The First sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 7, 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: “Prelude on ‘Morning Star’” Stearns
The Word of God
Hymn 118: “Brightest and best of the stars of the morning”
1. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
2. Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining,
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.
Refrain
3. Shall we then yield him, in costly devotion,
odors of Edom, and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest, gold from the mine?
Refrain
4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favor secure,
richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Refrain
5. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
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
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.
9 And in the temple of the Lord *
all are crying, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *
the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.
11 The Lord shall give strength to his people; *
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Second Lesson: Acts 19:1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 120: “The sinless one to Jordan came”
1. The sinless one to Jordan came,
and in the river shared our stain;
God’s righteousness he thus fulfilled,
and chose the path his Father willed.
2. Uprising from the waters there,
the Father’s voice did then declare
that Christ, the Son of God, had come
to lead his scattered people home.
3. Above him see the heavenly Dove,
the sign of God the Father’s love,
now by the Holy Spirit shed
upon the Son’s anointed head.
4. How blest that mission then begun
to heal and save a race undone!
Straight to the wilderness he goes
to wrestle with his people’s foes.
5. O Christ, may we baptized from sin,
go forth with you a world to win:
grant us the Holy Spirit’s power
to shield us in temptation’s hour.
6. On you may all your people feed,
and know you are the Bread indeed,
who gives eternal life to those
that with you died, and with you rose.
The Gospel: Mark 1:4-11
Celebrant The ✠ Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon Kyle Evans
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
Priest Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People I do.
Priest Do you believe in God the Father?
People
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Priest Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Priest Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Priest Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
The priest concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
Leader In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
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 all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his 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.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant offers an absolution.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
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
Offertory Anthem: “Glory to God” G.F. Handel
Glory to God, glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men.
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the Celebrant sings
The Celebrant 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. Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. 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 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 for ever. Amen.
Celebrant And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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 Fraction
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Then, facing the people, the Celebrant says
Celebrant 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.
Offertory Anthem: “The Sussex Carol”
On Christmas night all Christians sing
to hear the news the angels bring:
news of great joy, news of great mirth
good tidings of our Savior’s birth.
Then why should we on earth be sad,
since our Redeemer made us glad,
when from our sin he set us free,
all for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before his grace,
then life and health come in its place.
Angels in heaven with joy may sing
all for to see the newborn King.
Out of darkness we have light,
which the angels sing this night.
Glory to God we sing once again,
now and forevermore, Amen!
Hymn 139: “When Jesus went to Jordan’s stream”
1. When Jesus went to Jordan’s stream,
his Father’s will obeying,
and was baptized by John,
there came a voice in heaven saying,
“This is my dear beloved Son,
upon whom rests my favor.”
And till God’s will is fully done,
he will not bend or waver,
for he is Christ the Savior.
2. The Holy Spirit then was shown,
a dove on him descending;
the Triune God is thus made known
in Christ as love unending.
He taught, he healed, he raised the dead,
yet, in his great endeavor to save us,
his own blood was shed;
but death could hold him never.
He rose, and lives forever.
3. He came by water, and by blood
to heal our lost condition;
he cleanses, reconciles to God,
and gives the Great Commission.
Then let us not heed worldly lies
nor rest upon our merit,
but trust in Christ who will baptize
with water and the Spirit
that we may life inherit.
After Communion, the Celebrant says
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.
Welcome & Announcements
Blessing & Dismissal
The Celebrant blesses the people and dismisses them.
The people respond Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Who are These That Earnest Knock” Pachelbel
Service Participants
Celebrant: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Preacher: Kyle Evans
Eucharistic Ministers: Pike Stephens, Kyle Evans
Thurifer: Andela Dozier
Crucifer: Grant Massey
Lector: Laura Pankoe
Ushers: John Fraser, Maureen McGraw
Altar Guild: Susan Nejako, Widgette Kelly
Flowers: Susan Roberts
A/V: Emery Kohut
Organist: Susan Johnson
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Alexander Famous, Carol Fox, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Amber Robinson, Annie Rogers, 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.
Weekday Worship
Mass for the lesser feast of William Laud (Archbishop of Canterbury, d. 1645), will take place this week on Wednesday, January 10, at noon in the Chapel.
Funeral Announcement
A funeral mass for departed member Elizabeth Pitts will be held at St. Paul’s on the afternoon of Saturday, January 20.
Please Note: the funeral time is TBD.
The service will take place in the mid-afternoon; once the time has been determined, it will be published to the parish in the bulletin and via email.
After the funeral, you are invited to a reception in the Parish Hall. Join us for this service, as we honor our dearly departed sister in Christ, Elizabeth Pitts.
Support for the Pitts Family
A GoFundMe campaign has now been organized for Richard and William. Funds raised through this campaign will be used to provide assistance with medical expenses, funeral costs, education, and any other needs Richard and William may have moving forward. You can access this campaign via the QR code on the right, or by going to www.gofundme.com/f/support-elizabeth-pitts-family
This campaign has been organized by Beth Guffey. If you have any questions, feel free to reach Beth at bethguffey17@gmail.com. You are encouraged to distribute the details of this campaign to those in our area who are connected to the Pitts family but who may not be parishioners of St. Paul’s.
Bring a Christmas Poinsettia Home
These beautiful white poinsettias have adorned our church this Christmastide, and it’s time for them to find a new home. You are invited to take one with you as you leave—a Christmas gift from the Flower Guild of St. Paul’s.
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Our next meeting is at 7:30 PM on January 9th, the usual 2nd Tuesday of every month. Join us on Zoom (login credentials can be found in the most recent Weekly E-Notes email). Contact chair Jim Massey with any questions. All are welcome!
2024 Offering Envelopes
2024 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.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
This year, MLK Day of Service is on Monday, January 15, 2024. The Outreach Committee and Caring For Friends team are sponsoring a parish wide event of meal packing for the food insecure and homebound. You can participate by dropping off canned fruit and vegetables and/or cooked entrees on Sunday, January 14 or Monday at 9-10 am. Casseroles such as stew, chili, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, stuffed shells, and tuna, chicken or ham based dishes make excellent cooked entrees. Carved turkey and spiral cut ham also work well. All are welcomed to assemble meals starting at 9:30 am. We usually finish by 11:30. Let’s beat last year’s record!
11th Annual Bucks and Montgomery Counties
MLK Teen Peace and Social Justice Summit: Living The Dream: It Starts With Me
Join us on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm at Pennsbury High School West Campus, Keller Hall Auditorium, 608 South Olds. Blvd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030. Featuring Stephen J. Tyson Jr. (aka Ellect) Musician and Educator EMCEE
· Open to 9th - 12th grade students and mature 7th and 8th graders
· Educators, parents and community members welcome
· Separate workshops for students, educators and parents
· Inspirational Speakers
· Student-led stories of their experiences
· Meaningful & courageous conversations on racism, discrimination and intolerance
· Resources available to support students and communities
· Refreshments and chill for a few minutes after the program
Registration is required. Click here to register. For more information call 215-750-7220.
Confirmation & Reception
Our course on Confirmation & Reception continues for youth (ages 14 and older) and adults who wish to enter The Episcopal Church as full members. This course will be taking place throughout the winter and spring. For further details, reach out to Fr. Daniel Moore.
2024 Annual Meeting Details
The next annual meeting of St. Paul’s will take place on the morning of Sunday, January 28, 2024. This meeting will take place in-person. A reminder that, per our parish by-laws, voting members are lay, baptized persons aged 16 and older:
who shall have been communicants, as defined by Church Canons, in this church as their usual place of public worship for at least one (1) calendar year,
and who shall appear by the books of the Parish to have contributed towards the current expenses of the Parish during the calendar year immediately preceding such election or meeting not less than One Hundred ($100.00) dollars, or Twenty-Five ($25) dollars for persons ages 16 and 17. The financial requirement may be waived, subject to the Rector’s discretion.
Further details to follow. Please mark your calendars for this upcoming event; for questions, contact the Rector.
Will return next year!
We continue to accept donations of gently
used Christmas decorations & ornaments.
Please mark your donations ‘Attic’ and drop
them off to the church office
or leave them in the coat room. Thank You!
2024 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 by the Leonardis family to the glory of God, in loving memory of Richard and Lorraine Podlovits, Frank and Florence Perrotte, Joseph and Julia Podlovits, Gino and Maria Leonardis, and Eliza and Giuseppe Placidi.
