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.

 

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

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer—The Nippon Sei Ko Kai

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer—Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati, St Edward’s in Whitehall, and St. Paul’s in Logan.

In our Parish Cycle of Prayer—we pray for Lee & Carol Smith, Tracey Swartz, and Jim &  Patricia Tallman.

 

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:  Adagio                                                             G. Muffat

 

Prayer Requests

 

Announcements

 

Processional Hymn:  The Hymnal 1982, #636        How firm a Foundation                       

 

1  How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

     is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

     What more can he say than to you he hath said,

     to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

 

2  “Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!

     For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

     I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

     upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

 

3  “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

     the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

     for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

     and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

 

4  “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

     my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;

     the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

     thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

 

5  “The soul that to Jesus hath fled for repose,

     I will not, I will not desert to its foes;

     that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,

     I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

 

 

Celebrant          Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;

     People           His mercy endures for ever.

 

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.

 

Please stand or kneel if able.

 

Confession of Sin

Celebrant          Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

 

Silence may be kept.

 

Leader and People

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.

 

Kyrie: LEVAS, #235 (Led by Cantor)                                    Lord have mercy

 

Lord have mercy.           Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.       Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.         Lord, have mercy.

 

 

The Collect of the Day

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

Please be seated.

 

 

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

 

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.

 

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

 

 

The Response: Psalm 121

 

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?

 

2 My help comes from the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

 

3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

 

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;

 

5 The Lord himself watches over you; *
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

 

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.

 

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.

 

8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.

 

 

Second Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

 

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

       For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

       For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

 

Reader      The Word of the Lord.

 People      Thanks be to God.

 

Please stand

 

Gradual Hymn:  LEVAS Hymn #121    Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit

 

 

The Gospel: John 3:1-17

 

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

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?

Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

       “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

       “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

       “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

 

 

Homily                                                                   The Rev. Jean Vargo

 

Please stand

 

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 Peace
Leader      The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People      And also with you.

 

The Offertory – The Ushers collect the offering at this time.

 

Please stand as the offerings are brought to the altar.

 

Offertory Hymn: #593     Lord, make us servants of your peace

 

1  Lord, make us servants of your peace:

    where there is hate, may we sow love;

    where there is hurt, may we forgive;

    where there is strife, may we make one.

 

2  Where all is doubt, may we sow faith;

    where all is gloom, may we sow hope;

    where all is night, may we sow light;

    where all is tears, may we sow joy.

 

3  Jesus, our Lord, may we not seek

    to be consoled, but to console,

    nor look to understanding hearts,

    but look for hearts to understand.

 

4  May we not look for love’s return,

    but seek to love unselfishly,

    for in our giving we receive,

    and in forgiving are forgiven.

 

5  Dying, we live, and are reborn

    through death’s dark night to endless day:

    Lord, make us servants of your peace,

    to wake at last in heaven’s light.

 

 

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer A, Book of Common Prayer, p. 361

 

Celebrant      The Lord be with you.
     People      And also with you.
Celebrant      Lift up your hearts.
     People      We lift them up 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 proceeds       It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for our-selves alone, but for him who died and rose again.  Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

 

Celebrant and People

 

Sanctus:  Wonder Love & Praise, #858                                      Holy, holy, holy

 

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 and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.  He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

       On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ 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.”

 

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

 

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

 

The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.  Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

       All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.  Amen.

 

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

 

The Lord’s Prayer, BCP p. 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 pg. 364

 

Fraction Anthem: Wonder Love & Praise, #871                           Lamb of God

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Grant us peace.

 

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 Hymn:  The Hymnal 1982, #313       Let thy Blood in mercy poured

 

1  Let thy Blood in mercy poured,

          let thy gracious Body broken,

     be to me, O gracious Lord,

          of thy boundless love the token.

 

              Thou didst give thyself for me,

              now I give myself to thee.

 

2  Thou didst die that I might live;

          blessèd Lord, thou cam’st to save me;

     all that love of God could give

          Jesus by his sorrows gave me.

 

     Refrain

 

3  By the thorns that crowned thy brow,

          by the spear-wound and the nailing,

     by the pain and death, I now

          claim, O Christ, thy love unfailing.

 

     Refrain

 

4  Wilt thou own the gift I bring?

          All my penitence I give thee;

     thou art my exalted King,

          of thy matchless love forgive me.

 

     Refrain

 

 

Please stand or kneel

 

Post Communion Prayer, BCP, pg. 366

Celebrant     Let us pray.

 

Celebrant and People

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.

 

Solemn Lenten Prayer

Celebrant      Bow down before the Lord.  (the people kneel)

The Celebrant says the solemn Prayer over the People:

Look down in mercy, Lord, on your people who kneel before you: and grant that those whom you have nourished by your Word and Sacraments may bring forth fruit worthy of repentance; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Recessional: Hymn #473                                            Lift high the cross

 

    Lift high the cross,

                the love of Christ proclaim

            till all the world adore

                his sacred Name.

 

1  Led on their way by this triumphant sign,

    the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

 

    Refrain

 

2  Each new-born servant of the Crucified

    bears on the brow the seal of him who died.

 

    Refrain

 

3  O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,

    as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee.

 

    Refrain

 

4  So shall our song of triumph ever be:

    praise to the Crucified for victory.

 

    Refrain

 

The Dismissal

Celebrant Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Postlude:  Sarabande                                                                  H. Purcell

 +++++++++

 

 

Thank you for joining us in worship.

Please know that your participation with us today,

 in person or online, has been a blessing.

 

 

 

 

READINGS and MINISTRY SCHEDULE

 

March 1, 2026

The Second Sunday in Lent

Holy Eucharist at 11:30am

 

Readings:

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7  Psalm 32

Romans 5:12-19  Matthew 4:1-11

 

Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo

Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills

Acolyte: Gabriel Walch

Lay Readers: Jim Rudd, Laura Leach

Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Jim Rudd

Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner

Ushers: Dave Reuter, Jim Rudd

Counters: Sandy Bultman, Carol Nancarrow

Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino

March Altar Guild: Welch Family & Janet Reuter

Candle: Shines brightly during Lent

Coffee Hour: TBD

 

 

 

March 8, 2026

The Third Sunday in Lent

Holy Eucharist at 11:30am

 

Readings:

 

Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42; 

 

Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo

Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills

Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson, Will Day

Lay Readers: René Meadors, TJ Walch

Chalicists: Kendall Rubino, Jim Rudd

Tech & Facebook Live: TJ Walch, Katherine Wagner

Ushers: Wayne Harper, Tony Rubino

Counters: Carol Nancarrow, Kendall Rubino

Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino

March Altar Guild: Welch Family & Janet Reuter

Candle: TBD

Coffee Hour: TBD

 

 

 

Announcements for the Week of March 1

 

· THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP shines brightly over St. Mark’s Parish during the forty days of Lent.

· Today is CARE House Sunday! Donations welcomed: individual snacks, small water bottles, huggable stuffed animals, and gift cards (gas, Walmart, fast food). Items will be delivered to CARE House.

· Friday, March 6 – Games Night 6:00–9:00pm Board games, card games, and kids’ games. Snacks and drinks provided; donations welcome.

· Sunday, March 8 – Day of Change As clocks “spring forward,” we collect coins, cash, checks, and online gifts for the Food Pantry at St. Paul’s UMC.

· COFFEE HOUR needs hosts! There are plenty of Sundays that need a host, so sign up to celebrate with your church family before the service. It’s a chance to mingle, chat, get caught up, celebrate, while enjoying light snacks drinks.

· Canterbury Court is soliciting someone to teach basic computer classes (e.g., how to get on the internet, etc.) to its residents. Please contact Jim Rudd if you are interested.

An invitation from the Dioceses:

SMALL CHURCH SUMMIT, April 17-18

Calling all leaders of small churches in the Diocese of Southern Ohio! You are invited to join together for two days of worship, relationship building, collaboration, and learning with a specific focus on small church dynamics. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about how to nurture disciples through lay-led Bible study and other lay-led ministries, create solid partnerships with area churches, and make a difference in the world through community engagement. Check this week’s Lion’s Tale for more information.

LENTEN SCHEDULE

• Mar. 7,14, 21, 28: Stations of the Cross, 9:30am at St. Paul’s
• Mar. 3,10,17,24: “Rediscover Jesus” by Matthew Kelly book study; 10:30 a.m. at Epic Coffee Shop; 6:00 p.m. on Zoom
• Mar. 4,11,18,25: Morning Prayer will be posted on the St. Paul’s Facebook page
• Mar. 29 PALM SUNDAY: 9:30am at St. Paul’s and 11:30am at St. Mark’s
• Apr. 2 MAUNDY THURSDAY: service 7pm at St. Paul’s
• Apr. 3 GOOD FRIDAY: 11am Stations of the Cross at St. Paul’s, 12pm Service at St. Paul’s with Bp White, celebrant, 7pm Service at St. Mark’s

 

 

 

Prayers for the Week of March 1

 

For those seeking justice, peace, and belonging, especially migrants, refugees, and all who long for welcome in unfamiliar places. For all affected by the partial government shutdown. For the safety of Dayton-area residents.

For those who struggle with insecurity of any kind — in health, housing, food, or safety — that they may find stability, dignity, and compassionate support.

For those walking through grief, loss, or spiritual uncertainty, and for the healing of divisions within families, communities, and our nation.

For those on our parish prayer list: Barbara, Ann, George, Patricia, Jim, Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnell family.

For those celebrating March birthdays: 3/02 Patricia Tallman; 3/06 Juanita Limes; 3/16 Adam Oiler and Addison Oiler; 3/21: Lizzy Reuter

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; Jen, friend of the Wagners; Katie, friend of the Reuters; Luann, Sean Weber’s mother; Mary, friend of the Wagners; 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; 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