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:
Rhosymedre (“Lovely”) Ralph Vaughan Williams
Prayer Requests, Birthdays/Anniversaries and Announcements
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
“At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” The Hymnal 1982, #174
1 At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his piercèd side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.
2 Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.
3 Mighty victim from on high,
hell’s fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave enthrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.
4 Easter triumph, Easter joy,
these alone do sin destroy.
From sin’s power do thou set free
souls new-born, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father, unto thee we raise:
risen Lord, all praise to thee
with the Spirit ever be.
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.
Gloria, The Hymnal 1982, #S280
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
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; 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: Exodus 12:1-14
Reader A reading from the book of Exodus
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Response: Psalm 148
1 Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2 Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people *
and adorns the poor with victory.
5 Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
let them be joyful on their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be in their throat *
and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To wreak vengeance on the nations *
and punishment on the peoples;
8 To bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron;
9 To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *
this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GOSPEL HYMN:
“God is Love, and Where True Love is ” (refrain & v. 1) The Hymnal 1982, #577
God is love, and where true love is
God himself is there.
1 Here in Christ we gather, love of Christ our calling.
Christ, our love, is with us, gladness be his greeting.
Let us fear and love him, holy God eternal.
Loving him, let each love Christ in one another.
Refrain
The Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
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 Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Mary’s in Waynesville, and the DSO entity of Episcopal Seminaries.
In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Claudia & Steve Hurd; Jackie & Jim Hoskinson; and Hayward Jones.
Reader Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Reader Lord, in your mercy,
People hear our prayer.
The Reader continues, and People respond every time Reader says “Lord in your mercy”.
Celebrant God of hope, you have always stood by your people and fulfilled your promises to them; stand with us now and answer our prayer as may be best for us and always to the fulfillment of your dreams and hopes for us; through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and always. 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.
Offertory Hymn:
“Love Divine, all Loves Excelling” The Hymnal 1982, #657
1 Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.
2 Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be alway blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
3 Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
The Offertory: The ushers collect the offering at this time.
Please stand as you are able.
Post Offertory Hymn:
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” The Hymnal 1982, #43
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, #S125
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 HYMN:
“Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with your Love” LEVAS, #74
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love,
show us how to serve the neighbors
we have from you.
1 Kneels at the feet of his friends,
silently washes their feet,
Master who acts as a slave to them.
Refrain
2 Neighbors are rich and poor,
neighbors are black and white,
neighbors are near and far away.
Refrain
3 These are the ones we should serve,
these are the ones we should love;
all these are neighbors to us and you.
Refrain
4 Loving puts us on our knees,
serving as though we are slaves,
this is the way we should live with you.
Refrain
5 Kneel at the feet of our friends,
silently washing their feet,
this is the way we should live with you.
Refrain
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
CLOSING HYMN:
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” The Hymnal 1982, #376
1 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
blooming meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.
3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother:
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
Dismissal
People Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE:
“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” arr. by Don Hustad
Thank you for joining us in worship.
Please know that your participation with us today,
in person or online, has been a blessing.
Readings & Ministry Schedule
September 6, 2026:
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist at 11:30am
Readings:
Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Guest Organist: Cara Whitby
Acolytes: TBD
Lay Readers: Laura Leach, Jim Rudd
Chalicists: Kendall Rubino, Carol Williamson
Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Wayne Harper, Jim Rudd
Counters: Jim Rudd, Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Welch
August Altar Guild: Carol Williamson & Kendall Rubino
September 13, 2026:
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist at 11:30am
Readings:
Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Guest Organist: Percy Jones, Jr.
Acolytes: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Rene Meadors, Gabe Walch
Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech & Facebook Live: TJ Walch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Dave Reuter, Tony Rubino
Counters: Dave Reuter, Gary Welch
Open/Close: Wagner/Welch
August Altar Guild: Carol Williamson & Kendall Rubino
Candle: TBD
Altar Flowers: Wagner
Coffee Hour: TBD
Announcements for the week of September 6
The Candle in the Sanctuary Lamp is given by Rommell Festus- Abibo, forever in loving memory of Eugenia I. Kalio.
The Altar Flowers are given by Mary-Anna and Gary Welch, in celebration of their 35th wedding anniversary.
Coffee Hour will be hosted by Claudia & Steve Hurd.
Today is CARE House Sunday, and they can use our help! Snack suggestions include individually-wrapped 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.
Parish Picnic: Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept.13 as we kick off the new program year with our annual Praise and Picnic at St. Mark’s. We’ll worship in the church, then gather for food and fellowship on the lawn. The church will provide sandwiches (no lettuce this year!), paper products, and drinks. There is a signup sheet outside the office for folks to bring sides/salads/desserts.
Diocesan Convention Nominations are now open! Many current Dayton members will conclude their terms soon, and your willingness to serve will help ensure our region is not once again underrepresented. Please prayerfully consider standing for election so our region remains active and engaged. More info is available at the diocesan website: DiosOhio.org.
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.
JOINT Worship Services/Events for St. Mark’s and St. Paul’s
Sunday, Oct 4 – Outdoor Worship service & Pet Blessing at St. Paul’s starting at 10am. We will gather on the green space near the fire pit. Please bring your own lawn chair for seating. Coffee hour will follow outdoors. If weather is inclement, the service will move to the Parish Hall.
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.
