Sunday Worship for April 24, 2022
The Holy Eucharist
The 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year C)
April 24, 2022
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, April 24, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The Word of God
Hymn #178: Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks
[Verses 1-4]
REFRAIN:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the Risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His Name!
1 Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation. [Refrain]
2 Spread the Good News o'er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen. [Refrain]
3 We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live forever. [Refrain]
4 Come, let us praise the living God,
joyfully sing to our Savior. [Refrain]
Words: Donald Fishel © 1973, International Liturgy Publications. Music: Alleluia No. 1, Donald Fishel © 1973, International Liturgy Publications; arr. Betty Pulkingham, Charles Mallory, and George Mims © 1979 Celebration. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #71342, #39164. All rights reserved.
The Opening Acclamation
[BCP, p. 355]
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
A Collect for Purity
[BCP, p. 355]
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.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God
[See also BCP, p. 356]
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Words: Public Domain. Music: Robert Powell © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28331. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 224]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Acts (5:27-32)
When the temple police had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 150
[BCP, p. 807]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy temple; * praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts; * praise him for his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the blast of the ram's-horn; * praise him with lyre and harp.
4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; * praise him with strings and pipe.
5 Praise him with resounding cymbals; * praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath * praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
A Reading from the Revelation to St. John the Divine (1:4-8)
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. John (20:19-31)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
"Resurrection's Power to Change" by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda
This morning, we read two stunning passages about the early followers of Jesus that show us the power of the resurrection. How did the apostles go from John 20 to Acts 5? That is, how did the apostles go from cowering in fear behind locked doors to arguing with the very council of priests who condemned Jesus to die? It’s a little bit confusing because we read these two passages out of chronological order this morning. The Gospel story in John 20 happens weeks or months before the event in Acts 5, featuring almost all the same characters.
When we last left the apostles on Easter morning, they heard the report about the empty tomb from the women who visited at sunrise. Then Peter and John went and found the empty tomb themselves but did not see Jesus. That’s where we pick up in John 20:19. It’s the evening of Resurrection Day, but so far, only Mary Magdalene has actually met the Resurrected Jesus. The Eleven Apostles didn’t believe the women’s report, and even after seeing the empty tomb, they weren’t sure that Jesus had really risen. So they are still gathered together, but they hide out of fear that the same people who Jesus killed would come after them next. But Jesus enters despite their locked doors. He brings them peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He inspires them with his miraculous, loving presence.
By the time we get to Acts 5, the Risen Jesus has already ascended into heaven. He is physically gone but the Holy Spirit remains with his followers. Something has changed. Instead of hiding in fear, their time with Jesus after the resurrection has emboldened them. They now have courage to proclaim the message of God’s salvation in the streets of Jerusalem. The apostles preached about Jesus and baptized many into their number. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they healed many who were sick. They became so popular that the high priest became jealous and arrested them. But then an angel helped them to escape jail. And by the next morning, when the council called the apostles in from jail for a trial, they were already back in the Temple preaching about Jesus. (It’s actually a very funny story that comes right before our reading in Acts 5:12-26.)
Now, the apostles are unafraid of the council of priests, the same ones who arrested Jesus and had him crucified only weeks or months earlier. Now, they disobey a direct order from these powerful men. Now, they say right to their faces, “We must obey God rather than humans!” (5:29, CEB). Now, they accuse the council of wrongdoing, blaming them for killing Jesus (5:30). Now, they stand for the truth and are not driven by fear, whatever the consequences. The apostles have changed.
So what changed? What changed is that they trust Jesus and the power of his resurrection. They believe that God has power over death, the ability to give new life. They trust that God is more powerful than any human or earthly enemy they might face. So they have courage to face threats of persecution and violence. They have courage to stand up for truth when powerful men try to hurt and oppress people. They have courage to resist injustice, and to say the names of those who were wrongly arrested, wrongly convicted, and wrongly executed. The resurrection gave the apostles the courage they needed to be voices for God’s love, justice, and truth in their own day.
What can the resurrection do for us now? What can we accomplish when we trust that God is greater than all the dangers and trials we face? What mighty acts of love can we do with God’s resurrecting grace on our side? What can the God of Resurrection do with us if we stand up for life, fairness, and equity in our society, if we refuse to sit by quietly when we and our siblings are oppressed? What can God do? How good, how loving, how powerful is our God? More than we can ask for or even imagine! Amen.
LEV #41: Christ Has Arisen
[Repeat as desired]
Christ has arisen, Alleluia
Rejoice and praise Him, Alleluia
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb
Even from death dispelling its gloom
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy
Death's fearful sting He has come to destroy
Our sin forgiving, Alleluia
Jesus is living, Alleluia
Words: Swahili Text; tr. Howard Olson © 1977 Augsburg Fortress. Music: Haya Tune; Tumshandile Mungu, Makumira, Tanzania; harm. Carl Haywood, from Songs of Praise, © 1992 Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONELICENSE #94901. All rights reserved.
The Nicene Creed
[BCP, p. 358]
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
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
[Adapted from http://www.stlukesewing.org/prayers-of-the-people-easter]
Rejoicing in the mighty acts of God who has delivered the people of God from sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us lift our voices and pray,
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us give thanks to God for the multitude of blessings that God showers upon us: for our lives and for those whom we love, for the beauty of this home God has created for us, for our families and our friendships, for Ja'wana Baker Pennamon (4/25) and Taylor Blue (4/30) on their birthdays, and for those celebrating wedding anniversaries. Let us give thanks to the God of Life.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for the Church, that it may carry forward the redemptive works of God: for our clergy and our bishops, for the many lay people who serve the church and serve the world through the church, and for those gather here in worship and prayer.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for the newly baptized, that the joy of Easter may ever grow within them, and that the Spirit may guide them in lives of active faith.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for the nations and peoples of the world and for the leaders of our country, state, county, and city, that the powers that oppress and destroy may decline, and that justice, peace, and prosperity be lifted up.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for those who are sick, those who suffer, those who struggle, especially those on our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angie Glover, Annie Bell Greer, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Craig Maxwell, Bette Milledge, and Helen Scroggins; that the hope born of Easter give them peace, acceptance and renewal, and that through their struggles they may come into closer communion with the God who redeems and restores...
Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for those who have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them by your resurrecting power into the place of eternal joy and light...
Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
The celebrant adds a concluding collect.
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.
The Peace
[EOW1, p. 56]
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
A. Coffee Hour Sign Up & New COVID Guidelines: St. Matthew’s Vestry agreed to update its In-Person COVID-19 Safety Guidelines on March 31, 2022. To summarize, when the CDC indicates that Chatham County has a Low or Medium “COVID-19 Community Level,” the Vestry will allow light refreshments to be served at public indoor events, provided that people continue to wear masks whenever they are not eating or drinking. When Chatham County has a High COVID-19 level, food and drink will not be allowed. Chatham County currently has a Low COVID-19 level. You can read the guidance in all its detail here: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/new-covid-19-safety-guidelines-spring-2022.
The Vestry invites individuals and families to serve light refreshments after worship on Sundays in-person. Please sign up for upcoming dates using the poster near the kitchen in Toomer-Walker Hall.
B. CORR on 5/1 at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church: Conversations on Relationships and Race (CORR) is a joint Christian Education course with St. Matthew’s, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, and Asbury United Methodist Church. This spring, we will continue to read How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. You may purchase it from any major bookstore (such as Amazon).
Our next CORR meeting is scheduled to be in person on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (2 St Thomas Ave, Savannah, GA 31406). Please read Chapters 12-18 of Kendi’s book before the meeting.
C. JUST Nehemiah Action on 5/2: Justice Unites Savannah Together (JUST) is holding its 2nd Annual Nehemiah Action (and 1st ever in-person) on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 6:15 PM at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in the Savannah Civic Center (301 W Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401). The Nehemiah Action is our annual opportunity to show public officials that hundreds, or even thousands of people in Chatham County care about fixing major community problems.
For the last year, JUST has researched affordable housing and cash bail. We will ask the City of Savannah to continue investing in an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to make housing more accessible to low and middle-income families. Then, we will ask the Chatham District Attorney to expand a diversion program that keeps people out of the criminal justice system before they lose time in jail or money to pay for bail. If you care about these issues, we invite you to attend this action to show our public officials how important these are for people of faith in Savannah!
JUST's Interim Lead Organizer, Rachel Hodes, will visit St. Matthew's for worship today. Rachel will be available to talk about JUST during coffee hour.
D. The Rev. Kelly Steele Installation on 5/4: Since last April, the Rev. Kelly Steele (the Rev. Guillermo Arboleda's spouse), has served St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island as their Priest-in-Charge. The Vestry of St. Peter's called Rev. Steele to be their Rector beginning April 1, 2022! Bishop Frank Logue, Rev. Steele, and the people of St. Peter's invite you to the Rector Installation service (a.k.a. Celebration of a New Ministry) on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 5:30 PM at 3 West Ridge Rd, Savannah, GA 31411.
Congratulations to Rev. Steele, St. Peter's Church, and the Arboleda-Steele family!
E. Book of Sermons: Della Jones and Sandra Mitchell are looking for parishioners interested in serving on a committee to compile sermons and identify artwork for a book of Fr. Guillermo Arboleda’s sermons. This proposed book project would become a historical document for St. Matthew's and may be sold in the future at a modest price to raise funds for the parish.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact either Della Jones or Sandra Mitchell. The first meeting will be held during the week following Easter. Date and time to be determined.
F. T/W/Th Evening Prayer: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM. Please join the Zoom call by 4:55 PM. Otherwise, watch the prayer service as you have been on Facebook Live.
For security purposes, below is the Meeting ID only; please check your St. Matthew's e-Newsletter for the password (or email FrGAA@StMattSav.org to request it).
Topic: Zoom Evening Prayer
Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
Giving to St. Matthew's: We know that many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The church is feeling it too. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
“On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [Psalm 118:24]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
AAHH #123: We'll Praise the Lord
[Verses 1-5]
1 We'll praise the Lord for He is great,
And in His presence angels wait;
All heav'n is swelling with His praise--
Shall we not, too,our anthems raise?
REFRAIN:
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise His holy name.
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise His holy name.
2 We'll praise the Lord for He is wise;
His wisdom shines through all the skies;
The earth He measures with a span,
And crowns us with His image: man. [REFRAIN]
3 We'll praise the Lord for He is just,
And in Him we may ever trust;
Princes and kings may turn aside,
But God by right will e'er abide. [REFRAIN]
4 We'll praise the Lord for He is true;
His word the same all ages through;
Earth, sea and sky may pass away,
But firm, God's truth will ever stay. [REFRAIN]
5 Oh, praise Him for His name is Love,
And from His glorious throne above,
He bends to welcome our weak praise,
Shall we not, then, our anthem raise? [REFRAIN]
Words: T. G. Steward, Public Domain. Music: Nazrey, J. T. Layton, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #OLOFOB020. All rights reserved.
AAHH #651: Doxology
[See also Hymn # 380, v. 3]
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84260. All rights reserved.
Eucharistic Prayer 1
[EOW1, p. 57]
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy …
Preface of Easter [BCP, p. 379]:
But chiefly are we young 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, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
LEV #254:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
[Word: Public Domain. Music: Carl Maultsby, The Saint Mary Mass, © 1989 Malted Milk Music. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00004C1989. All rights reserved.]
The people stand or kneel.
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.
But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.
Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
LEV #258:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Marjorie Gabriel-Burrow © 1992 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.]
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Blessed Mary, Blessed Matthew, and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
[BCP, p. 364]
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 Fraction Anthems
[BCP, p. 364]
Hymn S-152:
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Ambrosian chant; adapt. Mason Martens © 1971 Mason Martens, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #87673. All rights reserved.]
Hymn S-167:
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Mode 6 melody; adapt. Mason Martens © 1971 Mason Martens, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #52588. All rights reserved.]
The Gifts of God for the people of God.
Hymn #328: Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord
[Verses 1-8]
1 Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord,
and drink the holy Blood for you outpoured.
2 Saved by that Body and that holy Blood,
with souls refreshed, we render thanks to God.
3 Salvation's giver, Christ, the only Son,
by his dear cross and blood the victory won.
4 Offered was he for greatest and for least,
himself the Victim, and himself the Priest.
5 Approach ye then with faithful hearts sincere,
and take the pledges of salvation here.
6 He that his saints in this world rules and shields,
to all believers life eternal yields;
7 with heavenly bread he makes the hungry whole,
gives living waters to the thirsting soul.
8 Alpha-Omega, unto whom shall bow
all nations at the Doom, is with us now.
Words: Bangor Antiphoner (ca. 690) tr. John Mason Neale, alt., Public Domain. Music: Song 46, melody and bass by Orlando Gibbons; harm. The English Hymnal (1906), Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #90882. All rights reserved.
The Post-Communion Prayer
[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
We thank you for feeding us with this bread.
May it strengthen us
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
For Online Worshippers and Those Receiving Spiritual Communion:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
Though we cannot consume now these gifts of bread [and wine],
we thank you that we have received the sacrament of Christ’s presence,
the forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of Christ’s passion.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
may we embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Easter Blessing
[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 13]
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 God's sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angie Glover, Annie Bell Greer, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Craig Maxwell, Bette Milledge, and Helen Scroggins.
BIRTHDAYS: Ja'wana Baker Pennamon (4/25) and Taylor Blue (4/30)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A
RECENT DEATHS: Warren Loadholt (d. 4/5/2022; son of Marva Johnson); Doris Logan (friend of Terry Newton)
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
EASTER LILIES MEMORIALS:
Harriette Brinson, Marva Johnson, Gwen Smith, & Family: In Memory of Mrs. Gertrude J. Hicks, LaCretia Carol Eady, Mr. Warren I. Loodholt
General A. & Lazola Cope: In Memory of Loved Ones
Christine Folsome: In Memory of Mrs. Bessie Kelly, Mrs. Sarah Williams, Mrs. Juanita December, Mrs. Mildred Johnson, Mrs. Margaret Caution, Mrs. Lucy Solomon, Mrs. Gertrude Sanders, Mr. Bernard Hogan, Mr., Irvin Kelly, Mr. George Brooks, and Other Loved Ones
Joenelle & Charles Gordon: In Memory of Loved Ones Gordon & Brown Families and E. Ceceile Walker
Fr. Charles & Evalena Hoskins: In Memory of Loved Ones of Fr. Charles & Evalena Hoskins
M. Idella Jones: In Memory of Loved Ones of the Glover-Nails Families
Frieda McDew-Shorter: In Memory of Stephen & Mary McDew and Obey L. Shorter
Jeannette Outing: In Memory of The Outing Family, The Butler Family, and The Moultrie Family
Margaret & Lee Pearson: In Memory of James & Marion Roberts, Maudell Brown, Lucius & Margaret Priested, and James Mack Roberts, Jr.
Evadne Roberts: In Memory of Loved Ones
Kathy Robinson: In Memory of Luther & Sadie Dockery, David W. Dockery, Luther G. Dockery, Pauliene & Carrie Gordon, James W. Newton, Thelma Newton, Virginia Wynn, Ella Mae Singleton, Natalie Thomas, Robert & Arabelle Graham, Mildred Seabrooks, and Eldora Byrd
Jessie Stevenson: In Memory of Family Members
Charles & Willie Mae Tennerson: In Memory of Loved Ones
Karsten Tyson: In Memory of the parents of Karsten Tyson: Robert & Beverly Tyson; In Thanksgiving for Harold & Andraedese Jones Mallette
Note: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), African American Heritage Hymnal (AAHH), Wonder Love and Praise (WLP), and other sources cited. The Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
Image Credit: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/doubting-thomas-just-had-questions-just-like-you/