The Liturgy of the Word (Ante Communion)
Saint Peter’s-Trinity Episcopal Church, Thomaston CT.

Prelude: “All Glory Be to God on High” – Decius/Mansfield

The Opening Hymn:
Hymn 362 – Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Leader  Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People        Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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.

God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Te Deum laudamus You are God

All together

You are God: we praise you;

You are the Lord: we acclaim you;

You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,

Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.

The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;

Father, of majesty unbounded,

your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,

and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. 

You, Christ, are the king of glory,

the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free

you did not shun the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death

and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.

We believe that you will come and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,

bought with the price of your own blood,

and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Leader      The Lord be with you.
People          And also with you.
Leader     Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day
All together

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Canticle 13 A Song of Praise

Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34

Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.

Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.

Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you, beholding the depths; *
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.

Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

A Reading from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Hymn:
Hymn 370 – I bind unto myself today

Lyrics
I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation; his baptism in the Jordan river; his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spicèd tomb; his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom: I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim; the sweet “Well done” in judgment hour; the service of the seraphim; confessors’ faith, apostles’ word, the patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls; all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven, the glorious sun’s life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken, to my need; the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word: praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People          Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

People:     Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon:  The Reverend Lois Keen

The Nicene Creed

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.

Interlude: “Chanson” – Rhene-Baton

The Prayers of the People Form III

Leader: Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
People: That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. [The people add their intercessions and thanksgivings.]

A Prayer for those who have died

Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer: Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Together we pray

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.

All together
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Leader says:
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen

The Peace

 The Leader says to the people

The peace of the Lord is always with you.
People        And also with you.

The Closing Hymn;
Hymn 423 – Immortal, God Only Wise

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 his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  And the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you all today and always. Amen.

Postlude: “Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti” – Antonio Vivaldi

Blessings and Love to all who shared this remote worship posting today. 

Prelude: “Fantasia” – Georg Philipp Telemann

The Opening Hymn: Hymn 512 – Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove

Lyrics:
1 Come, Gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove, with light and comfort from above.
Be thou our guardian, thou our guide; o’er every thought and step preside.

Leader:  Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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.

Gloria

All together
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.

Leader: The Lord be with you.
People:  And also with you.
Leader:  Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day
All together

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons

Numbers 11:24-30
Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 104:25-35, 37

25 O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

²⁶ Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.

²⁷ There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

²⁸ These all look to you to give them their food in due season;

²⁹ when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 

30 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

³¹ When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. 

32 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— 

33 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke. 

34 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

³⁵ May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

37 Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!

Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.  Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.  And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.  Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?  Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,  Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”  All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”  But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.  Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.  No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:  “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.  And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.  The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ‘The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Hymn: Hymn 516 – Come Down, O Love Divine

Lyrics:
1 Come down, O Love divine,
Seek thou this soul of mine,
And visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
Within my heart appear,
And kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

2 O let it freely burn,
Till earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let thy glorious light
Shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

3 And so the yearning strong,
With which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the pow’r of human telling;
For none can guess its grace,
Till Love create a place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People:  Glory to you, Lord Christ.

John 7:37-39
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,  and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'”  Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Gospel of the Lord.
People:     Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon:  The Reverend Lois Keen

Interlude: “Cantilena” – Chester Nordman

The Nicene Creed

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 Form III

Leader: Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
People: That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Prayer Ministry invites you to join them in continued prayers for those folks who’s names appear in the Prayers of the People. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, praying for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy, Roger, Sue, Cheryl, Eileen, Doris, Gail, David, Barbara, Cindi, and Dean give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Together we pray:
Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.

All together
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Leader says:
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen

The Peace
The Leader says to the people: The peace of the Lord is always with you.
People:  And also with you.

The Closing Hymn: Hymn 513 – Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song

Lyrics:
1 Like the murmur of the dove’s song,
Like the challenge of her flight,
Like the vigor of the wind’s rush,
Like the new flame’s eager might:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

2 To the members of Christ’s body,
To the branches of the vine,
To the church in faith assembled,
To her midst as gift and sign:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

3 With the healing of division,
With the ceaseless voice of prayer,
With the power to love and witness,
With the peace beyond compare:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

The Blessing

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity Guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Postlude: “Fanfare for a Festive Occasion” – Lani Smith

Thank you for sharing our Remote Service Worship today. Please use the comment section below to leave a quick note to your fellow parishioners.

The Feast of the Ascension

We start today’s worship service with a greeting from the Vestry, recorded at their most recent Vestry meeting videoconference. Enjoy…

Prelude: “Alleluia!  Sing to Jesus” — Prichard/Mansfield

The Opening Hymn:
Hymn 214 – Hail the day that sees Him Rise

Lyrics
1. Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia! Glorious to his native skies; Alleluia! Christ, awhile to mortals giv’n, Alleluia! Enters now the highest heav’n! Alleluia!

2. There the glorious triumph waits: Alleluia! Lift your heads, eternal gates; Alleluia! Wide unfold the radiant scene; Alleluia! Take the King of glory in. Alleluia!

3. See! he lifts his hands above. Alleluia! See! he shows the prints of love. Alleluia! Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia! Blessings on his church below. Alleluia!

4. Lord, beyond our mortal sight Alleluia! Raise our hearts to reach thy height, Alleluia! There thy face unclouded see, Alleluia! Find our heav’n of heav’ns in thee. Alleluia!

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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.

Te Deum laudamus – You are God
All together
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day
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.

The Lessons

Acts 1:6-14
When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God.
3 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds — his name is the Lord— be exultant before him.
5 Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord,
33 O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Hymn
Hymn 483 – The head that once was crowned with thorns

Lyrics:
1. The head that once was crowned with thorns. Is crowned with glory now; A royal diadem adorns. The mighty victor’s brow.

2. The highest place that heav’n affords Is his, is his, by right; The King of kings, and Lord of lords, And heav’n’s eternal light.

3. The joy of all who dwell above, The joy of all below, To whom he manifests his love, And grants his name to know.

4. To them the cross with all its shame, With all its grace, is giv’n; Their name an everlasting name; Their joy, the joy of heav’n.

5. They suffer with their Lord below; They reign with him above; Their profit and their joy to know The myst’ry of his love.

6. The cross he bore is life and health, Though shame and death to him, His people’s hope, his people’s wealth, Their everlasting theme.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

John 17:1-11
Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
”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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon: The Reverend Lois Keen

The Nicene Creed
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.

Interlude: “Minuet” – Jean Francois Dandrieu

The Prayers of the People Form III

Leader: Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
People: That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; 
That your Name may be glorified by all people.

 We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth. 
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; 
That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; 
That they may be delivered from their distress, praying especially for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, John Douglas, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy,Roger, Sue, Cheryl, Eileen, Barbara, Gail, Doris, David, Cyndi, and Dean.

Give to the departed eternal rest.
 Let light perpetual shine upon them.

 We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
 May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

 Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. [The people add their intercessions and thanksgivings.]

A Memorial Day Prayer
We commend, O Lord God, into the arms of your mercy those who have died in their country’s service, beseeching for them your Son’s blessing upon all who lay down their life for their friends, and the immortal crown of the faithful who have overcome; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Together we pray:
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
 Silence may be kept.
All together
: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Leader says:
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen

The Peace


The Leader says to the people: The peace of the Lord is always with you.
People: And also with you.

The Closing Hymn
Hymn 494 – Crown Him with many crowns

Lyrics:
1. Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne, Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

2. Crown him the Son of God, before the worlds began and ye who tread where he hath trod, crown him the Son of man; who every grief hath known that rings the human breast, and takes and bears them for his own, that all in him may rest.

3. Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save. His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high, who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

4. Crown him of lords the Lord, who over all doth reign, who once on earth the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain, now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing their songs before him day and night, their God, Redeemer King.

5. Crown him the Lord of heaven, enthroned in worlds above, crown him the King, to whom is given the wondrous name of Love. Crown him with many crowns, as thrones before him fall, crown him, ye kings with many crowns, for he is King of all.

The Postlude: “Marche Jubilant” – Robert W. Thygerson

Prelude – “Let All the Multitudes of Light” – ancient German tune, arr. Jean Pasquet

Opening hymn: 
Hymn 400 All Creatures of our God and King

Lyrics:
1. All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voices, let us sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beams,
Pale silver moon that gently gleams,
O praise him! O praise him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader: Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)

The People together
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God; as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Christ our Passover     1 Cor. 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:20-22)
Alleuia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us;
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all;
but the life he lives, he lives to God
So also consider yourselves dead to sin,
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death,
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all me made alive. Alleluia.

Psalm 66:7-18

A Reading from 1 Peter 3:13-22

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you– not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Hymn182 – Christ is Alive

 

The Gospel According to John 14:15-21

Sermon

The Apostles’ Creed  

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.  He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 

Interlude: “Serenade” – August Eberhard Mueller

The Prayers:
The Lord’s Prayer, in your preferred form or language
The Suffrages

V.    Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.    And grant us your salvation.
V.    Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.    Let your people sing with joy.
V.    Give peace, O Lord, in al the world;
R.    For only in you can we live in safety.
V.    Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.    And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.    Let your way be known upon earth;
R.    Your saving health among all nations.
V.    Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.    Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.    Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.    And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

The Collect of the Day
Celebrant and People

Let us pray:
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.

A Collect for Sundays
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Page 98 BCP)

A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (P. 100, BCP)

We offer our intercessions, aloud or silently. After which, we pray:
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your servants who are sick or in distress praying for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, John Douglas, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy,Roger, Sue, Cheryl, Eileen, Gail, Doris, David, Cindi, and Dean, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP page 459)

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (P. 100, BCP)

A prayer of Saint Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when tow or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. (P. 102, BCP)

Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
Reply: Thanks be to God.

The grace or our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy /spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Hymn 405 – All Things Bright and Beautiful

Postlude: “Sing Alleluia” – Gordon Young

Thank you for joining our remote worshiping this week. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts with your fellow parishioners.

We start today’s service with a welcome from the Vestry members who participated in the last video conference meeting. They miss everyone and hope you know they are working to keep the church on track through this difficult time.

Prelude: “Allegro” from Sonata in E Flat – Ludwig van Beethoven

Opening hymn: 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.

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!

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader:  Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)

The People together
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in
eternal life. Amen.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God; as it was in the beginning is not and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Christ our Passover1 Cor. 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:20-22)

Alleuia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us;
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all;
but the life he lives, he lives to God
So also consider yourselves dead to sin,
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death,
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all me made alive. Alleluia.

• Psalm 23 (click link for Psalm)
• Acts 2:42-47 (click on link for the reading from Acts)

Hymn 645; The King of Love My Shepherd Is

• John 10:1-10 (click on link to the Gospel)

Musical Interlude: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” – American folk melody

Sermon

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.  He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers:

The Lord’s Prayer

The Suffrages

V.    Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.    And grant us your salvation.
V.    Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.    Let your people sing with joy.
V.    Give peace, O Lord, in al the world;
R.    For only in you can we live in safety.
V.    Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.    And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.    Let your way be known upon earth;
R.    Your saving health among all nations.
V.    Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.    Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.    Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.    And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Prayer Ministry invites you to join them in continued prayers for those folks who’s names appear in the Prayers of the People. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, praying for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, John Douglas, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy,Roger, Sue, Cheryl, Eileen, Gail, Doris and David, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

The Collect of the Day
Celebrant and People

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 Collect for Sundays
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Page 98 BCP)

A Collect for Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (P. 99, BCP)

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love or you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (P. 101 BCP)

We offer our intercessions, aloud or silently. After which, we pray:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. (Prayer of Saint Chrysostom, BCP page 102)

Together we pray the General Thanksgiving:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pry, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. (BCP page 101)

Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
Reply: Thanks be to God.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Romans 15:13)

Closing Hymn: Hymn 208; Easter Hymn The Strife is O’er

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 The strife is o’er, the battle done, the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!

2 The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed; let shout of holy joy outburst, Alleluia!

3 The three sad days are quickly sped, he rises glorious from the dead; all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!

4 He closed the yawning gates of hell, the bars from heaven’s high portals fell; let hymns of praise his triumphs tell! Alleluia!

5 Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee, from death’s dread sting thy servants free, that we may live and sing to thee.

Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Postlude: “Aria Pastorella” – Valentin Rathgeber

Thank you for joining us today for this service. May your day be filled with joy and love.

Prelude and entrance into the church. For those of you who have not been in the church for a while, please enjoy this virtual entrance into our beautiful church accompanied by today’s prelude music played on our gorgeous pipe organ by our talented Musical Director Wendy Ruggeri.
“Tempo di Menuetto” – F. J. Haydn

Opening Hymn: Hymn 180; He is Risen

Lyrics:
He is risen, he is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice: he has burst his three
days’ prison; let the whole wide earth rejoice: death is conquered we are free, Christ has won the victory.

Come, ye sad and fearful hearted, with glad smile and radiant brow! Death’s long shadows have departed; Jesus’ woes are over now, and the passion that he bore- sin and pain can vex no more.

Come, with high and holy hymning, hail our Lord’s triumphant day; not one darksome cloud is dimming yonder glorious morning ray, breaking o’er the purple east, symbol of our Easter feast.

He is risen, he is risen! He hath opened heaven’s gate: we are free from sin’s dark prison, risen to a holier state; and a brighter Easter beam on our longing eyes shall stream.

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader:   Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)
The People together
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in
eternal life. Amen.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God; as it was in the beginning is not and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Christ our Passover     1 Cor. 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:20-22)

Alleuia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us;
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all;
but the life he lives, he lives to God
So also consider yourselves dead to sin,
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death,
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all me made alive. Alleluia.

Psalm 116: 1-3, 10-17
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.

2 The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.

3 Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *
“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”

10 How shall I repay the Lord *
for all the good things he has done for me?

11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the Lord.

12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all his people.

13 Precious in the sight of the Lord *
is the death of his servants.

14 O Lord, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds.

15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the Name of the Lord.

16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all his people,

17 In the courts of the Lord‘S house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!

Acts 2:14a,36-41

Hymn 205: Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!

Luke 24:13-35

Musical Interlude: “Chaconne in G Major” – G. F. Handel

Message from Reverend Lois Keen

The Prayers:
The Lord’s Prayer
The Suffrages

V.    Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.    And grant us your salvation.
V.    Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.    Let your people sing with joy.
V.    Give peace, O Lord, in al the world;
R.    For only in you can we live in safety.
V.    Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.    And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.    Let your way be known upon earth;
R.    Your saving health among all nations.
V.    Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.    Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.    Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.    And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Prayer Ministry invites you to join them in continued prayers for those folks who’s names appear in the Prayers of the People.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, praying for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, John Douglas, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy, Roger, Sue, Cheryl, Eileen, Guy, Gail and David, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

The Collect of the Day
Celebrant and People
Let us pray:
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.

A Collect for Sundays
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Page 98 BCP)

A Collect for Guidance
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all that we do, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(P. 107, BCP)

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you”; Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

We offer our intercessions, aloud or silently. After which, we pray:

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your servants for whom we pray, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their affliction and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Chrysostom
Together:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. (BCP page 102)

Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
Reply: Thanks be to God.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20,21)

Closing Hymn: Hymn 296, We Know That Christ is Raised

Postlude: “Now Christ Liveth” – Wihla Hutson

 

Thank you for joining us today for our remote worship service. We will be together again.

Happy Easter everyone.

This Easter posting is less a formal service than a celebration of blessings and music. Along with a video sermon from Rev. Lois and Easter specific prayers, you will hear recordings of some favorite Easter hymns, played on the St. Peter’s-Trinity organ. In each hymn you will hear one or two verses of the hymn from our hymnal, segueing into an organ piece based on the same hymn tune.

Hymn #179: Welcome, Happy Morning

A Prayer for Easter Sunday:

Dear God,
Thank you that you make all things new, for the victory and power that is in your name, and that by your might Jesus was raised from the grave, paving the way for us to have new life with you.

We praise you for your great strength, we praise you for your lavish love. We praise you that you are Conqueror, Victor, Redeemer, and Friend.

We confess our need for you. We ask that you renew our hearts, minds, and lives, for the days ahead. We pray for your refreshing over us.

Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, reminding us we are safe with you and that your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. Thanks be to you God, for your indescribable gift! To you be glory and honor, on this Resurrection Day, and forever.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hymn #193: That Easter Day with Joy was Bright

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples…’” Mark 16:5-7

Hymn #208: Alleluia, The Strife is O’er

Easter Sermon: Reverend Lois Keen

Prayers for our faith family
The St. Peter’s-Trinity Prayer Ministry invites you to join them in continued prayers for those folks who’s names appear in the Prayers of the People.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, praying especially for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, John Douglas, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy, Roger, Sue, Guy, Gail, Dan, and David, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Hymn #210: The Day of Resurrection

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

Hymn #207: Jesus Christ is Risen Today

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3

We end our Easter posting with video of the Hallelujah Chorus… ENJOY
Royal Choral Society: ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s Messiah

Thank you all for sharing Easter with us. If you are able, please drive by the church on Sunday morning to see the wonderful flower arrangement on the front steps. We would like to keep the arrangement for all to see until the afternoon, but if you get there after 4pm, we invite you to take home a flower. Don’t forget to leave a comment below.

You are invited into a time of silence before the leader begins:

Leader: Blessed be our God.
People: For ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him–so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals–so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate. Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the LORD shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm     22:1-11 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *and are so far from my cry
and from the words of my distress? 

2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *by night as well, but I find no rest. 

3 Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 

4 Our forefathers put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them. 

5 They cried out to you and were delivered; *they trusted in you and were not put to shame. 

6 But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by all and despised by the people. 

7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; *
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, 

8 “He trusted in the LORD; let him deliver him; *

let him rescue him, if he delights in him.” 

9 Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother’s breast. 

10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *you were my God when I was still in my mother’s womb. 

11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help. 

Hebrews 10:16-25
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Passion Hymn 

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Matthew 27:11-54

Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

The Solemn Collects
Dear People of God: Our heavenly Father sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved; that all who believe in him might be delivered from the power of sin and death, and become heirs with him of everlasting life. We pray, therefore, for people everywhere according to their needs.

Let us pray for the holy Catholic Church of Christ throughout the world; 

For its unity in witness and service
For all bishops and other ministers and the people whom they serve
For N., our Bishop, and all the people of this  diocese
For all Christians in this community
For those about to be baptized 

That God will confirm his Church in faith, increase it in love, and preserve it in peace.

Silence

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all member of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly server you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray for all nations and peoples of the earth, and for those in authority among them; 

For N., the President of the United States
For the Congress and the Supreme Court
For the Members and Representatives of the United Nations
For all who serve the common good

That by God’s help they may seek justice and truth, and live in peace and concord.

Silence

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Let us pray for all who suffer and are afflicted in body or in mind; 

For the hungry and the homeless, the destitute and the oppressed
For the sick, the wounded, and the crippled
For those in loneliness, fear, and anguish
For those who face temptation, doubt, and despair
For the sorrowful and bereaved
For prisoners and captives, and those in mortal danger

That God in his mercy will comfort and relieve them, and grant them the knowledge of his love, and stir up in us the will and patience to minister to their needs.

Silence

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Let us pray for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ; 

For those who have never heard the word of salvation
For those who have lost their faith
For those hardened by sin or indifference
For the contemptuous and the scornful
For those who are enemies of the cross of Christ and persecutors of his disciples
For those who in the name of Christ have persecuted others

That God will open their hearts to the truth, and lead them to faith and obedience.

Silence

Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us commit ourselves to God, and pray for the grace of a holy life, that, with all who have departed this world and have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to God alone, we may be accounted worthy to enter into the fullness of the joy of our Lord, and receive the crown of life in the day of resurrection.

Silence

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred  mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Veneration of the Cross
If, in the place where you are observing this service of prayers there is a cross that can be held in front of the people, please do so at this time as we sing:         

Hymn 172 Were you there

V1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Repeat)

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there…

V2. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? (Repeat)

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there…

V the last. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? (Repeat)

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there…

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
People: because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Priest: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him.
People: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader and people:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Priest, stands and says

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father, who 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Meditation          The Reverend Lois Keen

And God held in his hand a small globe.
Look, he said.
The Son looked.
Far off,
As through water,
he saw a scorched land of fierce colour.
The light burned
There, crusted buildings
cast their shadows;
a bright serpent,
A river uncoiled itself,
radiant with slime
On a bare
Hill a bare tree saddened
The sky. many
People Held out their thin arms
To it, as though waiting
For a vanished April
To return to its crossed
Boughs. The son watched
Them. Let me go there,
he said. (R.S. Thomas)

Good Friday 2020 Sermon Saint Peter’s-Trinity, Thomaston

Long before Jesus was born, the cross was a symbol of piety for the Jews. For years they had been crucified just for being Jews. If you asked one why he was being crucified, he might answer, “Because I read the Torah”. Ask another and you might hear, “Because I circumcised my son”. Another, “Because I celebrated the Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread”. 

Our first reading tonight, from the prophet Isaiah is one of the songs of the Suffering Servant, one of many Jewish expectations of what the Messiah would be. It would not have been hard for a Jew to see the suffering servant in Jesus dying on the cross. The first followers of Jesus were Jews.

In Elie Wiesel’s book Night, he remembers an execution in Buna concentration camp. The prisoners were forced to watch as two young men and a boy were hanged. As the prisoners passed by the dead and dying, Wiesel heard a man behind him asking: ‘Where is God now?’ And Weisel heard a voice within himself answer: ‘Where is He? Here He is – He is hanging here on this gallows…”

Kaddish is the Jewish prayer said by those who are in mourning. No one knows how old it is, but its words come from the Torah, and its use may go back at least 2000 years. The word kaddish means holy. Mourners may pray for relief from their grief at another time, but Kaddish is the prayer said by mourners in public. Kaddish is a prayer of praise to God; in the midst of grief God is praised.

Imagine the Jews in Buna concentration camp saying Kaddish after witnessing that execution.

Imagine the followers of Jesus saying Kaddish over the body of their Lord Jesus. Imagine they, who ran away in fear, turning to God with words of praise and blessing. 

Imagine us saying Kaddish for all those who have died violently and senselessly during this season of Lent. 

“Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will…
“May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.”

In our own burial rite we say, “All we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.”

Yet, though we praise God in death, and though we say we believe Christ has set us free from death and the fear of death, we are still waiting to be set free. We don’t understand why life has to be like this.

This day our Lord hung upon the cross. God has suffered, died, sorrowed and mourns there. But our hope does not die there. The Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that on this night – “There is a great silence on earth because the King of heaven and earth is dead. “Christ rests in the tomb. It is the Sabbath of Our Lord,” but his work is not finished. For just as God will not abandon on the Sabbath any person whose life is at risk, neither can Christ abandon us. “This night he descends to the dead and hell is afraid.” (Saint Euthemius the Great: Holy Saturday sermon)

“He goes to seek the lost sheep. His cross is the weapon with which he strikes down the gates of Hell and death, and becomes the bridge over which the lost cross into life. The first are Adam and Eve. And after them, the most lost sheep of all, Judas. A thief has been granted Paradise.” Theodore the Studied (759-826)

As Christ takes them by the hand, and raises them up, he cries out to all who dwell in Hell, and not only those who have died but those who live but feel they are dead or in Hell. Christ says to them and us:

 “ ‘Awake, sleepers, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Out of love for you, I, your God, became a human being, and came to earth. For your sake, I died today upon earth. You once reached out to take fruit from a tree, and to save you, I have been nailed to a tree. You were driven out of Paradise, and I have come to lead you to heaven. I did not create you to be held prisoner for ever.’ ”

 “Rise up! let us leave this place – for I have died with you, and you shall rise with me. The Kingdom of Heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.” (Saint Euthemius the Great: Holy Saturday sermon)

“Of old we were poisoned by a tree;
now we have found immortality through a tree.
Of old we were led astray by a tree;
now we have repelled the treacherous snake by means of a tree.
Indeed what an unheard-of exchange!
We are given life instead of death.”
Theodore the Studied (759-826)

If Christ did this for those who had died before him, how much more so did he already set you and me free, 2000 years before we were born?

You have already been raised up. So when we leave this place tonight, do so as a people set free, a people given new life, free from anxiety, free from fear, free from all that imprisons you. Christ has died with you, and you already have risen with him. This is the covenant sealed with the blood of Christ.

“The Kingdom of Heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity”.

The service concludes with the following prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Meditative Music – “By the Cross” – Roger C. Wilson

God Bless us all. Please leave a comment below. Your fellow parishioners would benefit with a sense of togetherness.