Hybrid Church, May 7 2023 Fifth Sunday of Easter, Presider: The Rev. Deborah van der Goes

“Lift every voice and Sing” 

Augusta Savage 1892-1962 Vanderbilt Divinity Library

 

Hybrid Church, May 7 2023, Fifth Sunday of Easter

Presider: The Rev. Deborah van der Goes

Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Welcome & Announcements

Whether you are gathering in person, on zoom or worshipping at home with the bulletin, welcome! We are one community, one in the body of Christ. 

Centering & Stillness                                                                                               

One:  As we follow the sound into silence, there we meet God. (bell)

(silence)

Introit

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” or for a better translation, Jesus said “I AM Way, Truth, Life”.                                             

The Paschal Candle is Lit (sung 3x)

One:  The light of Christ!

All:    Thanks Be to God 

Greeting
One:  Lord, open our lips

All:    and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One:  O God make speed to save us.

All:    O Lord, make haste to help us.

All:    Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 

          as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. 

          Amen. Alleluia!

Opening Words                                                               

One:  Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed: O come let us worship

All:    Alleluia! Amen.            

Hymn: Come, O Fount of Every Blessing   VU #559

Theme Prayer (the “collect” which collects the theme of the day)               

One:  Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

All:    Amen

(time to reflect)

Passing of the Peace

One:  The peace of Christ be with you! 

All:    And also with you!

You are invited to turn to those directly around you and share Christ’s peace. Those on zoom, please unmute and share with one another.

The Word

Reader: By the gift of your Spirit, calm and quiet our souls that we may hear your Word today and be lifted up to walk with you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60 (NRSV)  Reader:            Nancy Hetherington Peirce

But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16   Reader: Nancy Hetherington Peirce

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;

   do not let me ever be put to shame;

   in your righteousness deliver me.

Incline your ear to me;

   rescue me speedily.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

   a strong fortress to save me.

You are indeed my rock and my fortress;

   for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,

take me out of the net that is hidden for me,

   for you are my refuge.

Into your hand I commit my spirit;

   you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

My times are in your hand;

   deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

Let your face shine upon your servant;

   save me in your steadfast love.

Gospel Reading         Reader: Deborah van der Goes

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel. 

Reader: God be with you.  

All: And also with you

Reader: The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to John

All: Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

John 14:1-14 (NRSV)

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.        

Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

All: Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection:     Jesus – Way, Truth, Life

Silent Reflection

Hymn: Come, My Way, My Truth    VU #628

Creed         (from Creating Uncommon Worship by Richard Giles adapted DvdG)

Let us affirm our faith . . .               

We believe and trust in God our Creator. 

We believe and trust in Jesus the Christ. 

We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit. 

We believe and trust in the Three in One.

Offering Invitation (as offerings are gathered, music is played)

One:  Let us gather our offerings        

Doxology (as the offerings are brought forward we sing)                           CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Offering Prayer                                            

One:  Gracious God, you show us your Way and give us your divine life.

All:    May everything we do…. be begun, 

          Everything we do…. be directed, 

          we do…. be completed in You

          …for you are our Way, our Truth and our Life. Amen.

Prayers of the People            Mona Smart                                                                                                                                                 

One:  God of Compassion and Love,

All:    Hear Our Prayers

 

The Prayer of Jesus (sung)                                                                     VU #959

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.

Hymn: Walk With Me        VU #649

Thank You

Blessing                                                                                

One:    May the God bless you and keep you.

All:      Amen.

One:    May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. 

All:      Amen.

One:    May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace.

All:      Amen.

One:    And may God bless you all; Creator, Word, + Spirit 

All:      Amen.

Dismissal

One:    Go in Peace; remember the poor.

All:      Amen, Alleluia!