The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 8, at 10:00 am
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 355. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
Prelude: “My Shepherd will Supply My Need” Alice Jordan
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 663: “The Lord my God my shepherd is”
1. The Lord my God my shepherd is;
how could I want or need?
In pastures green, by streams serene,
he safely doth me lead.
2. To wholeness he restores my soul
and doth in mercy bless,
and helps me take for his Name’s sake
the paths of righteousness.
3. Yea, even when I must pass through
the valley of death’s shade,
I will not fear, for thou art here,
to comfort and to aid.
4. Thou hast in grace my table spread
secure in all alarms,
and filled my cup, and borne me up
in everlasting arms.
5. Then surely I can trust thy love
for all the days to come,
that I may tell thy praise, and dwell
for ever in thy home.
Opening Acclamation
Priest ✠ Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Gloria: “Glory to God in the highest”
The Collect of the Day
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us pray.
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Acts 9:36-43
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Second Lesson: Revelation 7:9-17
I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 478: “Jesus, our mighty Lord”
1. Jesus, our mighty Lord,
our strength in sadness,
the Father’s conquering Word,
true source of gladness;
your Name we glorify,
O Jesus, throned on high;
you gave yourself to die
for our salvation.
2. Good shepherd of your sheep,
your own defending,
in love your children keep
to life unending.
You are yourself the Way:
lead us then day by day
in your own steps, we pray,
O Lord most holy.
3. Glorious their life who sing,
with glad thanksgiving,
true hymns to Christ the King
in all their living:
all who confess his Name,
come then with hearts aflame;
the God of peace acclaim
as Lord and Savior.
The Gospel: John 10:22-30
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Sermon
After the sermon, the choir sings a sentence of Scripture in response.
The Nicene Creed Said in unison
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 Prayers of the People
The leader and people pray responsively
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
Remembering ___ : We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
Remembering ___ : We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Remembering ___ : Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Remembering ___ : Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence. The priest adds a concluding Collect.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
The Peace
Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The ministers and the people greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying “He is risen!”
The Holy Communion
The Celebrant introduces the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
To give an offering, choose one of the following:
Text: message 73256 with the phrase saintpauls $X (insert an amount in place of X)
Check: mail your offering to St. Paul’s Church, 84 E Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
The Offering is brought forward.
Offertory Anthem: “My Shepherd will Supply My Need” Virgil Thomson
My Shepherd will supply my need.
Jehovah is His Name.
In pastures fresh He makes me
Feed beside the living stream.
He brings my wand’ring spirit back
when I forsake His ways.
He leads me, for His mercy’s sake
in paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death
Thy presence is my stay.
One word of Thy supporting breath
drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
doth still my table spread.
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days.
O may Thy house be my abode
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come.
No more a stranger nor a guest
but like a child at home.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the priest says
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The priest continues
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. 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”
The priest 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.
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:
Priest and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The priest 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 for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Breaking of the Bread
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
The Celebrant sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
Priest The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Spiritual Communion: Act of Reception
During Communion, you are invited to say the following prayer form for receiving Spiritual Communion. Know that the grace of God is made present in your heart, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.
In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered this day, I long to offer you praise and thanksgiving, for creation and all the blessings of this life, for the redemption won for us by your life, death, and resurrection, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.
I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength; be my wisdom and guide me in right pathways; conform my life and actions to the image of your holiness; and, in the power of your gracious might, rule over every hostile power that threatens or disturbs the growth of your kingdom, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Communion Anthem: “Joy is Come” Andrew Carter
Joy is come! Eastertide!
Sing we all far and wide,
See the stone rolled aside,
Christ our Lord is risen,
Bursting from his prison,
Let the sound, sound, sound
Ring around, round, round,
And the song now rebound:
Christ the Lord is risen!
Joy is come! Easter Day!
Join the dance, homage pay,
Christ the Lord lights our way,
From the tomb now breaking,
Satan’s power shaking.
Let the song, song, song,
Echo long, long, long,
Shout it loud, sing it strong:
Christ the Lord is risen!
Joy is come! Easter morn!
With your Lord greet the dawn,
He endured crown of thorn
And bitter nailing,
Faithful and unfailing.
Tidings tell, tell, tell,
Chant it well, well, well,
Risen Christ in us dwell,
O’er the cross prevailing.
Easter joy may we bring,
Welcome, Lord, heaven’s King
Winter turns into spring,
Darkness overtaking,
And our spirits waking.
Praises flow, flow, flow.
Hymn 343: “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless”
1. Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless
thy chosen pilgrim flock
with manna in the wilderness,
with water from the rock.
2. We would not live by bread alone,
but by thy word of grace,
in strength of which we travel on
to our abiding-place.
3. Be known to us in breaking bread,
and do not then depart;
Savior, abide with us, and spread
thy table in our heart.
4. Lord, sup with us in love divine
thy Body and thy Blood,
that living bread, that heavenly wine,
be our immortal food.
After Communion, the priest says
Let us pray.
Priest 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.
Welcome & Announcements
The Easter Blessing
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Dismissal
Priest Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Postlude: “Partita on “Crimond” Gordon Young
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Minister: John Black
Acolyte: Emma Ward
Lector: Leigh DeTato
Ushers: Joe DeTato, Andy Hutchison
Altar: Elizabeth Pitts, Carol Fox
Flowers: Kim Jacobsen
A/V: Liam Kelly
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, John Capps, Carol Fox, Melanie Moyer, Shelley Reed, Robert Risch, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, Marian Wentworth
Online giving is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
Spring Social: Friday, May 20. Save the Date!
Save the date for a church-wide spring social, to be held on the evening of Friday, May 20. Parishioners of all ages are invited to attend and enjoy food, fellowship, and fun with each other. If the weather is nice, this event will take place outside on the church grounds. Further details to follow!
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Our next meeting is at 7:30 PM on May 10th, the usual 2nd Tuesday of every month. Join us on Zoom (login credentials can be found in the most recent Weekly E-Notes email). Contact chair Jim Massey with any questions. All are welcome!
Spring Gift Card Collection
Dear St. Paul’s members, The Outreach Committee is collecting supermarket or Visa and MasterCard cards for families in need at Doyle Elementary School. Please make the cards $25 or $50 so they can give them to families to buy what they need. Please leave them in the church office or with Mary Smith at church between services. Donations are due by May 20. Please contact Mary Smith with any questions.
CARING FOR FRIENDS
Caring for Friends has resumed our meal packing at the church. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, May 21 from 9:30-11:30am. We are asking for anyone who would like to cook at home to bring the food to church on the 21st to pack. Please include a list of ingredients for all meals. For everyone attending we will be social distancing and wearing masks. Casseroles with a protein source, meats like meatloaf, chicken, beef, turkey breasts with a side of rice or potatoes are some other ideas. Donations of canned goods are appreciated, especially fruits and vegetables. Hope you can make it on the 21st.
For questions, please contact George Wiemann, Mary Smith, or Myra Parker using the church directory.
COLLECTION FOR UKRAINE
On behalf of The UUARC, the organization that we are working with to aid the refugees of the Ukraine, to all of St. Paul’s, please accept this HUGE THANK YOU for your unbelievable generosity in the donations that have been received for the Ukraine. The response was, and continues to be, overwhelming. The incredible acts of kindness and caring are truly awe inspiring. So, once again Thank you. The donations will continue to be collected for the foreseeable future, as the need continues to be great. The UUARC prioritized medical supplies as the most critical items. Additionally, here is a link to Amazon for direct shipment to the name and address on the flyer. One last update, UUARC is working on a way to make monetary donations. I will provide that information when it is available.
Also, a big thank you to Sherrie and Chuck for transporting the donations from St. Paul’s to a local organizer…thank you for that incredible effort. Questions? Contact Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee Chair.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given by Whitney Chandor to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Adelaide and Herbert Rorer.
