Fourth Sunday after Easter, April 26, 2026 (10:30 am)
All Scripture quotes from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible. Unless otherwise noted, all music reproduced under copyright license through RiteSong. Streaming permission for music in this service from ONE LICENSE (license #M-739297). All rights reserved.
The Liturgy of the Word
(Liturgy: Expansive Language Prayer C, from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.)
The responses of the people are in bold.
Prelude
Processional Hymn
SEE INSERT
Opening Acclamation
Officiant Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
People And blessed be God’s reign, now and for ever. Amen.
Gloria
(prayed together at 8, sung at 10:30)
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect of the Day SEE INSERT
(remain standing)
Officiant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Officiant Let us pray.
The Readings
(please be seated)
First Lesson SEE INSERT
Reader The Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm SEE INSERT
Reader Please join in singing the refrain, as I pray the Psalm. (prayed together at 8am)
The Epistle SEE INSERT
Reader The Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn (10:30 only, sung before & after Gospel)
The Holy Gospel
(please rise in body or spirit) SEE INSERT
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to ______.
All Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel Reading
Deacon The Gospel of the Savior.
All Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
Contemplative Silence
The Nicene Creed
(please rise in body or spirit)
Officiant Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Form VI, BCP
The Leader and People pray responsively
Leader In peace, we pray to you, God. For all people in their daily life and work;
All For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
Leader For this community, the nation, and the world;
All For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
Leader For the just and proper use of your creation;
All For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
Leader For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
All For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
Leader For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
All For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
Leader For Deon, our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers;
All For all who serve God in God’s Church.
Leader For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, including….
The People may add their own petitions
Leader Hear us, Lord;
All For your mercy is great.
Leader We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, including…
The People may add their own thanksgivings, silently or aloud.
Leader We will exalt you, O God;
All And praise your Name for ever and ever.
Leader We pray for all who have died, … that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
The People may add their own petitions
Leader God, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
All Who put their trust in you.
Concluding Collect
Officiant Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask: Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Confession is omitted during the Season of Eastertide.
The Peace
Officiant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements & Offering
(please be seated)
Blessing of Birthdays & Anniversaries
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 heart may your peace which passes all understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offertory Sentence
Officiant Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
The Liturgy of the Table
Offertory Hymn or Anthem SEE INSERT
Doxology(please rise in body or spirit, sung at 10:30 only) H380, vs. 3
The Great Thanksgiving
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant God of all power, Source and Sustainer of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
All Glory to you for ever and ever.
Celebrant At your command all things came to be: shining light and enfolding dark; the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
All By your will they were created and have their being.
Celebrant From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with the capacity for memory, reason, and skill. You made us the stewards of your creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
All Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
Celebrant Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your eternal Word, born of your servant Mary, to fulfill your Law, opening for us the way of freedom and peace.
All By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.
Celebrant And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
(Sung at 10:30 only)
Please rise or kneel, in body or spirit.
Celebrant 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, and gave it to his friends, and said,
"Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said,
"Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
All We celebrate Christ’s death and resurrectionas we await the day of his coming.
Celebrant Therefore, O God, we who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. Sanctify us also, and let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in Christ’s name.
All Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
Celebrant God of our ancestors; Redeemer and Mother of Israel; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only and not for strength; for pardon only and not for renewal.
Accept these prayers and praises, Almighty God, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray, using the language or version of our hearts,
Padre nuestro que estás . . . Our Father who art . . .
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
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Fraction
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Celebrant These are God's holy gifts, for you, God's holy people.
Deacon This is the table of company with Jesus. It is the table of sharing with the poor and lowly of the world, with whom Jesus identified.
Celebrant So come to this table you who have much faith or you who would like to have more; you who have been here often and you who have not been here in a long time. Come. It is Christ who invites you to meet him here.
People Amen. As the bread and wine are transformed, may we be changed into the likeness of Christ; bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, loving and caring in the world.
Communion Protocol
Everyone is welcome at God’s table. The Greeters will direct you to the altar rail and the host (bread) will be dropped into your cupped hands. When you move to the wine, you may either drink from the cup, or have your host dipped. If you require gluten-free, let the server know. If you prefer a blessing, cross your arms over your chest, and if you are unable to come to the altar rail, let an usher know, and we will bring communion to you.
Communion Hymns SEE INSERT
The Sending of Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs)
LEVs deliver communion to those unable to join us in worship. The supplies are often retrieved during the week, but, occasionally, we have the opportunity to offer our blessing with the following prayer.
Deacon In the name of Christ and this congregation, we send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
People We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup. Amen.
Post Communion Prayer
(standing or kneeling as able)
Celebrant Let us pray.
All Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
Recessional Hymn SEE INSERT
Dismissal
Officiant Let us… Alleluia, alleluia.
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
Postlude
INSERT:
Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 26
Prelude: Prelude on “St Columba” Healey Willan
Processional Hymn: Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain H199
Offertory Anthem: The King of Love my Shepherd Is
Communion Hymns: Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless H343
My Shepherd will Supply My Need H664
Recessional Hymn: Standin’ in the Need of Prayer L177
Postlude: Lobe den Herrn Johann Walther
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.
First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47
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
All: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters. REFRAIN
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 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. REFRAIN
5 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.
6 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. REFRAIN
The Epistle: 1 Peter 2:19-25
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.
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
All: Thanks be to God.
The Gospel: John 10:1-10
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
All: 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 Savior.
All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Announcements
Theology on Tap: Thursday, April 30 at Schlafly Bottleworks from 6-8 pm in the Crown Room. Order your favorite beverage, decide what to eat, and get ready for "real" conversation. This month, Mother Brenda will be inviting us to explore the twists and turns of our faith journeys. Please also come with ideas about how you'd like to see this gathering evolve.
Pick Up Choir: The last Pick Up Choir before Summer is Sunday, May 3! No experience needed; Come make a joyful noise! Email mchapman@holycommunion.net to sign up. Meet at 9:30 am in the Chancel for practice.
Adult ForumPrisoner Visitation & Support: On Sunday, May 3, join the group as Denise Carpenter speaks about the volunteer opportunities at PVS. View more info here: www.prisonervisitation.org
Renewal of Ministry/Rector Installation: Wednesday, May 6, 6pm. Bishop Deon will be here to officially install Mother Brenda as our rector and to lead us in renewing our commitment to the vital ministries of Holy Communion. Please bring a heavy appetizer or a dessert to share at the festive reception following the ceremony. Beverages will be provided.
Next Opportunity for Baptism: May 17, 10:30am. Please reach out to Mother Brenda if you or your child would like to be baptized that day: rector@holycommunion.net.
20s & 30s Ministry: Picnic on Art Hill, Sun, May 17 (after 10:30 worship). Email Heidi for details: ascending2truth@yahoo.com
Pysanky Egg Decorating Worskhop: Join Lydia Roesler at this amazing opportunity to learn the art of Pysanky Egg Decorating! Pysanky eggs are traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs, decorated using a wax-resist method, representing rebirth and spring. Beeswax is applied to eggshells, which are dipped in dyes from light to dark, creating intricate, symbolic, multi-layered designs. Email Darcy at office@holycommunion.net for the sign-up link. (Class dates: Fri, 5/15; Sat, 5/16, & Sun 5/17 at 7pm in Mitchell Hall – attend one, two, or all three classes!)
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Chester Hines
Celebrant: The Reverend Brenda Sol
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Singer: Tim Anderson
Crucifer: Rudy Walz
Readers: Michael Salsich (8), Robert Lewis (10:30)
Intercessor: Bradley Currey (10:30)
Announcements: Gloria Grenwald (10:30)
Greeters: Pat Redington(8), Carol Schmidt (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Marlene O’Brien (10:30)
Streamer: Lyle Barbato
