The Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 17, 2020

Holy Eucharist 9:30 am

Virtual Worship

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A bell is rung. All sing.

The Opening hymn

Hymnal 1982, 492, Words: John Ellerton (1826-1893), alt. Music: Finnian, Christopher Dearnley (b. 1930). Copyright: Music: By permission of Oxford University Press.

prelude Music by Lacey Brown

AnnOuncemenTs: As stewards of all that God has given us, we share some of the many ways to be engaged in the life of our community.

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cOllecT fOr puriTy

Presider 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.

All

Opening AcclAmATiOn

Presider Alleluia. Christ is risen.All The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Presider The Lord be with you. All And also with you.Presider Let us pray.

cOllecT Of The dAy

All

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 Reading from the Book of Acts (17:22-31)

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.All Thanks be to God.

The liTurgy Of The WOrd

Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I

found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’

Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

The firsT reAding

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The psAlm 66:8-20 Lacey Brown

Bless our God, you peoples; let the sound of praise be heard.

9 Our God has kept us among the living and has not allowed our feet to slip. Refrain

10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us just as silver is tried. 11 You brought us into the net; you laid heavy burdens upon our backs. 12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us out into a place of refreshment. 13 I will enter your house with burnt offerings and will pay you my vows— 14 those that I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble. 15 I will offer you burnt offerings of fatlings with the smoke of rams; I will give you oxen and goats. Refrain 16 Come and listen, all you who believe, and I will tell you what God has done for me. 17 I called out to God with my mouth, and praised the Lord with my tongue. 18 If I had cherished evil in my heart, the Lord would not have heard me; 19 but in truth God has heard me and has attended to the sound of my prayer 20 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, nor withheld unfailing love from me. Refrain

The cantor sings the refrain, then all join. The congregation then sings the refrain as indicated.

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The secOnd reAding

A Reading from the First Letter of 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.

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. All Thanks be to God.

The sequence hymn

Hymnal 1982, 385, Words: American folk hymn; para. Philip Frazier (1892-1964), alt. Music: Dakota Indian Chant [Lacquiparle], Native American melody

All sing.

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The gOspel

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (14:15-21) All Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world

cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The sermOn Steve Best

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The nicene creed

All sing.

Intercessor Standing in the glorious light of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who seek new life in Christ.

Teach us, O Lord, to be your Body; to walk hand in hand with goodness and truth, and to walk with the worried, the wearied, and the orphaned. For this we pray.

prAyers Of The peOple

For this we pray.

In the midst of the prayer:

All Hear us, God of great compassion.

Intercessor We pray for the will to care for your creation, to continue to find ways to maintain decreased carbon emissions and reduce harmful pollution. For this we pray.

All Hear us, God of great compassion.

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All sing.

Intercessor We pray for wisdom and appropriate caution as national and local leaders discern how to safely reopen our land. For this we pray.

All Hear us, God of great compassion.

Intercessor We pray for those who are courageously living with the coronavirus and those who are isolated and without family and friends. We pray for those who have lost jobs and are living with financial insecurity. For this we pray.

All Hear us, God of great compassion.

Intercessor Let us pray for all in need of healing, peace, and comfort, especiallyAll Vicky, Greg Howard, Sarah, Kathleen, Matthew, Caroline, Margo, Jeannine, April, Jonathan and family, Rusty, Emilie, Rebecca, Nico, Julia, Morgan, Laura, Iris, Jon, Angela, Jane, Donald, Rebecca, Char, Frank, Laurene, Mona, Keith, MeriKate, Bridget, Grayson, Kim, Dorie, Paul, and John.

Intercessor And we pray for the blessed departed, especiallyAll John, George, Ann, John, Mike, Norma, and Arlinda.

Intercessor Please add your own intercessions and thanksgivings either silently or out loud.

Presider Almighty God, whose holy commandments bring us the promises of love; and whose presence we find near us wherever we need to go; in the company of Blessed Mary, Blessed Thomas, and all of the saints, surround us with the comfort of your Holy Spirit, and guide us more deeply into the mystery of your truth, that we might always know that you provide a way to be found; Through Christ we pray. Amen.

Intercessor For this we pray.

All Hear us, God of great compassion.

The peAce

Presider I now invite you to extend the Peace to those you love: safely, virtually, and creatively. The peace of the Lord be always with you.All And also with you.

We greet one another with a sign of peace.

Exchanging the Peace: In this time where we are not able to greet each other with a handshake or a hug, please consider reaching out to anyone to whom you might offer the Peace of Christ. Please also consider extending this blessing to someone with whom your relationship might be difficult or strained. This is one way for us to Be The Church.

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The liTurgy Of The TAble

OfferTOry If Ye Love Me Thomas Tallis

The greAT ThAnksgiving

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.

Presider

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:

OfferTOry senTence: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2

Presider The Lord be with you.All And also with you.Presider Lift up your hearts.All We lift them to the Lord.Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.All It is right to give our thanks and praise.

During the pandemic, your St. Thomas staff continues to faithfully carry out our mission to love Christ and serve the world in his name. Your continuing commitment of your financial resources in support of these ministries is so necessary and appreciated. If you have not already done so, please consider automating your pledge. You can also hit the “Giving” link on our website or mail your check to the church. Should your financial circumstances be adversely affected during this time, please let us know, in confidence, so that we may adjust your pledge to fit your situation. To give online, visit our website here: http://www.stthomasmedina.org/giving/

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sAncTus & benedicTus

All sing.

Hymnal 1982, S 129, Title: The Holy Eucharist II, Holy, holy, holy Lord: Sanctus. Music: Robert Powell (b. 1932). Copyright: Setting: Copyright © Church Publishing, Inc.

On the night before he died for us, 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.”

Presider 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.”

We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;All

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Presider We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

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

The lOrd’s prAyer

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.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.

All

The Bread is broken.

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

Presider

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with blessed Mary, blessed Thomas and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

All AMEN.

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.

Presider

All sing.

frAcTiOn AnThem

Hymnal 1982, 163, Title: The Holy Eucharist II, Fraction Anthem: Lamb of God: Agnus Dei. Music: Robert Powell (b. 1932). Copyright: Setting: Copyright © Church Publishing, Inc.

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cOmmuniOn music What Wondrous Love is This Lacey Brown

prAyer AfTer cOmmuniOn

All

blessing A Prayer from the Apostle Paul to the Church in Ephesus

Presider Let us pray.

All rise as able.

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.

inviTATiOn TO cOmmuniOn

O Holy Trinity, we believe that you are present in this most Blessed Sacrament. We love you above all things and we desire to receive You into our souls. Since we cannot now gather physically around this Holy Altar, come spiritually into our hearts through the holy ministry of your priesthood, of which you remain our great High Priest.

Presider

All Amen.

Give peace to anxious hearts, please God, and comfort to those who suffer. Help the searcher find an answer and the confounded to know the truth. Bring healing into the mind and body, set the spirit free. Touch the shoulder of the late night servant so she or he will know they are not alone. Lift up the children to laugh in safety while the elders watch from a place of quiet care. Please God, cover our Earth with your blessings, let your light shine in every corner. Hold your family close so that we may hear you breathing. Let us know that you are here and that we need never fear. – The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston

Presider

All Amen.

Presider And may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you this day and always.

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Hymnal 1982, 455, Words: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889). Music: Dunedin, Vernon Griffiths (1894-1985)

pOsTlude Trumpet Tune William Boyce

dismissAl

Deacon Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

All sing.

hymn AT The clOsing

serving This sundAy

The Rev. Steve Best Preacher

The Rev. Lex Breckinridge Presider

Doug Cleveland Director of Music

Lacey Brown Associate for Liturgy and Music

Zonnie Breckinridge Lector

Ashley Boaeuf Intercessor

Christine Oshiki • Sarah Kalemeris • Greg Tiffany • Charles Robert Stephens Vocalists