The Twenty-First SUNday after pentecost
Sunday, October 13, 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: “Ave Maria” Victor Togni
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 684: “O for a closer walk with God”
1. O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heavenly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!
2. Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
of Jesus and his word?
3. Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
and drove thee from my breast.
4. The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from thy throne,
and worship only thee.
5. So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.
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.
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; 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
The First Lesson: Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Job said: “Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. “If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 22:1-15
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *
and are so far from my cry
and from the words of my distress?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *
by night as well, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
4 Our forefathers put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 They cried out to you and were delivered; *
they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
6 But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by all and despised by the people.
7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; *
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
8 "He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; *
let him rescue him, if he delights in him."
9 Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother's breast.
10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *
you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb.
11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help.
12 Many young bulls encircle me; *
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
13 They open wide their jaws at me, *
like a ravening and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water;
all my bones are out of joint; *
my heart within my breast is melting wax.
15 My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd;
my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *
and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
The Second Lesson: Hebrews 4:12-16
The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 655: “O Jesus, I have promised”
1. O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end:
be thou for ever near me,
my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle,
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway,
if thou wilt be my guide.
2. O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me
listen, thou guardian of my soul.
3. O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee,
that where thou art in glory
there shall thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my friend.
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Gospel: Mark 10:17-31
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”
Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
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 with the following Collect
Gracious Father, all things come from you, and all that we have is yours. Pour out your Spirit upon us, that we might be faithful stewards of your great bounty; inspire us to use our time, talent, and treasure for your honor and glory, and for the good of your church; through 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: “Ave Maria” Tomas Victoria
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum;
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus [Christus]
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus [Christ].
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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: “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 488: “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my Heart”
1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought to me, save that thou art—
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2. Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father; thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
3. High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
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 F major” J. S. Bach
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Ministers: Christopher McCall, Jim Massey
Thurifer: Madeleine Moore
Crucifer: Grant Massey
Lector: David Taylor
Ushers: Ted Hopkins, Maureen McGraw
Altar: Carol Fox, Sara Frister
Livestream: Liam Kelly
Counters: Wendy Brumbaugh, Michael Kelly
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. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
Stewardship Campaign 2025
I’m In
The theme of “I’m In” is both a commitment and an invitation to each member of St Paul’s. It’s a call to reflect on what this place and community mean in your life. How does it impact you and how are you impacting it! As we prepare for the coming of a New Year we stop and think of our Stewardship commitment to the Church. This is more than a call for funding, it’s a call for engagement, for building our community through relationships.
During this campaign we ask each other are you…
Inspired
Our faith, our community or relationships serve to inspire our acts. In God, we have the security, support and love to step up and step out in service. This is stewardship, being inspired to step up.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Weekday Worship
Mass for the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist (transferred) will be held this week on Wednesday, October 16, at noon in the Church.
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.
Ministry Fair: thank you
Thanks to all who participated in St. Paul’s Ministry Fair last week. We had a great turn out and hope you have found new ways to get involved in outreach, formation, worship, and fellowship at St. Paul's. Thank you!
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.
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.
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 here or 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.
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, November 7, 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.
Little Free Pantry
Thank you to everyone for the generous donations to the Little Free Pantry...the food and monetary donations are greatly appreciated. If you are considering a donation, we are always in need of snack bars, fruit cups, single serving tuna or chicken salad, shelf stable milk, bottled water...a guideline is…"anything that can be eaten on a bench.” Thank you again for your help and support. Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee Chair
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, October 19 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 Direction/Guidance:
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” - Pierre Teihard de Chardin Does this statement stir something down deep within you? Do you desire to deepen your prayer life and/or your relationship with God? Perhaps you sense that you are in a place of impending change in your life? Maybe you feel called to something “bigger?” Do you long for someone in your life to just sit down with and process this thing called “life?” These are just a few reasons to enter into a spiritual direction/guidance relationship – one that carves out both a sacred and safe space to become as vulnerable as you like. Questions? Please contact Leigh DeTato.
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!
Service of Prayer for Sound Government
On the eve of Election Day—Monday, November 4 at 6:30 PM—St. Paul’s will host a “Service of Prayer for Sound Government.” This service provides a chance to come together in prayer once again, as we have done in the past, for the leaders of this land: that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. In it, we affirm that we are called to pray for sound government and wise laws, in which the rights of all may be protected—and to hold our elected officials accountable for their powers and privileges.
Drawing on prayers from The Book of Common Prayer, from the words of scripture, along with meditations and reflections, this service offers a unique opportunity to gather and pray that our elected leaders may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.
For further information or questions, contact Fr. Daniel Moore.
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.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given by Jean Rollo to the glory of God, and in loving memory of her father: Thomas J. Rollo. Arranged by Audrey Jackson