Pentecost-21 (Yr A) October 22, 2023

 

 

 

PRELUDE                                ‘Cantilena’ from Suite for Organ                   Robert J. Powell

 

OPENING HYMN                  “Judge eternal, throned in splendor”                 Hymn #596

 

1 Judge eternal, throned in splendor,

      Lord of lords and King of kings,

   with thy living fire of judgment

      purge this land of bitter things;

   solace all its wide dominion

      with the healing of thy wings.

 

2 Still the weary folk are pining

      for the hour that brings release,

   and the city’s crowded clangor

      cries aloud for sin to cease;

   and the homesteads and the woodlands

      plead in silence for their peace.

 

3 Crown, O God, thine own endeavor;

      cleave our darkness with thy sword;

   feed all those who do not know thee

      with the richness of thy word;

   cleanse the body of this nation

      through the glory of the Lord.

 

 

Celebrant     Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

People     And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. 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

 

 

HYMN OF PRAISE                      “Glory to God”                               S278 Matthias

 

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.

 

 

Celebrant   The Lord be with you.

People   And also with you

 

Celebrant: Let us pray

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 for the lessons.

 

FIRST LESSON          Exodus 33:12-23            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.”

 

The Word of the Lord Response:  Thanks be to God.

 

 

PSALM                 Psalm 99                                            Read responsively.

 

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.

 

 

Epistle      1 Thessalonians 1:1-10    A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Church in Thessolonica

 

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.

 

The Word of the Lord Response:   Thanks be to God.

 

 

GRADUAL              “O for a closer walk with God Hymn                         #684

GOSPEL                        Matthew 22:15-22

 

Deacon or Priest: 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.

 

The Gospel of the Lord. Response:    Praise to you Lord Christ

 

 

SERMON                                                                                                               The Rev. Cricket Park

 

 

THE NICENE CREED

 

We believe in one God,

     the Father, the Almighty,

     maker of heaven and earth,

     of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

     the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,

     God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,

     begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.

     Through him all things were made.

     For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:

          by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin

          Mary, and was made man.

     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death

          and was buried.

     On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;

          he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the

          Father.

     He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

          and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

     who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

     With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

     He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

 

 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 

The celebration continues with the Prayers of the People. The Leader and People

pray responsively.

 

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

 

For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

 

For this community, the nation, and the world;

For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

 

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

 

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

 

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

 

For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and Wayne, Ken, Nedi, and Wendall our Bishops; and for all bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in the Church.

 

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence The People may add their own petitions

 

Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

 

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence The People may add their own thanksgivings

 

We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your Name for ever and ever.

 

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence The People may add their own petitions

 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

 

Celebrant:

A prayer from Archbishop Hosam Naoum:
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of
violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in
these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians
and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and
the establishment of peace, We also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples.
Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour
as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father.
In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

 

THE CONFESSION

Deacon/Celebrant:   Let us then confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

 

Most merciful God: We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and 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.  

 

THE ABSOLUTION

 

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

Celebrant:     The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

Response:      And also with you.

 

Please greet one another with a sign of peace.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

OFFERTORY/ANTHEM                        “This is my Father’s World”                    Stan Penthel, arr.

 

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

 

At this time the ushers will bring up the offering of money and any pantry items. As they do this, please stand and sing the following:

 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below;

Praise God above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

 

THE HOLY COMMUNION

 

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.

 

The Celebrant continues, with the congregation joining in the words in bold type.

 

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

 

For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.

 

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

 

SANCTUS                                                                                                                     HYMN S128

 

All: 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.

 

 

Then the Celebrant continues

 

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

 

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

 

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

 

Celebrant and People:

 

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

 

The Celebrant continues:
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

 

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

 

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

 

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,

 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.  Amen 

 

THE FRACTION/THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Celebrant:   Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People:        Therefore let us keep the feast.

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

Celebrant:   The Gifts of God for the People of God.

 

Everyone is welcome to come forward for communion or a blessing.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMN               “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” Hymnal               #711

 

1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!

 

2. Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek and you shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!

 

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant:  Let us pray.

People:
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.

 

And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.  Amen.

 

 

THE BLESSING

May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in
the knowledge and love of God, and of God’s son, Jesus Christ our Lord. And the
Blessing of God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, be with you now and remain with you
always.

 

RECESSIONAL HYMN             “Sing Praise to God who reigns above”                  Hymn #408

 

1 Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled
and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

 

2 What God’s almighty power hath made,
his gracious mercy keepeth,
by morning glow or evening shade
his watchful eye ne’er sleepeth.
Within the kingdom of his might,
lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory.

 

3 Let all who name Christ’s holy name
give God all praise and glory;
let all who own his power proclaim
aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne,
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

The congregation is dismissed.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                          Overture                              Robert J. Powell

 

 

        Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Room of the Community Building.

 

 

————————————-

 

 

Welcome to St. Mark’s! During the service, please assume the postures of prayer and
devotion as best suits your ability. If you are able, please stand for the Gospel, singing
hymns, and the prayers. Kneeling and sitting are also appropriate for the prayers of
the people and the Eucharistic prayers. Remember, the posture of your heart is more
important to God than the position of your body.

 

 

Ministers for October 22, 2023—Food Pantry collection
Altar Guild for October: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Gabe Walch
Lay Readers: Jackie Hoskinson and Judy Rudd
Chalice Bearers: Don Nancarrow and Jim Rudd
Tech Table: Gary Welch
Ushers: Dave Reuter and Ginny Tuxhorn
Counters: Janet Reuter and Jim Rudd
Open/Close: Welch/Nancarrow
Coffee Hour: Norma Peachey and Ginny Tuxhorn
Presiding and Preaching today: The Rev. Melody Williams

 

 

Ministers for October 29, 2023
Altar Guild for October: Katherine Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner-Weber
Organist: Donna Larsen Vocalist: Laura Leach
Acolyte: Stephanie Welch
Lay Readers: Gabe Walch and Jim Rudd
Chalice Bearers: Judy Rudd and Carol Williamson
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Carol Williamson and Jim Rudd
Counters: Dave Reuter and Kendall Rubino
Open/Close: Wagner/Reuter
Coffee Hour: Laura Leach

 

 

Calendar items:
October 29—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
October 31-November 2: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’, All Souls’
November 5—All Saints’ Sunday, Pledge Sunday, and CARE House collection day
November 5—Adult Education and Sunday School, 9:15am
November 10—Family Game Night, 6pm
November 11—Diocesan Convention
November 23—Thanksgiving Day
December 3—Advent I and CARE House collection
December 10—Advent II
December 17—Advent III
December 24—Advent IV, 10:30am; Christmas Eve, 5:00pm

 

 

Adult Forum: Fall Feasts and Fasts
There are several significant feast days in September through November. Our Adult
Forum class will talk about these occasions at 9:00am in the Lounge. Come for all;
come for some. Get to know the saints and the history behind a holy day or two.

October 15th—Teresa of Avila
October 29th—The Autumnal Triduum: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints, All Souls
November 5th—Edith Cavell
November 12th—Hilda of Whitby
November 19th—St. Andrew

November 26th—no adult forum due to Thanksgiving weekend.

 

 

Mark Your Calendars: Youth Group Fundraising Coffee Hour on November 19th!
Come hungry and help the youth raise money for Neighborhood Bridges. Coney dogs
are the menu item for the day!

 

 

A Letter from the Stewardship Committee:

 

October 2023

 

Dear Friends in Christ:

 

Greetings! Welcome to the St. Mark’s 2024 annual pledge campaign. As we plan for this next year,
we are excited for the future of St. Mark’s. There have been many changes to our small parish in the
past few years. We have a new spiritual leader in The Rev. Cricket Park, who returned to this diocese
following her recent retirement, and brings a new perspective on how to be followers of Jesus.
As difficult as it is to say goodbye to old friends, we rejoice in worshiping every Sunday with new
friends, some of whom are seeking to be followers of Jesus for the first time! The music is inspiring,
the church looks beautiful, and we are challenged every Sunday with a clear message about being
disciples of God.

 

Getting to know our neighbors in Riverside is important to us. This past year we have supported
Hope4Riverside, a collaborative of churches. Through their Neighboring Bridges affiliation, St.
Mark’s will be loaning space to store the many items kept on hand to help those in need. Another
outreach initiative that has been well-received is the St. Arbuck’s ministry that Cricket leads every
Wednesday, across the street at our new neighborhood Kroger. Is there anything more welcoming
than a cup of coffee, a place to sit, and people to talk with? This is just one example of how we take
the church to the people.

 

Like our own families, we have bills to pay. This is where you come in. We have worked hard to curb
expenses and to make the physical plant more efficient through grants, but we need your help. With
all the hopeful and positive energy at St. Mark’s, we ask you to prayerfully consider what you can
give to support our mission.

 

Accompanying this letter, you will be asked to make a pledge to St. Mark’s for this next year. On November 5, as we celebrate All Saints’ Day, you will be given the opportunity to lay your pledge card
on the altar, along with those of your fellow worshipers. Can’t you already hear the refrain,” for the
saints of God are just folks like me, and I mean to be one, too!”

 

Yours in Christ.

 

The 2024 Stewardship Committee
Jim Rudd, Chair
Don Nancarrow
Libby Nicholson
Kendall Rubino

 

 

2024 Pledge Card
I/We pledge to support the community of St. Mark’s, Riverside, through our prayers and presence.

 

In addition we pledge $__________ for 2024.

 

We will provide this offering
O weekly      O monthly      O quarterly

 

Contact Information:

 

Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
City: ______________________ State: ____
Zipcode: __________
E-mail: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________

 

Please bring this pledge to church on November
5th or mail it to St. Mark’s c/o Jim Rudd.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.