Creation Sunday: The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost-10.1.23

Creation Sunday

This Sunday and next we will reflect on the gift of God’s creation. Our worship and forums will focus on our place in creation; our relationship to all that is “seen and unseen” and to one another.

Following today’s liturgy we will gather for a Cosmic Walk, facilitated by Bill Roth and Rick DeKalb. You are invited to join us in this unique ministry as we celebrate the glory and birth of the universe from the beginning of time and space, to the emergence of Earth and all of her inhabitants.

Next Sunday, Oct. 8, we will celebrate the Feast of St Francis with a pet blessing, preaching by third-order Franciscan Rick Pearson and a forum led by Rick on St. Francis of Assissi.

Hymnal

Tips:

Our service is drawn from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which is red. We also use several hymnals. When songs are referred to simply by number, they come from the blue hymnal. We may also use Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP), which is green, and With One Voice (WOV), which is the thin, blue hymnal.

Facilities:

An ADA-accessible bathroom is located off the back vestibule (narthex). Two additional bathrooms are located in the hall off the left entrance to the church (the piano side) Also, feel free to ask an usher for guidance.

A Soft Space for Little Ones

If they prefer, families with infants or toddlers are invited to sit in our soft space on the carpet on the right side of the church, where there are soft toys and coloring pages. Wiggles welcome.

Ways to Give:

There are many ways to offer financial support for the work of St. Peter’s. Inperson giving occurs at the collection during the Sunday service. Feel free to visit our website at www.stpetersglenside.org for secure on-line giving, either one-time or ongoing. You can also use the QR code below:

Gathering In Joy

Prelude: All Nature Sings

Opening Hymn: 412, Earth and all stars

The Opening Acclamation

Presider Earth belongs to God and all that is in it. All The world and all who dwell therein.

Presider Let everything that has breath praise God. All Hallelujah!

Presider God be with you. All And also with you. Let us pray.

Collect of the Day

Alfred V. Fedak

Loving Creator, God, out of your womb has gushed forth the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures:

Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Godly Play Dismissal

Listening for God’s Word

The First Reading -Genesis1 The Message

First this: God created the Heavens and Earth - all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. God spoke: “Light!” And light appeared. God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning - Day One.

God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!” God made sky. He separated the water under sky from the water above sky. And there it was: he named sky the Heavens; It was evening, it was morning - Day Two.

God spoke: “Separate! Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one

place; Land, appear!” And there it was. God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean. God saw that it was good. God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.” And there it was. Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. God saw that it was good. It was evening, it was morning - Day Three.

God spoke: “Lights! Come out!

Shine in Heaven’s sky! Separate Day from Night. Mark seasons and days and years, Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.” And there it was. God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day, The smaller to be in charge of Night; and he made the stars. God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth and oversee Day and Night, to separate light and dark. God saw that it was good. It was evening, it was morning – Day Four.

God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!” God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds. God saw that it was good. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean! Birds, reproduce on Earth!” It was evening, it was morning – Day Five.

God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals - all kinds.” And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good. God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

Then God said, “I’ve given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth and every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.” And there it was. God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning - Day Six.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 33:1-9

The response to the Psalm is in bold.

The word of the Lord is righteous and holy; The works of the Lord are true and unfailing.

The earth is full of God’s goodness.

O God of love, O God of justice, the earth itself overflows with your goodness.

O God of love, O God of justice, we place our trust in you.

The word of the Lord gave birth to the heavens; The breath of the Lord formed stars without number; The oceans obey God’s command.

O God of love, O God of justice, the earth itself overflows with your goodness.

O God of love, O God of justice, we place our trust in you.

How happy are they, the family God favors; The chosen of God, the heirs of God’s kingdom The eyes of the Lord smile upon them.

O God of love, O God of justice, the earth itself overflows with your goodness.

O God of love, O God of justice, we place our trust in you.

The Lord watches those who honor God’s judgment Who trust in God’s love to save them from evil, To raise them from death to new life.

O God of love, O God of justice, the earth itself overflows with your goodness.

O God of love, O God of justice, we place our trust in you.

We wait for the Lord, our help and protection Rejoicing in God, whose name is forever.

O Lord may your kindness be with us.

O God of love, O God of justice, the earth itself overflows with your goodness.

O God of love, O God of justice, we place our trust in you.

Second Lesson- Colossians 1: 15-19

The Message

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

He was supreme in the beginning and leading the resurrection parade he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe people and things, animals and atoms get

properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel Hymn: WOV 757, Creating God, Your Fingers Trace (vv. 1-2)

The Gospel- John 1:1-5, 10-14 A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

The Nicene Creed BCP 358

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.

Prayers of the People for Creation Season

AdaptedbySt.David’sKennebunkfromANewZealandPrayerBook

Let us pray for the Church and for the world, giving thanks for God’s goodness. Caring God, we thank you for your gifts in creation: for our world, the heavens tell of your glory; for our land, its beauty and resources, for the rich heritage we enjoy.

We pray for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth, that we may use your gifts responsibly;

for those who work on the land and sea, in cities and in industry, that all may enjoy the fruits of their labors and marvel at your creation;

for artists, scientists and visionaries, that through their work we may see creation afresh.

We thank you for giving us life, for all who enrich our experience. We pray for all who through their own or others’ actions are deprived of fullness of life,

for prisoners, refugees, and all who are sick or suffer;

for those in politics, medical science, social and relief work, and for your Church, here and throughout the world, for all who seek to bring life to others.

We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation. Give us reverence for life in your world.

We thank you for your redeeming love; may your word and sacrament strengthen us to love you as you love us.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation. We remember all those on our parish prayer list, especially Ashley, Anthony, Art, Mary, Jeanné, Robert, Carol, Bob, Marilyn, Sarah, Emily, John, Jack, Tom, Patricia, Bob, Angelo, Joanne, Tim, Shelia, Alice, Laurel, Jennifer, Frank, Roxanne, Leslie, Frank and those we name now…Hear us Lord

For your mercy is great

We pray for all who have died, especially Michael Flaherty and Michael Yaramishyn, and for those we name now… Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Intercessor and People

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Presider: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you

Celebrating Holy Communion

Offertory Anthem: The Heavens are Telling

Presentation Hymn: WOV 752, I the Lord of Sea and Sky

The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer C

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.

People: Glory to you for ever and ever.

L. van Beethoven

St. Peter’s Choir

BCP 369

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.

People: By your will they were created and have their being.

From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.

People: Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.

People: By his wounds, we are healed.

And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

Sanctus: S-130, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord

The Celebrant continues

Franz Schubert

And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, 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, gave thanks, 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."

Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,

We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

Lord God of our Fathers and Mothers: God of Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; and Jacob, Rachael and Leah; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name. Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

The Breaking of the Bread

The Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.

Presider: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Fraction Anthem: S-164, Jesus, Lamb of God Franz Schubert

Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God.

The Communion of the People

Communion Music: Veni Sancte Spiritus Jacques Berthier

The Post-Communion Prayer

Presider and people together

O Loving Creator, you have nourished us from the grain and from the vine, the bread and cup of Christ: Now send us forth prompted by your Spirit to be willing servants of your new creation, and make us desire always and only your will, through Jesus Christ, our living savior. Amen.

Sending Out

The Blessing

May Love be the gardener of your years

Bringing forth from your grounding in God

A harvest of wholeness and peace a bounty of courage and compassion. And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Rest upon you and remain with you now and always. Amen.

United Thank Offering Blessing

Birthday & Anniversary Prayer

BCP 830

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace; and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements

• After morning worship, join us as we reflect on the gift of God’ s creation and take The Cosmic Walk. See newsletter for a complete list of Sunday forums.

• Next week we will be celebrating the Feast of St. St. Francis with animal blessings. Bring your pets, or their pictures, to morning worship!

• St. Peter’s will host a Flu and Covid-19 Vaccine clinic on Oct. 21 at 11am. The registration link will be available Friday, Oct 6! Special announcement by Kate Boyce.

• Our two Listening Circles will resume meeting in October. We invite new members to join us for deep listening. For more information, contact Linda Toia at Linda.toia @verizon.net.

• Trivia Night will be on November 4 at 7pm. Special announcement by Tim Voit.

The Closing Hymn: 409, The spacious firmament on high

The Dismissal

Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

Postlude: The Heavens Declare Benedetto Marcello

Weekly Giving: See below how the offering from last Sunday and the online contributions this week compare to this year’s budget goal and pledge total. Warm Regards Campaign contributions are noted. Note: The campaign total reflects our $41,000 grant from the diocese.

For Sunday September 24, 2023:

Last Sunday 2023 So Far

Warm Regards Donations

This amount includes anticipated donations from ongoing pledges.

Total Donations: $96,586

Worship Ministers

Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

Acolyte: Eamon Ivory, Matthew Schmidt

Lectors: Rick DeKalb, Bill Hower

Intercessor: Rick Pearce

Eucharistic Ministers: Kristina Marchuk, Debbie Panbianco

Ushers: Peter Gottemoller, Dori Meginley, Maureen Schaeffer, Jack Wilbur

Counter: John Klarman

Vestry Steward: Linda Toia

Altar Guild: Donna Kulp & Suzanne Teleha

Fellowship: Wendy & Bob Hartung

Organist: Kathy Flaherty Choir Director: Tim Flaherty

Tech Team: Mike Levin, PJ Linke, James Moore

Vestry

Meredith Flaherty: merflah@aol.com (Worship)

Jeanné Hannum: jeannefhannum@aol.com (Tenant Relations)

Nancy Ironside: ironsidebeall@gmail.com (Outreach)

Dave Kipphut (People’s Warden): kipp1152@verizon.net

Amy Michener-Wall: adwall@hotmail.com

Dave Mosteller: davemos2010@gmail.com

Amy Neske: amyh120@yahoo.com (Parish Life)

Douglas Pneuma: douglas.pneuma@gmail.com (Faith Formation)

Mike Reeve (Accounting Warden): mreeve1128@comcast.net

Karen Sayer: karmaflower@gmail.com (Worship)

Linda Toia: (Rector’s Warden): linda.toia@verizon.net

Staff

The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (Rector) stpeter654rector@gmail.com

Charlese Freeman (Associate for Communications and Administration) stpeter654@gmail.com

Tim Valera (Caretaker) timvalera@gmail.com

Kathy & Tim Flaherty (Organist and Choir Director) stpeter654music@gmail.com

Credits:

All Nature Sings Contributors: Alfred V Fedak Tune: © 2016 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services). Used with permission. Earth and all stars Contributor: Herbert F. Brokering (b. 1926), David N. Johnson (b. 1922) Tune:EARTH AND ALL STARS The Hymnal of 1982 Used with permission. Creating God, Your Fingers Trace Contributors: Jeffery Rowthorn (b. 1934), Vernon Griffiths (1894-1985) Tune: DUNEDIN With One Voice Used with permission. The Heavens Are Telling Contributors: Dorothy Wells, Ludwig van Beethoven Tune: © 1976 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services). Used with permission I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I Am, Lord) Contributors: Daniel Schutte John Weissrock, Michael Pope Tune: HERE I AM, LORD © 1981 Daniel L. Schutte and New Dawn Music With One Voice. Used with permission. Holy, holy, holy Lord. Contributors: Benton Price, Franz Schubert. Tune: © 1977 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services) All rights reserved. Used with permission. Jesus, Lamb of God Contributors: Franz Schubert, John E Boalt. Tune: © 1966 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services). Used with permission. Bless the Lord. Contributors: Jacques Berthier, Taizé Community. Tune © 1991, Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. Used with permission. Veni Sancte Spiritus. Contributors: Jacques Berthier, Taizé Community Tune :© 1979, Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent Used with permission The spacious firmament on high Contributor: Joseph Addison (1672-1719), Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), Tune: CREATION The Hymnal of 1982. Used with permission.The Heavens Declare Contributors: Benedetto Marcello) James Pethel, Stan R. Pethel. Tune: © 2022 Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP Text: © 2022 Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP

All Songs

Reprinted/ Podcast / Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A-719834. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

The cover image is creative commons via Flickr. Used with permission.

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

654 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038-4310 (215) 887-1765

E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com

Website: www.stpetersglenside.org