St.

Stephen’s Episcopal
Church

1 9 0 Ra ughl e y Hi l l Rd.
Ha rri ngton, De l aw are
3 0 2 -39 8 -3 71 0
www.ststephensde.org

O ur Mi s s i on i s to grow a c ongre ga ti on tha t

w el c ome s a l l , to c ome toge the r to c e l e bra te
our be l i e f i n J es us Chri s t through bi bl i c a l
te a c hi ngs a nd pra ye r w hi l e s tri vi n g to a c hi e ve
a s pi r i tual c onnec ti on a nd fe l l ow shi p w i thi n i ts
m e m be r s hi p a nd c ommuni t y w e s er ve .

Holy Eucharist
Oct. 6,2024
th
20 Sunday after Pentecost
 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Processional S tan d H 4 50

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen

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,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us Pray.

The Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready

to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either
desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your
mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is
afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are
not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen

The Lessons:

A Reading from Job 1:1;2:1-10: Selena Fry

There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That
man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned
away from evil. One day the heavenly beings came to present
themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to
present himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “Where
have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to
and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” The
Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is
no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who
fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his
integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for
no reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! All that
people have they will give to save their lives. But stretch out your
hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you
to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, he is in your
power; only spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of
the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his
foot to the crown of his head. Job took a potsherd with which to
scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. Then his wife said to him,
“Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.” But he
said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall
we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?”
In all this Job did not sin with his lips. The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God

Psalm 26: Alyce Cooper

1 Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived with

integrity; *
I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me; *
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your love is before my eyes; *
I have walked faithfully with you.
4 I have not sat with the worthless, *
nor do I consort with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the company of evildoers; *
I will not sit down with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, *
that I may go in procession round your altar,
7 Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving *
and recounting all your wonderful deeds.
8 LORD, I love the house in which you dwell *
and the place where your glory abides.
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners, *
nor my life with those who thirst for blood,
10 Whose hands are full of evil plots, *
and their right hand full of bribes.
11 As for me, I will live with integrity; *
redeem me, O LORD, and have pity on me.
 12 My foot stands on level ground; *
in the full assembly I will bless the LORD.

The Epistle-Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12: Selena Fry

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various

ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to
us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through
whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of
God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he
sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we
are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,

“What are human beings that you are mindful of

them, or mortals, that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the
angels; you have crowned them with glory and
honor, subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside
their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in
subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while
was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and
honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace
of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that
God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing
many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their
salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who
sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.
For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and
sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and
sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Hymn- Stand H 482

The Gospel- Mark 10: 2-16: Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

People: Glory to you Lord Christ
Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, “Is it
lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them,
“What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed
a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.”
But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he
wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of
creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason,
a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his
wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no
longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined
together, let no one separate.” Then in the house the disciples
asked him again about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever
divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery
against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries
another, she commits adultery.” People were bringing little
children to him in order that he might touch them; and the
disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he
was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come
to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the
kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter
it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them,
and blessed them. The Gospel of the Lord! Praise to you
Lord Christ

Sermon Rev. Bruce Lomas

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.

Prayers of the People- Form VI: Janet Voss

The Leader and People pray responsively
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;

People-For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those

who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; We pray for those
in the Military: Christopher Dawson, Justin Garey, Jaime Grimes,
Russell Knaub, Amber Mabrey, Jared Farmer, Garrett Burris,
Bruce Carroll, Darren Hearn and John Hearn.

People-For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;

People-For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and

oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; we pray
for the following:
Sick, and/or issues:
J ohn M acce y R egi na Mi l l er Karen Hi l l
Lex i M i l es S hi rl e y Bowden P aul a S wi ft
Em m a Fi s her Bri st ol Herd Ti m W al t ers
J ean M os s P rest on Bowden Karen W ri ght
Donal d Fr az i er Bi l l Manshi p Mark Mal one y
Barb ara Faj no r Mi chael C l ul e y J im Fri el
Berni e Dupr as Don Hea rn Andrea T a yl or
Li nda S ul l i van Hunt Hacket t Li n da S m el i k
M ar yAnn P rui ksm a C al vi n Hi l l P at Bake r
For Good Health in Older Years:
M ol l i e R evel s
People-For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and
the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

People-For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the
Truth.

For [The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry our Presiding Bishop, The
Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe, Presiding Bishop Elect and The RT. Rev.
Kevin S. Brown our Diocesan Bishop, Bruce Lomas, Priest, Vestry
Group: Susan, Lee, Alyce, George, Selena, & Sonny and the
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer- Postulants and Candidates for Holy
Orders, The Diaconate Ministry, and the Member of the
Commission on Ministry and for all bishops and other ministers;

People-For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

Silence
The People may add their own petitions

Hear us, Lord;

People-For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. I ask your
thanksgiving for the:

Birthday of Victoria Poore

Bapt i s m of Za ch ar y Du p ras
Anniversary of Bernie & Manette Dupras

Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King;

People-And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, especially Bill Shaw ___that they
may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

Silence
The People may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

People-Who put their trust in you.

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

Silence may be kept.

Leader 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.

The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect

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

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People- And also with you.

Offertory Stand H 660

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest,

faces them and sings or says

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Celebrant Life up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-
where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on

other occasions as appointed.

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:
Celebrant and People

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant 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.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to

hold it, or to 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.

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:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant 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 forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior

Christ has taught us,
we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

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,
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 Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]

In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times

except during Easter Season. In place of, or in addition to, the
preceding, some other suitable anthem may be used. 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.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then

immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these
words
The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in
everlasting life. [Amen.]

or with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant 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.

Announcements

The Blessing

Recessional Stand H 405

Dismissal

Alleluia, Alleluia, Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the

power of the Spirit! Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia

Announcements