Sixth Sunday after Easter, May 10, 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:
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 10
Prelude: Prelude on Brother James’ Air Searle Wright
Processional Hymn: Alleluia! Alleluia! Heart and Voices Heavenward Raise H191
Offertory Anthem: O Taste and See Arthur Sullivan
Communion Hymns: Lead Me, Guide Me L194
Creator of the Earth and Skies H148
Recessional Hymn: Ev’ry Time I feel the Spirit L114
Postlude: Prelude in Classic Style Gordon Young
The Collect
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,‘For we too are his offspring.’Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm 66:7-18
Please pray in unison at 8am; 10:30 sings the refrain only.
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs. (Refrain)
11 You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings
and will pay you my vows, *
which I promised with my lips
and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts
with the smoke of rams; *
I will give you oxen and goats.
14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, *
and I will tell you what he has done for me. (Refrain)
15 I called out to him with my mouth, *
and his praise was on my tongue.
16 If I had found evil in my heart, *
the Lord would not have heard me;
17 But in truth God has heard me; *
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *
nor withheld his love from me. (Refrain)
The Epistle: 1 Peter 3:13-22
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
The Gospel: John 14:15-21
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
All: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Deacon: The Gospel of the Savior.
All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
New Zealand Prayer Book's Lord's Prayer (As referenced in today's sermon)
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 for ever. Amen.
Announcements
Thank You Breakfast: As a way to celebrate all the wonderful volunteers who helped us get through Holy Week, our campus work day, and the Renewal of Ministry, we're having a parish-wide breakfast. As Jesus said, "Come and eat!" Join us in Mitchell Hall TODAY, May 10, at 9 am.
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!)
Musicians Wanted: It's that time of year! We invite all musicians to share their talents during the summer services (June through Labor Day). Professional ability is not necessary - just a joy of sharing music with others! If you would like to provide an anthem during one of our services, please email Mary Chapman at mchapman@holycommunion.net.
Theology on Tap: Currently 2nd Thursdays, starting on June 11, 6-8pm. Stay tuned for more details for our June 11, July 9 & Aug 13 dates. The Contemplative Prayer Group: has recently finished its current book and will be choosing another one soon. If you have ever wanted to join, this is the perfect time! We gather in the Vestry Room on Wednesdays at 7:15pm for one hour. Each gathering includes a 20-minute silent meditation, faith sharing, and comments on the book or video. Be still and know that God is here!
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Brenda Sol
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Chidi Ezenwa, Lydia Roesler
Torch Bearer: Luca Barbato
Readers: Lisa Hummel (8), Sherifa Olivia Bethune Jordan Houry (10:30)
Intercessor: Zachary Adams (10:30)
Announcements: Nancy Donohoo (10:30)
Greeters: Mark Willingham (8), Scott Ferguson (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Andrew Wasson (10:30)
Streamer: Fran Caradonna, Tyler Schwartz
