Fourth Sunday of Easter – 10:00
April 21, 2024
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 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."
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
Glory to you, Lord Jesus 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."
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
afterwards he appeared to his followers,
and to all the apostles: this we have received,
and this we believe. Amen. cf 1 Corinthians 15.3-7
Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd' and so we pray: Good Shepherd, watch over us these days, as you are aware of all that we face and experience. Never leave us or forsake us and journey with us always. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you know us as no-one else knows us. Guard us and keep us, as you guard and keep those whom we love. You have blessed us with green pastures and still waters—places in your world where we find rest and renewal. We thank you for the beauty of the earth. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you call us to follow where you lead. Give us ears to hear and know your voice. And give us the courage and strength and wisdom to raise good and faithful servants in your Church. We pray for Linda, our Primate, and Sandra, our bishop. For all the people of this parish, that we may be transformed by the living Christ, and be made whole. God of love,
Good Shepherd, we pray for the sick and the lonely; For the anxious and the bereaved; for those whose pain is beyond our comprehension. We stand with them and commend them to your care. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, we pray for hospitals and care homes and for all who serve the needs of others. May your example of living compassion inspire us. You love us so much that you call us each by name: We pray for the healing of those we know who are ill at home or in the hospital, especially:
-
and those we may name out loud or in our hearts:
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Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you know the complexities of our being and we ask you to speak into the depths of our hearts and calm our fears. You never leave your loved ones; even in the valley of the shadow of death, you are present. Be with all victims of violence. Comfort them in their distress. Bring peace to all war-torn places. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you are our salvation. Grant to all who have died a dwelling place in your house forever, remembering especially,
Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you know us by our name and our identity is not hidden from you. Gather us to yourself as a shepherd gathers the sheep, that we might know your love, mercy and forgiveness. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Shepherd of all, by laying down your life for your flock you reveal your unconditional love. Lead us from the place of death to the place of abundant life, that guided by your care for us, we may rightly offer our lives in love for you and our neighbors. In the name of the Good Shepherd, we pray. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
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.
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 thanks and praise.
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.
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours 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.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to 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.
PB 7 Lamb of God (verses 1,2,3)
PB7 Lamb of God (verse 3)
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.
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.
Christ the good shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep, draw you and all who hear his voice to be one flock within one fold; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
459 Christ Is Our Cornerstone
rejoicing in the power of the risen Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
