The SiXth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 22, 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: “Matin” Gordon Young
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 292: “O Jesus, crowned with all renown”
1. O Jesus, crowned with all renown,
since thou the earth hast trod,
thou reignest and by thee come down
henceforth the gifts of God.
Thine is the health and thine the wealth
that in our halls abound,
and thine the beauty and the joy
with which the years are crowned.
2. Lord, in their change, let frost and heat,
and winds and dews be given;
all fostering power, all influence sweet,
breathe from the bounteous heaven.
Attemper fair with gentle air
the sunshine and the rain,
that kindly earth with timely birth
may yield her fruits again:
3. that we may feed the poor aright,
and, gathering round thy throne,
here, in the holy angels’ sight,
repay thee of thine own:
That we may praise thee all our days,
and with the Father’s Name,
and with the Holy Spirit’s gifts,
the Savior’s love proclaim.
Opening Acclamation
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant There is one Body and one Spirit;
People There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Celebrant One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People One God and Father of all.
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, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Acts 16:9-15
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 67
1 May God be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
2 Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
7 May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
Second Lesson: Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
In the spirit the angel carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 513: “Like the murmur of the dove’s song”
1. Like the murmur of the dove’s song,
like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind’s rush,
like the new flame’s eager might:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
2. To the members of Christ’s Body,
to the branches of the Vine,
to the Church in faith assembled,
to her midst as gift and sign:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
3. With the healing of division,
with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
with the power to love and witness,
with the peace beyond compare:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
The Gospel: John 5:1-9
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After Jesus healed the son of the official in Capernaum, there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath.
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.
Holy Baptism
The Presentation and Examination of the Candidate
The parents, godparents, and candidate come forward for the presentation and examination.
Priest The Candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.
Parents & Godparents I present Leo Thomas Linke to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
The priest asks the parents and godparents
Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Parents & Godparents I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
Parents & Godparents I will, with God’s help.
The priest asks the following questions of the parents and godparents, who speak on behalf of the candidate
Question Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer I renounce them.
Question Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer I renounce them.
Question Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer I renounce them.
Question Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer I do.
Question Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer I do.
Question Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Answer I do.
The priest then addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this person in his life in Christ?
People We will.
Priest Let us join with those who are committing this child to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
Priest Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Priest Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Priest Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Priest Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
Prayers for the Candidate
Priest Let us now pray for this person who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth.
The baptismal party proceeds to the font as prayers for the candidate are offered.
Priest Deliver him, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest Open his heart to your grace and truth.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest Fill him with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest Keep him in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest Teach him to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest Send him into the world in witness to your love.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest Bring him to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
The priest says
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
Thanksgiving over the Water
The priest blesses the water, first saying
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The priest continues
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.
We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
At the following words, the priest touches the water
Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Baptism
The priest baptizes the candidate, saying
Leo, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The forehead of the newly baptized is then marked with the sign of the cross using Chrism, saying
Leo, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever. Amen.
The priest presents a candle to the newly baptized, saying
Leo, receive the light of Christ, a sign of the new life enkindled within you. Amen.
The priest then prays over the newly baptized, saying Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised him to the new life of grace. Sustain him, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give him an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
Priest Let us welcome the newly baptized.
People We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.
The People return to their seats as the following hymn is sung.
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: “He is Risen” Craig Courtney
He is risen! Christ is risen!
He is risen! Christ the Lord
is risen indeed!
Prophecy now is fulfilled
in the crucified Lord.
Death could not hold Him,
the temple destroyed is restored.
The power of sin has been broken
by God’s only Son.
Christ over Satan has triumphed,
our victory won!
He is risen! Christ is risen!
He is risen! Christ the Lord
is risen indeed!
He is risen! Christ is risen!
He is risen! Christ the Lord
is risen indeed!
Come to the tomb, it is open,
the stone rolled away.
He is not here, He is risen,
oh, glorious day!
Join in the glad celebration
of Jesus the King.
Sing to the world of His victory,
sing to Him, sing!
He is risen! Christ is risen!
He is risen! Christ the Lord
is risen indeed! Amen.
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 Solo: “Ave Maria” Franz Schubert
Robert Risch, Tenor
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and in the hour of our death. Amen
Hymn 510: “Come, gracious Spirit heavenly Dove”
1. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
with all thy quickening powers;
kindle a flame of sacred love
in these cold hearts of ours.
2. See how we trifle here below
fond of these earthly toys;
our souls, how heavily they go,
to reach eternal joys.
3. In vain we tune our formal songs,
in vain we strive to rise:
hosannas languish on our tongues,
and our devotion dies.
4. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
with all thy quickening powers;
come, shed abroad a Savior’s love,
and that shall kindle ours.
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: “Praise my soul, the King of Heaven” Lani Smith
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Minister: Widgette Kelly
Acolyte: Liam Kelly
Lector: George Achilles
Ushers: Andy Hutchison, Carol Fox
Altar: Widgette Kelly, Jacky Grande
Flowers: Anne Shute
A/V: Emma Ward
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.
Ascension Day: Noon Mass on Thursday in the Chapel
St. Paul’s will observe the Feast of Ascension Day this Thursday, May 26. All are welcome at this simple Holy Eucharist, celebrated at 12pm in the Chapel. Please enter through the office doors on Pine Street. The Scripture readings can be found here.
Geraniums for Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday is June 5. This is the day we celebrate the Holy Spirit by bringing red geraniums to church and planting them in front of the sign. Please feel free to bring your plants sooner if you will be away on Pentecost. On Saturday, June 4, the plot will be prepped under the guidance of Lisa Farina and Noralyn Crossley. Please contact Lisa Farina with any questions.
From the SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The Diocese of Pennsylvania offers Anti-Racism training through their Anti-Racism Commission. It is part of the work of the Diocese, in living up to the Loving Presence Publication and the Gospel, to help as many Episcopalians understand anti-racism and become trained anti-racists. The next ARC training is May 28th and is entitled, Introduction to Systemic Racism. This course is the prerequisite for all the other ARC courses. It will be again offered on August 27th. You can find out more by following this link to the page on the Diopa.org webpage. Contact chair Jim Massey with any questions. All are welcome!
Food Donations
I first want to thank everybody for your unbelievable generosity for all the food you have donated to the many organizations that St. Paul’s helps to provide food for. Organizations like The Food Larder, Caring for Friends and the Little Food Pantry are also very grateful for all the help you have provided. It does, however, become a little difficult trying to match the donations with the newly implemented covid related requirements that some of the organization needed to implement. So, starting now, we won’t be requesting food for a specific organization, but the request will be for different sizes and food types and the Outreach organization will make sure it goes to the right group. The types of food that are most needed now are:
Large cans of fruit and vegetables
Jars of peanut butter
Snack bars such as granola bars, oatmeal raisin bars
Small bottles of water
Cereal snack size and family size boxes
Individual sizes of fruit
With the warm weather coming, please nothing with chocolate.
Thank you again for your past support and your continued concern for those in need. Questions? Please contact Mary Lou Parry.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given by George and Pat Achilles to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Arthur and Eileen Achilles, Frank and Elizabeth Steiner, parents; Elmer and Elsie Thompson, grandparents; and other departed members of the Achilles, Steiner and Creighton families.
