
The King’s Crown, Aaron Spong; watercolor on rag Used by permission of the artist
N OVEMBER 24, 2024 @ 10:30 A. M.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Huntington, WV
The King’s Crown, Aaron Spong; watercolor on rag Used by permission of the artist
N OVEMBER 24, 2024 @ 10:30 A. M.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Huntington, WV
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. JOHN’S…
GROW IN LOVE: GRATITUDE BRUNCH
TODAY, FOLLOWING OUR 10:30 SERVICE
HARMONY HOUSE LUNCH SCHEDULE
MONDAY, 11/25: 1ST PRESBYTERIAN TO SERVE
MONDAY, 12/2: ST. JOHN’S LEADS
MONDAY, 12/8: TRINITY LEADS
MONDAY, 12/16: ST. JOHN’S LEADS
MONDAY, 12/23: TRINITY LEADS
MONDAY, 12/30: 1ST PRESBYTERIAN TO SERVE
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
THE OFFICE IS CLOSED 11/28-29
ADVENT I: READING THE REVELATION TO JOHN
SUNDAY, 12/1 WE WILL READ THE REVELATION TO JOHN FOLLOWING THE 10:30 SERVICE.
ADVENT TO EPIPHANY BIBLE STUDY
WEDNESDAY DURING DECEMBER & JANUARY WE WILL STUDY THE REVELATION TO JOHN
FRIENDLY FEAST
TUESDAY, 12/10 AT 6 PM AT EAST FLAVOR IN HUNTINGTON
JOINT VESTRY / STEWARDSHIP WORKGROUP
TRAINING
SUNDAY, 12/15 FOLLOWING THE 10:30 SERVICE.
GABRIEL PROJECT OPEN DAY
TUESDAY, 12/17 FROM 8 AM TO NOON
MORALS & MEANING AT THE MOVIES
BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN. DATE OF MOVIE & DISCUSSION TBA.
GREENING OF THE CHURCH
SUNDAY, 12/22 FOLLOWING THE SERVICE
A SERVICE OF LIGHT FOR THE LONGEST NIGHT
SUNDAY, 12/22 AT 7 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE
TUESDAY, 12/24: FAMILY SERVICE BEGINS AT 5 PM AND FESTIVAL EUCHARIST WITH CAROLS BEGINS AT 10:30 PM
First Lesson: Susan Tusing
Psalm: David Castleberry
Epistle: Debra Coleman
Prayers of the People: Debra Coleman
Verger: Chuck Andrus
Chalice: Emeritus Webb
Greeters: Susan & John Hash
Altar Guild: Team 1
First Lesson: Joel Peckham
Psalm: David Castleberry
Epistle: Nick Reynolds
Prayers of the People: Nick Reynolds
Verger: Chuck Andrus
Chalice: Jerry Coleman
Greeters: Mary Beth & Nick Reynolds
Altar Guild: Team 2
Alt
November 24: St. John’s Gratitude Brunch
December 1: OPEN
December 8: OPEN
December 16: OPEN
December 22: No Coffee Hour
Greening of the Church
December 29: OPEN
If you see or hear something this morning that speaks to you on your journey, please share it with others this week. If you want to learn more about St. John’s or the Episopal Church, call us at 304.525.9105, or see Fr. Greg, Mtr. Klára, or any Vestry Member after the service.
WHO WE ARE
St. John’s is an open and affirming community of faith and YOU are welcome here – just as you are. Adults, families, widows and widowers, retired folks, partners, those in transition, empty-nesters, divorced, single parents, questioning teens and wiggly children are all valued members of our community.
Everything you will need for this service is in your worship leaflet. For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating or confusing. In this service, people stand, sit, and kneel. You will hear sung and spoken responses, and other participatory elements. Remember that we are all here to worship and learn – and there is no wrong way! And we love having children in our service. Don’t worry about any noise or activity. We want your children to feel at home here too. We offer a Children’s Time in Tyler Hall if you prefer. There, they will hear biblical teachings and participate in activities geared toward their age level.
Restrooms can be found downstairs just outside Tyler Hall. To take the stairs, go out the double doors at the rear of the Sanctuary, take the stairwell to the right to the men’s room and the stairwell to the left to the women’s room. To take the elevator, exit the Sanctuary by the side door to the parking lot and follow the veranda around to the glass door to the elevator lobby. Go to level B. You’ll turn left, go through Tyler Hall, and into the restroom hallways.
We invite you to join us following the service this and every Sunday for coffee hour in Tyler Hall. We hope you will come for coffee and goodies but stay for the loving welcome you will find in community at St. John’s.
Blurb here
COLLECTION GOALS FOR CRIDLIN FOOD PANTRY
NOVEMBER GOAL
48 cans of Corn
DECEMBER GOAL
48 boxes of Hamburger Helper
JANUARY GOAL
48 boxes or bags of Cereal
We are glad you have chosen to worship with us at St. John’s this morning! The people’s responses are in bold. This bulletin provides the information you will need to participate fully in our worship. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our greeters or those sitting near you in the pews will gladly help.
Please stand as you are able.
THE OPENING HYMN
Crown him with many crowns
The Hymnal 1982; #494
The People standing, the Celebrant says Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Celebrant may say
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.
Glory to God in the highest The Hymnal 1982; #S277
The Celebrant says to the people God be with you. All And also with you. Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people are seated.
The First Lesson: 2 Samuel 23:1-7
A reading from the Second Book of Samuel
These are the last words of David:
The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the favorite of the Strong One of Israel: The spirit of the LORD speaks through me, his word is upon my tongue.
The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God,
is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land. Is not my house like this with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire? But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand; to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.
The Word of the Lord All Thanks be to God.
The Psalm: Psalm 132:1-19 Memento, Domine Chanted in unison
1 LORD, remember / David, * and all the hard- / ships he endured;
2 How he swore an oath to / the LORD * and vowed a vow to the Mighty / One of Jacob:
3 "I will not come under the roof of / my house," * nor climb up / into my bed;
4 I will not allow my eyes / to sleep, * nor let my / eyelids slumber;
5 Until I find a place for / the LORD, * a dwelling for the Mighty / One of Jacob."
6 "The ark! We heard it was in / Ephratah; * we found it in the / fields of Jearim.
7 Let us go to God's / dwelling place; * let us fall upon our knees be- / fore his footstool."
8 Arise, O LORD, into your / resting-place, * you and the / ark of your strength.
9 Let your priests be clothed with / righteousness; * let your faithful peo- / ple sing with joy.
10 For your servant / David's sake, * do not turn away the face of / your Anointed.
11 The LORD has sworn an oath to / David; * in truth, he / will not break it:
12 "A son, the fruit of your / body * will I set / upon your throne.
13 If your children keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall / teach them, * their children will sit upon your throne / for evermore."
14 For the LORD has chosen / Zion; * he has desired her for his / habitation:
15 "This shall be my resting-place for / ever; * here will I dwell, for I / delight in her.
16 I will surely bless her pro- / visions, * and satisfy / her poor with bread.
17 I will clothe her priests with sal- / vation, * and her faithful people will / rejoice and sing.
18 There will I make the horn of David / flourish; * I have prepared a lamp for / my Anointed.
19 As for his enemies, I will clothe them / with shame; * but as for him, / his crown will shine."
The Epistle: Revelation 1:4b-8
A reading from the Revelation to John
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
. The Word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Please stand as you are able.
THE SEQUENCE HYMN
All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! The Hymnal 1982; #450
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John All Glory to you, Lord Christ
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have
handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, Lord Christ
THE SERMON
THE NICENE CREED
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 Celebrant may say Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Leader and People pray responsively
God of abundance, we give thanks to you.
God the Father, giver of all good things, we give thanks to you.
God the Son, redeemer of the world, we give thanks to you.
God, the holy Spirit, reviver of our hearts, we give thanks to you.
Give us grace out of your riches, and awareness to give thanks. Be patient with us in our sins and quick to bring us into your presence. grant us grace, good Lord.
From every moment of ambivalence, from every hardness of heart, from every thought of greed, from every desire to hoard our blessings, from every negligence of a need before us, deliver us, good Lord.
For the abundance of grace given, by the gift of the incarnation, by the waters of baptism, by the giving of yo ur life, by the faithfulness of your resurrection, by the fire of Pentecost, in all times of want, in all times of blessing, in each hope of our hearts, we give thanks to you.
God of abundance, we give thanks to you.
God the Father, giver of all good things, we give thanks to you.
God the Son, redeemer of the world, we give thanks to you.
God, the holy Spirit, reviver of our hearts, we give thanks to you.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, you showed us a life of giving; Holy Spirit, breath of God, you give us hearts of gratitude to be of service; Heavenly Father, ruler of all, you brought into order all that is so we may have this life and the next; give us your grace to let our hearts be ever grateful for your blessing. Amen.
The Celebrant may continue with thi s bidding
Let us with gladness present the offering and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
During the singing of the hymn, you are invited to come forward and place your giving estimate in the box as an outward and visible sign of gratitude for the gifts God has given us.
All things bright and beautiful
The Hymnal 1982; #405
DEDICATION OF OUR PLEDGES
adapted from the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good and true and beautiful and life -giving: These cards represent our sweat, they represent our lives, they represent our dreams. The pledges which we make on them are but tokens of the awesome gifts that have been given to us and they are pledged in thanksgiving for all that we have received, for all we have been inspired to be, for all we are challenged to become, in this place.
May they be the first fruits of all we have and not what we have left over, so that we may live out as best as possible how you give to us.
May we see them as our offering to you, sacred, holy, yet earthy, filled with possibilities. May we hold this image in our hearts and our minds s o as we watch our offerings each week come to your table, we can see our very selves being part of this offering. It is us on the table, living sacrifice to you. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All And also with you.
The people greet one another with a sign of God’s peace and then are seated.
THE OFFERTORY SENTENCE
The Officiant and people say together
All All that we are and all that we have comes from God. Let us offer our best to God in thanksgiving, remembering that God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
THE OFFERTORY
THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE
Please stand as you are able
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
The Hymnal 1982; #380
This is Eucharistic Prayer D
Please stand as you are able
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever.
Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance.
Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing,
Holy, holy, holy Lord
The Hymnal 1982; #S124
You may now kneel as you are able, or you may choose to continue standing. We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.
Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new. And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it, and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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."
Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ's death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.
We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God.
The Celebrant continues
Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.
Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.
[Remember (NN. and) all who minister in your Church.]
[Remember all your people, and those who seek your truth.]
[Remember .]
[Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them into the place of eternal joy and light.]
And grant that we may find our inheritance with [the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, (with ) and] all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray
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,
THE F RACTION ANTHEM
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 Hymnal 1982; #S154
Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation
The Gifts of God for the People of God. and may add
Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
All who seek God and a deeper life in Christ are welcome at the Altar rail, and we invite all baptized Christians to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Come forward to the altar rail and kneel or stand with an upturned palm to receive the host. (All bread at St. John’s is gluten-free and vegan) To receive the wine, you may either drink from the chalice or intinct (dip) your host in the intinction chalice that is offered.
The King of love my shepherd is The Hymnal 1982; #645
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
King of Glory, King of Peace
The Hymnal 1982; #382
The priest dismisses the people, and the people respond Thanks be to God. [Alleluia! Alleluia!]
For the Diocese of WV, Matthew, our Bishop Diocesan, Greg, our Rector, Klara, our Priest, for all bishops, priests, deacons, and all churches: especially for the Episcopal Churches of Huntington; St. John’s, Trinity, and St. Peter’s.
In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ Church, Bluefield; Christ Church, Clarksburg; Christ Church, Fairmont; Christ Church, Point Pleasant; and Christ Church, Wellsburg
For those who have died & those who mourn
For all those who have died: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, keep in your special care all who have died. Wipe away the tears of those whose grief runs deep. Help us to encourage each other throughout this troubled life. Keep us steadfast in faith, constant in hope, and ardent in love, and bring us all into that place you have prepared in your heavenly kingdom.
For those who mourn: Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with all who mourn, especially Andrew & Sophie Kossoff and Carl & Sandy Pyles. Surround them with your love so they may not be overwhelmed by their loss but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the coming days.
For those who are hospitalized: Markai
For the ill or those with health concerns: Tyler and Brady, Hayden, Chloe, Chris, Tom, Ryan, Gabe, Sarah, Linda, David, Lynn, Nedra, John, Susan, Lydia, Bob, Sawyer, Lily, Joe,
Ray, Jr., Stephen, Celi, Mary, Tom, and Susan.
For those with cancer or in remission: David, Jeanne, Hannah, Chris, Tom, Evelyn, Will Frank, Willie, Cindy, Joan, Wilma, Emillie, Joyce, Dale, Michelle, Keith, John, Angie, Kelly, Maggie, Julie, Sarah, Mark, Bill, Josh, Donna, Michael, Noel, Paul, Mariah, Billie B., Suzanne B., Bob, Jim, Kinsley, Hannah, Jackson, Maurey, Carter, Karela, Larry, Jack, Joe, Charlie, Tim, Michael L., Jamie, Wayne, Lisa W., and Jeanne P.
For those in need of any prayer: Nate, Devon, Mary, Scott, Esther, Marsha, Loretta, Tom, Jay, Elizabeth, and Andrew
For those in harm’s way and for all first responders: especially Tim, David, Edward, Jared, Ryan, Joey, Cody, Josh, Clay, Andy, Robert, Curt, Jordan, Kristen, Christopher, Tyler, all those who provide comfort and aid in times of war, and all those providing hurricane relief and aiding in rebuilding affected areas.
For those celebrating birthdays: Gage Hunt (11/3), Kim Scott (11/5), Sara Lee (11/6), Burt Ketchum (11/6), Gloria Deering (11/6), Sally Bogers (11/6), Matthew Adams (11/8), Klára Kovács (11/8), Alexander Lee (11/14), Debra Coleman (11/16), Christine Hankins (11/16), Mitzi Russell (11/19), Peter Michael (11/28), Rev. Ray Hage (11/28)
For those celebrating anniversaries: Lisa & David Bishop (11/11), Courtney Cross & Pat Hooten (11/12), Lois & Rev. David Thabet (11/17), Mary Beth & Nick Reynolds (11/27)
O God, you have bound us together in a comon life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen BCP, page 824
The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of WV
The Rev. R. Gregory Pennington, Rector
The Rev. Klára Kovács, Priest
Vivian Kost, Parish Life Director
Dr. David Castleberry, Music Director
Sara Lee, Organist
Susan Tusing, Senior Warden • Jim Vassar, Junior Warden
Nicholas Reynolds, Clerk
Pat Hooten, Treasurer (non -voting)
Barbara Becker Cottrill Pat Pierce
Jerry Coleman Ryan Price
Susan Dean
Rachael Peckham
Nathan Thomas
Emeritus Webb
Becky Wood
304.525.9105
office@stjohnshuntingtonwv.org www.stjohnshuntingtonwv.org www.facebook.com/stjohnshuntington
3000 Washington Blvd. Huntington, WV 25701
304.525.9105
Inquiries: Parishlifedire@stjohnshuntingtonwv.org or Rector@stjohnshuntingtonwv.org