Epiphany-5 (Yr B) February 4, 2024

 

 

PRELUDE                   “Andante in D major”                                  Henry Stephen Cutler

 

OPENING HYMN         “Father, we praise thee, now that night is over”         Hymn #1

 

1  Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,

     active and watchful, stand we all before thee;

     singing we offer prayer and meditation:

              thus we adore thee.

 

 

2  Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;

     banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;

     bring us to heaven, where thy saints united

              joy without ending.

 

 

3  All-holy Father, Son, and equal Spirit,

     Trinity blessèd, send us thy salvation;

     thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding

              through all creation.

 

 

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

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that
abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus
Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and for ever.  Amen.

 

                    Please be seated for the lessons.

 

 

FIRST LESSON     Isaiah 40:21-31      A Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

 

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to live in;
who brings princes to naught,
and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows upon them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
To whom then will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;

 

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

 

 

PSALM                      Psalm 147:1-12, 21c           Please read responsively.

 

1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

 

3 He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.

 

5 Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.

 

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;

 

9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10 He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.

 

11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12 But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
21 Hallelujah!

 

 

Second Lesson   1 Corinthians 9:16-23   A Reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians

 

Now If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is
laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my
own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.
What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make
the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

 

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so
that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win
Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself
am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside
the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law
but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak
I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people,
that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so
that I may share in its blessings.

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

 

 

GRADUAL          “Heal me hands of Jesus”                          WLP#773

 

1 Heal me, hands of Jesus,

     and search out all my pain:

   restore my hope, remove my fear

     and bring me peace again.

 

 

2 Cleanse me, blood of Jesus,

     take bitterness away;

   let me forgive as one forgiven

     and bring me peace today.

 

 

3 Know me, mind of Jesus,

     and show me all my sin;

   dispel the memories of guilt,

     and bring me peace within.

 

 

4 Fill me, joy of Jesus:

     anxiety shall cease

   and heaven’s serenity be mine,

     for Jesus brings me peace!

 

 

GOSPEL                      Mark 1:29-39

 

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

 

People:  Glory to you Lord Christ.

 

After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon
and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a
fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and
lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

 

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed
with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured
many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he
would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning,
while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there
he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him,
they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to
the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is
what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message
in their synagogues and casting out demons.

 

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                 “It is good to sing your praises”                          David Paxton

 

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          “O bless the Lord my soul”                           Hymn #48

 

1  O day of radiant gladness, O day of joy and light,

    O balm of care and sadness, most beautiful, most bright;

    this day the high and lowly,  through ages joined in tune,

    sing, “Holy, holy, holy,” to the great God Triune.

 

2  This day at the creation, the light first had its birth;

    this day for our salvation Christ rose from depths of earth;

    this day our Lord victorious the Spirit sent from heaven,

    and thus this day most glorious a triple light was given.

 

3  This day, God’s people meeting, his Holy Scripture hear;

    his living presence greeting, through Bread and Wine made near.

    We journey on, believing, renewed with heavenly might,

    from grace more grace receiving on this blest day of light.

 

4  That light our hope sustaining, we walk the pilgrim way,

    at length our rest attaining, our endless Sabbath day.

    We sing to thee our praises, O Father, Spirit, Son;

    the Church her voice upraises to thee, blest Three in One.

 

 

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                 “Immortal, invisible”                       Hymn #423

 

1  Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

     in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

     most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

     almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.

 

2  Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

     nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;

     thy justice like mountains high soaring above

     thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

 

3  To all life thou givest, to both great and small;

     in all life thou livest, the true life of all;

     we blossom and flourish, like leaves on the tree,

     then wither and perish; but nought changeth thee.

 

4  Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light,

     thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;

     all laud we would render: O help us to see

     ’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.

 

 

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 February 4, 2024
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev. Cricket Park and Rev. Jack Koepke
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: Lee and Carol Smith
The flowers and the sanctuary candle are given by the Johnson family in loving
memory of Zachary.

 

 

Ministers for February 11, 2024
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev. Cricket Park
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn and Jim Rudd
Acolytes: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Faggio Nocero-Sargent
Lay Readers: Jim Rudd and Gary Welch
Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Counters: Kendall Rubino and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Altar Guild for February: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Coffee Hour: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn

 

 

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)

 

 

Calendar items:
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.

 

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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.

 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
February 13 at 6pm

 

Ash Wednesday Services
February 14 at 12:30pm and 7:00pm

 

 

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