The Third Sunday of Easter - April 18, 2021

The Third Sunday of Easter

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania April 18, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Welcome to St. Peter’s!

Please wear your mask throughout the service.

Socially distance with your neighbors before, during and after worship.

Enjoy listening to the music. We ask that you do not sing the hymns.

The restrooms in the chapel hallway are available for use during the service.

Thank you.

Gathering In Joy Prelude: Prelude

Ravel

Opening Hymn: 417, This is the feast of victory for our God

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The Opening Acclamation Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen!

People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

BCP 355

Collect for Purity Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gloria 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 Celebrant says to the people The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day BCP 224 O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Listening for God’s Word The First Reading - Acts 3:12-19 Peter addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. “And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 4

BCP 587

1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?"

3 Know that the Lord does wonders for the faithful; when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.

5 Offer the appointed sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord.

6 Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!"

Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord.

7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than when grain and wine and oil increase.

8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

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Gospel Hymn: 488, Be thou my vision

The Gospel – Luke 24:36b-48 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Response: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you - that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, 5

beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev. Laura Palmer

The Nicene Creed

BCP 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 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.

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The Prayers of the People

from Glimpses of Glory

Lord, you are the Lord of life, in your presence is the fullness of joy.

We pray to you for all whose vocations have been frustrated by illness, oppression, opposition or circumstance: may they not lose hope, and discover that in every situation you are there and call them.

We pray for those who preach your word in areas where there is little or no response, all who witness to you among opposition and violence.

We pray for all who celebrate the Holy Communion and who minister the sacraments.

We pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Daniel, our Bishop, Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala, Emily and Laura, our clergy, Sacramento and Juan, our Companion clergy in Guatemala and each one of us in our vocation and ministry. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Church of Ireland. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for Iglesia Episcopal San Pedro y San Pablo, (Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Church), Guatemala City, The Rev. Eddy Garcia. In our own Diocese, we pray for Episcopal Community Services.

God of Hope, Fill us with joy and peace in believing.

We give thanks for lively and vital communities.

We pray for the individuals that help to restore and hold together community life.

We pray for people in areas where community has broken down.

For down-town areas of fear and poverty, For those who have left home with nowhere to go.

We remember all who sleep rough and the organizations that care for them.

God of Hope, Fill us with joy and peace in believing.

We give thanks for those who share their lives with us, our families, our friends and our neighbours.

We pray for any who are finding life difficult or distressing, for those whose relationships are breaking down, for home where there is sorrow and darkness.

God of Hope, Fill us with joy and peace in believing.

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Lord, bless all who work hard for little or no reward, All who find no rest from their toil or their fear.

We pray for all whose lives are full of guilt, regret and remorse, for those who have lost faith in themselves or in the world around them.

We pray for all who have been involved in accidents or acts of violence.

We remember friends and loved ones who are ill, especially Emily, Pat, Karen, Maddie, Lynn, Mark, Debbie, Frances, Katie, Bob, Art, Doris, Warren, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Rhonda, Ruth, those who have Covid, and all those we name now God of Hope, Fill us with joy and peace in believing.

Lord, we give thanks that you will seek us out and bring us safely home.

We pray for those you have enfolded in the love and peace of your kingdom.

We pray that you will keep them in life and joy everlasting.

God of Hope, Fill us with joy and peace in believing.

The celebrant continues with this prayer: Lord, you came down to lift us up, You became human that we might share in the divine, You died that we might rise to life immortal.

Help us to live as those who believe and trust in you, And grant that we may live to your praise and glory, Christ our Lord, who rose for us and now lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Peace Please remain in your pews for this exchange.

Greet one another with a wave and words of peace.

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrating Holy Communion Presentation Hymn: 305, Come, risen Lord (see following page)

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The Great Thanksgiving

from Enriching Our Worship

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant: All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God… And so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy: Sanctus: S-128, Holy, holy, holy Lord

William Mathias

The Celebrant continues Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all your Word has never been silent . . .

And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:

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Celebrant and People Dying, you destroyed our death.

Rising, you restored our life.

Christ Jesus, come in glory!

The Celebrant continues Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine . . .

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. Blessed are you now and for ever. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, The Lord’s Prayer

BCP 364

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Communion of the People When instructed, please come down the center aisle standing six feet apart from your neighbor. You will see tape on the floor marking safe distances. Proceed to the hand sanitizer station near the altar. After sanitizing your hands come forward to the altar to receive the wafer in the paper cup. Return to your pew with the paper cup.

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Communion Music: Simple Song

Leonard Bernstein Rachael Lipson, soprano solo

Sing God a simple song Lauda, Laudē Make it up as you go along Lauda, Laude Sing like you like to sing God loves all simple things For God is the simplest of all.

I will sing the Lord a new song To praise Him, to bless Him, to bless the Lord.

I will sing His praises while I live All of my days.

Blessed is the man who loves the Lord, Blessed is the man who praises Him. Lauda, Lauda, Laudē And walks in His ways.

I will lift up my eyes To the hills from whence comes my help I will lift up my voice to the Lord Singing Lauda, Laudē.

For the Lord is my shade, Is the shade upon my right hand And the sun shall not smite me by day Nor the moon by night Blessed is the man who loves the Lord Lauda, Lauda, Laudē And walks in His ways.

Lauda, Lauda, Laudē Lauda, Lauda di da di day All of my days.

The Post-Communion Prayer during a Time of Separation Priest and people together Lord of the Feast, we thank you for gathering us as your people. We call to remembrance the many times we have been fed at your table and we lament our distance now. Be present Lord Jesus as you were present with your disciples, be known to us in the breaking of the bread, and may your Holy 12

Spirit sustain us and all your Church until we can gather together again. We ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.

Sending Out The Blessing Closing Hymn: 182, Christ is alive! (on following page) Birthday & Anniversary Prayer BCP 830 O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace; and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements The Dismissal The people respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Postlude

Special thanks to Rachael Lipson who serving as our soloist this morning.

The cover image is The Risen Jesus by Janet McKenzie.

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Closing Hymn: 182, Christ is alive! (vv. 1-3)

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