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
Nov. 12, 2023
th
24 Sunday after Pentecost
 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Processional Hymn- S t an d H 494

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:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he

might destroy the works of the devil and make us children
of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this
hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he
comes again with power and great glory, we may be made
like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons:

A Reading from Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25: Kenda Galipo

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned
the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they
presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the
people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your
ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond
the Euphrates and served other gods. Then I took your father
Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land
of Canaan and made his offspring many. “Now therefore revere
the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away
the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt,
and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD,
choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your
ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the
Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my
household, we will serve the LORD.” Then the people answered,
“Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other
gods; for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors
up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did
those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way
that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed;
and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites
who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for
he is our God.” But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve
the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not
forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD
and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and
consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to
Joshua, “No, we will serve the LORD!” Then Joshua said to the
people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have
chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are
witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are
among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of
Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will
serve, and him we will obey.” So Joshua made a covenant with the
people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at
Shechem. The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Psalm 78: 1-7: Janet Voss

1 Hear my teaching, O my people; *

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
3 That which we have heard and known, and what our
forefathers have told us, *
we will not hide from their children.
4 We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy
deeds and the power of the LORD, *
and the wonderful works he has done.
5 He gave his decrees to Jacob and established a law for
Israel, *
which he commanded them to teach their children;
6 That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn; *
 that they in their turn might tell it to their
children;
7 So that they might put their trust in God, *
and not forget the deeds of God, but keep his
commandments;

The Epistle- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Kenda Galipo

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,
about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as
others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring
with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by
the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until
the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who
have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with
the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will
descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the
clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so
we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one
another with these words. The Word of the Lord! Thanks be
to God!

Gospel Hymn- Stand H 376

The Gospel- Matthew 25: 1-13: Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton

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

People: Glory to you Lord Christ

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten
bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the
bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and
slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the
bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those
bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said
to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going
out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for
you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some
for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the
bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him
into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the
other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep
awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
The Gospel of the Lord! Praise to you Lord Christ

Sermon Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kaeton

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, Justin R. Hudson, Russell Knaub, Amber Mabrey,
Jared Farmer, 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 Bi l l S haw
Lex i M i l es S hi rl e y Bowden P aul a S wi ft
Em m a Fi s her Lori S cot t J ean Moss
Berni e Dupr as P rest on Bowden J im Fri el
Karen W ri ght Barb ara Faj no r Bri st ol Herd
M i chael C l ul e y Donal d Fr az i er Nahei m S m i t h
Don Hea rn W i l l McC oll e y

For Good Health in Older Years:

Mollie Revels

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,

and The RT. Rev. Kevin S. Brown our Diocesan Bishop,
Elizabeth Kaeton our Priest today, Vestry Group: Viva,
Connie, Lee, Alyce, George, & Susan and the Diocesan Cycle of
Prayer- 239th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in
Delaware 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 Heather Crouse and Susan Eliason

Baptism of Philip Michael

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, __________________ 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 Hymn- Stand H 3 25

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.

The Blessing

Announcements

Recessional Hymn- Stand H 539

Dismissal

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

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

Announcements:
-Coffee Hour Sign-up Sheet- On the table in the back is a
coffee hour schedule. Please sign up for a Sunday to host.

-The Greater Harrington Historical Society has joined with

Wreaths Across America, a program placing wreaths on
veteran’s graves at Christmas. Individual wreaths cost $17.00
each. Checks can be made out to the church. We are also
asking for help to place the wreaths on graves on Saturday,
December 16th. If you have any questions, please feel free to
ask Heather or Viva. Forms are on the back table or you may
also donate on line. All donations are due by Nov. 24th.

-Poinsettia’s Order Form- All orders and forms are due back on
Dec. 3rd. Please place it in the plate or mail it the church.

-Christmas Outreach for 2023- We will be helping out Lake

Forest South Elementary. See the paper for more information.

-Vestry Meeting following Church Today.