The
Sixth Sunday of Easter
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania May 5, 2024 10:00 A.M.
Please note: During the service you will be prompted to use the red Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which can be found in your pew.
Gathering In Joy
Prelude: Fantasy on ‘In Babilone’ Traditional Dutch
Opening Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #412 Earth and All Stars
The Opening Acclamation BCP 355
Presider: Alleluia. Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Hymn of Praise: The Hymnal 1982, #178 Alleluia #1, vv.1-3
Collect of the Day
BCP 225
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Listening for God’s Word
The First Reading - Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98 (please use the Book of Common Prayer)
The Epistle – 1 John 5:1-6
BCP 727
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Hymn: Wonder, Love and Praise, #740 Wade in the Water
The Gospel – John 15:9-17
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon Rev Barbara Ballenger
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.
The Prayers of the People adapted from Glimpses of Glory The response to “Lord, may we know you” is 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. The Peace
Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.
Celebrating Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem: Draw Nigh and Take The Body of the Lord
Eric Thiamin
St.
Peter’s Choir
Presentation Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #576 God Is Love
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 sing with joy:
Sanctus: The Hymnal 1982, #S-130 - Holy, Holy, Holy
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 you 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.
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.
Presider: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Fraction Anthem: The Hymnal 1982, #S-164 Jesus, Lamb of God
Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God.
The Communion of the People
Communion Music: Be Still My Soul arr. James Pethel
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
Eucharistic Visitor Commissioning (occasional)
Presider: In the name of the congregation of St. Peter's, we send you forth bearing the gift of Holy Communion to Kathleen Smith
All: We who are many are one body, because we all share in one bread and one cup.
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 Abington High School Choir will perform during Lunch Club, this Wednesday, May 8 at 11 a.m.. If you would like to attend , please RSVP with Kate Boyce at yellowkab1@gmail.com.
• The St. Peter’s Peeps Brunch is this Saturday, April 11. Use the button in the newsletter to signup.
• Next week is the last week to donate to the toddler and infant clothing drive for Layette Sunday. Please place your donations in the blue box on the ramp.
• Following worship, all are invited to get to know newcomers during our welcome luncheon. Special announcement by Audrey Kipphut.
Closing Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #594 God of Grace and God of Glory
The Dismissal
Presider: Let us go forth in the name of the Risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Postlude: Postludio Gioso James Mansfield
Worship Ministers
Preacher & Presider: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Acolytes: Alyssa Clemens, Bob Smith, Grayson Torpey
Lectors: Donna Kulp, Meredith Flaherty
Intercessor: Tim Flaherty Counter: Mike Reeve
Eucharistic Minister: Charlie Hannum, Kristina Marchuk, Amy Michener-Wall
Ushers: Bill Bacon, Dori Meginley, Alex Stevers-Radtke, Jack Wilbur
Vestry Steward: Dave Mosteller
Altar Guild: Karen Sayer Fellowship: Terita and Mike Reeve
Organist & Choir Director: Carol Cei
Bell Ringer: Bill Bacon
Tech Team: Mike Levin, PJ Linke, James Moore
Vestry
Debbie DeKalb: sojourner_44@yahoo.com (Worship Liaison)
Mark Evans: MarkCarverEvans@gmail.com (Operations Liaison)
Meredith Flaherty: merflah@aol.com (Faith Formation Liaison
Jeanné Hannum: jeannefhannum@aol.com (Outreach Liaison)
Audrey Kipphut: ajkipphut@verizon.net (People’s Warden)
Amy Michener-Wall: adwall@hotmail.com (Human Resources Liaison)
Dave Mosteller: davemos2010@gmail.com (Rector’s Warden)
John Olson: john.olson@villanova.edu (Faith Formation Liaison)
Amy Neske: amyh120@yahoo.com (Parish Life Liaison)
Douglas Pneuma: douglas.pneuma@gmail.com (Outreach Liaison)
Mike Reeve: mreeve1128@outlook.com (Accounting Warden)
Karen Sayer: karmaflower@gmail.com (Worship Liaison)
Grayson Torpey: gtorpey09@gmail.com (Youth Representation)
Matt Torpey: mtorpey79@gmail.com(Human Resource Liaison)
Staff
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (Rector) stpeter654rector@gmail.com
Charlese Freeman (Communications Administrator)
stpeter654@gmail.com
Tim Valera (Caretaker) timvalera@gmail.com
Carol Cei (Organist and Choir Director) stpeter654music@gmail.com
The cover image is Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. ‘s “Remain in My Love " via Flickr.
Reprinted/ Podcast / Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A719834. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Hymn permissions 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
