The Holy Eucharist
The 4th Sunday of Easter (Year A)
April 30, 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 #205 – Good Christians All, Rejoice And Sing
Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Lord of Life Is Risen Today!
Sing songs of praise along his way;
Let all the earth rejoice and say:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise we in songs of victory
That love, that life which cannot die,
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Your Name we bless, o Risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The Life laid down, he Life restored:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
To God the Spirit, always One,
We sing for life in us begun:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
[Words: Cyril A. Alington, alt. by permission of Hymns Ancient & Modern Limited. St. 5, Norman Mealy, Copyright © 1971 by Walton Music Corporation. Music: Gelobt sei Gott, Melchior Vulpins. Reprinted with permission under One License # 87718. All rights reserved.]
The Opening Sentences
[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.
[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, 225]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47
Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23
[BCP, p. 612-613]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 The Lord is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures * and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul * and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
A Reading from the First Letter of St. Peter 2:19-25
It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn - #391 – Before The Lord’s Eternal Throne (Verses 1-4)
1 Before the Lord's eternal throne, ye nations, bow with sacred joy; know that the Lord is God alone; he can create, and he destroy. 2 His sovereign power without our aid formed us of clay and gave us breath; and when like wandering sheep we strayed, he saved us from the power of death. 3 We are his people, we his care, our souls, and all our mortal frame: what lasting honors shall we rear, almighty Maker, to thy Name? 4 We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs, high as the heavens our voices raise; and earth, with her ten thousand tongues, shall fill thy courts with sounding praise. [Words: Isaac Watts, alt.; para. Of Psalm 100. Music: Winchester New, melody from Musicalishes Hand-Guch, harm. William Henry Monk. 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 10:1-10
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn - #391 – Before The Lord’s Eternal Throne (Verse 5)
5 Wide as the world is thy command, vast as eternity thy love; firm as a rock thy truth must stand, when rolling years shall cease to move.
[Words: Isaac Watts, alt.; para. Of Psalm 100. Music: Winchester New, melody from Musicalishes Hand-Guch, harm. William Henry Monk. All rights reserved.]
The Sermon
“What Will Our Future Be Like?” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
What will our future will be like? We spent a lot of time at yesterday’s congregational meeting discussing this very question. We were asking that question about our immediate future, like the next few months and the next few years. What do we want the future of St. Matthew’s to be? But before we get there, I want us to think a little bigger, because this Sunday’s scriptures invite us to think bigger. They point to God’s Heavenly Future, to eternal life. By understanding what God’s Dream for the world is, we can start to craft our own future in this life. Then God’s will can be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Psalm 23 paints a beautiful, if familiar, picture of heaven. The Lord God is our Shepherd who leads us beside still, peaceful streams of water. God revives and refreshes us when we are tired and weary. God protects us from evil and death by staying with us, defending us, and comforting us. Many of us were taught to memorize Psalm 23 in Sunday School as children, so we know a lot of these words. But verse 5 is where we might get puzzled. “You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me.” When God is the Shepherd, God leads us, not the other way around. God tells us where to go. And that means that God leads us through the Gate into the pasture with the rest of the flock (John 10:1-10). All of God’s children are part of the flock, even the ones we don’t like and the ones who are different from us. In heaven, God prepares a table “in the presence of mine enemies” so that we eat together and make peace (Psalm 23:5, KJV). Those who were once enemies are now siblings. When we recognize that all human beings are sheep in God’s flock, God leads us toward unity. Our heavenly hope includes being reconciled with our enemies.
In Acts 2, the early church also points us to God’s heavenly plans for us. They were a community of very diverse people (from all over the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe) who were committed to Jesus and to each other. They worshiped and prayed together. They learned the apostles’ teaching together. They supported each other financially. They fed each other. They welcomed each other to fellowship in their homes. The early church was made up of people with “glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46). They gave freely to anyone in need, loving their neighbors as much as (if not more than) themselves. Our heavenly hope includes being generous with one another.
My last observation comes from Jesus’ sermon about the sheep and the gate. He tells his disciples, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). We sometimes imagine that heaven (or the Christian life) is static— we get saved so we can all huddle together with God and do nothing but pray. But Jesus describes salvation as a movement, almost like a dance! Jesus welcomes us into the gate to refresh us and then sends us out to go and find pasture. It’s dynamic and energetic. Jesus people love their neighbors as themselves; they look for opportunities to serve; they look for opportunities to invite other sheep into the pasture. Our heavenly hope is for the service of others. We are about sharing God’s love with other people, and growing the flock. In the words of Acts, “day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (2:47).
In each of these passages, God speaks to us about how things will be in heaven, when all things are made new. We will be reconciled/unified, we will be generous, and we will serve others by our words and deeds.
With these things in mind, let me recap some of what we discussed yesterday at our Strategic Planning Meeting. In our first two Congregational Meetings, we talked about our history and our present ministries, and the Strategic Planning Team synthesized those into a few areas of focus for our upcoming strategic plan. About 20 of us gathered together and started to develop small goals to address those focus areas. Our tentative strategic focus areas are:
Growing Participation, Responsibility, and Leadership
Understanding all the Ministry Groups
Youth and Young Adult Participation
Nurturing our Relationship with the Daycare
You can look at the easel pad paper on the wall in the parish hall for more about our conversations on these four topics.
During yesterday's meeting, we developed a few short-term goals for our future respond to these focus areas. For growing participation and leadership, we’re going to develop a 2023-2024 Church Calendar of Events and assign leaders to coordinate each event (particularly while I am on sabbatical). For understanding ministry groups, we’re going to hold a meeting with the chairs of several ministries to take a pulse on what they need and what ministries they are passionate about. For youth ministries, we’re going to develop some Sunday children’s education opportunities, like Children’s Church. For the Daycare, we’re also going to communicate with the staff about what they need and how we can help.
These are not necessarily permanent changes. They are first steps. We are trying some new things because the people of the church are excited and energized to address these common concerns. And if they don’t work, we can change them; it’s okay. One of our slogans is “Do-Reflect-Do”; we always create time to evaluate what we’re doing and adapt as needed.
In either case, this is a lot of new stuff. We will need more hands on deck to help with these initiatives, so I’ll mention more in the announcements about who to talk with if you are interested in helping with any of these four areas: Growing Leadership; Organizing Ministries; Youth Ministries; and Daycare relations. This is an exciting time! We are beginning to understand what future God is calling us into. The strategic plan is beginning to take a little shape. It isn’t done. It’s still flexible. We are still listening and learning and want your input. But we are also not waiting around to start responding to the feedback we have received. Through it all, we pray for God’s grace to help our ministries remain unified, generous, and service-oriented in Jesus’ Name, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 our Frank our Bishop, 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 Taylor Blue (4/30) on her birthday; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For Fr. Guillermo Arboleda & Rev. Kelly Steele (5/3) 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.
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
[Music: Copyright © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28267. All rights reserved.]
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
Strategic Planning Report: The Strategic Planning team identified 4 focus areas based on our first two meetings: (1) Growing Leadership and Shared Responsibility; (2) Understanding Our Ministry Groups and Guilds; (3) Growing Children, Youth, and Young Adult Participation; and (4) Nurturing our Relationship with the Daycare. At yesterday’s Strategic Planning Congregational Meeting, 20 church members developed some tentative goals to respond to each of these focus areas. You’ll be invited to participate in these responses more in the coming weeks!
JUST Nehemiah Action Report: The Nehemiah Action took place on Monday, April 24, at First African Baptist Church. 425 people from more than 15 congregations attended, and St. Matthew’s brough 20 people. The Education Committee won several commitments from Roger Moss, President of the School Board, to prioritize a proven curriculum called “Science of Reading” in the district under the next superintendent. Unfortunately, members of the City Council declined the invitation from the Housing Committee at the last minute, so we are less clear on how this will affect the City of Savannah’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. We will provide updates when we learn more. Thanks for your support!
Wednesday Bible Studies on Summer Break: After previously announcing a return to in-person Wednesday Bible Studies, we will unfortunately have to postpone. Scheduling issues in May prevent us from gathering consistently on Wednesdays. We will resume these later this year at a time to be determined.
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.
May 7: Faith Outside the Church
May 21: Faith Inside The Episcopal Church
“Mayday” Supper Club on 5/20: 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 "Mayday," will be held on Saturday, May 20, 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
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.
Bette Milledge's Memorial Service 5/27: St. Matthew's will have the opportunity to remember the life of Ms. Bette Conner Milledge (1931-2023) on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with interment at Laurel Grove South and a repast to follow.
Fr. Guillermo to take Sabbatical from May 29 - August 26: After seven years of ministry with St. Matthew’s, Fr. Guillermo will take a 12-week sabbatical this summer after the Day of Pentecost. Sabbaticals are increasingly common in the Episcopal Church and are now part of standard letters of agreement in the Diocese of Georgia. The vestry, deacon, and church staff have all begun planning for an active summer at St. Matthew’s in the absence of the rector. Sunday worship will continue with a few guest priests and some deacon-led services in June, July, and August. Please feel free to talk to Fr. Guillermo, Deacon Davis, or any Vestry member with questions. Fr. Guillermo plans to come back in late August refreshed and ready for several more years of ministry with St. Matthew’s!
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 #78 – Blessed Be The Name
1 Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name of the Lord! 2 Jesus is the name! Jesus is the name! Jesus is the name of the Lord! Jesus is the name! Jesus is the name! Jesus is the name of the Lord! 3 Worthy to be grand! Worthy to be grand! Worthy to be grand is the Lord! Worthy to be grand! Worthy to be grand! Worthy to be grand is the Lord!
[Words: Psalm 72:19. Copyright © 2016 by Hal Leonard Corporation. Music: Campmeeting Melody; arr. Ralph E. Hudson. Copyright © 2016 by Hal Leonard Corporation. Reprinted with permission under One License # 271266. All rights reserved.]
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.
[Words: Eric H. F. Law, Copyright © 2015 Eric H. F. Law. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission from Kaleidoscope Institute. All rights reserved.]
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.
[Music: Grayson Warren Brown, A Mass for Soulful People, Copyright © 1979 North American Liturgy Resources, Published by OCP. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #83420. All rights reserved.]
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.
[Music: Marjorie Gabriel-Burrow, Copyright © 1992 G.I.A. Publications, Inc / Royal School of Church Music. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE#45465. All rights reserved.]
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.
[Music: Albert Hay Malotte, arr. Fred Bock, Copyright © 1934 (renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc. All rights reserved.]
The Fraction Anthems
[BCP, p. 364]
Hymn S154:
[Music: From New Plainsong; David Hurd. Copyright © 1981, G.I. A. Publications, Inc.]
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.
[Words: Traditional. Music: Grayson Warren Brown; arr. Larry Adams, Copyright © 1979 Grayson Warren Brown. All rights reserved.]
Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Gifts of God for the people of God.
The Distribution of Holy Communion
The ushers will direct people to leave their pews to receive Communion at the altar rails. You may receive Communion kneeling or standing. Please extend your hands forward to receive the Body of Christ (bread). If you would like to receive the Blood of Christ (wine), the minister will take the bread from your hand and dip (intinct) it in the wine for you, then place it in your mouth. If you would only like to receive the bread, you may consume it and return to your seat. If you need gluten-free bread for Communion, please ask the Priest when you are at the altar rail.
All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion in this church, regardless of age or denominational background. If you would not like to receive Communion for any reason, please cross your arms over your chest, and the Priest will say a blessing over you.
If you are worshipping online, you may pray to receive spiritual communion using the following prayer:
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
Hymn #343 – Shepherd Of Souls
1 Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless thy chosen pilgrim flock with manna in the wilderness, with water from the rock. 2 We would not live by bread alone, but by thy word of grace, in strength of which we travel on to our abiding-place. 3 Be known to us in breaking bread, and do not then depart; Saviour, abide with us, and spread thy table in our heart. 4 Lord, sup with us in love divine, thy Body and thy Blood, that living bread, that heavenly wine, be our immortal food.
[Words: James Montgomery, alt. Music: St. Agnes, melody John Bacchus Dykes; harm. Richard Prouix, after John Bacchus Dykes. Copyright © 1985, G.I.A. Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under One License # 84164. All rights reserved.]
LEV #104 – The Lord Is My Shepherd
1 The Lord is my Shepherd, no want shall I know;
I feed in green pastures, safe-folded I rest;
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand’ring, redeems when oppressed.
2 Through the valley and shadow my death though I stray,
Since thou art my guardian, no evil I fear;
Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay;
No harm can befall, with my comforter near.
3 In the midst of affliction my table is spread;
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er;
With perfume and oil thou anointest my head;
O what shall I ask of thy providence more?
4 Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God, Still follow my steps till I meet Thee above; I seek by the path which my ancestors trod, Through the land of their sojourn, thy kingdom of love.
[Words: James Montgomery. Music: Thomas Koschat. Copyright © 1984 Lorenz Publishing Company.]
The Post-Communion Prayer
[BCP, p. 365; 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
[The Book of Occasional Services 2022, pp. 15]
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 #495 – Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
1 Hail, thou once despised Jesus! Hail, thou Galilean King! Thou didst suffer to release us; thou didst 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 for ever 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 Savior's merits, help to chant Emmanuel's praise!
[Words: John Bakewell and Martin Madan, alt. Copyright © 2002 Lorenz Publishing Company. Music: In Bohilome, melody from Oude en Nieuve Hallantse Boerenlities en Contradanseu. Copyright © 2002 Lorenz Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission under One License # 1034811. All rights reserved.]
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: Taylor Blue (4/30)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Fr. Guillermo Arboleda & Rev. Kelly Steele (5/3)
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.