The Twentieth SUNday after pentecost
Sunday, October 23, at 10:00 am
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 355. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
Prelude: “Mitten wir im Leben sind” Samuel Scheidt
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 398: “I sing the almighty power of God”
1. I sing the almighty power of God,
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
2. I sing the goodness of the Lord,
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his Word,
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed,
where’er I turn my eye,
if I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky!
3. There’s not a plant or flower below,
but makes thy glories known;
and clouds arise, and tempests blow,
by order from thy throne;
while all that borrows life from thee
is ever in thy care,
and everywhere that I could be,
thou, God, art present there.
Opening Acclamation
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: “Glory to God in the highest”
The Collect of the Day
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Sirach 35:12-17
Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold. Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no partiality. He will not show partiality to the poor; but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan, or the widow when she pours out her complaint.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 84:1-6
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 656: “Blest are the pure in heart”
1. Blest are the pure in heart,
for they shall see our God;
the secret of the Lord is theirs,
their soul is Christ’s abode.
2. The Lord, who left the heavens
our life and peace to bring,
to dwell in lowliness with us,
our pattern and our King;
3. he to the lowly soul
will still himself impart
and for his dwelling and his throne
will choose the pure in heart.
4. Lord, we thy presence seek;
may ours this blessing be;
give us a pure and lowly heart,
a temple fit for thee.
The Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
The Nicene Creed Said in unison
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 leader and people pray responsively
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.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, especially ___ , and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy ✠ all who have died, especially ___ , that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Silence. Additional petitions may be included here.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
Lord, hear the prayers of your people; and what we have asked faithfully, grant that we may obtain effectually, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession of Sin
Celebrant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Celebrant and People
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.
The Celebrant pronounces an absolution. The people stand.
The Peace
Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The ministers and the people greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Holy Communion
The Celebrant introduces the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
To give an offering, choose one of the following:
Text: message 73256 with the phrase saintpauls $X (insert an amount in place of X)
Check: mail your offering to St. Paul’s Church, 84 E Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
The Offering is brought forward.
Offertory Anthem: “Exultate Justi” Viadana
Praise your God, ye righteous, rejoice and sing
for the Lord is worthy to be praised.
Raise your voices and sound his praise
with lute and harp:
Strike the ten-stringed psaltery bravely.
Tell out his praises, declare his glory;
Sing ye a new song.
O sing praises lustily with good courage.
Praise your God, ye righteous, rejoice and sing
for the Lord is worthy to be praised.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the priest says
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The priest continues
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
A proper preface is said.
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: “Holy, holy, holy Lord”
The priest 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:
Priest and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The priest 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 for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Breaking of the Bread
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Priest The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Spiritual Communion: Act of Reception
During Communion, you are invited to say the following prayer form for receiving Spiritual Communion. Know that the grace of God is made present in your heart, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.
In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered this day, I long to offer you praise and thanksgiving, for creation and all the blessings of this life, for the redemption won for us by your life, death, and resurrection, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.
I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength; be my wisdom and guide me in right pathways; conform my life and actions to the image of your holiness; and, in the power of your gracious might, rule over every hostile power that threatens or disturbs the growth of your kingdom, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Communion Anthem: “Jesu, Word of God Incarnate” David Williams
Jesu, Word of God Incarnate,
Of the Virgin Mary born:
On the cross thy sacred Body
For us men with nails was torn.
Cleanse us by the blood and water
Streaming from thy pierced side;
Feed us with thy Body broken,
Now and in death’s agony.
Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, Jesu.
Communion Hymn 314: “Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen”
1. Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen,
who thy glory hidest ’neath these shadows mean;
lo, to thee surrendered, my whole heart is bowed,
tranced as it beholds thee, shrined within the cloud.
2. Taste and touch and vision to discern thee fail;
faith, that comes by hearing, pierces through the veil.
I believe whate’er the Son of God hath told;
what the Truth hath spoken, that for truth I hold.
3. O memorial wondrous of the Lord’s own death;
living Bread that givest all thy creatures breath,
grant my spirit ever by thy life may live,
to my taste thy sweetness never-failing give.
4. Jesus, whom now hidden, I by faith behold,
what my soul doth long for, that thy word foretold:
face to face thy splendor, I at last shall see,
in the glorious vision, blessed Lord, of thee.
After Communion, the priest says
Let us pray.
Priest 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.
Welcome & Announcements
The Blessing
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Dismissal
The Celebrant says the dismissal. The people respond Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Celebration” James Mansfield
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Eucharistic Minister: Carol Fox
Acolyte: Alex Kelly
Lector: Trudie Benton
Ushers: Ted Hopkins, Michael Kelly
Flowers: Kay Johnson
A/V: Liam Kelly
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, J.T. Capps, Carol Fox, Shelley Reed, Robert Risch, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, Marian Wentworth
Online giving is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
Nursery Care
Nursery care for toddlers and babies is available for those who wish to use it. The Nursery is located at the end of the Education Wing hallway, in the classroom closest to the Education Wing entrance. For help finding the Nursery, please ask an usher.
Ministry Fair: Today
You are invited to a Ministry Fair in the Parish Hall after the 8:00 and 10:00 masses. It’s an opportunity to connect with the leaders of our church’s ministries—worship, formation, outreach, etc.—and hear about what they do and how you might become more involved. Think of it like an expanded and intentional Coffee Hour. Join us!
Today is Name Tag Sunday
As you arrive through the Narthex, please write your name on a name tag and wear it so that we can welcome our new members, and get to know each other better.
Stewardship Packets Available in the Narthex this Sunday
Stewardship Packets for this year’s campaign will be available on the table in the Narthex. Each packet contains a color brochure, a pledge card, a ‘tithing time and talent’ card, and a letter from the Rector about the campaign. Remember to pick up your personalized Stewardship Packet on your way out of mass Sunday. You can also pledge online .
Rector’s office hours
Fr. Daniel will be holding drop-in office hours this week: 12:00pm-2:00pm on Wednesday, and 9:30am-11:30am on Friday. Feel free to drop in and say hello, no appointment needed.
New Confirmation & Reception Course
A new course is starting up for adults and youth (ages 14 and older) who are interested in being Confirmed or Received into The Episcopal Church. This course will take place in-person throughout the fall, winter, and spring. An initial information session will take place on Sunday, October 30, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. For further details, please contact Fr. Daniel Moore.
October Bible Study
There seems to be a short pause in between the summer vacations/ back-to school months and the festive but busy Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas trifecta. This would be a great time to explore our faith through a short Bible study. Since the season of Pentecost continues until Advent, our topic will be the Holy Spirit. Who is s/he? Why do we Christians hear less about this part of the Holy Trinity than we do about the Father and the Son? Good question. We’ll look into this topic through verses and stories from the Old and New Testaments. Join us on Zoom using the credentials from the weekly e-notes on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm. If interested, please contact Nancy or John Humphreys.
Weekday Mass: All Souls’ Day
On Wednesday, November 2, at 12:00 noon, an All Souls’ Day mass will be said in the church. If you wish to submit the names of the faithful departed to be remembered during the mass, please contact parish administrator Angela Stoots.
Ever heard of a DEMISEMISEPTCENTENNIAL anniversary?
St. Paul’s will be celebrating ours next year!
On Sunday, April 23, 1848, the Episcopal congregation in Doylestown held its first mass in a newly constructed 37’ x 60’ stone church, named in honor of St. Paul. On Sunday, April 23, 2023, we will commemorate the 175th anniversary of the opening of our church! A committee is being assembled to organize the celebration. Please let Angie know if you would like to be part of this historic event.
Christmas in Doylestown & The Christmas Attic
November 18-19: CHRISTMAS ATTIC
Bring your donations for the Christmas Attic to the church office during the week or to the coat closet on Sunday. Please mark your donations ‘Attic’ and pack breakables well. As always, thanks for your participation!
Set Up for the sale will run from Saturday Nov. 12 thru mid-afternoon on Friday Nov. 18. Sign Up to help here.
December 2-3: Christmas in Doylestown (aka CID)
We have four fabulous houses lined up for this year’s tour. Stop by the parish hall to check out the photos of the houses on the CID bulletin board. Tickets go on sale during Coffee Hour on Nov. 6th.
Cookie Baking begins on October 24. A total of seven baking days are scheduled with the last one on November 1.
Many thanks to everyone who donated ingredients!
Help us with the baking…all skill levels welcome! We work in an assembly line and there are jobs for everyone. The link to our online sign up is here and in your e-notes. There are several time slots that are short of volunteers, so please consider helping out.
As always, we are planning several raffles. This year’s raffles will be the usual favorites: Basket of Cheer, Wine & Cheese Basket and two Gift Card Trees. The link to our online donation sign-up is here and in your e-notes.
Additional online sign-ups will go live shortly and cover the many activities that are part of Christmas in Doylestown: decorating, hosting, baking, selling tickets, etc. Read your e-notes for updates and links to all the sign-ups.
Saint Paul’s is blessed with many new parishioners, and we welcome your ideas and help. Christmas in Doylestown is a great way to meet other parishioners as we work together raising money for both the church and the Doylestown Homeless Shelter.
The CID Committee
Community Meal
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with today’s community meal. Your generous gifts of food, gift cards and your time to those in need is wonderful and greatly appreciated. Please watch for the signup sheet for the next Community Meal which is scheduled for November 27. Thank you in advance for your continued help and support. Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee Chair
Fall Clean-Up Day: Saturday, October 29
Join us for a Fall Clean-Up Day on Saturday, October 29 from 8:00 am to 12 noonish! We’ll have fellowship and do some outside work on the Church, Paxson Hall and Rectory. Let’s keep up the tradition of great participation from everyone—kids are especially invited to come! Come with your favorite yard tools, or find some in the barn.
Financial Update: Sunday, October 30
Please join us in the Parish Hall following the 10am service for a brief financial presentation sponsored by the Stewardship Committee. A brief question and answer period will follow.
Boxers, Bloomers and Briefs.
One of the most requested items from people in need is clean, fresh, new underwear. You, my fellow parishioners, have met this request. You have donated numerous pairs of underwear that will help restore human dignity to those who often feel forgotten! We are now in the last two weeks. The home stretch is upon us. Help us finish strong!
Here is how to help: Purchase a pack or two of underwear in your size, style, and gender. Then, do so for your spouse. Maybe even buy some in the size of your children, your uncle, or even Grandma. This should provide a rich diversity for distribution to clothing closets around the diocese. You can drop off your donations in the coat closet in the Narthex on the weekends or the parish office during the week. Thank you for your continued support! Any questions can be directed to and addressed by Jim Massey.
Seamen’s Church Institute Drive
Once again, this fall, we will be collecting items to support the SEAMEN’S CHURCH INSTITUTE of Philadelphia Christmas Ditty Bag program. The Seamen’s Church Institute caters to the religious and basic daily needs of seafarers (merchant marine) visiting the port of Philadelphia and others nearby. We are being asked for donations of the following: (toiletries should be full size, please)
Hats and Scarves in dark colors
Work socks & work gloves
Chap Sticks
Razors
Playing cards
Toothbrushes, toothpaste
Shampoo
Pens & writing paper
hard or boxed candy
Nail clippers
Shaving cream
Hand lotion
Deodorant
Combs
Mini sewing kits
Gum, cough drops, etc.
There will be a carton in the parish hall coat room to receive your donations. Please get your donations in by Monday, October 31st. Thanks in advance for your generous support of this outreach. Any questions? Contact Robert Ball using the church directory.
From the Social Justice Committee:
The Diocese of Pennsylvania offers Anti-Racism training through their Anti-Racism Commission. It is part of the work of the Diocese, in living up to the Loving Presence Publication and the Gospel, to help as many Episcopalians understand anti-racism and become trained anti-racists. The next ARC training is entitled, Racism and Active Accountability and is offered on October 29th. You can find out more here. Contact chair Jim Massey with any questions.
Little Free Pantry Food Drive
The Little Free Pantry continues to grow in popularity and is therefore helping more and more people who have some food insecurities. So, to help fill the Pantry, let’s have a Food Drive on October 30 to benefit the Little Free Pantry. While you are shopping for your Halloween candy, could you please pick up an extra can of veggies or fruit or an extra jar of peanut butter, box of cereal, rice or beans or nuts. Cans of tuna, single serve fruit, granola bars, and long life non- refrigerated milk would be great. In addition, there is vacuum packed stew and or chicken or tuna which would be very much appreciated. If everyone could bring one thing to church on Oct. 30 that would be wonderful Thank you so much in advance for your generosity. Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee Chair
Spiritual Direction
Are you interested in deepening your relationship with God? Spiritual direction or “holy listening” is the ancient practice of accompanying a person as they grow in their spirituality. Our spirituality informs so many aspects of our being, from our careers and vocations to the very questions about what it means to be human, in relationship with others. Having a person prayerfully listening with you as you discern God’s invitations can create expansive space and time for the Spirit to speak. As an associate in the Shalem Institute’s Program in Spiritual Guidance, Leigh DeTato is in formation as a spiritual director and is accepting new directees as part of her training. Sessions are typically about an hour once a month and are free until she completes her certificate at the end of 2023. Contact Leigh to learn more.
Community Survey for Comprehensive Plan
Doylestown Borough is updating its Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated in 1997. A Comprehensive Plan is an official document that serves as a guide to land use decision making. It is a statement of the community’s vision for the future to be used by residents, the Planning Commission, Borough Council, private and public stakeholders, and governmental agencies.
The Doylestown Borough Comprehensive Plan will focus on the quality-of-life issues that are most important to Borough residents, reaching consensus on a direction forward, and building local capacity to effect real change.
To ensure that the views of your household or business are considered in the development of the Comprehensive Plan update, please take a few minutes to complete the following survey. Please read each question carefully, and answer to the best of your knowledge with your honest opinion. All responses to this survey will be anonymous. Please complete this survey by November 8, 2022. Your input is important to us! You don’t need to live in Doylestown Borough to participate in the survey.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given by Peter Rockafellow to the glory of God, and in loving memory of his parents, Marian and David Rockafellow.
