Easter-7 (Yr A) May 17, 2026 | St. Mark's Episcopal Church

The prelude is a time for preparation for worship.

As we enter the sanctuary, let us prepare through quiet prayer and meditation.

The service is being livestreamed and recorded and will be available on our Facebook page and on YouTube.

The People’s responses are in bold type, and directions are italicized.

As a courtesy to others, please silence your cell phone.

The Hymnal 1982 is the blue hymnal; Wonder, Love, & Praise is the green hymnal; Lift Every Voice and Sing II is the red and black hymnal

PRELUDE: Fugue in D major W. Selby

Prayer Requests, Birthdays/Anniversaries and Announcements

PROCESSIONAL HYMN:

“When Christ was lifted from the earth ” The Hymnal 1982, #603

1 When Christ was lifted from the earth,

his arms stretched out above

through every culture, every birth,

to draw an answering love.

2 Still east and west his love extends

and always, near or far,

he calls and claims us as his friends

and loves us as we are.

3 Where generation, class, or race

divide us to our shame,

he sees not labels but a face,

a person, and a name.

4 Thus freely loved, though fully known,

may I in Christ be free

to welcome and accept his own

as Christ accepted me.

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.

GLORIA:

“Glory to God in the highest” The Hymnal 1982, #S278

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Collect of the Day

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Please be seated.

First Reading: Acts 1:6-14

Reader A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

The Response: Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36

1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate him flee before him.

2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *
let them also be merry and joyful.

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name; exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *
YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!

5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, *
God in his holy habitation!

6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.

7 O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,

8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.

10 Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.

33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.

34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *
he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.

35 Ascribe power to God; *
his majesty is over Israel; his strength is in the skies.

36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! *
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people! Blessed be God!

Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Reader A reading from the first letter of Peter.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

GRADUAL HYMN:

“All hail the power of Jesus’ name” (vs 1-4) The Hymnal 1982, #450

1 All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all!

2 Crown him, ye martyrs of our God,

who from his altar call:

praise him whose way of pain ye trod,

and crown him Lord of all!

3 Hail him, the Heir of David’s line,

whom David Lord did call,

the God incarnate, Man divine,

and crown him Lord of all!

4 Ye heirs of Israel’s chosen race,

ye ransomed of the fall,

hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all!

The Gospel: John 17:1-11

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Please be seated

The Homily The Rev. Jean Vargo

Please stand as you are able.

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

Reader

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Mark’s in Upper Arlington, and our priests.

In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Tony & Kendall Rubino; Megan Rubino, Adam & Addison Oiler; and Jim & Judy Rudd.

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;

That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;

That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;

That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those on our Parish Prayer List: Claudia, Jim H., Hayward, George, Patricia, Jim T., Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnell family; and for all who suffer from any grief or trouble;

That they may be delivered from their distress.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;

May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Give to the departed eternal rest;

Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Celebrant Thanksgiving, blessing and praise be yours, God of the incarnation; because you care for us and for our prayer. May our love for you and our likeness to you be strengthened every time we pray. Amen.

The Peace and Flowering of the Cross BCP p. 360

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Offertory – The ushers collect the offering at this time

Offertory music:

There is a Balm in Gilead arr. S. Owens

Today is HUNGER SUNDAY, and we support the Food Pantry at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. They welcome donations of canned goods, pantry staples, and cooking essentials (oil, spices, etc). Financial gifts are also appreciated – please write “Food Pantry” in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity and care for our neighbors.

Please stand as you are able.

PRESENTATION HYMN: “Alleluia” (v.2) The Hymnal 1982, #178

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give Praise to his Name.

Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and has risen.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give Praise to his Name.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Eucharistic Prayer D (The Book of Common Prayer, page 372)

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 It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever.

Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance.

Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing (say),

SANCTUS: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord” The Hymnal 1982, #S128

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.

Please stand or kneel

Celebrant We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.

And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.

When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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.”

Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.

Celebrant and People

We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you,

and we pray to you, Lord our God.

Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.

Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.

And grant that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, with St. Mark and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer BCP p. 364

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And 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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread BCP p. 364

FRACTION ANTHEM: “Christ our Passover” The Hymnal 1982, # S154

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

therefore let us keep the feast.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Invitation *Gluten-free wafers are available on request.

Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Please be seated.

What we celebrate is not The Episcopal Church’s Supper, but The Lord’s Supper. All are welcome at the Lord’s Table for Communion; those not partaking are invited to come forward, cross your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing.

Please stand as you are able.

COMMUNION HYMN:

“Hail, thou once despised Jesus ” The Hymnal 1982, #495

1 Hail, thou once despisèd Jesus! Hail, thou Galilean King!

Thou didst suffer to release us; thou didst free salvation bring.

Hail, thou universal Savior, bearer of our sin and shame!

By thy merit we find favor: life is given through thy Name

2 Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, all our sins on thee were laid:

by almighty love anointed, thou hast full atonement made.

All thy people are forgiven through the virtue of thy blood:

opened is the gate of heaven, reconciled are we with God.

3 Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory, there for ever to abide;

all the heavenly hosts adore thee, seated at thy Father’s side.

There for sinners thou art pleading: there thou dost our place prepare;

ever for us interceding, till in glory we appear.

4 Worship, honor, power, and blessing thou art worthy to receive;

highest praises, without ceasing, right it is for us to give.

Help, ye bright angelic spirits, all your noblest anthems raise;

help to sing our Savior’s merits, help to chant Emmanuel’s praise!

Post-Communion Prayer

Celebrant Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously 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

RECESSIONAL:

“Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor ” The Hymnal 1982, #307

1 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor,

first-begotten from the dead.

Thou alone, our strong defender,

liftest up thy people’s head.