The Fourth Sunday of Easter - 5.8.2022

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania May 8, 2022 10:00 A.M.

Gathering In Joy Prelude: The Faithful Shepherd

G. F. Handel

Opening Hymn: 208, Alleluia! The strife is o’re, the battle done

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The Opening Acclamation Presider: Alleluia. Christ is risen!

People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

BCP 355

Hymn of Praise: WLP 880: Christ our Passover 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, 3

Collect of the Day Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

BCP 224

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.

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Listening for God’s Word The First Reading - Acts 9:36-43 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs.

All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up."

Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive.

This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 23 Dominus regit me 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.

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The Epistle - Revelation 7:9-17 I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!

Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Gospel Hymn: 466, Eternal light, shine in my heart

The Gospel – John 10: 22-30 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Response: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Judeans gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never 7

perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

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.

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We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

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

The Prayers of the People

adapted from Glimpses of Glory

Intercessor: Alleluia to our God, who has given us life eternal.

O Lord, may we and the whole church rejoice in your victory, let us proclaim the Good News that death is defeated by the mercy of God. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda (Anglican Church of Rwanda).

In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for San Andres, Rev. Presbitero Miguel Salanic. In our own Diocese, we pray for the Evangelism Committee. May we reflect your glory and the power of your resurrection.

Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

Intercessor: We pray for all who are struggling for peace, all who are longing for new hope and new life, especially for the people of Ukraine and all countries in violent conflict. We pray for all who are seeking to rebuild communities and lives, all who are bringing new life and courage in their own neighborhoods and communities.

Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

Intercessor: Lord of all, we give you thanks for all of creation. Make us good stewards of the earth and its resources, that all may share in its bounty for years to come. As members of your creation, Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

Intercessor: Let the power of the resurrection be known in our neighborhoods and in our homes: in you, risen Lord, may relationships be strengthened and restored; may hurts be healed and well-being restored. In all the vows and promises we make, Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

Intercessor: We pray for all people in pain and distress, who walk in darkness, that they may find hope in you. We remember all on our parish prayer list, especially, Douglas, Morgan, Ed, Elsie, Jim, Lillian, Pat, Karen, Bob, Art, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Ruth, Sherry, those who have Covid, and for all we name now … entrusting them to you, 9

Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

Intercessor: We remember all who have lost loved ones, all who are deeply bereaved and in great sorrow. We pray for all who have died from Covid, all who are remembered with flowers this Eastertide, including our loved ones departed, especially Katie Bacon and Lois Sibley…. May we trust that they rejoice where sorrow and pain are no more. For eternal life, Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

Intercessor: Let our awareness of all the gifts and blessings you bestow make us a people of praise and thanksgiving. For family, friends, and for the gifts we name now … we give you thanks, O God. In our gratitude, Lord, may we know you People: and the power of your resurrection.

The Presider ends with this prayer In you is our hope, O Christ, who died and now is risen, and lives with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Peter’s Reflection

Dave Mosteller

The Peace Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrating Holy Communion The Offertory: Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

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Claude Means St. Peter’s Choir

Presentation Hymn: 691, My faith looks up to thee

The Great Thanksgiving

from Enriching Our Worship

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

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

Presider: 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:

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Sanctus: S-128, Holy, holy, holy Lord

William Mathias

The Presider 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: Presider and People Dying, you destroyed our death.

Rising, you restored our life.

Christ Jesus, come in glory!

The Presider continues Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ. . . . 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.

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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 Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.

Fraction Anthem: S154, Christ our Passover

David Hurd

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 Communion Music: Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth 13

David Cherwien

The Post-Communion Prayer Presider and people together 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.

Sending Out The Blessing Closing Hymn: 522, Glorious things of thee are spoken (on 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 Altar Guild needs some help locating a small wooden cross with a rainbow cord that was in the chapel for the Garden of Repose during Easter week.  Next Sunday at 11:30 AM we will have our first meeting of “How Are We Doing? Easter Conversations in the Midst of Transition,” which will include large and small-group conversation over lunch in the Parish Hall.  The 19th Annual Peace Walk will be in the Germantown-Roxborough area on May 22nd from 2 PM to 5 PM. For more information, see the Newsletter.  Information on more Parish Events can be found in the Newsletter.

The Dismissal 14

Presider: Let us go forth in the name of the Risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Postlude: The Heavens Declare

Benedetto Marcello

Closing Hymn: 522, Glorious things of thee are spoken

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Worship Ministers Presider: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger Preacher: The Rev. Laura Palmer Acolytes: Harper Moore, Jerry Moore Lector: David Mosteller Intercessor: Bob Hartung Vestry Steward: Ken Rose Counter: Anne Gibson Altar Guild: Karen Sayer Ushers: Bill Bacon, Dori Meginley Eucharistic Minister: Charles Hannum Choir Director: Tim Flaherty Organist: Kathy Flaherty Tech Team: PJ Linke, Mike Levin

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in memory of and thankfulness for the life of Katie Bacon by Jeanne Robson.

The roses on the altar are in memory of Lois Sibley by her family.

The cover image is from Creativc Commons, used with permission.

Hymn permission by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 654 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038-4310 (215) 887-1765 E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com Website: www.stpetersglenside.org

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