The SiXth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 9, 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: “Largo from ‘Serse’” G.F. Handel
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
Priest ✠ Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Priest
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.
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 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98 The cantor sings the Psalm.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.
Second Lesson: 1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Alleluia
The cantor sings the Alleluia.
The Gospel: John 15:9-17
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
After the sermon, cantor 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.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
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.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
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, hear the prayers of your people; and what we have asked faithfully, grant that we may obtain effectually, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 with a sign of peace.
The Holy Communion
The priest begin the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
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
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,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
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.
Hymn 400: “All creatures of our God and King”
1. All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voices, let us sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beams,
pale silver moon that gently gleams,
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
7. Let all things their creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Praise God the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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
Blessing & Dismissal
The priest gives the blessing.
The deacon dismisses the people, who respond Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Postlude: “Toccata-Chorale on ‘Slane’” Alice Jordan
Service Participants
Celebrant: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Deacon & Preacher: The Rev. Matthew D. Simpson
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Minister: John Black
Acolyte: Madeleine Moore
Cantor: Jim Shute
Lector: Widgette Kelly
Ushers: Michael Kelly, Liam Kelly
Altar: Elizabeth Pitts, Carol Fox
Flowers: Kay Johnson
A/V: Blaine Masters
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Jill Dulany, Muriel Hastings, Nick Lindberg, Lisa Nordland, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, David Taylor, Deborah Taylor, Marian Wentworth
Online giving is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
The Deacon’s Purse
Today is Deacon Matthew's last Sunday at St. Paul's. As a token of our thanks for his ministry, we will send him off with a "purse"—a financial gift from the church given to departing clergy. All contributions received will be combined and given as a single gift. If you wish to contribute to the Deacon's Purse, write a check to St. Paul's with "Deacon's Purse" in the memo line, or contribute online using the button below:
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Our next meeting is at 7:30 PM on May 11th, 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!
2021 Spring Clean-Up Day: Saturday, May 15
Join us for a Spring Clean-Up Day on Saturday May 15 from 8:00 am to 12 noonish! We’ll have fellowship and do some outside work on the Church, Paxson Hall and Rectory. Let’s keep up the tradition of great participation from everyone—kids are especially invited to come! Come with your favorite yard tools, or find some in the barn. Rain date is Saturday, May 22.
RUMMAGE SALE UPDATE:
Due to current COVID restrictions, the usual June Rummage Sale will not take place. However, we are cautiously optimistic that we can have an indoor sale in early November. If so, we are planning to combine the Christmas Attic with only the best things from our rummage donations (think Tag Sale). For now, if you have rummage to donate, we are requesting that you screen it carefully, taking your donations directly to Goodwill, Good Stuff, Green Drop, Nova Thrift Shop or Habitat’s Restore. If you have something really nice to donate to the Tag Sale, please contact Kay Johnson using the church directory with a description and/or photo. We continue to accept Christmas Attic donations. Many thanks.
Book Study – Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM (via Zoom)
A new book study is forming at St. Paul’s. The book is Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Stamped “reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers.” This study is being facilitated by the Rector, and commended by our Social Justice Committee. As we read it, we will attend to how the church in America bears responsibility for the sin of racism, and the responsibility we have for repentance, reconciliation, and reparation—i.e., we will read it in the context of Christian formation and discipleship. This book is equally accessible to adults and teen youth, who are invited to participate in the study. You can find it online, as an audiobook, or at local libraries and bookstores. RSVP for this study by contacting Fr. Daniel Moore. Join us!
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew Annual Beach Retreat
All men of the parish are invited to join us for an exciting weekend of spiritual exploration and fellowship at our 32nd Annual Retreat June 11-13, 2021 at The DuPont Memorial House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The DuPont Memorial House, an adult conference and retreat center, nestled among whispering pines, is located in a quiet residential area of Rehoboth Beach, just two blocks from the ocean. The very large house sleeps 34 and provides a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for prayer, study, fellowship and more. Much of the weekend is “free time”, to spend as you wish. Opportunities to take time alone or in fellowship abound. You can crawl up in a quiet spot and read, go fishing in the ocean or bay, biking, golfing, shopping at the nearby Rehoboth Outlets or take a dip in the ocean. There is a large deck behind the house to relax on and a fire pit to enjoy in the evening. The weekend agenda provides for several hours of group discussion as well as morning and evening prayer and the Eucharist on Sunday morning. All meals (6) are included in the price, which for 2021 will be $285.00. Reservations are on a first come basis. Space is limited this year to 15. Any cancellations after June 6 must be paid in full. Please use the church directory to contact Sam Palermo with any questions.
Grounds and Gardens Committee
Lisa Farina will be heading up the new/reestablished “Grounds and Gardens Committee”. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact her using the church directory.
AVAILABLE FLOWER MEMORIAL & THANKSGIVING DATE FOR 2021
Thank you to all parishioners who have supported our ministry through their flower memorials and thanksgivings and a special thank you to the members of this guild for their time and efforts. Without everyone’s participation the church would not be blessed with our ever changing floral displays to liven up the church! In 2021 we have the following open date for a flower memorial or thanksgiving: July 25.
The Flower Guild welcomes anyone interested in being a part of this ministry. You are welcome to observe any current member arrange flowers for Sunday. Please talk to any current member to find out what it’s all about. For questions, please use the church directory to contact me.
Lisa Farina, Head of the Flower Guild
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given 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. Given by George and Patricia Achilles and arranged by Kay Johnson.
