The Fourth sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 29, at 9:30 am
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 323. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
Prelude: “Gather Us In” John Rehnke
The Word of God
Hymn 542: “Christ is the world’s true Light”
1. Christ is the world’s true Light,
its Captain of salvation,
the Daystar clear and bright
of every race and nation;
new life, new hope awakes,
for all who own his sway:
freedom her bondage breaks,
and night is turned to day.
2. In Christ all races meet,
their ancient feuds forgetting,
the whole round world complete,
from sunrise to its setting:
when Christ is throned as Lord
all shall forsake their fear,
to ploughshare beat the sword,
to pruning-hook the spear.
3. One Lord, in one great Name
unite us all who own thee;
cast out our pride and shame
that hinder to enthrone thee;
the world has waited long,
has travailed long in pain;
to heal its ancient wrong,
come, Prince of Peace, and reign.
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, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gloria: “Glory to God in the highest”
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; 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: Micah 6:1-8
Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.” “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 15
1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
who may abide upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.
3 There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.
6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7 Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 593: “Lord, make us servants of your peace”
1. Lord, make us servants of your peace:
where there is hate, may we sow love;
where there is hurt, may we forgive;
where there is strife, may we make one.
2. Where all is doubt, may we sow faith;
where all is gloom, may we sow hope;
where all is night, may we sow light;
where all is tears, may we sow joy.
3. Jesus, our Lord, may we not seek
to be consoled, but to console,
nor look to understanding hearts,
but look for hearts to understand.
4. May we not look for love’s return,
but seek to love unselfishly,
for in our giving we receive,
and in forgiving are forgiven.
5. Dying, we live, and are reborn
through death’s dark night to endless day:
Lord, make us servants of your peace,
to wake at last in heaven’s light.
The Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant The ✠ Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise be to thee, O Christ
The Sermon & Annual Address
The Nicene Creed Said in unison
I believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father;
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the
Virgin Mary, and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried;
and the third day he rose again
according to the Scriptures;
and ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of life,
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spake by the Prophets.
And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church;
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
and I look for the resurrection of the dead,
✠ and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church and the world.
Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: Receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers, especially Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Daniel, Bishop of this Diocese; and Daniel, Priest of this Parish, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and every land; for Joseph, President of this nation, and for Joshua, Governor of this commonwealth, that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all those who in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. We especially pray for Polly, Nina, Grace, Russ, Amy, Lisa, Bill, Renée, June, Sanjay, Andrew, Dash, Mae, Christin, Tommy, Victoria, Nikki, Janet, Betty, Zachary, Libby, Danielle, Rob, Bob, Karen, Ricardo, Rob, Emma, Robin, Stephen, Adam, Dawn, Stephen, Ruth, Lewis, and Joan, and for those we now name: The congregation may add their own petitions at this time.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
We remember and pray for our sister church of St. Mary’s, Sololá, in our companion diocese of Guatemala.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
And we also bless ✠ thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially all departed priests who have served St. Paul’s Church, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Paul the Apostle, and of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
Celebrant
Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
The Confession of Sin
Celebrant
Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling. Silence is kept.
Celebrant and People
Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all men:
We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins
and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty,
provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us,
the burden of them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us,
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant stands and says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, ✠ pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The people stand.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And with thy spirit.
The ministers and the people greet one another with a sign of peace.
The Holy Communion
The Celebrant begins the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
The Offering is brought forward. The people stand and are censed by the acolyte.
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
Anthem: “O Love’s Redeeming Sacrifice” Edward Elgar
O Love’s Redeeming Sacrifice
Who opens wide the gates of heav’n:
From those who threaten us with death,
O give us strength, grant us thy aid.
In all danger and fear of death,
O give us strength, grant us your aid
Sing to the one eternal God,
Unending praise unto Thy Name,
For we are heirs of grace through Thee
Providing us eternal life,
Through Thy love we are heirs of life.
Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer II
Celebrant Pray, brothers and sisters, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
People May the Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of his Name, both to our benefit and that of all his holy Church.
The people stand and the Celebrant sings
The Celebrant continues
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.
Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, was made very Man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become thy children.
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and singing,
Sanctus: “Holy, holy, holy Lord”
The Celebrant continues
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory. And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be X filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,
The Fraction
The Celebrant 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.
The Prayer of Humble Access
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
The Invitation to Holy Communion
Celebrant Behold the Lamb of God; behold him that taketh away the sins of the world:
People Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.
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.
Anthem: “Keep me faithfully in thy paths” G.F. Handel
Keep me faithfully in thy paths,
O Lord, in thy paths,
and cleanse me from my sin.
In thy goodness, Lord be thou merciful.
Hymn 605: “What does the Lord require”
1. What does the Lord require
for praise and offering?
What sacrifice desire,
or tribute bid you bring?
Do justly; love mercy;
walk humbly with your God.
2. Rulers of earth, give ear!
Should you not justice show?
Will God your pleading hear,
while crime and cruelty grow?
Do justly; love mercy;
walk humbly with your God.
3. Still down the ages ring
the prophet’s stern commands.
To merchant, worker, king
he brings God’s high demands.
Do justly; love mercy;
walk humbly with your God.
4. How shall my soul fulfill
God’s law so hard and high?
Let Christ endue our will
with grace to fortify.
Then justly; in mercy
we’ll humbly walk with God.
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
Almighty and everliving God,
we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us,
in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us;
and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son,
the blessed company of all faithful people;
and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom.
And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father,
so to assist us with thy grace,
that we may continue in that holy fellowship,
and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Welcome & Announcements
Blessing & Dismissal
The Celebrant blesses the people and dismisses them.
The people respond Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “AGod of our Fathers” David Schack
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Eucharistic Minister: Pike Stephens
Acolyte: Madeleine Moore
Lectors: Chris Frey, Nancy Gifford-Humphreys
Ushers: Andy Hutchison, Ted Hopkins
Altar Guild: Elizabeth Pitts, Susan Nejako
Flowers: Audrey Jackson
A/V: Emery Kohut
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, J.T. Capps, Carol Fox, Laura Pankoe, 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.
Today: Annual Meeting at 11:00
The 177th Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s will take place at 11:00 AM in the Parish Hall.
At this meeting, we will elect a new class of Vestry members and delegates to Diocesan convention and Deanery convocation. The Nominating Committee presents the following nominees for election to the Vestry:
· Trudie Benton
Widgette Kelly
· Laura Pankoe
· David Taylor
· Nancy Gifford Humphreys (2-year term)
For election to the St. Paul’s deputation to the Diocese and Deanery, the Nominating Committee presents the following:
· Paul Henderson
· Rachel Morse
· Mae O’Brien
· Elizabeth Pitts (alternate)
Please join us for this important meeting in the annual life of our church.
2023 Offering Envelopes
2023 offering envelopes are available on the bench in the narthex for those who requested them. To request envelopes, please see the Treasurer, Doug Esser, or call the parish office
Weekday Worship
Mass for the Eve of the Presentation of Our Lord will be held this week on Wednesday, February 1, at noon in the Church.
Youth Formation: volunteers needed
Hello St. Paul’s Family! We are in need of some adults and teens who are interested in helping out with Youth Formation. If you are interested in helping the youth explore new ideas and gain a better understanding of who God is in their lives, please reach out to Maureen McGraw or Elizabeth Pitts. This would only take a commitment of about an hour or so every 2-3 months and would involve helping to answer questions and helping with different activities. Please sign up to help here.
175th Anniversary Celebration
We stand only weeks away from the Historic 175th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Episcopal of Doylestown. A meaningful and fun Celebration is planned for April 22nd and 23rd. Please contribute to inspire this event. Bishop Gutierrez and the Mayor of Doylestown are also invited. Designate any donations as St. Paul’s 175Fund. If you have any questions, please contact David Nejako using the church directory.
Little Free Pantry
The Food Pantry continues to be a very active place which shows it has a great need. The activity will increase with the cold weather approaching. All donations of shelf stable products are greatly appreciated. Items such as snack bars, crackers, small water, shelf stable milk, nuts, peanut butter, canned fruit, small cereal boxes are always welcome. If you are donating, please check the expiration dates on items before dropping off. Questions? Contact Mary Lou Parry using the church directory.
2023 Episcopal Church Ordo Calendars Available
Our 2023 Ordo Calendars have arrived and are available in the Narthex. Please pick up yours today, and perhaps an extra if you know of someone who might like one.
altar Flowers
Today’s flowers are given to the glory of God, and in thanksgiving for all departed priests who have served St. Paul’s Church, Doylestown.
