The seventeenth SUNday after pentecost
Sunday, September 15, 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: “Berceuse” Louis Vierne
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 525: “The Church’s one foundation”
1. The Church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the word:
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
2. Elect from every nation,
yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy Name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
3. Though with a scornful wonder
men see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed;
yet saints their watch are keeping,
their cry goes up, “How long?”
and soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
4. Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blessed,
and the great Church victorious
shall be the Church at rest.
5. Yet she on earth hath union
with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.
Opening Acclamation
Priest ✠ Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity
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.
The Gloria in Excelsis Hymnal 1982, S-278
The Collect of the Day
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us pray.
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Gradual Wisdom 7:26–8:1
Wisdom is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.
Although she is but one, she can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; Refrain
in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets;
for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.
She is more beautiful than the sun,
and excels every constellation of the stars. Refrain
Compared with the light she is found to be superior,
for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.
She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other,
and she orders all things well. Refrain
Second Lesson: James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 675: “Take up your cross, the Savior said”
1. Take up your cross, the Savior said,
if you would my disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me.
2. Take up your cross, let not its weight
fill your weak spirit with alarm;
his strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.
3. Take up your cross, heed not the shame,
and let your foolish heart be still;
the Lord for you accepted death
upon a cross, on Calvary’s hill.
4. Take up your cross, then, in his strength,
and calmly ever danger brave;
it guides you to abundant life
and leads to victory o’er the grave.
5. Take up your cross, and follow Christ,
nor think till death to lay it down;
for only those who bear the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Gospel: Mark 8:27-38
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
The Nicene Creed
The Prayers of the People
The leader and people pray responsively
I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Bishops; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.
Silence
I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all victims of violence, and for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.
Silence
I ask your prayers for those on our parish prayer list, and for those we now name:
Silence. Additional petitions may be included here.
We pray for our sister church of St. Mary’s, Sololá, in our companion diocese of Guatemala.
Silence
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Silence
The Celebrant concludes
Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask: Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son 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.
Welcome & Announcements
The Celebrant introduces the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture, and the people sit.
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.
Anthem: “Like the Colors of the Rainbow” Philip Stopford
Like the colors of the rainbow,
like the shells upon the shore,
like the crystal’s brilliant facets,
like the shadows on the floor,
great and joyful were the praises
which our forebears wrote and sang,
rich and varied were the places
where the alleluias rang. Alleluia.
Just as varied are the praises
which God’s people bring today,
Whether gathered in cathedrals
or in homes to sing and pray.
Whether quiet or resounding,
in a group or all alone,
when we give our thanks through music
seeds of faith and hope are sown. Alleluia.
Whether sung by wrens and robins,
or by children in a choir,
Whether tranquil and irenic,
or aflame with rhythmic fire,
ev’ry note, O God Eternal,
has the pow’r to make us new,
ev’ry moment spent in praising
has its source and end in You. Alleluia.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the priest sings
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. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. 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 et Benedictus qui venit Hymnal 1982, S-125
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 Fraction
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.
Anthem: “Teach me, O Lord” Thomas Atwood
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Hymn 522: “Glorious things of thee are spoken”
1. Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
he whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
2. See! the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, when such a river
ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver
never fails from age to age.
3. Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner,
light by night, and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which he gives them when they pray.
4. Blest inhabitants of Zion,
washed in the Redeemer’s blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
makes them kings and priests to God.
’Tis his love his people raise
over self to reign as kings:
and as priests, his solemn praises
each for a thank-offering brings.
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 & Dismissal
The Celebrant blesses the people and dismisses them.
The People respond Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Fugue in C major” J.S. Bach
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Ministers: Christopher McCall, Jim Massey
Thurifer: J. T. Massey
Crucifer: Grant Massey
Lector: Pike Stephens
Ushers: Andy Hutchison, Andy Morse
Altar: Sara Frister, Widgette Kelly
Livestream: Liam Kelly
Counters: John Fraser, George Wiemann
Flowers: Kim Jacobsen
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 St. Matthew the Evangelist (transferred) will be held this week on Wednesday, September 18, at noon in the Church.
Blessing of Backpacks and First Day of Sunday School
Welcome back! Sunday school for children grades K-5 begins this week, Sunday, September 15 during the 10 AM service. Drop off starting at 9:45 in the education wing downstairs and children will join the service during the peace. Please contact Rachel Morse with questions or to volunteer. Bring your backpacks with you to the 10 AM service for Fr. Daniel to offer a blessing for the start of the school year.
Annual Parish Picnic & Community Meal
Sunday, September 22, Burpee Park
Our annual Parish Picnic will take place on Sunday, September 22 at nearby Burpee Park, directly following the 10:00 am mass. This picnic is for church members, as well as parishioners (those who live in our parish, whether or not they are a member). This year, the picnic will coincide with our monthly community meal, so there will be new and familiar faces. Sign up for picnic items here. We have reserved the covered pavilion at the park; if you have a lawn chair, you are invited to bring it—along with balls, frisbees, lawn games, etc. Donations of hygiene products and fast-food gift cards in $10 increments are also welcome. Feel free to invite a friend, and looking forward to seeing you at our Parish Picnic & Community Meal!
Women’s Ministry Events: September 20 and October 26
The Women’s Ministry group is getting back together this Fall for fun and fellowship. We have several “outings” as well as “in-house” activities coming up, so stay alert for announcements!
One of our first fellowship gatherings will be an evening out at Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery in Perkasie. This is an informal, come as you are event. Come when you can, leave when you must. Unwind after a long week, share some stories and laughs, and just spend some time with friends. All are welcome!
Friday September 20th, 6p - 9p. Bring snacks and treats to share. They are open to bringing your own food but also have a food truck there. Food truck that evening is the Scratch Kitchen Food Truck.
In the beauty of Fall, and hopefully the height of the color, we will gather at the Peace Valley Nature Preserve and take a walk together for about an hour. Join us for some fresh air and leisurely conversation. This event will take place Saturday afternoon, October 26, at 1:30.
Any questions, feel free to talk with anyone on the women’s ministry team, including Leigh DeTato or Jen Prater.
Ministry Fair: Sunday, October 6
You are invited to a Ministry Fair in the Parish Hall after the 8:00 and 10:00 masses on Sunday, October 6. 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!
October “Dinner & A Movie” Series
Join us on Wednesday nights during October for a new “dinner & a movie” series. The evening schedule will be as follows:
· 5:30 – Evening Prayer (Nave)
· 6:00 – Potluck Dinner (Parish Hall)
· 6:30 – ‘Movie’ & Discussion, ending by 7:30pm
The “movies” we will watch are actually short films produced by The Work of The People, a kind of visual library that explores faith and the Christian life through interviews with theologians, artists, pastors, and others. Films we’ll watch will cover topics that include: grace, sacraments, suffering, embodiment, and hope—from a variety of voices and perspectives.
This fall series begins Wednesday, October 2. Attendees will be invited to contribute to meals and help with setup/cleanup: you can sign up at bit.ly/stp-movies2024. To help plan for enough food and seating, RSVP for the series by sending a message to Fr. Daniel Moore.
Daughters of the King
Those women interested in a new chapter of this order being initiated at St. Paul’s will be gathering, again, on Thursday, October 3, at 6:00pm in the conference room. There are several things to discuss and to put in place even before we begin our formation sessions early next year. These are exciting first steps. Questions for anyone else interested and not yet identified? Feel free to contact Leigh DeTato.
Caring For Friends
Caring for Friends is a ministry of packing meals for the hungry in our greater Philadelphia area. You are invited to join for the next packing event: Saturday, September 21, from 9:30-11:30am. Those who prefer to cook at home may bring prepared food to the church kitchen on the 21st (please include a list of ingredients for all meals). Casseroles with a protein source, meats like meatloaf, chicken, beef, turkey breasts with a side of rice or potatoes are some other ideas. Donations of canned goods are appreciated, especially fruits and vegetables. Hope you can make it. Please contact Myra Parker, Mary Smith, or George Wiemann with any questions.
Spiritual Prayer Practices
Come and explore some ancient and some not-so ancient ways of opening and deepening your prayer life. You will be among friends in an informal environment. Meet once a month – as you wish and can – for about an hour. The second Fall meeting is planned for Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 in Paxson Hall. Questions? Contact Leigh DeTato.
Wrapping Presence, a new Outreach project for 2024
Wrapping Presence is an organization that was founded locally almost 30 years ago. Its mission is to return a degree of dignity to residents in nursing facilities who are otherwise no longer able to do for others during the Christmas season. Here is a list of items being collected for Wrapping Presence. You can find information about the ways to get involved here. Please contact Maureen McGraw with any questions.
Saint Paul’s Market is OPEN
featuring bounty from parishioners’ gardens
Proceeds benefit the Little Free Pantry
Gardeners: Bring in your extras!
Buyers: Please make a donation & remember to bring your own bag.
Looking for Help with the Nursery
Would you like to see our church grow by welcoming young families? Would you like bring your young grandchildren to church? Do you love children and enjoy rocking infants and playing with toddlers? Do you know of any babysitters or preschool teachers looking to earn extra income each month? We are hoping to resume nursery care during the 10:00 AM Sunday service for families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, but we need your help! Ideally, we will have one paid position each Sunday along with a crew of volunteers to serve once a month or every other month. If you know of a high school or college student or other adult looking to make a few extra dollars each month or if you are interested in being a part of our volunteer crew, please contact Fr. Daniel.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given by Suzan M. Mathieu to the glory of God, and in loving memory of her parents John P. and Huldah L. Mathieu. Arranged by Kim Jacobsen.
