The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 7, 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: “Let the whole creation cry” Tim Doran
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 457: “Thou art the way, to thee alone”
1. Thou art the Way, to thee alone
from sin and death we flee;
and all who would the Father seek,
must seek him, Lord, by thee.
2. Thou art the Truth, thy word alone
true wisdom can impart;
thou only canst inform the mind
and purify the heart.
3. Thou art the Life, the rending tomb
proclaims thy conquering arm;
and those who put their trust in thee
nor death nor hell shall harm.
4. Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life:
grant us that way to know,
that truth to keep, that life to win,
whose joys eternal flow.
Opening Acclamation
Priest ✠ Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Collect for Purity
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.
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.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O Lord, O God of truth.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner”, and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 487: “Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life”
1. Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
such a way, as gives us breath;
such a truth, as ends all strife;
such a life as killeth death.
2. Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:
such a light as shows a feast;
such a feast as mends in length;
such a strength as makes his guest.
3. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:
such a joy as none can move;
such a love as none can part;
such a heart as joys in love.
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Gospel: John 14:1-14
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
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.
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: “Quiet Wonder” Gwyneth Walker
I walk this earth in quiet wonder.
The beauty surrounds me, surprises me, overwhelms me.
Quiet wonder, quiet wonder.
A small brook babbles in the forest.
I fall to my knees in prayer:
O God, my Creator,
the Spirit riding on the wind,
teach me to be a shepherd of the Earth,
to protect her waters pure,
her forests of silent majesty,
her creatures large and small.
Hopping, swimming, gliding,
galloping, soaring to heaven.
O God, my Creator, the Spirit
riding on the wind,
guide me in wisdom and caring,
to keep this sacred beauty
for all generations to come.
Hopping, swimming, gliding,
galloping, soaring to heaven.
I would be a shepherd of the earth,
in quiet wonder.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the priest sings
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: “Turn thee again, O Lord” Thomas Attwood
Turn thee again, O Lord, at the last, turn thee, O Lord, and be gracious unto thy servants. Amen.
Hymn 204: “Now the green blade riseth”
1. Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
2. In the grave they laid him, Love whom hate had slain,
thinking that never he would wake again,
laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Refrain
3. Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
he that for three days in the grave had lain,
quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Refrain
4. When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
thy touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Refrain
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: “Little Fugue in g minor” J.S. Bach
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Minister: Pike Stephens
Thurifer: Madeleine Moore
Crucifer: John Wilkinson
Lector: Laura Pankoe
Ushers: John Caughie, Andy Morse
Altar: Susan Nejako, Sara Frister
Livestream: Emma Ward
Flowers: Susan Roberts
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, J.T. Capps, Carol Fox, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Robert Risch, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Amber Robinson, 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.
Sunday School
There will be no Sunday School programming today. Classes will resume on Sunday, May 14.
Weekday Worship
There is no weekday mass this week; the next one will be held on the week of May 14.
175th Anniversary shirts still available
Are you disappointed you didn’t get a 175th T-shirt or golf shirt? Fear not! You can still order a shirt(s) through May 8 and show yourself to be St. Paul’s Proud. Polo shirts are $30 and T-Shirts are $15. Orders can be placed with Angie in the church office, 9 - 5 Monday through Friday.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
or just need more time to take it all in—the historical timeline exhibition in Paxson Hall will remain in place through Mother’s Day, May 14. Discover fun facts, and learn about interesting, intertwined histories with other churches and with Doylestown itself. Reflect on the role of St. Paul’s parishioners and rectors in both local and far-flung events like the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Global Pandemic. One viewer summed it up nicely: “St. Paul’s is a local treasure!”
SIMPLE STICKY-NOTE SURVEY:
Check out the last panel, “2023...AND BEYOND”, in the Historical Timeline Display for the informal survey on “My Vision for St. Paul’s” and “What I Love About St. Paul’s.” The table next to the panel will make it easier to fill out the notes to add your thoughts.
Community Meal: May 28
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the first Community Meal of this season such a big success. The next meal is scheduled for Sunday, May 28th. The Community Meal helps those who are food insecure in the community by providing a nutritious and delicious meal. Volunteers are needed to help with the food preparation and serving. We will also need greeters, servers, and volunteers to help with setup and cleanup. Food should be delivered to the church by 12:30 on May 28th. If possible, the food should be delivered warm and ready to serve. Please review the signup here and consider signing up to help with the meal. Thank you in advance for your continued support. Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee.
Drivers needed for the Community Meal
Please consider being a van driver or attendant for the monthly community meal. To qualify, an online course offered by Code Blue (CSSH) must be taken. If we have the needed van driver and attendant, we would be able to provide meals to people in Warminster that are unable to get to St. Paul’s because of the distance. If you are interested, please contact Mae O’Brien using the church directory and she can provide additional details. Thank you very much for your help and support.
Food Packing: Feed My Starving Children
Please consider volunteering 2 hours of your time to help pack food for Feed My Starving Children. St. Paul’s has been participating with this organization for the past few years in the October timeframe. However, due to Covid, wars, and climate issues such as drought, the need is considerably greater. There are typically approximately 460 million meals packed on a worldwide basis. However, this year, the need is for 600 million meals!! The event will be held at Del Val University on Friday May 18th-Sunday May 20th. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mary Lou Parry using the church directory, and she will take care of registration.
CID UPDATE:
We are so blessed to have several parishioners step up to be shepherds of the various tasks required to make our lovely House Tour happen for 2023!!! Thank you all so much!!!!
Widgette Kelly has taken on the tea, stay tuned to see how she “reimagines” it.
June Psculkowski has taken on the butter cookie baking, so do not panic our famous cookies will once again be available this year!!!
Wendy Brumbaugh will once again handle the PR for the event, so we are sure to have a great turn out.
Please look in the future for them reaching out for help because we know it takes a parish for this whole event to come together!!!
If you wish to participate in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lisa Farina or Mary Lou Parry!!! !!!Merry Merry!!!
Geraniums for Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday is May 28. 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. Please contact Lisa Farina with any questions.
VBS 2023!
Calling all kids ages 5-13, have you ever wondered about the mysterious Trinity? Come join us to try to get some answers to those questions June 19-23 5:30-8pm. We will have evenings of fun, songs, games and crafts. Older kids and adults are welcomed too! Stay tuned for more information.
Women’s Ministry Walk and Game Night: June 3
The Women’s Ministry will be having its next event June 3 from 5-8pm in the St Paul’s Parish Hall. We will meet up for an evening of fellowship that kicks off with a walk around town for those interested (weather permitting) and then a game night. Please plan to bring a “brown bag” dinner and your favorite game to share. Please contact Elizabeth Pitts or Leigh DeTato with any questions. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
FORWARD DAY BY DAY DEVOTIONALS FOR MAY-JULY
Forward Movement is a ministry of The Episcopal Church dedicated to forming adult Episcopalians in the faith. Forward Day by Day is one of its publications: a devotional booklet with brief meditations on a passage of Scripture appointed for each day. Paper copies for the three-month period of May-July are now available. To request one by mail, please email the parish administrator, Angela Stoots. You can also read these daily meditations online on the Forward Movement website.
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Our next meeting is at 7:30 PM on May 9th, 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!
CARING FOR FRIENDS
Caring for Friends has resumed our meal packing at the church. Our next meeting will be Saturday, May 20 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 20th 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. Please contact Myra Parker, Mary Smith, or George Wiemann with any questions.
ST. MARY’S SOLOLÁ, GUATEMALA
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Guatemala Fundraising during this Lenten period. We will continue to gratefully accept donations through the month of May. The people of Guatemala continue to deal with problems which resulted from the pandemic and weather-related emergencies. These situations continue to cause difficulties with education, sufficient food, clean drinking water and healthcare. As always, your help and support and greatly appreciated. Questions? Contact Mary Lou Parry using the church directory.
LITTLE FREE PANTRY
The Little Free Pantry continues to be a huge food resource to the community. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated by those suffering from food insecurities in the area. Thank you for all the donations of both food and money that you have contributed in the past year. We are still in need of supplies such as...snack bars, small cereal boxes, fruit cups, pudding and Jell-O cups, pretzels, and crackers. We hope you will consider donating again. Thank you for your help and support. Questions? Contact Mary Lou Parry using the church directory.
YOUTH FORMATION: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Hello St. Paul’s Family! We are in need of some adults and teens who are interested in helping out with Youth Formation. If you are interested in helping the youth explore new ideas and gain a better understanding of who God is in their lives, please reach out to Maureen McGraw or Elizabeth Pitts. This would only take a commitment of about an hour or so every 2-3 months and would involve helping to answer questions and helping with different activities. Please sign up to help here.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given by Whitney Chandor to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Adelaide and Herbert Rorer.
