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:
“Adoration” Florence Price
Prayer Requests, Birthdays/Anniversaries and Announcements
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
“Holy Father, great creator” (v. 1, 2,4) The Hymnal 1982, #368
1 Holy Father, great Creator,
source of mercy, love, and peace,
look upon the Mediator,
clothe us with his righteousness;
heavenly Father, heavenly Father,
through the Saviour hear and bless.
2 Holy Jesus, Lord of glory,
whom angelic hosts proclaim,
while we hear thy wondrous story,
meet and worship in thy name,
dear Redeemer, dear Redeemer,
in our hearts thy peace proclaim.
4 God the Lord, through every nation
let thy wondrous mercies shine.
In the song of thy salvation
every tongue and race combine.
Great Jehovah, great Jehovah,
form our hearts and make them thine.
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: LEVaS II, #246
Praise, praise, honor and glory, Praise, praise, honor and glory,
Praise, praise, honor and glory, Honor and glory to Christ, our King.
Collect of the Day
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; 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: Exodus 16:2-18
Reader A reading from the book of Exodus
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.”
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Response: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *
continually seek his face.
5 Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.
37 He led out his people with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad of their going, *
because they were afraid of them.
39 He spread out a cloud for a covering *
and a fire to give light in the night season.
40 They asked, and quails appeared, *
and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and water flowed, *
so the river ran in the dry places.
42 For God remembered his holy word *
and Abraham his servant.
43 So he led forth his people with gladness, *
his chosen with shouts of joy.
44 He gave his people the lands of the nations, *
and they took the fruit of others’ toil,
45 That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws.
Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Philippians 1:21-30
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians
To me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well– since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GRADUAL HYMN:
“O Master, let me walk with thee” (v. 1,2,4) The Hymnal 1982, #660
1 O Master, let me walk with thee
in lowly paths of service free;
tell me thy secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care.
2 Help me the slow of heart to move
by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay,
and guide them in the homeward way.
4 in hope that sends a shining ray
far down the future’s broadening way,
in peace that only thou canst give,
with thee, O Master, let me live.
The Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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.
Antiphon:
“O Lord, hear my Pray’r” Taizé
O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r. When I call, answer me.
O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r. Come and listen to me.
Prayers of the People BCP p. 388
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Anglican Church of Australia.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Paul’s in Logan, and the DSO entity of Task Force on Creation Care Ministry.
In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Susan Kendall; Nanci & Jack Koepke; and Pam & Chuck Kulhanek.
Reader Almighty God, keep us ever mindful of your role in our lives and lead us into the generosity, compassion, and fulfillment of your kingdom as we pray for ourselves and the world, as we say Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Give all congregations, churches, and houses of worship the desire to be generous in time, talent and treasure and especially in forgiveness.
Reader Lord, in your mercy,
People hear our prayer.
The Reader continues, and People respond every time Reader says “Lord in your mercy”.
Celebrant All this we ask in the name of your embodied love, Jesus the Christ, our only strength, and advocate, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. 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:
“Be thou my vision” The Hymnal 1982, #488
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought to me, save that thou art—
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father; thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
The Offertory: The ushers collect the offering at this time.
Please stand as you are able.
The Doxology:
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (v. 3) The Hymnal 1982, #380
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
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:
“One Bread, One Body” LEVaS II, #151
Refrain:
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
We are one body in this one Lord.
1. Gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man, no more. One Lord.
Refrain.
2. Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all. One Lord.
Refrain.
3. Grain for the fields, scattered and grown, gathered to one for all. One Lord.
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:
“Savior, again to thy dear Name we raise” (v. 1,3,4) The Hymnal 1982, #345
1 Savior, again to thy dear Name we raise
with one accord our parting hymn of praise;
guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
that in this house have called upon thy Name.
3 Grant us thy peace throughout our earthly life;
peace to thy Church from error and from strife;
peace to our land, the fruit of truth and love;
peace in each heart, thy Spirit from above:
4 thy peace in life, the balm of every pain;
thy peace in death, the hope to rise again;
then, when thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,
call us, O Lord, to thine eternal peace.
Dismissal
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude:
“Minuet” Noel Rawsthorne
Thank you for joining us in worship.
Please know that your participation with us today,
in person or online, has been a blessing.
‘So the last will be the first,
and the first will be last.’
MATTHEW 20:16
*******************
Readings & Ministry Schedule
September 20, 2026:
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist at 11:30am
Readings:
Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45;
Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Guest Organist: Percy Jones, Jr.
Acolytes: Gabriel Walch
Lay Readers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber, Carol Williamson
Chalicists: Jim Rudd, Judy Rudd
Tech & Facebook Live: Dave Reuter, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Wayne Harper, Jim Rudd
Counters: Carol Nancarrow, Janet Reuter
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
September Altar Guild: Carol Williamson & Kendall Rubino
Candle: TBD
Altar Flowers: TBD
Coffee Hour: TBD Please sign up!
September 27, 2026:
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist at 11:30am
Readings:
Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Guest Organist:Percy Jones, Jr.
Acolytes: Faggio Nocero-Sargent
Lay Readers: Rene Meadors, Judy Rudd
Chalicists: Carol Williamson, Don Nancarrow
Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn, Jim Rudd
Counters: Dave Reuter, Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Reuter/Rubino
September Altar Guild: Carol Williamson & Kendall Rubino
Candle: Katherine and Mike Wagner
Altar Flowers: Claudia and Steve Hurd
Coffee Hour: TBD Please sign up!
Announcements for the week of September 20
The Candle in the Sanctuary Lamp shines brightly on the seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Today is HUNGER SUNDAY. The Food Pantry at St. Paul’s Methodist Church can always use canned soups. fruits, vegetables, and meats; cereal and oatmeal; dried beans; drink mixes; pancake mix and syrup; pasta and jarred sauce; cooking oil and spices. If you’d like to make a financial donation, please note “Food Pantry” in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity!
New Sunday Worship Schedule Begins October 11
9:00am — St. Paul’s
10:30am — St. Mark’s
After much thought and negotiations by St. Mark’s and St. Paul’s, the Wardens have agreed to a new worship schedule. This is a three-month trial with the Wardens evaluating it in November and January. Any changes we make in worship will be something that will be presented in our profile and discussed with Rector candidates.
Therefore we will experiment until something works well for St. Mark’s, St. Paul’s, and the Priest.
9am Eucharist at St. Paul’s followed by 10:20 Bible listening 10:30 Eucharist at St. Mark’s followed by fellowship. Let your friends and Facebook friends know!
Reverend Jean
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.
JOINT Worship 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. NO SERVICE AT ST. MARK’S!
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.
