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:
“Reflection on ‘Blessed Are the Meek’” Roberta Rowland-Raybold
Prayer Requests, Birthdays/Anniversaries and Announcements
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
“How wondrous and great thy works” The Hymnal 1982, #533
1 How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise!
How just, King of saints, and true are thy ways!
O who shall not fear thee, and honor thy Name?
Thou only art holy, thou only supreme.
2 To nations of earth thy light shall be shown;
their worship and vows shall come to thy throne:
thy truth and thy judgments shall spread all abroad,
till earth’s every people confess thee their God.
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
Song of Praise,
“Praise, honor, and Glory” LEVaSII, # 246
Praise, praise, honor and glory,
Praise, praise, honor and glory to Christ, our King.
Praise, praise, honor and glory,
honor and glory, honor and glory to Christ, our King.
Collect of the Day
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; 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.
First Reading: Genesis 32:22-31
Reader A reading from the book of Genesis
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Response: Psalm 17:1-7, 16
1 Hear my plea of innocence, O Lord; give heed to my cry; *
listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
2 Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
let your eyes be fixed on justice.
3 Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
4 I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
I have heeded the words of your lips.
5 My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
6 I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
incline your ear to me and hear my words.
7 Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
from those who rise up against them.
16 But at my vindication I shall see your face; *
when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans
I am speaking the truth in Christ– I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit– I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GRADUAL HYMN:
“God of grace and God of glory” (vs. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #594
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient Church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise:
grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days.
3 Cure thy children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
The Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Church of the Province of Uganda.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for Trinity Church in Hamilton, St. John’s Church in Lancaster, and DSO entity “Community of the Transfiguration”.
In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Ginny Tuxhorn; The Reverend Jean Vargo & family; and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber & Sean Weber.
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 St. Paul’s Parish Prayer List — Sophia, Kim, Anne, Chuck, Eric, Katherine, Larry, Tim, Bryan, Greg and family, Natalie, Bill, Jennifer, Evan, Yimaira, Connie, Jamie, Otto, Jim, Beth, Joern, Valerie, Helen, Sherrie, and Candace — and those on our Parish Prayer List — 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 Confession of Sin
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 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 Solo:
“There is a Balm in Gilead” Negro Spiritual, arr. by Mark Hayes
Please stand as you are able.
PRESENTATION HYMN:
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” LEVAS #56
A Prayer over the Gifts Received for the Children of CARE House
Celebrant Lord Jesus, who took the children into your arms and embraced them with your love, receive these gifts for the children of CARE House. Through the power of your Spirit, may these offerings and the offering of all our ministries to them, bring them comfort and healing. May they come to know and feel in their hearts and in their souls the fullness of life and of love given to all of us by our one God and Father. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Eucharistic Prayer B (The Book of Common Prayer, page 367)
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 right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
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
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the
prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with St. Mark and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
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.
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.
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.
ALL are welcome to the table of the Lord. If you choose not to receive Holy Communion and wish to receive a blessing please cross your arms over your chest. Come to the Great Eucharist thanking God for all he has done and will do for us.
COMMUNION SOLO:
“Let us break bread together” Negro Spiritual, arr. by William Lawrence
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:
“Alleluia, sing to Jesus” (vs. 1-4) The Hymnal 1982, #460
1 Alleluia! sing to Jesus!
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone;
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus out of every nation
hath redeemed us by his blood.
2 Alleluia! not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us,
faith believes, nor questions how:
though the cloud from sight received him,
when the forty days were o’er,
shall our hearts forget his promise,
“I am with you evermore”?
3 Alleluia! bread of Heaven,
Thou on earth our food, our stay!
Alleluia! here the sinful
flee to thee from day to day:
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.
4 Alleluia! King eternal,
thee the Lord of lords we own:
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne:
thou within the veil hast entered,
robed in flesh, our great High Priest:
thou on earth both Priest and Victim
in the eucharistic feast.
Dismissal
People Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE:
“Toccata on ‘Praise to the Father’” arr. by Jacob Weber
Thank you for joining us in worship.
Please know that your participation with us today,
in person or online, has been a blessing.
August 2, 2026:
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Joint Worship at 10am
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Readings:
Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7,16
Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Organist: Percy Jones, Jr.
Offertory Soloist: Elana Elmore, Soprano
Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Lay Readers: Laura Leach, Judy Rudd
Chalicists: Jim Rudd, Judy Rudd
Tech & Facebook Live: TJ Walch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Tony Rubino, Wayne Harper
Counters: TBD, Tony Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino
August Altar Guild: Norma Peachey & Ginny Tuxhorn
August 9, 2026:
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Morning Prayer at 11:30am
Readings:
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33
Officiant: Don Nancarrow
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Organist: Percy Jones, Jr.
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Jim Rudd, Don Nancarrow
Tech & Facebook Live: Dave Reuter, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Wayne Harper, Jim Rudd
Counters: Tony Rubino, Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino
August Altar Guild: Norma Peachey, Ginny Tuxhorn
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Announcements for the Week of August 2
The CANDLE in the Sanctuary Lamp shines brightly over the Parish of St. Mark’s as we keep the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Joint outreach project planning meeting today! The Outreach Committees at both parishes will work together to organize details for a joint outreach project.
Today is CARE House Sunday, and they can use our help! Snack suggestions include fresh fruit, string cheese, yogurt, applesauce; individual packs of almonds, pretzels, raisins, popcorn, granola bars, pb crackers. Huggable-size soft stuffed animals are always welcome, as are cash and gift cards.
COFFEE HOUR WITH THE REV. MELANIE SLANE! Rev. Melanie Slane, the Diocesan Transition Minister, will celebrate and preach at St. Mark’s on Aug.16, and ALL parishioners are invited to meet with her during an extended Coffee Hour from 10 – 11:15am. She will address the next steps needed in the transition process to call a new rector or priest-in-charge. She wants to hear from YOU: What do you think is going well so far? What challenges and concerns do you have? What are your hopes for the future of our parish?
We need your presence and input during this meeting, as they are very important to the future of our parish.
Coffee Hour, Altar Flowers, and the Sanctuary Lamp all have open dates on the bulletin board outside the Office. Coffee Hour hosts are especially needed – share fellowship with our parish family before worship. The Sanctuary Lamp may be dedicated for $7.50 per week, and Altar Flowers for $40 per week (and may be taken home afterward). All dedications will be printed in the bulletin.
The 2026 Ohio Sales Tax Holiday runs Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9. During this three-day period, qualifying back-to-school purchases are exempt from sales tax: clothing priced at $75 or less per item, school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, and instructional materials priced at $20 or less per item.
JOINT Worship Services/Events for St. Mark’s and St. Paul’s
Sunday, Oct 4 – Outdoor Worship service & Pet Blessing at 10am. Location TBD.
A Holy Cycle
The transition process is a holy cycle.
It begins with discovering what God is already doing in our community. We observe, listen, and ask questions.
We look for the small and large ways God’s love is at work among our neighbors – whether they live next door or in the next town.
As we learn the needs of our community, we also pray and reflect on our own gifts and passions, both individually and as a parish. We remember Jesus’ call to go and make disciples and Isaiah’s promise that God is making all things new. Our passions, shaped by the Spirit, meet the needs of the world around us. This is where ministry begins.
To be the church is to participate in God’s work. It is less about filling pews or balancing budgets – important as those are – and more about living the gospel with compassion, mercy, and Christ-like love. It is being the hands and feet of Christ wherever we are.
As we shape our parish goals, we shape them for the sake of our neighbors. We offer our community a church that cares for them, prays for them, and is present with them. And as God continues to inspire us, the cycle begins again: discovering need, noticing God’s activity, and listening for the Spirit’s leading.
May the Spirit of God inspire and guide you.
