The fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 21, at 10:00 am
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 355. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
Prelude: “This Joyful Eastertide” Paul Bowman
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 399: “To God with gladness sing”
1. To God with gladness sing,
your Rock and Savior bless;
into his temple bring
your songs of thankfulness!
O God of might,
to you we sing,
enthroned as King
on heaven’s height!
2. He cradles in his hand
the heights and depths of earth;
he made the sea and land,
he brought the world to birth!
O God Most High,
we are your sheep;
on us you keep
your shepherd’s eye!
3. Your heavenly Father praise,
acclaim his only Son,
your voice in homage raise
to him who makes all one!
O Dove of peace,
on us descend
that strife may end
and joy increase!
Opening Acclamation
Priest ✠ Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Collect for Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gloria in Excelsis Missa Paschalis, W. Edward McCall
The Collect of the Day
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest 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.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Acts 4:5-12
The rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Second Lesson: 1 John 3:16-24
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 478: “Jesus, our mighty Lord”
1. Jesus, our mighty Lord,
our strength in sadness,
the Father’s conquering Word,
true source of gladness;
your Name we glorify,
O Jesus, throned on high;
you gave yourself to die
for our salvation.
2. Good shepherd of your sheep,
your own defending,
in love your children keep
to life unending.
You are yourself the Way:
lead us then day by day
in your own steps, we pray,
O Lord most holy.
3. Glorious their life who sing,
with glad thanksgiving,
true hymns to Christ the King
in all their living:
all who confess his Name,
come then with hearts aflame;
the God of peace acclaim
as Lord and Savior.
Alleluia
The choir sings the Alleluias, then all repeat them.
The Gospel: John 10:11-18
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Susan Richardson
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
The leader and people pray responsively
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
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.
Remembering ___ : We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
Remembering ___ : 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.
Remembering ___ : Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Remembering ___ : 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.
Silence. The priest adds a concluding Collect.
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.
The Peace
Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The ministers and the people greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying “He is risen!”
The Holy Communion
The Celebrant introduces the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
To give an offering, choose one of the following:
Text: message 73256 with the phrase saintpauls $X (insert an amount in place of X)
Check: mail your offering to St. Paul’s Church, 84 E Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
The Offering is brought forward.
Offertory Anthem: “Simon, Son of John, Do You Love Me?”
“Simon, son of John, do you
love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Feed my lambs.”
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Tend my sheep.”
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Lord, you know everything;
you know that I love you.”
“Feed my sheep,
Come, follow me.”
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the priest sings
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The priest continues
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus et Benedictus qui venit Missa Paschalis, W. Edward McCall
The priest continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Priest and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The priest continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Fraction
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Agnus Dei Missa Paschalis, W. Edward McCall
Priest The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Spiritual Communion: Act of Reception
During Communion, you are invited to say the following prayer form for receiving Spiritual Communion. Know that the grace of God is made present in your heart, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.
In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered this day, I long to offer you praise and thanksgiving, for creation and all the blessings of this life, for the redemption won for us by your life, death, and resurrection, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.
I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength; be my wisdom and guide me in right pathways; conform my life and actions to the image of your holiness; and, in the power of your gracious might, rule over every hostile power that threatens or disturbs the growth of your kingdom, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Communion Anthem: “I am the Good Shepherd” Leo Nestor
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for my sheep.
And I have other sheep not of this fold.
These too I must lead,
and they shall hear my voice,
and there shall be one flock
and one shepherd.
Hymn 343: “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless”
1. Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless
thy chosen pilgrim flock
with manna in the wilderness,
with water from the rock.
2. We would not live by bread alone,
but by thy word of grace,
in strength of which we
travel on to our abiding place.
3. Be known to us in breaking bread,
and do not then depart;
Savior, abide with us and
spread thy table in our heart.
4. Lord, sup with us in love divine,
thy Body and thy Blood,
that living bread, that heavenly wine,
be our immortal food.
After Communion, the priest says
Let us pray.
Priest and People
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome & Announcements
The Easter Blessing
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; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Dismissal
Priest Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Postlude: “Partita on Crimond” Gordon Young
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Susan Richardson
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Eucharistic Minister: John Black
Thurifer: Alex Kelly
Crucifer: Fiona Mayorga
Lector: Joe DeTato
Ushers: John Caughie, Maureen McGraw
Altar: Sara Frister, Widgette Kelly
Livestream: Emery Kohut
Flowers: Jack Friedel
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Alexander Famous, Carol Fox, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Amber Robinson, Annie Rogers, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, Marian Wentworth
Online giving is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
Children’s Sunday School
Sunday school is available during the 10 o’clock service for children grades K-5 beginning Sunday, April 14. Drop-off at 9:45 am downstairs in the “Green Room” of the Education Wing. Children will rejoin their families in church during the Peace. If you have any questions or are interested in helping, please contact Rachel Morse at 941-350-5828 / rachelmorse3@gmail.com or Laura Pankoe at 484-866-7729. Nursery care is not provided at this time.
Women of St. Paul’s
We are back! Join us as we gather for an evening of fellowship, fun, laughter…and good food! We want to reinvigorate the Women’s group and are planning a May Day Potluck Supper. May Day is a day to celebrate the halfway mark between Spring and Summer with friends, both old and new! All the women of St. Paul’s are invited, Wednesday May 1st, 5:30p – 7:30p, in Paxson Hall. Please R.S.V.P. by following this link or contacting Jen Prater.
Weekday Worship
Mass for the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist will be held this week on Wednesday, April 24, at noon in the Church.
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, June 1st, 9:30a, the women will be gathering to discuss and study a book which is still yet to be decided. If you have any great books you think would be suitable for a study group, please bring your suggestions to the Potluck on May 1st! (Or email Jen Prater the suggestion). Looking forward to joining together for food and fellowship on May 1st.
To the Men of St. Paul’s
You are invited to our scheduled Brotherhood of St. Andrew meeting at 9 am this Sunday, April 21 in the Conference Room in the Education Wing. Save the dates for a Brotherhood Parish Breakast on Sunday, May 19 and Brotherhood Retreat on June 7-9. Peace, George Wiemann
Spiritual Prayer Practices:
Come and explore some ancient and some not-so ancient ways of opening and deepening your prayer life. You will be among friends in an informal environment. Meet once a month – as you wish and can – for about an hour. The final gathering (before a break for Summer) is planned for Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 in Paxson Hall. Questions? Contact Leigh DeTato.
COMMUNITY MEAL: APRIL 28
The new season for St. Paul’s monthly Community Meal is scheduled to begin Sunday, April 28. The Community Meal helps those that are food insecure in the community by providing a nutritious and delicious meal. Volunteers are needed for this event to help with the food preparation and serving. We will also need greeters, servers, and volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Food should be delivered to the church by 12:30pm on April 28. If possible, food should be delivered warm. We are hoping to continue with the success we had last year, so please review the sign-up here for anything you are able to help with. Thank you for your continued support. Please contact Mary Lou Parry with any questions you may have.
Bible Studies at St Paul’s - good news!
We have had a strong interest in running our Bible Study! With this welcome encouragement Nancy and John Humphreys will be running a four-session study starting on Sunday April 28th, and taking place on the following three Sundays. We will be looking at the events and readings from the liturgical year including Ascension and Pentecost. It will take place in the Education wing from 9 to 9:45. No prior experience in opening a Bible is required. If you can contact us ahead of time it will be helpful: Nancy or John.
AVAILABLE FLOWER MEMORIAL/THANKSGIVING DATE
Are you interested in having a flower memorial or thanksgiving? There is an open date that would be wonderful to have a memorial on or even share a date with someone!
If you are interested in making a donation for this date the recommended cost is $80 or find a friend or two looking to have memorials too and share the date!
Open Date: June 30
Your memorial or thanksgiving may be for this year or continued annually. Please contact Lisa Farina if you are interested.
Cantus Novus presents Beauty Surrounds Us… with Equality and Peace
May 3 (Solebury), May 4 (Doylestown) May 5 (Morrisville)
Spring is a time of renewal, of fresh starts, of new life. Spring inspires expectation, awakens the spirit, and stimulates the senses. The desire for equality and peace form the core of our singing in this series of concerts. To paraphrase, where there is peace, beauty, and where there is equality, joy.
Cantus Novus is pleased to present to you a concert of music across the ages. From the golden age of the Renaissance to Bach and the Beatles, the program celebrates diversity in style, compositional form, text, and dynamic expression. Be surrounded by messages of hope, resilience, encouragement, and spirit. Let yourself be surrounded by beauty at our Cantus Novus spring concerts.
● Friday, May 3, 8:00PM, Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Road, Solebury,
● Saturday, May 4, 8:00PM, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 84 E. Oakland Ave., Doylestown
● Sunday, May 5, 4:00PM, Morrisville Presbyterian Church, 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville
Tickets are available online or by phone at 215-968-3414. If you have any questions, email contact@cantusnovus.org.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Today’s flowers are given to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Gregory Kelly by the Kelly family. Arranged by Jack Friedel
