As a courtesy to others, please silence your cell phone.
Prayers for the Week of January 4
For those losing their health insurance.
For those struggling with food insecurity.
For those suffering with unjust laws.
For those struggling to find their way on their faith journey.
For those whose holidays may not be so ‘merry’
For those we have lost to death, suicide, addiction, or politics.
For those who struggle with finding asylum in loving, welcoming lands.
For those in our prayer cycles:
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Canada.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for All Saints in Washington CH, St. Andrew in Pickerington, and St. Patrick in Lebanon.
In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Rommell Festus-Abido, Wayne & Gail Harper, Adam Holmes, and Jim & Jackie Hoskinson.
For those on our parish prayer list: Patricia, Jim, Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnell family.
For those celebrating January birthdays: 1/3 Libby Nicholson; 1/4 Madeline Reuter; 1/9 Laura Leach.
For those who suffer from illness, grief, or any other adversity:
Akiko, friend of Jim Tallman; Andrew, the Tallman’s son-in-law; Blaze, the Tallman’s grandson; Chip, Jim Rudd’s step-mother; Chris & family, friends of the Reuters; Chuck, friend of Tony Rubino; Clara, Pat Tallman’s cousin; Crystal, friend of the Rubinos; Emily, Ann Phillips’ niece; Emma, Lowell, & the Burton Family, friends of Juanita Limes and the Darnells; Katie, friend of the Reuters; Luann, Sean Weber’s mother; Natasha, the Tallman’s granddaughter; Patti, Norma Peachey’s daughter-in-law; Regina, Mary-Anna Welch’s sister; Renea, friend of Juanita and Lisa; Roberta, Tracey Swartz’s mother; Steve, friend of the Hoskinsons; Taryn, the Phillips’ cousin; Tonia, Juanita Limes’ daughter-in-law; Tony, Judy Rudd’s brother; the Younge Family, friends of Jackie Hoskinson.
For the mission work of this congregation: CARE House, Canterbury Court, St. Paul’s UMC Food Pantry, Hope4Riverside, Neighborhood Bridges, and for the seven non-profit groups who use our Community Building.
For our Diocesan Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Kristin White
For our Assisting Bishops: The Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs,
The Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera, and The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price
For our Presiding Bishop: The Most Rev. Sean Rowe
Prelude: We Three Kings arr. D. Coate
Prayer Requests
Announcements
Processional: Hymn #92 On this day earth shall ring
1. On this day earth shall ring
With the song children sing
To the Lord, Christ our King,
Born on earth to save us;
Him the Father gave us.
[Refrain:]
Id-e-o-o-o, id-e-o-o-o,
Id-e-o gloria in excelsis Deo!
2. His the doom, ours the mirth;
When he came down to earth,
Bethlehem saw his birth;
Ox and ass beside him
From the cold would hide him. [Refrain]
3. God’s bright star, o’er his head,
Wise Men three to him led;
Kneel they low by his bed,
Lay their gifts before him,
Praise him and adore him. [Refrain]
4. On this day angels sing;
With their song earth shall ring,
Praising Christ, heaven’s King,
Born on earth to save us;
Peace and love he gave us. [Refrain]
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. 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.
Song of Praise, Hymn #135 (vs. 1) Songs of thankfulness and praise
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.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Please be seated.
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
A Reading from Isaiah
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Response: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (spoken responsively by all)
1 Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King’s Son;
2 That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3 That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4 He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5 He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11 All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13 He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12
A Reading from Ephesians
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles– for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand if able.
Gradual: Hymn #128 We Three Kings of Orient are
1 We three kings of Orient are,
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright;
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!
2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King for ever, ceasing never
over us all to reign.
Refrain
3 Frankincense to offer have I:
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, gladly raising,
worship him, God Most High.
Refrain
4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Refrain
5 Glorious now behold him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
heaven sings alleluia:
alleluia the earth replies.
Refrain
The Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily The Rev. Jean Vargo
Please stand if 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
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Canada.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for All Saints in Washington CH, St. Andrew in Pickerington, and St. Patrick in Lebanon.
In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Rommell Festus-Abido, Wayne & Gail Harper, Adam Holmes, and Jim & Jackie Hoskinson.
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: Patricia, Jim, 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 Almighty God, you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of your Son. Grant that those who proclaim your word may so guide our feet into the way of peace that we may stand with confidence before him when he comes in his glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer. Amen.
Please stand or kneel if able.
THE CONFESSION
Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God and our neighbors.
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.
Offertory Sentence
Offertory Music: The star proclaims the King is here J. Pachelbel
Please stand if able.
Presentation Hymn #493, (vs. 1-3) O for a thousand tongues to sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim
and spread through all the earth
abroad the honors of thy Name.
Jesus! the Name that charms our fears
and bids our sorrows cease;
‘tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘tis life and health and peace.
The Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
(from Evangelical Lutheran Worship Augsburg Fortress 2006)
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 indeed our joy, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks and praise to you, gracious God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will make all things new. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:
Please stand or kneel if able.
Sanctus, LEVAS #256
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.
The Celebrant continues
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise made to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed, Our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Again, after supper, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
With this bread and cup we remember your Word, Jesus Christ, dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in Christ’s death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.
People Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
People Come, Holy Spirit.
Blessing, praise and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus, by your Spirit, in your church, world without end. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Lord’s Prayer, BCP 364
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 364
Fraction Anthem: LEVAS #268
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.
Communion Music: Hymn #124 (vs. 1,4,5) What star is this, with beams so bright
1 What star is this, with beams so bright,
more beauteous than the noonday light?
It shines to herald forth the King,
and Gentiles to his crib to bring.
4 O Jesus, while the star of grace
impels us on to seek thy face,
let not our slothful hearts refuse
the guidance of thy light to use.
5 To God the Father, heavenly Light,
to Christ, revealed in earthly night,
to God the Holy Ghost we raise
our equal and unceasing praise.
Please stand or kneel if able.
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.
Blessing of the People
Recessional: Hymn #616 Hail to the Lord’s anointed
1 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free;
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
2 He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong,
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in his sight.
3 He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth:
before him on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains from hill to valley flow.
4 Kings shall bow down before him, and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him, his praise all people sing;
to him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
5 O’er every foe victorious, he on his throne shall rest;
from age to age more glorious, all-blessing and all-blest:
the tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his Name shall stand for ever, his changeless Name of Love.
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude: Go tell it on the mountain arr. J. Raney
+ + + + + + +
CHRISTMAS PROJECT: WE RIDE TOGETHER.
Thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful project,
and to René Meadors for her excellent planning and leadership!
OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2026 are available in the Narthex! Please take a box for your weekly and special donations. NOTE: Please write your name on the envelope, as these are not assigned numbers as in the past. If you write a check there’s no issue–but if you put cash in without your name, we have no way of adding it to your contribution record!
VESTRY MEETING NEXT SUNDAY, Jan. 11, after the service! Our vestry meetings are now scheduled for the third Sunday of each month in the Lounge, after the worship service. All parishioners are welcome to attend, and will have seat and voice, but no vote on issues that require one. Questions? Check with wardens or vestry members!
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING, Sunday Jan. 25. Join our parish family as we vote for new leadership on the Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegates, review and (hopefully!) approve the 2026 parish budget, and read all the various committee reports regarding 2025. This is an important part of our church governance, and YOUR voice is needed!
ONLINE GIVING TO ST. MARK’S:
there are two easy ways to donate online!
Text “LIONGIVING” to 73256 – or –
Click on the QR code and follow the link.
Our Mission Statement:
“We gather for worship, education and mutual support;
welcome all people; and serve the community in God’s name”.
READINGS and MINISTRY SCHEDULE
January 4, 2026: Feast of the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist at 11:30am
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber, Gary Welch
Chalicists: Kendall Rubino,
Carol Williamson
Tech: TJ Walch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Dave Reuter, Wayne Harper
Counters: Dave Reuter, Tony Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino
January Altar Guild: Carol & Kendall
————————
January 11, 2026: The First Sunday
after the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist at 11:30am
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills
Acolyte: Lizzy Reuter
Lay Readers: TJ Walch, Gabe Walch
Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech & Facebook Live: Dave Reuter,
Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Tony Rubino, Jim Rudd
Counters: Janet Reuter, Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino
January Altar Guild: Carol & Kendall
