St. Paul’s Episcopal Church The Fourth Sunday of Easter ~ May 3, 2020

Ageless Worship

The Prelude Sheep May Safely Graze by J.S. Bach Heather Maconaghy

Opening Hymn My shepherd will supply my need Hymn 664

My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is his name; in pastures fresh he makes me feed, beside the living stream. He brings my wand'ring spirit back when I forsake his ways; and leads me, for his mercy's sake, in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death, thy presence is my stay; one word of thy supporting breath drives all my fears away. Thy hand in sight of all my foes, doth still my table spread; my cup with Blessings overflows, thy oil anoints my head.

Opening Prayers

Alleluia. Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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.

The Prayer of the Day (The Collect) 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.

Gradual Hymn I am the Good Shepherd by Fernando Ortega Larry Maconaghy

The Gospel

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (10:1-10) from God’s Word, My Voice by Lyn Briggs Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus talked to the disciples about sheep and shepherds. He said that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice and won’t follow a stranger whose voice they don’t know. The shepherd comes through the gate into the place the sheep are kept, the sheepfold. People who try to get into the sheepfold by hopping over the fence are thieves. When Jesus said all this the disciples had no idea what he was talking about. So Jesus explained it to them. He said,” I am the gate for the sheep. Others who have come were thieves and the sheep didn’t know their voices so they didn’t listen to them. They wanted to steal and destroy the sheep. But whoever comes through me, will find good pasture. I have come so that you all may have life, a better life than you could ever imagine.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon Paco and Robert

The Affirmation of Faith From Ephesians 3

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Prayers of the People for Eastertide Led by Cherie Foote

We pray to our risen Lord Jesus who is present with us to eternity, saying, Jesus, Lord of life: in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, Light of the World, bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations. Jesus, Lord of life: in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, Bread of Life, give food to the hungry and nourish us all with your word. Jesus, Lord of life: in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, our Way, our Truth, our Life, be with us as we journey on your way; deepen our appreciation of your truth; and fill us with your life. Jesus, Lord of life: in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, our friend and our guide, as we pray through our parish list, we lift the following people to you, giving thanks for each of them and asking for your blessing on their lives: Phil IV, Colby and Everly Denoncourt; Kellie Denoncourt; Phil III, Benjamin, Kara & Sarah Denoncourt; Megan DeVorsey, Chris & Sophia Johnson; Unity, Klee, Nate & Irene Dienes; Chris & Catharine Dornin; Denny Doucette; Linda Douglas; Robert & Carla Drew-Moyer; Sam Dugan & Robert Robotiello; Chris, Ellie & Hope Duhaime Jesus, Lord of life:

in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep, recover the stragglers, bind up the injured, strengthen those who are sick and lead all your children to play. Jesus, Lord of life: in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, we give thanks for all those whom we have loved and who are now with you. Raise us with them to eternal life. Jesus, Lord of life: in your mercy, hear us; accept our prayers, and be with us always. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray together:

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 Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

Announcements and May Birthdays Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; Raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer for Spiritual Communion (adapted from Common Worship and St. Augustine’s Prayerbook)

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 God thanks and praise.

Almighty God, good Father to us all, Your face is turned towards your world. In love you gave us Jesus your Son to rescue us from sin and death. Your Word goes out to call us home to the city where angels sing your praise. We join with them in heaven’s song:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Father of all, we give you thanks for every gift that comes from heaven. To the darkness Jesus came as your light. With signs of faith and words of hope he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean. This is his story. This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son, yet at the end they turned on him. On the night he was betrayed he came to table with his friends to celebrate the freedom of your people.

This is his story. This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

O Most blessed Savior, together with the faithful of every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are being offered to the Father, we desire to offer you our praises and thanksgivings. We present to you ourselves, our souls and bodies, with the earnest wish that we may always be united to you. And since we cannot now receive you in the sacraments, we pray that you come spiritually into our hearts, and we unite ourselves to you and embrace you, O Jesus, with all the love of our souls. COME, Lord Jesus, and dwell in our hearts. This is our story. This is our song: Hosanna in the highest. Amen.

The Closing Hymn The King of love my shepherd is Hymn 645

The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth; and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.

Thou spreadst a table in my sight; thy unction grace bestoweth; and oh, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days, thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house forever.

The Blessing and Dismissal

Postlude Prelude by F. Chopin Catharine Dornin

We are all (including you!) called to be ministers to one another and to those around us

by participating in God’s work in the world.

Ministers participating in this service

Clergy The Rev. Kate Atkinson Director of Music Ministries Heather Maconaghy

Musicians Catharine Dornin, Larry Maconaghy Intercessor Cherie Foote

The flowers were given today in memory of Gypsy Bell Adam and Bruce and Nan Macquarrie

by Charlie and Carol Nelson

The Clergy, Staff, and Vestry of St. Paul’s wish you and your loved ones a blessed Easter season.

Would you like to make a gift to St. Paul’s via your credit card? St. Paul’s has partnered with Tithe.ly, a reputable mobile platform designed to help churches meet their fundraising goals. Donating via Tithe.ly is as simple as sending a text from your smartphone: 1) Text the word “give” to (603)786-7126

2) You will receive a text back from Tithe.ly immediately with a link.

3) Click on the link and make your donation via the credit card of your choice.

Note: You don’t even need to enter your 16 digit credit card number – your phone’s camera can scan the card and read the numbers for you.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 21 Centre Street, Concord, NH 03301

(603) 224 - 2523, office@stpaulsconcord.org , www.stpaulsconcord.org

A place to belong ~ Whoever you are ~ Just as you are