Fourth Sunday of Easter April 30, 2023 @ 10 St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI

 
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 30, 2023 @ 10
St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI
 
The Easter Proclamation  
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
                The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
May God’s Grace and peace be with you.
                May God fill our hearts with joy.
 
Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 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.
 
386 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The Collect of the Day
Let us pray,
O God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do your will, and work in us that which is well-pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
The Proclamation of the Word
First reading: Acts 2:42-47
A Reading From The Book Of Acts
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
                Thanks be to God
 
Anthem: Walk With Me
 
The Holy Gospel: John 10:1-10
The Lord be with you.
                And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
                Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
The Gospel of Christ.
                Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Sermon:
 
An Affirmation of Faith (Colossians 3.10-16)
We affirm our faith in a compassionate God,
We clothe ourselves with the new self,
          according to the image of God our creator.
We clothe ourselves without distinction
          of race, Creed or colour,
          we are one humanity;
          but Christ is all and in all!
We clothe ourselves with compassion,
          kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 
 
We clothe ourselves with forgiveness;
          just as the Lord has forgiven us,
          so we also will forgive.
We clothe ourselves with love,
          which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
We clothe ourselves with the peace of Christ in our hearts.
We clothe ourselves with gratitude
                for all wisdom and praise. Amen.
 
The Prayers of the Community
Holy God, you have called us to follow in the way of your risen Son, and to care for those who are our companions, not only with words of comfort, but with acts of love. Seeking to be true friends of all, we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world, saying: hear our prayer.
For the Church: especially Linda, our Primate, and Sandra, our bishop, that signs and wonders born of faith and love may be worked among all peoples, through believers who bear testimony to the resurrection. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For Charles the King, and all who are in authority under him; that they may order all things in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace, to the honour of your name, and the good of your Church and people. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For this parish of St. Paul’s, that we may be transformed through our encounters with the living Christ, and be instruments of healing and forgiveness for those who are hurting. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For all who struggle with their faith, that your presence and love may be made known to them, and bring light to their life’s journey. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For a renewed stewardship of the whole creation, that you will guide us to effectively care for the Earth, and preserve its beauty and resources and balance. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For peace in all the troubled areas of the world, particularly in Ukraine and Sudan, that Christ's victory over death may bring an end to war, genocide, and inhumane treatment of people. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, remembering especially those we know who are ill at home or in the hospital:
–          
and those we may name out loud or in our hearts:
-           
…that they may find healing in the name of the Risen Christ. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For those who have died in your peace, remembering especially,
-           
…that by the resurrection of Jesus, they may rejoice forever with the Living One. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Holy Shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, where we celebrate with you forever. Amen.
 
The Peace
Alleluia! The peace of the risen Christ
be always with you
                and also with you. Alleluia!
 
Announcements
 
The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
 
512 I Want Jesus to Walk With Me.
 
Prayer Over the Gifts
Let us pray,
God of loving care, you spread before us the table of life, and give us the cup of salvation to drink. Keep us always in the fold of your Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our shepherd. Amen.
 
Eucharistic Prayer 4
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
 
It is right to give you thanks and praise, O Lord, our God, sustainer of the universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home; by your will they were created and have their being.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill; you made us the stewards of creation.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
But we turn against you, and betray your trust; and we turn against one another. Again and again you call us to return. Through the prophets and sages you reveal your righteous law. In the fullness of time you sent your Son, born of a woman, to be our Saviour. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. By his death he opened to us the way of freedom and peace.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
Therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
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.
 
Blessed are you, Lord our God, for sending us Jesus, the Christ, who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, gave it to his friends, and said, “Take this, and eat it: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
 
In the same way, after supper, he took the cup of wine; he gave you thanks, 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.”
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
Gracious God, we recall the death of your Son Jesus Christ, we proclaim his resurrection and ascension, and we look with expectation for his coming as Lord of all the nations. We who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring you these gifts. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this offering of your Church, that we who eat and drink at this holy table may share the divine life of Christ our Lord.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
Pour out your Spirit upon the whole earth and make it your new creation. Gather your Church together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, where peace and justice are revealed, that we, with all your people, of every language, race, and nation, may share the banquet you have promised;
 
through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, all honour and glory are yours, creator of all.
Glory to you for ever and ever. Amen.
 
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
 
The Breaking of the Bread (Easter Season)
Lord, we died with you on the cross.
                Now we are raised to new life.
We were buried in your tomb.
                Now we share in your resurrection.
                Live in us, that we may live in you.
 
Lamb of God
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
grant us your peace.
 
The Communion
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
 
Hymns-during-communion:
508 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
491 The Head That Once Was Crowned
564 Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us
361 Surely It Is God Who Saves Me
 
The Sending Forth of the Community
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray,
God of steadfast love, watch over the Church redeemed by the blood of your Son. May we who share in these holy mysteries come safely to your eternal kingdom, where there is one flock and one shepherd. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.
 
The doxology
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God
from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Blessing
Christ the gate for the sheep, whoever enters will find salvation and nourishment, may he draw you into God’s loving fold; and may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
 
444 Your Hand, O God Has Guided
 
The Scattering (Mark 4:20)
Alleluia! Go forth into the world,
rejoicing in the power of the risen Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!