The seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day
Sunday, May 12, 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: “Berceuse” Louis Vierne
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 518: “Christ is made the sure foundation”
1. Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the Church in one;
holy Zion’s help for ever,
and her confidence alone.
2. All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.
3. To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
4. Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain;
what they gain from thee, for ever
with the blessèd to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.
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.
The Gloria in Excelsis Missa Paschalis, W. Edward McCall
The Collect of the Day
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us pray.
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus—for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 1
1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.
4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.
Second Lesson: 1 John 5:9-13
If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 495: “Hail, thou once despised Jesus!”
1. Hail, thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, thou Galilean King!
Thou dids’t suffer to release us;
thou dids’t free salvation bring.
Hail, thou universal Savior,
bearer of our sin and shame!
By thy merit we find favor:
life is given through thy Name.
2. Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
all our sins on thee were laid:
by almighty love anointed,
thou hast full atonement made.
All thy people are forgiven
through the virtue of thy blood:
opened is the gate of heaven,
reconciled are we with God.
3. Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory
there forever to abide;
all the heavenly hosts adore thee,
seated at thy Father’s side.
There for sinners thou art pleading:
there thou dost our place prepare;
ever for us interceding,
till in glory we appear.
4. Worship, honor, power and blessing
thou art worthy to receive;
highest praises without ceasing,
right it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
all your noblest anthems raise;
help to sing our Savoir’s merits,
help to chant Emmanuel’s praise!
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Gospel: John 17:6-19
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort
The Nicene Creed
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: “Lord God, Hear My Prayer” Brad Steed
Lord God, hear my pray’r;
and let my cry come to thee.
Lord God, hear my pray’r;
hide not thy face from me.
Incline thine ear to me;
and when I call, O Lord, hear me.
My days are like a shadow that declineth;
I am withered like the grass.
Thou, Lord, shalt endure forever.
Lord God, hear my pray’r;
and let my cry come to thee.
Lord God, hear my pray’r;
hide not thy face from me.
Incline thine ear to me;
and when I call, O Lord, hear me.
Amen.
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 et Benedictus qui venit Missa Paschalis, W. Edward McCall
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 Fraction
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Agnus Dei Missa Paschalis, W. Edward McCall
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: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates” William Mathias
Lift up your heads, O ye gates,
and be ye lifted up,
ye everlasting doors,
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
the Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates,
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors,
and the King of glory shall come in
Who is this King of glory?
the Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.
Hymn 435: “At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow”
1. At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him King of glory now;
’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
2. Humbled for a season, to receive a Name
from the lips of sinners, unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious, when from death he passed;
3. bore it up triumphant, with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.
4. Name him, Christians, name him, with love strong as death,
name with awe and wonder and with bated breath;
he is God the Savior, he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshiped, trusted, and adored.
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: “When in our music God is glorified” Matt Limbaugh
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Minister: Christopher McCall
Thurifer: Alex Kelly
Crucifer: Weston Massey
Lector: George Achilles
Ushers: John Fraser, Maureen McGraw
Altar: Carol Fox
Livestream: Emery Kohut
Flowers: Susan Roberts
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Alexander Famous, Carol Fox, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Amber Robinson, Annie Rogers, 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.
Tulip Bulbs Available
There are tulip bulbs available from the Oakland Avenue sign planting. Please help yourself if you would like some. You’ll find them along the right side of the barn. They should be replanted, and the leaves and stems removed after they have dried up.
Children’s Sunday School
Sunday school is available during the 10 o’clock service for children grades K-5. Drop-off at 9:45 am downstairs in the Education Wing. Children will rejoin their families in church during the Peace. Outreach Sunday will be on May 19 (Pentecost) and we will celebrate our last day of Sunday school with our End-of Year party on May 26. If you have any questions or are interested in helping, please contact Rachel Morse.
VBS June 17-20: Let us know if you can come
All families with children who are rising K-5 (and any grandparents with grandchildren!) are invited to join us for VBS tentatively scheduled for Monday through Thursday June 17 -20 from 5 PM to 7 PM with a light dinner included. Also looking for a few older kids who would like to be helpers. Alternative dates would be June 24 to 27, based on participation response. Please let us know if your child can attend, including name and age, and please indicate which of the above dates work best for you. Contact Maureen McGraw or Widgette Kelly no later than Sunday, May 19.
Weekday Worship
There is no weekday mass this week; the next one will be held on Wednesday, May 22.
Geraniums for Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday is May 19. 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 at 484-633-6000 with any questions.
Brotherhood Breakfast May 19
Brotherhood Breakfast is scheduled for Sunday, May 19. We will be serving eggs, pancakes, sausage, breakfast casserole and bagels. All will be available from 9 am to noon. There is no charge, but we will accept a freewill donation to the Friends of Music program at St. Paul’s. It is our way of thanking Ed McCall and our wonderful choir for another magnificent year of spiritual music.
Community Meal
The next Community Meal is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. A signup sheet is currently available here to volunteer to help with the meal, clean up, setup, greeting, and clean up. Additionally, there is a need for hygiene products...toothpaste, toothbrushes, wipes, etc. in travel size. Also, gift cards in a $5 or $10 amount to McDonalds, Wendy’s or Panera’s. If you are part of another St. Paul's committee, you may want to consider signing up as a group for one of the Community Meal. Thank you very much for your consideration. Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee Chair
Women’s Book Study
Saturday, June 1st, at 9:30 in Paxson Hall. How to Know a Person by David Brooks is not just about our human nature; it’s about forging meaningful connections. Brooks offers valuable insights on how individuals can connect with one another on a profound level. How to Know a Person gives insights into human nature offering us a nuanced understanding of what makes people tick. It underscores the importance of cultivating empathy and curiosity as crucial components in forging genuine connections with others. Through engaging anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, the book takes us on a reflective journey and encourages us to question our own assumptions and preconceptions about others.
Social Justice Committee Meeting
Our next meeting is at 7:30 PM on May 14th, the usual 2nd Tuesday of every month. Join us on Zoom via the link in the Weekly E-Notes. All are welcome!
Caring for Friends
Caring for Friends has resumed our meal packing at the church. Our next meeting will be Saturday, May 18 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 18th to pack. Please include a list of ingredients for all meals. 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.
Feed My Starving Children
Once again, Del Valley University will be hosting Feed My Starving Children. This event is a meal packing event to feed starving children around the world. The meals consist of rice, soy, veggies and vitamins which are formulated to prevent and even reverse the impact of severe malnutrition.
Saturday 5-18: 4:30-6:30pm and Sunday 5-19: noon-2pm and 5:30-7:30pm are currently the times available. Please let me know if you are interested...children over the age of 5 years old are welcome.
Thank you. Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee Chair
Brotherhood Retreat June 7-9
Brotherhood Retreat is scheduled for June 7-9. All Christian men are welcome to join us for a weekend full of fellowship, prayer, spiritual study, good food and recreation at the DuPont Memorial House in Rehoboth, Delaware. The inclusive cost is $340 per person. Please contact Sam Palermo or George Wiemann for information and to reserve a spot.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given given by Susan Tilton to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Miss Ellen Rulan, beloved teacher.
Arranged by Susan Roberts
