The Fourth Sunday of Easter Baptisms of Evan Benson, Sherry Cochran and Victoria Pfeifer
Trinity@316
April 30, 2023 10:00am
Prelude My Good Lord’s Done Been Here Traditional, arr. Moses Hogan (Grace Mauk, piano)
Welcome The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
Opening Statement
Priest: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Priest: There is one Body and one Spirit;
People: There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Priest: One source of Love, one Faith, one Baptism;
People: One God and Creator of us all.
Opening Hymn I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord The Hymnal 1982 #304
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Collect of the Day
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Let us pray.
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson (Please be seated.) Acts 2:42-47
Reader: A reading from Acts
Those who had been baptized 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
THE Psalm Psalm 23 Bobby McFerrin
The Psalm will be offered by the Trinity Singers.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need
She makes me lie down in green meadows, beside the still waters, She will lead
She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs
She leads me in a path of good things and fills my heart with songs
Even though I walk, through a dark and dreary land
There is nothing that can shake me, She has said She won't forsake me, I'm in her hand
She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes
She anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows
Surely, surely goodness and kindness will follow me
All the days of my life, and I will live in her house, forever, forever and ever
Glory be to our Mother, and Daughter, and to the Holy of Holies
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world, without end. Amen
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Reader: A reading from First Peter.
It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Over my head I hear music in the air (x3)
There music be a joy somewhere.
Over My Head arr. Adam & Matt Podd
Over my head I hear music everywhere
Over my head I hear singing everywhere
Over my head I hear music everywhere
Over my head I hear singing everywhere (x3)
There music be a joy somewhere.
There must be a joy, there must be a joy, there must be a joy somewhere.
Gospel John 10:1-10
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord 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.”
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
(Final dream description from Barbara Brown Taylor’ s sermon, The Shepherd’s Flute)
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The SECOND Lesson
Peter 2:19-25
THE BAPTISMS
Evan Benson, Victoria Pfeifer & Sherry Cochran
THE PRESENTATION AND EXAMINATION Book of Common Prayer #301 (The families, candidates, and Godparents/Sponsors will now stand.)
The Priest says: The candidates for Holy Baptism will now be presented. We present Evan, Victoria and Sherry to receive the sacrament of baptism.
The Priest asks parents and Godparents: Will you be responsible for seeing that they are brought up and supported in the Christian faith and life?
Parents and Godparents: I will, with God’s help.
Priest: Will you by your prayers and witness help them to grow into the full expression of who they are, made in the image of God?
Parents and Godparents: I will, with God’s help.
Then the Priest asks the following questions of the parents & godparents on behalf of Evan & Victoria and directly to Sherry.
Question: Do you renounce the forces of evil in this world and all the spiritual forces that reject God’s goodness and love?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you renounce the systems of oppression in this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you renounce all desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and the Way of Love he invites us to live?
Answer: I do.
Question: Do you put your trust in his grace and love?
Answer: I do.
Question: Do you promise to follow this Way of Love?
Answer: I do.
The Priest addresses the congregation, saying: Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support them in their life in Christ?
People: We will.
(The congregation is invited to stand.)
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Priest: Let us join together and renew our own baptismal covenant.
Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Priest: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Priest: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Priest: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Priest: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Priest: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Priest: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.
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RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOW Book of Common Prayer pg. 304
PRAYERS FOR THE CANDIDATE
Priest And now let us pray for the candidates for baptism.
Leader: Deliver them O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Book of Common Prayer #305
Leader: Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
The Priest says:
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER
Any children present are invited to come to the font. The Priest pours the water into the baptismal font.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise.
In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life. We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.
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At the following words, the Priest touches the water. Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
THE BAPTISM
Book of Common Prayer #307
The individual families (and Godparents) come to the font one at a time, presenting the candidate.
Each candidate is presented to the Priest who pours water on the candidate saying: Evan/Victoria/Sherry, I baptize you in the Name of the Creator, Redeemer & Sustainer Amen.
The Priest marks the forehead of the candidate with the sign of the cross using chrism oil saying: Evan/Sherry/Victoria you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever. Amen.
A baptism candle is then lit from the Paschal candle and handed to the Godparents. Evan/Sherry/Victoria, receive the light of Christ. Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray. Gracious God, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your children the gift of eternal love and have raised them to a new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them inquiring minds and discerning hearts, the courage to will and to persevere, spirits to know and love you, and the gifts of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
Once all the candidates have received the sacrament of baptism they are welcomed. Priest: Let us welcome the newly baptized.
THE PEACE
Deacon: The Peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.
Announcements
Offertory Invitation
To give online, visit www.trinitytoledo.orgonline-giving/choose GIVE NOW and today’s date!
Offertory Ubi Caritas Maurice Durufle (Trinity Choir)
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The Liturgy of the Table
The Great Thanksgiving
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.
A Wee Worship Book, Iona Community
We praise you, O God, whom eternity cannot contain, for coming to earth and entering time in Jesus. We praise you for his life which informs our living, for his compassion which changes our hearts, for his clear speaking which contradicts our harmless generalities, for his disturbing presence, his innocent suffering, his fearless dying, his rising to life breathing forgiveness and restoring us forever to you. For these gifts we praise and worship you.
All that is spectacular, all that is plain have their origin in you. All that is lovely, all who are loving, point to you as their fulfillment. Therefore we gladly join our voices to the song of the Church on earth and in heaven:
Sanctus Grayson Warren Brown
Jesus was always the guest. In the homes of Peter and Jairus, Martha and Mary, Joanna and Susanna, he was always the guest. At the meal tables of the wealthy where he pled the case of the poor, he was always the guest. Upsetting polite company, befriending isolated people, welcoming the stranger, he was always the guest.
But here, at this table, he is the host. Those who wish to serve him must first be served by him. Those who want to follow him must first be fed by him. For this is the table where God intends us to be nourished.
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This is the time when Christ can make us new. So come, you who hunger and thirst for a deeper faith, for a better life, for a fairer world. Jesus Christ, who has sat at our tables, now invites us to be his guests.
On their last night together, and as they were sitting at a meal, Jesus gave thanks, took a piece of bread and broke it. He gave it to the disciples saying, “This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.”
Later, after they had eaten, he took a cup of wine, gave thanks and said, “This cup is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink this all of you, to remember me.”
So now we do as Jesus did. We offer this bread and this wine to each other, and proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We ask that these signs of your love be filled with the fullness of Jesus. Let that same love rest on us, converting us from the patterns of this passing world, until we conform to the shape of him whose food we now share. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray New Zealand Prayerbook
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
The Fraction: Breaking of the Bread Enriching Our Worship
Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ
People: We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God; holy food for holy people.
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Invitation to Communion
Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion. Please let us know if you would like the bread brought to you.
Communion Hymns See insert.
The Post Communion Prayer (Please rise)
Celebrant: Let us pray.
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
Jesus, we have feasted on the bread of life. Together we have tasted the love of your kin-dom here on earth. In your risen power you have united us with all of those who have come before, with those gathered today, and with those yet to find their way to this table of love set and ready to welcome all. May the sense of a new heaven and a new earth strengthen and renew us today and in the days to come. Now, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do offering your fearless love and priceless peace to all we meet in the name of our loving, liberating life-giving God. Amen.
Blessing
May the rain fall off your shoulders when you’re caught in a storm. When the frost comes a callin’ may it find you safe and warm. May your place be set, and may your promises be kept. And may you never forget that you are loved.
Sending Hymn See insert.
Dismissal
Deacon: Alleluia! Alleluia! Let us go forth in the power of the Risen Christ!
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
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Trinity Episcopal Church
Vestry Leadership
Donna Steppe, Sr. Warden, Jeffrey Albright, Jr. Warden
Karen Keune, Clerk, Dennis Degnan,
Becky Koskinen, Fritz Hany,
Leah Reed & Jamie Paul
(Margaret Baehern, Treasurer)
Parish Staff
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector
The Rev. Dcn. Meribah Mansfield, Deacon
The Rev. Robert Gahler, Assisting Priest, Retired
Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development
George M. Benson, Director of Community Engagement
Chelsie Cree, Director of Music and the Arts
Grace Mauk, Assistant Director of Music and the Arts
Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO:
Collect of the Day: Lectionary page, Church Publishing.
Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary
Psalm: usually from Psalms for Praying © 2007 Nan C. Merrill, Reprinted with permission of the publisher. This week, the lyrics to Bobby McFerrin’s musical work will be used.
The Great Thanksgiving: A Wee Worship Book, Iona Community.
Lord’s Prayer: New Zealand Prayerbook.
Bulletin Image: Good Shepherd Icon written through the hand of Michael Kapeluk
Fraction, Breaking of the Bread: Enriching Our Worship.
All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org.
All other printed music permission through purchase of CCLI Copyright license #20577215 Size B
Streaming License #20577284 Size B
Secular music permission through purchase of CCS WORSHIPcast Copyright license #13190
All printed music from Gather permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000
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