The Seventh Sunday of Easter - May 16, 2021

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania May 16, 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

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Opening Hymn: 518, Christ is made the sure foundation

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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, 4

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 226 O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Listening for God’s Word The First Reading - Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus - for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 1

BCP 585

1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and they meditate on his law day and night.

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3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper.

4 It is not so with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed.

Gospel Hymn: 194, Jesus lives! Thy terrors now

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The Gospel –John 17:6-19 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Response: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev. Canon Kirk Berlenbach

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.

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Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People from Glimpses of Glory Mighty God, as we come before your glory, fill us with your spirit, renew our vision, restore our faith, refresh your church. Lord, we pray that the whole church may wait upon you and show the gifts of the Spirit. We pray especially for ministers and peoples who are losing vision, for all who have lost faith, and are without hope.

Lord of glory, change us and we shall be changed.

We pray for the leaders of the nations, that they may serve with integrity and justice, that they may be aware that their gifts of power come from you. We pray for world unity and peace, for the time when the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdom of Christ our Lord. We pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Daniel, our Bishop, Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala, Emily, Laura and Kirk Berlenbach, 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 Anglican Church of Korea. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for Iglesia Episcopal Jesus de las Palmas, (Church of Jesus of the 8

Palms), Cuilapa, The Rev. Juan José Salazar. In our own Diocese, we pray for Youth Ministry Leaders.

Lord of glory, change us and we shall be changed.

Lord, grant that in our homes we may learn to wait upon you, make us sensitive to each other and our needs; as you give us gifts, may we freely share them with others.

Lord, teach us all to be gracious and generous.

Lord of glory, change us and we shall be changed.

Lord, may the glory of your presence transform lives that are dull and drab. We pray that all dis-spirited people may discover your Spirit in their lives. We bring before you all who are down and distressed, all who are weak and discouraged, for your uplifiting, O God. We pray for friends and loved ones who are struggling at this time, who are ill or weary, especially those on our parish prayer list - Emily, Pat, Karen, Lynn, Mark, Debbie, Frances, Katie, Bob, Art, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Rhonda, Ruth, those who have Covid, and all we now name aloud or silently.... (pause) Lord of glory, change us and we shall be changed.

We give thanks that when we face death we have hope; you renew us by your spirit and restore us in your love. We pray for all who have passed through death and rejoice in life eternal, especially Katie Bacon, who is remembered with altar flowers this morning, all those who died from Covid, and all whom we love but see no longer..... (pause) Lord of glory, change us and we shall be changed.

The Celebrant concludes with this prayer Almighty Father, who through your great love raised your Son into glory, help us to know we are not alone, to know we dwell in you and you in us, to know that the ascended Lord is with us always, and that your Spirit comes to guide and strengthen us. Lord, as we come before you, grant us a glimpse of your glory; we ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit are one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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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: 213, Come away to the skies

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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.

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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.

Communion Music 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 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: 460, Alleluia! sing to Jesus! (vv. 1, 3 & 4; see pages 15 & 16) 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 Celebrant: Let us go forth in the name of the risen Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Postlude

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Special thanks is extended to the Rev. Canon Kirk Berlenbach, Canon for Support and Growth in the Diocese, for serving as our guest celebrant and preacher this morning.

We are blessed by his ministry among us.

Special thanks to Tess Varley, our soprano and violin soloist this morning.

The altar flowers are in loving memory of Katie Bacon given by Jeanne Robson.

The cover image is a stained glass window located in the Bride’s Room at the back of the sanctuary.

All copyright licensing for music during this service through: OneLicense.net License #A-719834 and LicenSing License # 620603.

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Closing Hymn: Alleluia! sing to Jesus!

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