St. Chris Weekly
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 29, 2022
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00 AM
THE WORD OF GOD
Opening Hymn
The Hymnal 1982 # 535 “Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim”
1 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful Name;
the Name all-victorious of Jesus extol:
his kingdom is glorious; he rules over all.
2 God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still he is nigh: his presence we have.
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.
3 Salvation to God who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud, and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.
4 Then let us adore, and give him his right:
All glory and power, all wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing and infinite love.
Celebrant Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Glory to God Mass of Joy and Peace Tony Alonso
Refrain
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, on earth peace to people of good will. X2
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.
We give thanks for your great glory Lord God,
heavenly King, O God Almighty Father. Refrain
Lord Jesus Christ, Only-Begotten Son;
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. Refrain
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.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, on earth peace to people of good will. Amen.
The Collect of the day
Leader The Lord be with you.
Response And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
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.
First Reading: Acts 16:16-34
With Paul and Silas, we came to Philippi in Macedonia, a Roman colony, and, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation." She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe." The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
Lector The Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God
Psalm 97 Congregation reads Refrain
Refrain: The LORD is King! Let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad!
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
Refrain: The LORD is King! Let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad!
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, *
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! *
Bow down before him, all you gods.
Refrain: The LORD is King! Let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad!
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
Refrain: The LORD is King! Let the earth rejoice; let the multitude
of the isles be glad!
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; *
he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, *
and give thanks to his holy Name.
Refrain: The LORD is King! Let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the
of the isles be glad! The LORD is King! Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21 Congregation reads words in Bold
At the end of the visions I, John, heard these words:
"See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
"It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."
And let everyone who hears say, "Come."
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
Lector The Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God
Praise Before the Gospel
The Hymnal 1982 #488 “Be Thou My Vision”
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought to me, save that thou art--
thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
The Holy Gospel: John 17:20-26
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
All Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
He is Lord, He is Lord.
He has risen from the dead and he is Lord.
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
Sermon The Rev. Ebele Onuigbo
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.
Admitting Our Wrongdoing: Confession
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown, things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Risen Lord. Amen.
God’s Forgiveness
Celebrant Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
The persons appointed leads the prayers.
In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.
That our risen Savior may fill us and the world with the joy of his
glorious and life-giving resurrection …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That isolated and persecuted churches
may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That God may grant us humility
to be subject to one another in Christian love …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That God may provide for those who lack food, work or shelter …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That by his power war and famine may cease through all the world …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick,
the weak and the dying,
to comfort and strengthen them …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That, according to his promises,
all who have died in the faith of the resurrection
may be raised on the last day …
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
That God may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people,
so that we may bear faithful witness to Jesus’ resurrection,
Mighty One, hear our prayer.
A Prayer for Victims of Gun Violence Keith Haney
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the creator and sustainer of our lives. You know the anguish of the mournful, you are focused on the prayers of the brokenhearted. Hear your people who cry out to you in their need; strengthen their hope in your loving-kindness. We pray today for those who have died because of violence. Lord give them comfort and let your face shine upon them. Be near to all those who have been touched by violence: those who have been hurt, lost their loved ones, or lost their sense of security. Be for them a steady comfort and safe resting place. Soften the hearts and steady the minds of those who would do violence to others May hate be replaced with love, violence with peace, and darkness with your light. Amen.
For the Unemployed and the Poor
Gracious Lord, we hold before you those who have lost their jobs or are otherwise unable to supply their basic needs. Guide individuals, organizations, businesses and governments to value these our neighbors and to care for them while we are caring for ourselves. Remind us that to serve the least is to serve you, and bend our practices towards love and justice. Fulfill your word that the poor are blessed because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Doctors, Nurses and other Medical Personnel
Remembering especially the staff of Doctors’ Community Hospital: Sanctify, O Great Physician, all those whom you have called to the study and practice of medicine, to battling disease and injury, to managing health care, and to patient care. Strengthen them each day by your life-giving Spirit; shoulder their burdens; protect them and their families by the power of your Name. Return to them thirty, sixty, or one hundredfold what they are sacrificially giving. By their ministries may the sick be made well, the health of the community be promoted and your creation be blessed; through the might of Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Concluding Collect: For Peace Brother Roger of Taizé
Lord Christ,
at times we are like strangers on this earth,
taken aback by all the violence, the harsh oppositions and wars.
Like a gentle breeze, you breathe upon us the Spirit of peace.
Transfigure the deserts of our doubts,
and so prepare us to be bearers of reconciliation wherever you place us,
until the day when a hope of peace dawns in our world. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
All And also with you.
Visitors’ Welcome and Blessing
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Anthem Youth Choir, with Congregation
“Hail, Jesus, You’re My King”
Our Offerings to God
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise him all creatures here below, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise him above ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Celebrant God of life, Savior of the poor, receive with this money gratitude for your goodness, penitence for our pride and dedication to your service in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer D
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we say,
Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God of power, and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory,
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
The people stand or kneel. Then the Celebrant continues
We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.
Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.
And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own best gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to lay a hand upon it, and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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."
Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ's death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise
you and we bless you.
Celebrant and People
We praise you, we bless you,
we give thanks to you,
and we pray to you, Lord our God.
The Celebrant continues
Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.
Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.
And grant that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say/sing,
The Lord’s Prayer sung by all LEVAS #264
Our Father, which 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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
All Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Celebrant These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
This is the time to consume Holy Communion from your reserves at home.
Communion Hymn
The Hymnal 1982 #707 “Take My Life and Let It Be”
1 Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.
2 Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
Take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.
Postcommunion Prayer altered from Common Worship © 2000 Church of England)
Lord God, you have renewed us with Word and Sacrament; by them you nurture our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is the true and living Bread, and enable us to live by every word that proceeds from your mouth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COMMUNITY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LITANY OF TRANSITION FOR THE REV. EBELE OKONKWO ONUIGBO
Pastor Melana: Deacon Ebele, you have assisted in leading worship and setting God’s Holy table for us.
All: Go with our blessing to feed and enliven the worship in another community.
Pauline Azore: Deacon Ebele, you have proclaimed to us the Good News of God’s love and its power to transform our world.
All: Go with our blessing to proclaim truth and extend grace in another place.
Jo Mimms-Bolden: Deacon Ebele, you have helped us look beyond ourselves, to engage in mission and serve the community by creating a Social Justice Committee, donating to Shepherd’s Cove, and connecting to Doctors’ Community Hospital.
All: Go with our blessing to foster outreach with other flocks.
James Modozie: Deacon Ebele, you have prayed with us and consoled us, sharing our lives, our burdens and our grief.
All: Go with our blessing to support and care for others.
Youth: Deacon Ebele, you have brought Christ’s presence to us and helped us deepen our relationships with God.
All: Go with our blessing to guide another new flock to living water.
Joe Berney: Deacon Ebele, you have learned from us and we have learned from you.
All: Go with our blessing to share your gifts with a new flock.
Vestry: Deacon Ebele, you have loved this congregation and invited us to love you.
God is love. God’s love doesn’t subtract or decrease, but increases and multiplies.
All: We release you with our blessing to new ministries, confident that you will hold your love for us in your heart, as we will hold our love for you in ours.
Words of Appreciation
Pastor Melana: The time has come to release your active role in the ministry of this congregation. Do you now surrender your tasks and ministry to others, trusting in God’s provision for this congregation as you focus on discerning your next ministry?
Deacon Ebele: Yes. Be the saints of God I know you to be, to give and receive love with grace.
All: God continues the journey with each of us, furthering our ministries and holding us all in the circle of his love. Amen.
Farewell Song
1 God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
may the Shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet.
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
2 God be with you till we meet again;
unseen wings, protecting, hide you,
daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again. Refrain
3 God be with you till we meet again;
keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
smite death’s threat’ning wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again. Refrain
Blessing and Dismissal from Common Worship © 2000 Church of England)
Celebrant May Christ, who out of defeat brings
new hope and a new future, fill you with his new life;
and the blessing of Almighty God, Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier
be with you and remain with you today and always. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Closing Hymn
“We Are Marching in the Light of God” Wonder, Love and Praise #787
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching, O,
We are marching in the light of God.
We are living in the love of God,
We are living in the love of God,
We are living, living,
We are living, living, O,
We are living in the love of God,
We are moving in the power of God,
We are moving in the power of God,
We are moving, moving,
We are moving, moving, O,
We are moving in the power of God.
Copyright Notice
All music reprinted under CCLI License #2897260 and One License #A-723933