St. Paul s Episcopal Church

Transcription

1 St. Paul s Episcopal Church The Epiphany ~ Jan. 6, Church Street, Montrose, PA 18801, stpaulsmontrose@epix.net Sunday Worship: 10:00AM Office Hours: 8:15am until 1:00pm Monday Thursday Serving Montrose and surrounding communities With God s Love through Jesus Christ Since 1831 ~ 1 ~

2 Welcome to St. Paul's, Montrose, PA. We are so thankful that you are worshipping with us on this day. We have served Montrose and surrounding communities with God's love through Jesus Christ since 1831; and invite you to join with us in this long tradition of service. Please accept our hospitality; any member can assist you to our Coffee Hour in the Parish House following the worship service. Thank you for joining us this day. We invite you to come again and, with God's love, be a part of St. Paul's. OUR VISION: To be a community of faith that shares the transforming love of God with all people through Jesus Christ our Lord. OUR MISSION: To proclaim God s love by word and example and to seek Christ in one another. The Holy Eucharist Announcements The Prelude Go tell it! Arr. Tom Fettke The Gathering Hymn How bright appears the Morning Star Hymn497 THE WORD OF GOD Celebrant: People: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins His mercy endures forever. The Gloria S 280 The Collect of the Day BCP page 214 The First Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' ~ 2 ~

3 arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. Reader: People: The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God The Response: Please respond by the half-verse to our reading of Psalm 72 found on page 685 in your prayer book; we shall read verses 1 through 7 and 10 through 14. Reader: Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. People: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen! The Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. ~ 3 ~

4 Reader: People: The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God The Sequence Hymn What star is this, with beams so bright Hymn 124 vs. 1-2 The Gospel Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew People: Glory to you Lord Christ Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. ~ 4 ~

5 Celebrant: People: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ The Homily The Nicene Creed BCP page 358 The Prayers of the People Let us pray for our own needs and those of all nations and people upon whom the glory of God has shown in Christ, saying: Glory and praise to you, O living God. For the Church: especially Michael our Presiding Bishop and Kevin our bishop, that Christ s Light may beckon many from near and far to come and be heirs with us, members of the one Body of Christ, let us pray to the Lord. Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on the people of St. Paul s as we anticipate and prepare for the person you will raise up for us to be the next rector of our parish. May we receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries, let us pray to the Lord. For this parish family, that we, like the Magi, may offer Christ the gold of living faith, the incense of our worship, and the myrrh of compassion for others, let us pray to the Lord. For all who live and work in places of danger, especially those in the military, and for the leaders of the nations, that in this new year their hearts may yearn for the dawn of peace and the flourishing of justice, let us pray to the Lord. For all who seek the face of God, that the light of Christ may guide them to find God s grace, let us pray to the Lord. ~ 5 ~

6 For all travelers, for the hungry, the homeless and the oppressed, and for the sick and the suffering, remembering especially Margaret, Brad, Kathy, Joe, Esther, Charlotte, Alice, Jean, Charlotte, Esther, Jeanette, Jeanne, Bart, Steve, Kristina, Richard, Jane, Martha.; that in the light of Christ they may find new hope and peace, let us pray to the Lord. For all those suffering from addictions, that they may desire a clean and sober life, and find the resources for their bodies, minds and spirits that will allow them to do so; for all those who love someone who is addicted, that comfort and support be provided in their journeys; for all in the healing community assisting recovery, that the Holy Spirit will refresh and strengthen them; for ourselves, that we share the power of God's healing and transforming love with all touched by this addictions epidemic; for St. Paul's that a spirit of unity in witness and action will be among us. Merciful God, accept the fervent prayers of your people, let us pray to the Lord. For all those who have died, remembering especially that having followed the star of faith and walked in the light of Christ, they may see God face to face, let us pray to the Lord. Lifting our voices with all creation, with Mary the God-bearer, and with all the saints and angels, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. To you, O Lord our God. Celebrant: God of the stars of night, accept our prayers and scatter again the darkness that covers the earth and divides your people. Fill our hearts with your word of truth and summon all who hunger to the banquet of your love. Glory to you for ever and ever. AMEN. Confession and Absolution BCP page 360 The Peace ~ 6 ~

7 HOLY COMMUNION The Offertory "Let all mortal flesh keep silent." Cathy Hammons The Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow Hymn 380, v3 The Eucharistic Prayer A BCP page 361 The Sanctus S124 The Lord s Prayer The Breaking of the Bread The Fraction Anthem S161 The Communion Everyone is invited to the Lord s Table to receive the Sacrament or a Blessing. Please cross your arms over your chest if you wish to receive a Blessing. The Hymn during Communion Brightest and best of the stars of the morning Hymn 117 The Post Communion Prayer BCP page 365 The Blessing The Parting Hymn Songs of thankfulness and praise Hymn135 The Dismissal The Postlude March of the Kings arr. L. Shackley Our Ministers Today: Presider and Preacher: The Rev. John Piano & Trumpet: Joyce & William Printz Altar Guild: Mary & Ben Zalewski Announcements: Lynne Graham Camera & Broadcast: Al Leigh & Andrew Wurth Acolyte: Benjamin Zalewski or Sean Eckert Counters: Dan Graham & Steve Kupscznk Chalice Bearer: Lynne Graham Lector: Tom Undercoffler Intercessor: Nancy Dooling Greeter/Usher: ~ 7 ~

8 Will You Prayerfully Consider? St. Paul's Annual Meeting will take place after our service on January 20. At that time, we need to elect two new Vestry members for a three year term. In order to serve on Vestry one must be at least 18 years of age; a regular attendant at the services of the parish; and a regular contributor to the support of the parish for the 6 months preceding the meeting. The Vestry has three primary responsibilities: to take care of parish finances and parish buildings; and to choose individuals to fill various positions of parish leadership and representation (from The Vestry Handbook by Christopher L. Webber). Serving on the Vestry is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the functioning of the parish. It builds leadership skills. If it moves you out of your comfort zone, please know that you will have the support of all the other members of Vestry as we become a working unit. The Vestry currently meets on the second Thursday of the each month at 5:30 p.m.. We usually take a break in July or August and try not to meet in December. If you feel called to a position on the Vestry, or if you have any questions, please contact Lynne Graham. We would welcome someone new to this position! Vestry members and Terms Sandra Seeger 2019 Tom Undercoffler 2019 Vickie Calby 2020 Lynne Graham 2020 Martha Kupscznk 2020 Sean Eckert 2021 Maggie Sock 2021 ~ 8 ~