The Fourth Sunday
of Easter
April 26, 2026, 10:00 am
St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI
Preludes: Voluntary in E Minor John Stanley; Hail
the Day That Sees Him Rise Michael Bedford
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.
Hymn: 378 Crown Him with Many Crowns
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
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.
For the Word of God in scripture, among us and with us.
Thanks be to God
Psalm 23 @ 8:00 am
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his name's sake.
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.
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.
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.
Hymn: 519 The Lord’s My Shepherd
The Holy Gospel: John 10:1-10
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
The Prayers of the Community
Intercessions
Let us offer prayers to God our Good Shepherd for the needs of the world (the whole flock), saying: hear our prayer.
For the Church: in you we can find rest and refreshment, we ask that by our witness and love we may be signs of the Risen
Christ. We pray for all who live in fear and anxiety in this time of
uncertainty, that the gift of Easter may give all of us peace and hope. God of
love,
For this parish of St. Paul’s: we trust in you. You provide all that is marvelous, filling us with your goodness and mercy that we may be transformed through our encounters with the living Christ and be instruments of healing and forgiveness. God of love,
For all who struggle with their faith, lead us in right paths, help us make wise decisions, that your presence and love may be made known to all people and bring light to our common journey. God of love,
For a renewed stewardship of the whole creation: that you will guide us to effectively care for the Earth and preserve its beauty and help restore a balanced existence for all our relations. Teach us to seek your justice in all relationships, with all creatures. God of love,
For peace in all the troubled areas of the world, that Christ's victory over death may bring an end to war, genocide, and inhumane treatment of people. We pray for peace in the Middle East, that world leaders will put aside hatred, division, lies and destruction and turn to dialogue, diplomacy, justice and harmony. 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. And comfort all who mourn. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
In thanksgiving we acknowledge your power to save, and we pray that you will send the fire of your Holy Spirit upon us, your people, that we may be forgiven all our sins and bear faithful witness to the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, and may all of our choices, actions, and words be consistent with your will., God of love:
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
Hymn: PB 66 Stand In the
Congregation
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 5
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.
We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, for the gift of
a world full of wonder, and for our life which comes from you. By your power
you sustain the universe.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
You created us to love you with all our heart, and to love
each other as ourselves, but we rebel against you by the evil that we do. In
Jesus, your Son, you bring healing to our world and gather us into one great
family.
Therefore, with all who serve you on earth and in heaven, we
praise your wonderful name, as we sing (say),
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.
We give you thanks and praise, loving Father, because in
sending Jesus, your Son, to us you showed us how much you love us. He cares for
the poor and the hungry. He suffers with the sick and the rejected. Betrayed
and forsaken, he did not strike back but overcame hatred with love. On the
cross he defeated the power of sin and death. By raising him from the dead you
show us the power of your love to bring new life to all your people.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
On the night before he gave up his life for us, Jesus, at
supper with his friends, took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it
to them, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which is
given for you.”
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing,
gave it to his friends, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is the cup of
my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which is shed for you and
for many, so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.”
Glory to you for ever and ever.
Gracious God, with this bread and wine we celebrate the death
and resurrection of Jesus, and we offer ourselves to you in him. Send your Holy
Spirit on us and on these gifts, that we may know the presence of Jesus in the
breaking of bread, and share in the life of the family of your children.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
Father, you call us to be your servants; fill us with the
courage and love of Jesus, that all the world may gather in joy at the table of
your kingdom.
We sing your praise, almighty Father, through Jesus, our
Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
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)
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.
Alleluia! Christ our passover
is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
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.
Hymn-during-communion:
PB 183 I Look to the Shepherd
The Sending Forth of the Community
Hymn: PB 66 183 I Look to the Shepherd
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
We offer praise to God, the good shepherd.
In baptism we have new birth,
at God’s table we are nourished,
in worship we know God’s goodness and mercy.
May the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Hymn: 630 You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd
The Scattering
(Mark 4:20)
rejoicing in the power of the Risen Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
April 26, 2026, 10:00 am
St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI
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.
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.
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.
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
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.
For the Word of God in scripture, among us and with us.
Thanks be to God
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his name's sake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Intercessions
Let us offer prayers to God our Good Shepherd for the needs of the world (the whole flock), saying: hear our prayer.
For this parish of St. Paul’s: we trust in you. You provide all that is marvelous, filling us with your goodness and mercy that we may be transformed through our encounters with the living Christ and be instruments of healing and forgiveness. God of love,
For all who struggle with their faith, lead us in right paths, help us make wise decisions, that your presence and love may be made known to all people and bring light to our common journey. God of love,
For a renewed stewardship of the whole creation: that you will guide us to effectively care for the Earth and preserve its beauty and help restore a balanced existence for all our relations. Teach us to seek your justice in all relationships, with all creatures. God of love,
For peace in all the troubled areas of the world, that Christ's victory over death may bring an end to war, genocide, and inhumane treatment of people. We pray for peace in the Middle East, that world leaders will put aside hatred, division, lies and destruction and turn to dialogue, diplomacy, justice and harmony. 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. And comfort all who mourn. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
In thanksgiving we acknowledge your power to save, and we pray that you will send the fire of your Holy Spirit upon us, your people, that we may be forgiven all our sins and bear faithful witness to the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, and may all of our choices, actions, and words be consistent with your will., God of love:
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.
Alleluia! The peace of the risen Christ
be always with you
and also with you. Alleluia!
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 5
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.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
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.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
Glory to you for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
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.
Alleluia! Christ our passover
is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
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.
PB 183 I Look to the Shepherd
Hymn: PB 66 183 I Look to the Shepherd
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.
We offer praise to God, the good shepherd.
In baptism we have new birth,
at God’s table we are nourished,
in worship we know God’s goodness and mercy.
May the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Hymn: 630 You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd
rejoicing in the power of the Risen Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
