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:
“Schmucke Dich” Donald Busarow, composer
Prayer Requests, Birthdays/Anniversaries and Announcements
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
“Praise to God” The Hymnal 1982, #408
1. Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of pow’r, the God of love,
the God of our salvation.
My soul with comfort rich he fills,
and ev’ry grief he gently stills:
to God all praise and glory!
2. What God’s almighty pow’r has made,
in mercy he is keeping;
by morning glow or evening shade
his eye is never sleeping.
And where he rules in kingly might,
there all is just and all is right:
to God all praise and glory!
3. Let all who name Christ’s holy name
give God the praise and glory.
Let all who know his pow’r proclaim
aloud the wondrous story.
Cast ev’ry idol from its throne;
the Lord is God and he alone:
to God all praise and glory!
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
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; 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 33:12-23
Reader A reading from the book of Exodus
Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people’; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”
The Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, ‘The Lord’; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.” And the Lord continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm: Psalm 99
1 The Lord is King; let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.
4 “O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead– Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GRADUAL HYMN:
“Seek ye first” The Hymnal 1982, #711
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you; Allelu, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Allelu, alleluia!
Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find,
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you; Allelu, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Allelu, alleluia!
The Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
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
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for the Anglican Church of Canada.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for the Church of St. Edward in Whitehall and our partners in Campus Ministry.
In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Norma Peachey, Ann Phillips, and Dave & Janet Reuter.
After each petition the people respond with “Hear Our Prayer”
Reader Lord, you call us to give you those things that belong to you. Give us such an awareness of your presence that we might respond with generosity to the needs of those who call upon you. Hear us as we pray, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Celebrant We pray these things in humility acknowledging that we often fail in the very things we ask of you. Give us courage and a willingness to change. Make us the instruments of your reign in this life and always. In Jesus’ name. 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.
Please stand as you are able.
Offertory Hymn:
“God of Grace” (v.1-2) 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.
Please stand as you are able.
Prayer Over the Gifts of Food
Celebrant Dear Lord, who fed friends and strangers on the hillside, accept our gifts of food for the hungry in our community. Grant that we may never be at ease at our tables until all your people are fed. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten,
All Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
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
Fraction Anthem:
“O Lamb of God”
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Repeat.
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.
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:
“Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness” The Hymnal 1982, #339
1 Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,
leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
come into the daylight’s splendor,
there with joy thy praises render
unto him whose grace unbounded
hath this wondrous banquet founded—
high o’er all the heavens he reigneth,
yet to dwell with thee he deigneth.
2 Sun, who all my life dost brighten;
Light, who dost my soul enlighten;
Joy, the best that any knoweth;
Fount, whence all my being floweth:
at thy feet I cry, my Maker,
let me be a fit partaker
of this blessèd food from heaven,
for our good, thy glory, given.
3 Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray thee,
let me gladly here obey thee;
never to my hurt invited,
be thy love with love requited;
from this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
through the gifts thou here dost give me,
as thy guest in heaven receive me.
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:
“Jesus shall reign” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #544
1 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
doth his successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head;
his Name like sweet perfume shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song;
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his Name.
Dismissal
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude:
“Postlude on Duke Street” David Paxton, composer
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
October 18, 2026
The 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist at 10:30am
Readings:
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19;
Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Organist: Karen Bocko
Acolyte: Gabriel Walch
Lay Readers: Gary Welch, TJ Walch
Chalicists: Don Nancarrow, Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Tech & Facebook Live: Gary Welch, Katherine Wagner
Ushers: Tony Rubino, Jim Rudd
Counters: Janet Reuter, Kendall Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Welch
October 25, 2026:
The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist at 10:30am
Readings:
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19;
Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo
Deacon: The Rev. George Snyder
Organist: Karen Bocko
Acolyte: Faggio Nocero-Sargent
Lay Readers: Gabriel Walch, Judy Rudd
Chalicists: Jim Rudd, Judy Rudd
Tech & Facebook Live: TJ Walch
Ushers: Dave Reuter, Ginny Tuxhorn
Counters: Janet Reuter, Tony Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Altar Flowers: Rommel Festus-Abibo
Candle: Rommel Festus-Abibo
Coffee Hour: Laura Leach
Announcements for the week of October 18
The Altar Flowers and the Candle in the Sanctuary Lamp are given by Ann Phillips in loving memory of Brent Phillips.
Coffee Hour is hosted by Rommel Festus-Abibo and celebrates the 25th Ordination Anniversary of Deacon George.
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!
Vestry Meeting Next Sunday OCT. 25.Our vestry meetings are now scheduled for the fourth Sunday of each month, after the worship service. All parishioners are welcome to attend, and will have seat and voice, but no vote on issues that require one. Questions? Check with wardens or vestry members!
Day of Change! Remember that when we “fall back” on NOV. 1 we take up a special donation for the Food Pantry at St. Paul’s UMC. So as you change your clocks, please bring in your change (or checks, or folding money!) and place it in the specially marked baskets at the front and rear of the sanctuary. Everything from pennies to $100.00 bills are welcome!
All Saints Day: Sunday, NOV. 1 We include in that day’s Eucharistic Prayer the names of our parishioners, relatives, and friends who have died during the past year. If you have a loved one whose name you would like included, please contact Katherine at ktvzwagner@gmail.com by Oct. 23.
Stewardship: We are asked to use our abundant gifts with which we have been blessed to do God’s work in this world. We are expected to grow those gifts and use them wisely as we attend to the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. During this Stewardship Campaign, may we give in worship and appreciation to God for our many blessings and as a statement of our faith that He will continue to provide for our own needs. Please submit your pledge by NOV. 8 for it to be included with the offering during the worship service that day.
JOINT SERVICE AT ST. PAUL’S Nov. 15 10am
We will celebrate Rev. Jean’s 45th Ordination Anniversary
with a joint service at St. Paul’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.
