Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
- Apr 16, 2023
- 23 min read

Sunday Worship on April 16, 2023

Updated: Apr 17, 2023

The Holy Eucharist

The 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year A)

April 16, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Deacon: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis

Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/

The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Hymn #178: Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks

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. Alleluia, Alleluia, Give thanks to the risen Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia, give praise to His Name. [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: Copyright © 1973, The Word of God. All rights reserved. Music: Arrangement Copyright © 1979, Celebration. Reprinted with permission under One License #70406. All rights reserved]

The Opening Acclamation for Easter Season

[BCP, p. 355]

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The 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 S280: 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.

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 Acts 2:14a,22-32

Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,

‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;

therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope.

For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption.

You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,

‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’

This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 16

[BCP, p. 599-600]

Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).

1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; * I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, my good above all other."

2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, * upon those who are noble among the people.

3 But those who run after other gods * shall have their troubles multiplied.

4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, * nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.

5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; * it is you who uphold my lot.

6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; * indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; * my heart teaches me, night after night.

8 I have set the Lord always before me; * because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.

9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; * my body also shall rest in hope.

10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, * nor let your holy one see the Pit.

11 You will show me the path of life; * in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

A Reading from the First Letter of 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-- being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn #209: We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight (Verses 1-3)

1. We walk by faith, and not by sight; no gracious words we hear from him who spoke as none e'er spoke; but we believe him near. 2. We may not touch his hands and side, nor follow where he trod; but in his promise we rejoice; and cry, "My Lord and God!" 3. Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; and may our faith abound, to call on you when you are near, and seek where you are found: Music: by permission of Oxford University Press. Reprinted with permission under One License #00-46861. All rights reserved

The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to 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.

Hymn #209: We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight (Verse 4)

4. that, when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light we may behold you as you are, with full and endless sight.

The Sermon

“Ordinary People” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Christians are ordinary people. From the beginning of the Jesus movement, the Good News of God in Christ has always been carried to the world by ordinary people. The message of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection was proclaimed by people like Peter, Thomas, and the rest of the apostles. These guys were not special. One of my favorite seminary professors, the Rev. Dr. Willie James Jennings, writes that the apostles were “twelve men, none with exceptional credentials, no fabulous educational pedigrees, none with reservoirs of immense cultural capital to draw from” (Acts, 33). In the eyes of the world, they were “nobodies.” But in the eyes of God, they were faithful servants. God does not call the gifted, but God gives gifts to the called. God does not call the equipped, but God equips the called.

Let’s start with Peter. Peter was nobody special. But in Acts 2, Peter preached about the power of God to raise Jesus Christ from the dead. He proclaimed boldly that the people of Jerusalem had “crucified and killed” him because they were “outside the law” (Acts 2:23). He quoted scriptures to his hearers about how God would not abandon the righteous to death and corruption, but instead gives “life” and “gladness” (2:27-28). But this was the same Peter whose “talk first, think later” attitude repeatedly got him in trouble with Jesus. This was the same Peter who had abandoned Jesus in his hour of need. This same Peter was a coward a few weeks earlier on the night of Jesus’ arrest, denying three times that he even knew Jesus. And yet God’s Spirit spoke through him and moved him to lead the early church. By grace, Peter shared the message of God’s love, liberation, and new life. Acts tells us that Peter was pivotal in sharing the Good News with Gentiles. Church tradition tells us that Peter preached as far west as Rome and led the church there before he was martyred.

Likewise, Thomas was nobody special. We don’t know a lot about his life before Thomas became a disciple of Jesus. But he seems like a serious, curious, inquisitive person. Thomas regularly spoke up to ask questions in John’s Gospel. He was deeply committed to Jesus, so much so that he was willing to go and “die with” Jesus when he returned to Judea for the final time (John 11:16). In today’s story, Thomas is the guy who needs all the evidence in order to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. He asks the other apostles to prove it. Then Jesus blesses him despite his doubt and shows him his hands, feet, and side. Once he sees and feels the wounds, Thomas is again all in on following Jesus. Despite Thomas’ ordinary upbringing and skeptical nature, he becomes another key early church leader. He is the first of the apostles to call Jesus “my God” (John 20:28). Church tradition tells us that he shared the Good News to people east of Jerusalem. He was a missionary to people in India, telling them about God’s love, liberation, and new life.

God did not choose Peter and Thomas because they were the brightest, fanciest, wealthiest, or best-behaved. God chose them by grace; and by grace, God gave them the gifts they needed to do the great things they were called to do. The Spirit of God empowered them for great ministry. They weren’t necessarily special people, but God made them special.

The point today is simple. God calls all Christians to be ministers and evangelists, not just the ordained. The Book of Common Prayer says, “the ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world” (p. 855).

You might be thinking, I don’t know enough about God. I don’t know enough about the Bible. I don’t know enough about the church. I can’t be a minister. I don’t have anything special to offer anybody. You think you don’t have anything special? That’s great! Neither did Thomas or Peter. Good still did great things in and through them. They were simply humble enough to listen to God, and allow the Spirit to lead them. Every single person in the room, and everyone listening online knows enough about Jesus Christ to represent his love. Everyone can thank God for blessings. Everyone can testify by word and action to the good things God has done in their lives. Everyone can work to reconcile relationships with others. You don’t need a theology degree for that. You just need to invite the Holy Spirit into your life, day by day.

Over the last decade or so, The Episcopal Church has made an effort to celebrate more lay people in its calendar of saints. The truth is that there are a lot more lay people saints than there are saints who are deacons, priests, or bishops. We just don’t always hear their stories. For example, I just learned the story of Zenaida and Philonella, who we celebrated on April 14 (Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2022, pp. 188-189).

Zenaida and Philonella lived in the first century and they are famous for being charitable, free doctors and healers (the early church called them “holy unmercenaries” or “unmercenary physicians”). They were sisters from modern-day Turkey who were educated in healing practices. But the medical community of the time excluded them because they were women. They treated people regardless of who they were, what status they had, or what they believed. And out of Christian charity, they refused payment for their services. They shared love using the knowledge they had, and God used that offering to spread the Good News. They weren’t preachers or vocal evangelists. They were just smart, creative ladies who were generous because God had been generous with them. They allowed the Spirit to lead them into an unexpected ministry for their sick neighbors.

Regardless of what you do or what talents you have or whatever you think you do or do not bring to the table, God is calling you to be a minister. God is calling you to love and serve others. God is calling you to follow the Spirit’s lead. All we need to do is invite God to guide us. Think of the hymn, “Spirit of the Living God” (Lift Every Voice and Sing II #115:

Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me,

Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me

Amen.

Bibliography

Jennings, Willie James. Acts. Volume in Belief: A Theological Commentary of the Bible. Edited by Amy Plantinga Pauw and Willaim C. Placher. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017.

The Nicene Creed

[BCP, p. 358]

All standing as they are able, the People pray:

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.

Hymn S106: The Prayers of the People, Form I

[See also BCP, p. 383]

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying "Lord, have mercy."

For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Frank our bishop, Guillermo our priest, Ella our deacon, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Joseph our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the City of Savannah, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, in the air, or through outer space, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Delois Groover, Marva Harris, Tracy Outing Hundley, David Jones, Della Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Pat Lanchester, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, Clemontine Washington, Jewel Wheeler, Alfreda Wright, and Alton Wright; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Lazola Cope (4/19) on her birthday, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For James & Monica Williams (4/21) on their wedding anniversary; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Defend us, deliver us, and in your compassion protect us, O Lord, by your grace. Lord, have mercy.

In the communion of Blessed Matthew and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God. To you, O Lord our God.

The Celebrant 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

[BCP, p. 360]

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Parish Announcements

Sign up for our e-Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/StMattSavNews

Altar Decorations: The Altar Guild is accepting donations to purchase new altar decorations (Hangings, Veil, and Burse), especially a red set in time for the Day of Pentecost (May 28, 2023). Those who want to make donations in memory of or in thanksgiving for loved ones may do so by donating to the church's Memorial Fund (i.e., donations in addition to pledges / giving estimates).

Checks and money orders should be made out to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. Please give the names of those to be remembered by emailing the church office at Office@StMattSav.org or submitting a form provided to the church office. If you have any questions, please call Joenelle Gordon, Chair of the Altar Guild, or the Parish Administrator at (912) 234-4440.

Confirmation & Episcopal Refresher Class: This spring, Fr. Arboleda is teaching a course to prepare people for Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows, which will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2023, the Day of Pentecost, when Bishop Frank Logue will conduct his annual visitation to St. Matthew's. These classes are also open to anyone in the church who wants a "refresher" on fundamental Episcopal beliefs and practices. Each session will take place after Sunday worship from about 11:15-12:15.

April 23: Using The Book of Common Prayer
May 7: Faith Outside the Church
May 21: Faith Inside The Episcopal Church

JUST's Nehemiah Action on Monday, 4/24 at First African Baptist Church (23 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401) from 6:15-9:00 PM. We will provide transportation from St. Matthew's to FAB to avoid downtown parking. JUST's 2023 problem areas of focus are Affordable Housing and Public Education. We will ask the city for permanent tax revenue for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and ask the public school board to commit to a proven reading curriculum.

Spirituals Hymn Festival on 4/23: First Baptist Church, in conjunction with St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Butler Presbyterian Church, and the Savannah Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, will present a Hymn Festival of Spirituals on Sunday, April 23rd at 5:00 pm at First Baptist Church (223 Bull Street - Savannah, GA 31401). The event will feature congregational singing as well as soloists and representatives from the participating churches. The guest speaker will be Dr. Eileen Guenther, Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary and former national president of the American Guild of Organists. The hymn festival will reflect her newly published book, "In Their Own Words - Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals." This event is free and open to the public.

Strategic Planning Congregational Meeting #3 on 4/29: St. Matthew's Strategic Planning Team thanks those who attended our first two Strategic Planning Congregational Meetings and invites YOU to attend the third, called "St. Matthew's Future: What Is God's Invitation?" This meeting will take place on Saturday, April 29 in Toomer-Walker Hall from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, with a barbecue to follow. It will feature engaging presentations and activities led by our Strategic Planning Team and Fr. Bill Cruse from the Kaleidoscope Institute.

“Planet Earth” Supper Club on 4/23: St. Matthew's newest renter is A.M. Diverse Cooking L.L.C. Their "Diverse Supper Club" provides excellent service, delicious made-from-scratch vegan/plant-based food, and an ambiance that'll have every guest leave with a smile. The next supper, called "Planet Earth," will be held on Sunday, April 23, at 6:00 PM at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church's Toomer-Walker Hall. Tickets cost $55 per person or $80 per couple and must be purchased in advance at: https://amdiversecooking.com/events#06b5ca05-ab37-4709-ad8e-d2716ff120bc

TEDxSavannah 2023 on 5/25: Fr. Guillermo has been selected as a speaker at this year's TEDxSavannah event on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 12:30-5:30 PM at the Fine Arts Auditorium at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus. Fr. Guillermo cannot share publicly about the topic of his talk before the event, but this year's theme is "Connection." Tickets are available now at https://tedxsavannah.com for $50, but St. Matthew's can purchase them for a discounted rate of $40. Please sign up on the bulletin board in Toomer-Walker Hall or email the office if you would like to attend and we can order them in bulk.

T/W/Th Evening Prayer: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom and Facebook. If you want to be in the Zoom call, please join by 4:55 PM using the link in the e-Newsletter. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM.

The Offertory

[BCP, p. 376]

Giving to St. Matthew's:

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

LEV #153: Lord, I Have Seen Thy Salvation

1 Lord I have seen thy salvation,

Lord I have seen thy salvation,

Drank of the blood, Held the body,

Lord I have seen, seen with my eyes

Seen with my heart.

Refrain

Fell on my knees down at the altar,

Bowed down my head, whispered a prayer.

Have mercy Lord,

I’m not worthy, I believe,

Yes, I believe, now I am sure

2 Lord I have heard of they kingdom,

Lord I have heard of thy promise,

Looked on thy birth, cried at Calvary,

Lord I have heard, Lord I have heard,

Lord I have heard. {Refrain]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Circling through earth so all may grow

Vanquishing fear so all may give

Widening grace so all may live

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer A

[BCP, p. 361]

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:

LEV #255:

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel.

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:

LEV #258:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

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.

LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer

[BCP, p. 364]

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing,

Our Father, which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Fraction Anthems

[BCP, p. 364]

Hymn S154:

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!

Therefore let us keep the feast!

This Far By Faith #36:

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy and grant us peace,

we pray, O Lamb of God.

LEV #41: Christ Has Arisen

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. Music; Haya Tune; Tunshandilie Mugu, Mukumiram, Tanzania; harm. Carl Haywood, from Songs of Praise, harm. Copyright 1992. Words and music reprinted from Lead Us Lord by Howard Olson, Copyright 1974 Augsburg Publishing House. Copyright 2003 Lorenz Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission under One License #1040245. All rights reserved].

Hymn #138: Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face To Face

1. Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face; here would I touch and handle things unseen; here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace, and all my weariness upon thee lean. 2. Here would I feed upon the Bread of God; here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven; here would I lay aside each earthly load, here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven. 3. I have no help but thine; nor do I need another arm save thine to lean upon; it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed; my strength is in thy might, thy might alone. 4. Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness; mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing Blood. Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace; thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God!

The Post-Communion Prayer

[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]

Let us pray.

For In-Person Worshippers:

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.

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 Blessing of the People

[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, pp. 10-11]

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 God's 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.

Hymn #208: Alleluia! The Strife Is O’er, The Battle Done

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 1. The strife is o'er, the battle done, the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! 2. The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed: let shout of holy joy outburst. Alleluia! 3. The three sad days are quickly sped, he rises glorious from the dead: all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia! 4. He closed the yawning gates of hell, the bars from heaven's high portals fell; let hymns of praise his triumphs tell! Alleluia! 5. Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee, from death's dread sting thy servants free, that we may live and sing to thee. Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Delois Groover, Marva Harris, Tracy Outing Hundley, David Jones, Della Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Pat Lanchester, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, Clemontine Washington, Jewel Wheeler, Alfreda Wright, and Alton Wright

BIRTHDAYS: For Lazola Cope (4/19)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: James & Monica Williams (4/21)

RECENT DEATHS: N/A

May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.

Image Credits: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gqjzWzQc3I/TnuE0EgD31I/AAAAAAAAAyE/F-PCSs6FGwE/s1600/jesus4.jpg