The Second sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 14, 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: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence’” Hillert
The Word of God
Hymn 126: “The people who in darkness walked”
1. The people who in darkness walked
have seen a glorious light;
on them broke forth the heavenly dawn
who dwelt in death and night.
2. To hail thy rising, Sun of life,
the gathering nations come,
joyous as when the reapers bear
their harvest treasures home.
3. To us the promised Child is born,
to us the Son is given;
him shall the tribes of earth obey,
and all the hosts of heaven.
4. His name shall be the Prince of Peace
for evermore adored,
the Wonderful, the Counselor,
the mighty God and Lord.
5. His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know;
justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.
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: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4 You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
13 I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
14 My body was not hidden from you, *
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
all of them were written in your book; *
they were fashioned day by day,
when as yet there was none of them.
16 How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
how great is the sum of them!
17 If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *
to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 324: “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”
1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.
3. Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.
4. At his feet the six-winged seraph;
cherubim with sleepless eye
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
The Gospel: John 1:43-51
Celebrant The ✠ Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort
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
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: “In dulci jubilo” Steven Van Wye
In dulci jubilo [In sweet joy],
Let us our homage show;
Our heart’s joy reclineth
In praesepio [in the manger]
And like a bright star shineth,
Matris in gremio [in his mother’s lap]
Alpha es et O. [you are Alpha and Omega]
O Jesu parvule! [O tiny Jesus]
My heart is sore for thee!
Hear me, I beseech thee,
O puer optima [O excellent Child]
My prayer let it reach thee,
O Princeps gloriae! [King of glory]
Trahe me post te! [draw me to you]
O Patris caritas [O love of the Father],
O Nati lenitas! [O gentleness of the Baby]
Deeply were we stained;
Per nostra crimina [through our faults];
But thou for us hast gained
Coelorum gaudia [heavenly joy],
O that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia [where are joys],
If that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantina [new songs],
There the bells are ringing
In regis curia [in the court of the King]
O that we were there.
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: “Ave Verum” W.A. Mozart
Ave verum corpus, natum ex Maria Virgine,
vere passum,
immolatum in cruce pro homine,
cujus latus perforatum unda
fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.
Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary,
having truly suffered,
sacrificed on the cross for mankind,
from whose pierced side
water and blood flowed:
be for us a foretaste in the trial of death.
Hymn 535: “Ye Servants of God”
1. Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful Name;
the Name all-victorious of Jesus extol:
his kingdom is glorious; he rules over all.
2. God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still he is nigh: his presence we have.
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.
3. Salvation to God who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud, and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.
4. Then let us adore, and give him his right:
All glory and power, all wisdom and might,
and honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never-ceasing and infinite love.
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: “Fugue on ‘Wie Schoen Leuchtet’” Buxtehude
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort
Eucharistic Ministers: Christopher McCall, Kyle Evans
Thurifer: Alex Kelly
Crucifer: Will Boyd
Lector: Pike Stephens
Ushers: Andy Hutchison, Ted Hopkins
Altar Guild: Susan Nejako, Sara Frister
Flowers: Audrey Jackson
A/V: Josh Pankoe
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 Feast of the Confession of St. Peter the Apostle (transferred), will take place this week on Wednesday, January 17, at noon in the Church.
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.
Funeral Announcement
A funeral mass for departed member Elizabeth Pitts will be held at St. Paul’s on Saturday, January 20, at 3:00 PM.
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.
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.
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.
Death Notice
Patricia Hall, a former parishioner of St. Paul’s from the ’80s and ’90s died peacefully at Neshaminy Manor this past Sunday. There will be no services. However, per her wishes, she would like to be remembered by the Bible verse of Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 6-8. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
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.
2024 Anti-Racism Training Schedule
All anti-racism trainings are from 9 am to 12 pm on Zoom.
Jan. 27. Introduction to Systemic Racism. This training explores the multi-layered manifestations of prejudice, privilege, race, and systemic racism.
Mar. 23. Racism and History. This training explores the ways in which systemic racism was created over time through laws, policies and practices. We will consider selected laws, policies and practices, while examining the ways in which our society has been continuously shaped by them. Completion of Introduction to Systemic Racism is a prerequisite.
Apr. 27. Introduction to Systemic Racism.
Jun. 22. Racism and Institutions. This training explores the ways in which racism manifests in America’s educational, employment, entertainment, finance, healthcare, housing, justice, mass media, and religious institutions. Completion of Introduction to Systemic Racism is a prerequisite. Please contact Wendy Brumbaugh with any questions.
Annual Meeting & Elections
The 178th Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s will take place on Sunday, January 28, at 10:30 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 following nominees are presented for election to the Vestry:
· Wendy Brumbaugh
· Joe Farina
· Diane Happ
· Gene Kennedy
· Rachel Morse
Please mark your calendars for this important event in the life of our parish.
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 Kelly family to the glory of God, in loving memory of Helmut Lutter.
