!

 

5  No longer Thomas then denied,

     he saw the feet, the hands, the side;

     “Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried.    Alleluia!

 

6  How blest are they who have not seen,

     and yet whose faith has constant been,

     for they eternal life shall win.    Alleluia!

 

              Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed.

Response      Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia

 

POSTLUDE            “O sons and daughters, let us sing”                         Clement Loret

 

 

        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.

 

 

Ministry Assignments for April 7, 2023
Acolyte: Elizabeth Reuter
Lay Readers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Jackie Hoskinson
Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd and Carol Williamson
Tech Table: Gary Welch
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn and Tony Rubino
Counters: Janet Reuter and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: Jackie and Jim Hoskinson
Altar Guild: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn

 

 

Ministry Assignments for April 14, 2023
Acolyte: Faggio Nocero-Sargent
Lay Readers: Judy Rudd and Gary Welch
Chalice Bearers: Kendall Rubino and Jim Rudd
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Wayne Harper and Jim Rudd
Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Coffee Hour: TBD
Altar Guild: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn

 

At this time, we have openings for coffee hour in April and the rest of the year!
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.

 

Upcoming Events
April 7 – Easter 2 – Sunday School, Adult Forum,
     and Holy Eucharist beginning at 9:15am.
April 8 – TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. Be safe.
April 14 – Easter 3 – Sunday School, Adult Forum,
     and Holy Eucharist beginning at 9:15am.
April 15 – TAX DAY
April 18 – Vestry meeting on Zoom at 7pm.
April 21 – Easter 4 – Sunday School, Adult Forum,
     and Holy Eucharist beginning at 9:15am.
April 25 – ST. MARK’S DAY
April 28 – Easter 5 – Bishop White’s visitation.
     Meet the Bishop at 9:15am Adult Forum; Confirmands meet with Bishop
     White at 9:45am; Holy Eucharist with Confirmations at 10:30am
May 4 – Vestry Retreat (time and place TBD)
May 5— Easter 4 – Sunday School, Adult Forum,
and Holy Eucharist beginning at 9:15am.

 

 

Flags for Heroes

The Beavercreek Rotary Club displays 150 flags on Memorial Day and Veterans Day at Be Hope
Church and 100 flags on Independence Day at Beavercreek High School. You may sponsor a flag
for your personal hero (e.g., military, first responder, family, teacher, mentor, friend, etc.) to be included
in the field of flags. An honor medallion will be attached to your flag bearing your hero’s name
and the role he/she played in your life and your name as sponsor. The total cost for the three events
is $55 and the proceeds help fund the Beavercreek Rotary Club’s projects (e.g., Christmas Basket
Project, Feed the Creek, Red Cross, Boy Scouts, etc.) Please contact Jim Rudd if you are interested
in being a sponsor.

 

Canterbury Court (CCT) Ministry Opportunities
Arts & Crafts Classes: Provide materials and conduct class for “Make it & Take it” classes for 10
residents of CCT at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. on April 15th and May 20th.
Butterfly Garden Party: Donate annuals, perennials and monetary contributions and weed and
plant gardens on May 24th from 9am – 11am.
Annual Friends Luncheon: Provide soup, sandwiches, and desserts and serve free lunches to
CCT residents on June 25th at 11am.

 

                                              ********************************************

   Hope Rising Convocation with Bishop White for the Northwest Region
                                     April 28 at 4 p.m., at St. George’s, Dayton

All congregations in our region are encouraged to participate in a special service and reception
to welcome our new bishop, The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White! We will begin with Choral
Evensong followed by a special reception to hear from Bishop White, have conversation with
her, and learn more about the congregations in our area. This will be held at St. George’s, 5520
Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, OH 45429.
Combined Choir for Hope Rising Convocation, April 28 at St. George’s, Dayton
For the Choral Evensong as part of the Hope Rising Convocation (see above), we will have a
choir made up of musicians from across our region. The rehearsal will begin at 3 p.m. If you
plan to participate, please contact Dr. David Crean at music@stgeorgeohio.org . Thank you!

 

                                              ********************************************

 

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