The eighteenth SUNday after pentecost
Sunday, September 22, 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: “Dove of Peace” Louis Vierne
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 390: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation:
join the great throng,
psaltery, organ, and song,
sounding in glad adoration.
2. Praise to the Lord; over all things he gloriously reigneth:
borne as on eagle-wings, safely his saints he sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen
how all thou needest hath been
granted in what he ordaineth?
3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy way and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy shall ever attend thee;
ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with his love doth befriend thee.
4. Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath come now with praises before him!
Let the amen
sound from his people again;
gladly for ever adore him.
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.
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; 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
The First Lesson: Proverbs 31:10-31
A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 1
1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.
4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.
The Second Lesson: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 379: “God is Love, let heaven adore him”
1. God is Love, let heaven adore him;
God is Love, let earth rejoice;
let creation sing before him
and exalt him with one voice.
God who laid the earth’s foundation,
God who spread the heavens above,
God who breathes through all creation:
God is Love, eternal Love.
2. God is Love; and love enfolds us,
all the world in one embrace:
with unfailing grasp God holds us,
every child of every race.
And when human hearts are breaking
under sorrow’s iron rod,
then we find that selfsame aching
deep within the heart of God.
3. God is Love; and though with blindness
sin afflicts all human life,
God’s eternal loving kindness
guides us through out earthly strife.
Sin and death and hell shall never
o’er us final triumph gain;
God is Love, so Love forever
o’er the universe must reign.
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon Dr. James Massey
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: “I am the Vine” John Bertalot
I am the vine, and ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:
I am the vine, and ye are the branches:
for without me ye can do nothing.
If ye abide in me and my words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.
If ye abide in me.
I am the vine, and ye are the branches:
Herein is my Father glorified,
that ye bear much fruit; abide in me.
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: “Behold, How Good and Joyful” John Clarke Whitfield
Behold, how good and how joyful a thing it is,
brethren to dwell together in unity.
It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down unto the beard,
even unto Aaron’s beard,
and went down to the skirts of his clothing.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which fell upon the hill of Sion.
For there the Lord promised his blessing,
and life for evermore. Amen.
Hymn 477: “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine”
1. All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,
didst yield the glory that of right was thine,
that in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine.
Alleluia!
2. Thou cam’st to us in lowliness of thought;
by thee the outcast and the poor were sought;
and by thy death was God’s salvation wrought.
Alleluia!
3. Let this mind be in us which was in thee,
who wast a servant that we might be free,
humbling thyself to death on Calvary.
Alleluia!
4. Wherefore, by God’s eternal purpose, thou
art high exalted o’er all creatures now,
and given the Name to which all knees shall bow.
Alleluia!
5. Let every tongue confess with one accord
in heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord;
and God the Father be by all adored.
Alleluia! Amen.
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: “Toccata in D minor” J.S. Bach
Service Participants
Celebrant: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Preacher: Dr. James Massey
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Ministers: Widgette Kelly, Jim Massey
Thurifer: Alex Kelly
Crucifer: Fiona Mayorga
Lector: Leigh DeTato
Ushers: Maureen McGraw, Andy Morse
Altar: Sara Frister, Susan Nejako
Livestream: Emery Kohut
Counters: Kathy Sullivan, George Achilles
Flowers: Audrey Jackson
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
There is no weekday mass this week; the next one will be held on Wednesday, October 2.
Children’s Sunday School
Sunday school for children grades K-5 during the 10 AM service in the education wing downstairs. Drop off begins at 9:45 AM and children will join the service during the peace. Please contact Rachel Morse with questions or to volunteer.
Annual Parish Picnic & Community Meal Today at Burpee Park
Our annual Parish Picnic will take place today 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. 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 Event: 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!
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.
October Bible Study
If you’re interested in growing your Christian faith through Bible reading, please join us for studies in October: October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th. We meet in the Education Wing 9 -9:45 am, in-between our two Sunday Masses.
Whether you have very little Bible knowledge or you’re a Bible scholar, there’s a place for you. Please join us for a time of fellowship and an exploration of God’s word.
Topic: ‘How and why do we give back to God, who already has everything?’
Questions? You can contact Nancy Gifford-Humphreys or John Humphreys.
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.
Christmas in Doylestown: Butter Cookies
Once again, our famous Butter Cookies will be available for Christmas in Doylestown. This year we will be taking pre-orders with some boxes of cookies available for sale at the tour. Make sure you place a pre-order so as to make sure you don’t miss out on the delicious cookies. Order Forms can be found in the parish hall by the Christmas in Doylestown bulletin board. To make the scrumptious cookies, bakers and ingredient donations will be needed. Please see sign up forms in the parish hall by the Christmas in Doylestown bulletin board starting October 1st. Baking dates begin November 2nd through November 9th - some weekends and some weekdays. Thank you in advance to all that help with the butter cookies! Butter Cookie questions? Please contact June Psculkowski.
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.
Returns this 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!
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Gene and Nancy Cadwallader by their children. Arranged by Audrey Jackson.
