PRELUDE             “Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men”           Johann Gottfried Walther

 

OPENING HYMN         “Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old”               Hymn #567

 

1 Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old

      was strong to heal and save;

   it triumphed o’er disease and death,

      o’er darkness and the grave.

   To thee they went, the blind, the deaf,

      the palsied, and the lame,

   the leper set apart and shunned,

      the sick with fevered frame.

 

 

2 And lo! thy touch brought life and health,

      gave hearing, strength, and sight;

   and youth renewed and frenzy calmed

      owned thee, the Lord of light:

   and now, O Lord, be near to bless,

      almighty as of yore,

   in crowded street, by restless couch,

      as by Gennesaret’s shore.

 

 

3 Be thou our great deliverer still,

      thou Lord of life and death;

   restore and quicken, soothe and bless,

      with thine almighty breath:

   to hands that work and eyes that see,

      give wisdom’s heavenly lore,

   that whole and sick, and weak and strong,

      may praise thee evermore.

 

 

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           “Songs of thankfulness and praise”            Hymn #135 v 1

 

1  Songs of thankfulness and praise,

   Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,

   manifested by the star to the sages from afar;

   branch of royal David’s stem in thy birth at Bethlehem

   anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.

 

 

Celebrant   The Lord be with you.

People   And also with you

 

Celebrant: Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth:
Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your
peace; 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 18:15-20      A Reading from the book of Deuteronomy.

 

Moses said: The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among
your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of
the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear
the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.”
Then the LORD replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up
for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the
mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone
who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will
hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who
presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to
speak—that prophet shall die.”

 

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

 

 

PSALM                      Psalm 111      Please read responsively.

 

1 Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

 

2 Great are the deeds of the LORD! *
they are studied by all who delight in them.

 

3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever.

 

4 He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

 

5 He gives food to those who fear him; *
he is ever mindful of his covenant.

 

6 He has shown his people the power of his works *
in giving them the lands of the nations.

 

7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are sure.

 

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because they are done in truth and equity.

 

9 He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.

 

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
his praise endures for ever.

 

 

Second Lesson   1 Corinthians 8:1-13   A Reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians

 

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess
knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know
something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves
God is known by him.

 

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the
world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” Indeed, even though
there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many
gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are
all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are
all things and through whom we exist.

 

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become
so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered
to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. “Food will not bring
us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling
block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the
temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged
to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak
believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against
members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin
against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat,
so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

 

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

 

 

GRADUAL          “Lead us heavenly father, lead us”               Hymn #660

 

1 O Master, let me walk with thee

   in lowly paths of service free;

   tell me thy secret; help me bear

   the strain of toil, the fret of care.

 

2 Help me the slow of heart to move

   by some clear, winning word of love;

   teach me the wayward feet to stay,

   and guide them in the homeward way.

 

3 Teach me thy patience; still with thee

   in closer, dearer company,

   in work that keeps faith sweet and strong,

   in trust that triumphs over wrong,

 

4 in hope that sends a shining ray

   far down the future’s broadening way,

   in peace that only thou canst give,

   with thee, O Master, let me live.

 

 

GOSPEL                      Mark 1:21-28

 

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

 

People:  Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered
the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he
taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was
in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you
to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you
are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come
out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice,
came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another,
“What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean
spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding
region of Galilee.

 

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

 

Our celebration continues with the Prayers of the People.

 

Reader: 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 Kristen our Bishop-Elect; and for all bishops
and other ministers;
For all who serve God in the Church.

 

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
The People may add their own petitions silently or aloud
Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.

 

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

 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.

 

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.       Silence may be kept.

 

Leader and People

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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                   “A sacrifice of praise”                                Joseph Martin

 

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            Enriching Our Worship Prayer Two

 

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.

 

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)

 

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

 

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 

 

THE FRACTION/THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

 

God of promise, you have prepared a banquet for us.
Happy are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb. AMEN 

 

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

Celebrant: The gifts of God for the people of God.

 

Everyone is welcome to come forward for communion or a blessing. You may receive the bread and the wine, or the bread or the wine. If you prefer a blessing only, please cross your hands over your chest as a signal to the priest.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMN          “All who hunger gather gladly”                     WLP #761

 

1  All who hunger gather gladly;

        holy manna is our bread.

    Come from wilderness and wand’ring.

        Here in truth we will be fed.

    You that yearn for days of fullness,

        all around us is our food.

    Taste and see the grace eternal.

        Taste and see that God is good.

 

2  All who hunger, never strangers,

        seeker, be a welcome guest.

    Come from restlessness and roaming.

        Here, in joy we keep the feast.

    We that once were lost and scattered

        in communion’s love have stood.

    Taste and see the grace eternal.

        Taste and see that God is good.

 

3  All who hunger, sing together,

        Jesus Christ is living bread.

    Come from loneliness and longing.

        Here, in peace, we have been fed.

    Blest are those who from this table

        live their days in gratitude.

    Taste and see the grace eternal.

        Taste and see that God is good.

 

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant:  Let us pray.

People:
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation;
you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one
with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of
your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue
for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. 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.
Amen.

 

 

RECESSIONAL HYMN       “Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord”        Hymn #437

 

1  Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

        Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;

    tender to me the promise of his word;

        in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.

 

 

2  Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!

        Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;

    his mercy sure, from age to age the same;

        his holy Name—the Lord, the Mighty One.

 

 

3  Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!

        Powers and dominions lay their glory by.

    Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,

        the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

 

 

4  Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!

        Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.

    Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord

        to children’s children and for evermore!

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed by the deacon or the priest.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                   “EPILOGUE”                                  Norman Gilbert

 

 

        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 January 28, 2024
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev. Cricket Park
Ushers: Wayne Harper and Jim Rudd
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Don Nancarrow and Jackie Hoskinson
Chalice Bearers: Don Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: Gary Welch
Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Tony Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: Annual Meeting—Pot luck!
Nanci and Jack Koepke have volunteered to bring the main dish for the pot luck. We
need appetizers, salads, and desserts. Please let Nanci know what you are bringing.
Thank you Koepkes! And thank you to Tracey Swartz and Janet Reuter for heading
up the set-up and clean-up.

 

 

Ministers for February 4, 2024
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev. Cricket Park
Ushers: Dave Reuter and Wayne Harper
Acolytes: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Faggio Nocero-Sargent
Lay Readers: Judy Rudd and TJ Walch
Chalice Bearers: Jim Rudd and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech Table: Gary Welch
Counters: Janet Reuter and Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Altar Guild for February: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Coffee Hour: TBA

 

 

Please volunteer for coffee hour, flowers, and the sanctuary candle. The calendars for
2024 are on the bulletin board next to the church office. So easy to do during coffee
hour! (Flowers are $40; Candles are $7.50)

 

Howard Phillips is going to be 90! Send cards to Ann or bring them to church. Please
sign the one at the back of the church!

 

Calendar items:
January 25—Vestry Meeting
January 28—ANNUAL MEETING and election of vestry members and delegates to
Diocesan Convention.
February 4—Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 11– Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 13—Shrove Tuesday
February 14—Ash Wednesday (Sorry St. Valentine)

February 18—Lent I

February 25—Lent II

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Neighborhood Bridges helps meet basic needs of lower income students in our
community. Their Care Closet needs some specific supplies. The program requests
hats, gloves, underwear and socks for ages 5 to adult. These must be new items.
Let’s keep those young hands and feet warm this winter.

 

Are you getting news from the Diocese via e-mail?
If not, subscribe at this link: Signup Form (constantcontactpages.com) or

Www.diosohio.org/e-connections/

Subscribers receive a weekly message with information about the many events happening in the diocese and at Procter Conference Center.

 

 

Bishop White visits on April 28th!
An official visit by the bishop includes many events. She
will be meeting with the vestry to discuss the state of
things. We’ll be providing information to her according to
her request.

 

This is one of those occasions where we have the
opportunity to present to the bishop those members who
wish to be baptized, confirmed, reaffirmed, and/or
received. Please let Rev. Cricket know if this is something
you would be interested in doing.

 

Finally, we need a REALLY GREAT COFFEE HOUR.
Please note that Bishop White requires gluten-free
foods. More information about this will be provided closer
to the date.

 

 

Ballot St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Elections
For Vestry
____ Jim Rudd (3-year term) ____ Mary Sones (1-year term)
____ Libby Nicholson (Sr. Warden) ____ Kendall Rubino (Jr. Warden)
____
For Convention Delegate
____ Katherine Wagner ____ Jim Rudd
____ Tony Rubino (alternate)
____

 

 

 

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