The FIRST SUNDAY in LENT – February 21, 2021Historic

Saint Thomas’ ParishFounded 1835 A.D.

2 East High Street Hancock, Maryland 21750

Office Telephone: 301-678-6569E-Mail: StThomasHancock@aol.com ● Website:

stthomashancock.orgThe Reverend F. Allan Weatherholt, Jr., Rector

The Reverend Anne O. Weatherholt, Priest-in-ResidenceThe Reverend Kirk E. DeVore, DeaconJ. Gwynne Cavey, Minister of MusicPamela J. S. Mann, Office Assistant

Tracy L. Salvagno, Church School Coordinator

The First Sunday in LentFebruary 21, 2021

10:00 A.M. - THE HOLY EUCHARIST [Rite Two] and SERMON together with A PENITENTIAL ORDER

The Liturgy of the Word of GodOrgan Voluntary – Please use the time before the service for prayer and quiet reflection. Please SILENCE all Cell Phones and Pagers when entering the Church.

SILENT PROCESSION – During LENT the Procession takes place in SILENCE.

OPENING HYMN 152, “Kind Maker of the world, O hear” A la venue de Noel

[ Hymns are printed on the final pages of this Service Booklet. ]

Opening Acclamation

Celebrant: Bless the Lord, who forgives all our sins.

People: His mercy endures forever.

The Celebrant reads the following Scripture sentenceJesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

– St. Mark 12:29-31

The Deacon or Celebrant then says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. – All pray together as follows

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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 Priest alone stands and says

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.

Remaining kneeling, the Choir and People sing

KYRIE ELEISON – “Lord, have mercy” – Hymnal *S-96 Deutsche Messe: F. P. Schubert

Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy, have mercy.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day (Lent I-B) – Said by the Celebrant alone

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted of Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by Many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 9:8-17

A Reading from the Book of Genesis.

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God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

The Psalter: Psalm 25:1-9 - Said by ALL – SEATED

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; * let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; * let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. 3 Show me your ways, O LORD, * and teach me your paths. 4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of my salvation;

in you have I trusted all the day long. 5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, * for they are from everlasting. 6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; * remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.

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7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; * therefore he teaches sinners in his way. 8 He guides the humble in doing right * and teaches his way to the lowly. 9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness * to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

The Epistle: I Saint Peter 3:18-22

A Reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter.Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you – not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

SEQUENCE HYMN 150, “Forty days and forty nights” Aus der Tiefe rufe ich

[ Hymns are printed on the final pages of this Service Booklet. ]

The Holy Gospel: Saint Mark 1:9-15

The Congregation remains standing and faces the Deacon or Priest, who reads the Gospel.

Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Saint Mark.

People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

n those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a

voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well I

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pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Sermon: The Reverend F. Allan Weatherholt, Jr., Rector THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Form IV

[ Please respond as indicated, after each petition. ]Leader: Lord, in your mercy . . . People: Hear our prayer.

The Celebrant adds this concluding Collect:

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross, that everyone might come within reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you, for the honor of your Name. Amen.

The Celebration of the Holy Communion

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Baptized in Water” Gaelic Melody

PRESENTATION HYMN 143 [Stanza 5 ONLY] Erhalt uns, Herr

O Father, Son and Spirit blest,To thee be every prayer addressed,Who art in threefold Name adored,

From age to age, the only Lord.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING – Form B

All standing, the Celebrant begins

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Celebrant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Celebrant: Lift 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.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again. 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 – “Holy, holy, holy Lord” – Hymnal S-130 Deutsche Messe: F. P. Schubert The Celebrant and People sing:

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

heaven and earth are full, – full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

The People kneel (as able) or sit and the Celebrant continues

e give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your

Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

WOn the night before he died for us, 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

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you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION – Hymnal *S-138 Setting: McNeil Robinson

We remember his death,We proclaim his resurrection,We await his coming in glory.

The Celebrant continues

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the ever-Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Thomas, Saint Mark, Saint Andrew, Saint John, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Patrick and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.

The Great “AMEN” – Sung by ALL (Sixfold) Music: Mass of Creation

The service continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

Clergy & People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,thy kingdom come,thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

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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 Celebrant breaks the Consecrated Bread. A moment of silence is kept.Then, OMITTING “Alleluia” for Lent, the Celebrant says

Celebrant: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People: Therefore let us keep the feast.

The Choral Ensemble now sings now sings

FRACTION ANTHEM: AGNUS DEI –“Jesus, Lamb of God” – Hymnal *S-164 Deutsche Messe: F. P. Schubert

Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us.Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world: Give us your peace, give us your peace.

The COMMUNION of the PEOPLEFacing the People, the Celebrant says the Invitation to Holy Communion.

Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who takes away the sin of the world.

On behalf of those viewing the service via Livestream, the Prayer of St. Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) is said by ALL.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually

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into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You, dear Lord Christ. Amen.

ALL Baptized Christians are invited to receive Holy Communion in The Episcopal Church!

Because of COVID-19 precautions, we are currently receiving only the Bread.

Please use the social distancing markings on the center aisle as you come forward.

Remove your mask as you wait. Cup your hands to receive the Consecrated Bread.

Remember that receiving Communion in one form IS considered Full Communion!

Baptism, the ancient service though which one joins Christ’s Church, may be arranged.

We warmly invite you to contact the Clergy about scheduling your Baptism.

The Postcommunion Prayer – Said by ALL

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 forever. Amen.

The Priestly BlessingThe mercy, grace and blessing of God Almighty, the Father [],

the Son [], and the Holy Spirit [], be upon you and remain with you this day and always. Amen.

RECESSIONAL HYMN 688, “A mighty fortress is our God” Ein feste Burg

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[ Hymns are printed on the final pages of this Service Booklet. ]

Silent Prayer – All are invited to kneel for a moment of silent prayer.

The Dismissal

Deacon or Celebrant: Let us bless the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary

LITURGICAL MINISTERS for TODAY’S SERVICE: Lector: Pam Mann

Acolyte: Jackson Walter

Choral Ensemble: Tracy Salvagno, Sylvia Moats, David Walter, Ralph Salvagno

Altar Guild This Month: Tracy Salvagno, Kelly Dowe, Jennifer Walter

© 2020 Saint Thomas’ Parish, Hancock, Maryland – All rights reservedCCLI License 3010338

Streaming License 2039863OPENING HYMN 152, “Kind Maker of the world, O hear” A la venue de Noel

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SEQUENCE HYMN 150, “Forty days and forty nights” Aus der Tiefe rufe ich

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RECESSIONAL HYMN 688, “A mighty fortress is our God” Ein feste Burg

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St. Thomas’ Parish Prayer List: February 21 – 27, 2021

INCLUDED IN THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THIS WEEK: Birthdays – February 21: Jim Hixon; 22: Raymond O’Rourke; 24: Richard Fleece, Mark Stahr, Scott Frederick; 25: Tyler Bowman; 26: Michael Hixon; 27: Herbert Mosier, Jane Shaw, Brian Hixon, Jessica Bishop. Anniversary – February 26: Dusty and Randi Pittman.

Military Service – Dakota Ritz, Andrew Shaw, Aaron Hull, Nicholas Valentine, Taylor Valentine, Susie Hoopengardner, Spencer Hose, Chris Krause, Vince Biggs, Cody Hovermale, Lucas Trunkle, Philip Corbett, Cameron Meadows, Matt Lacy, Jake Michael, Allen Foshee, Taylor Shafer, Josh Stotler, Justin Johnson.

ONGOING: All Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists and Other Medical Personnel, All Military, Law Enforcement and Fire & Rescue Personnel, Correctional Officers, All Teachers and Other Workers in our Schools, Colleges and Universities, Truck Drivers, Warehouse Workers, Grocery Store Personnel

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We pray for healing for all suffering from the corona virus. We pray for prompt, widespread distribution of the vaccines now developed against the virus.

Parish Sick/Ongoing Concern – Doug Sensel, Sue Hinckle, Gail Fitzwater, Steven Boden, Kenneth Wagner, Ruth McCarty, William Whiteside, Bob Barnhart, Theron Reed, Tim Smith, Alice Gerber, Mary Lee Yost, Michael Schetrompf, Ron Jones, Alda Lashley, Steve McKinley, Debbie Henderson, Stephanie Shives, Douglas Parker, Ramona Creek, Frank Thomas, Lisa Obrecht, Tom Mossellem, Betty Sipes, John Robinson, Bobby Duncan, Virginia Coleman, Ron Hinckle, Jayden Sweet, Jack Joynt, Atlee Unger, Rodney Weaver, Tim Stotler, Tina Brown, Tina Aaron, Stephanie Kennedy, James Walter, Alethea Shiplett, Jason Roderick, Diane Diehl, Allen Wilt, David Walter Sr., Robbie Barnhart, Tori Anderson, Ronnie Zimmerman.

Shut-ins – Pam Trumpower, Sally Fost, Don Reed, Ralph Wachter, Frances Younker, Mary Ann Mortzfeldt, Beverly Hershberger, Ernie Truax, Pat McKinley, Catherine Durst, Barbara Smith, Janice Trail, Edna Younker.

We pray for all those who have died from the corona virus, and we ask God’s help and comfort for their loved ones.

Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Parish – Founded 1835 A.D.

Hancock, Maryland 21750The Reverend F. Allan Weatherholt, Jr., Rector

The Reverend Anne O. Weatherholt, Priest-in-ResidenceThe Reverend Kirk E. DeVore, DeaconJ. Gwynne Cavey, Minister of Music

Pamela S. Mann, Office AssistantTracy L. Salvagno, Church School Coordinator

PARISH NEWS for The FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT – February 21, 2021

A PENITENTIAL ORDER opens our service today on The First Sunday in Lent. This special use of the Confession of Sin at the very start of our worship calls each of us to work hard at our Lenten discipline.

In weeks to come, we will use The Great Litany, the Decalogue and, on some Sundays, Rite One, to further remind us of our Lenten emphasis upon repentance and renewal. Enjoy these special and especially meaningful liturgies!

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OUR WEDNESDAY LENTEN PREACHING SERIES OPENS this Wednesday evening. We will offer a 7:30 P.M. Evening Prayer with Choral Music and Guest Preachers on each of the five Lenten Wednesdays. Our first guest is Rev’d Anne, who is busy these days as part-time Interim Rector at Trinity Church, Martinsburg. Our theme this year is “The Lord’s Prayer”, with each guest reflecting upon the Prayer of Jesus Himself. These services will be livestreamed. While we cannot have our usual Lenten Suppers, we are pleased to continue with our Lenten services! The full schedule for the Wednesdays is printed elsewhere in this bulletin.

GOD WILLING, WE WILL RESUME IN-PERSON WORSHIP during the first week of March! Fr. Allan received word this week from Canon Scott Slater, in the Bishop’s Office, that we have permission to move forward with this. Basically, this will return us to where we were last Summer and Fall before the pandemic numbers increased so dramatically! Numbers have been going down the past few weeks, so please pray that this continues! Of course, we will still need to wear masks, socially distance, wash hands, etc. But we are so thankful to God that things are improving and that we can regather in this way! Our first regathered service will be on Wednesday evening, March 3, when Fr. Steve will be our Lenten Guest. On Sunday, March 7, we will resume two services – at 7:30 A.M. and 10:A.M. We will, of course, continue to livestream our 10:A.M. service. Please spread the word!

BISHOP SUTTON WILL BE WITH US FOR CONFIRMATION and a Parish Visitation on Sunday, April 18. We hope and pray for a wonderful, festive morning that day. Please mark your calendars, and plan to be with us! Meanwhile, Fr. Allan will be in touch with Confirmands about some additional instruction time before the Bishop’s Visitation!

WORK TO INSTALL THE MIDI recording device on our Pipe Organ begins this week. We will be without the Organ for about two weeks. Our Choral Ensemble will sing with the piano. Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Parish Hancock, Maryland

OUR 2021 WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN WORSHIP SERIES

The Five Wednesdays in Lent

February 24: 7:30 P.M. EVENING PRAYER with Lenten Preaching:The Reverend Anne O. Weatherholt

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March 3: 7:30 P.M. EVENING PRAYER with Lenten Preaching:The Reverend Steven L. McCarty

March 10: 7:30 P.M. EVENING PRAYER with Lenten Preaching:The Reverend James Mason

March 17: 7:30 P.M. EVENING PRAYER with Lenten Preaching:The Reverend Elizabeth Sipos

March 24: 7:30 P.M. EVENING PRAYER with Lenten Preaching:The Reverend Bill McPherson

Our Wednesday Guest Preachers will address the theme “The Lord’s Prayer”.The Prayer which our Lord Himself gave us is found in St. Matthew 6:9-13 and St. Luke 11:2-4.

Make these Wednesdays a central part of your Lenten Discipline this year!

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