THE WORD OF THE LORD
Opening Acclamation
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Collect for Purity
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 Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant 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 Lessons
The First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47
A Reading from the Book 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. The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23 (responsively, by half verse)
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.
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.
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.
The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25
A Reading from the Book of 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. The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel John 10:1-10
Gospeller 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.”
Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon Liz DeNauw, Seminarian
Liz’s sermon will be posted here.
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:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
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 and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He 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
Intercessor Let us unite our hearts in prayer, saying, Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor Shepherding God, in a dangerous world, let us hear your voice and come and go through your gate. Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor We pray for the whole church, that we may be devoted to your Word and to universal fellowship, being generous to all who have need. We pray especially for our Bishops: Susan and Jennifer, for our staff: Fran, Anne, Susan, Walter, Joy, Mary, and Nicole, for our Seminarian: Liz, and for Diocesan Cycle of Prayer in this time of social distancing we pray for: Leeds (Markham), Christ Church (Charlottesville), Good Shepherd (Burke), Resurrection (Alexandria), and for Ascension Church in Beraud, Haiti, and those whom you would name. [A time of silence], Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor We pray for the earth, for green pastures and still waters, that we may restore them to the goodness and purity that they had at the time that you created them. [A time of silence], Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor We pray for the people of the world, their nations, and leaders, especially Donald our President and Ralph our Governor, that your wisdom and peace may govern all, so that no one will fear. [A time of silence], Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor We pray for all those in need, for those in want, those who are ill including Alex, Mitzi, Ethan, Bp. Susan, Declan, Dick, Sally, Guy, Marco, David, Gail, Andrei, Glenn, Dolly, Jane, Nancy, Thomas, Chris, those suffering from COVID-19, and those that you would name… [a time of silence] that we may be the banquet that you set before them as we anoint them, feed them, and comfort them in your name. Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor We pray for those who have died and those who will die today, especially victims of COVID-19 and those whom you would name [a time of silence]. Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor We pray for ourselves, our families, and those we love, and especially for Jan, Emily, and Dan celebrating their birthdays this week, for all marking an anniversary, and those whom you would name…. [a time of silence] May no one live in fear; may all dwell in your presence. Shepherding God,
People Hear our prayer.
Intercessor Blessed are you, Great Shepherd, who, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, gives us goodness and mercy, leads us down right paths, and restores our souls.
People Amen.
Kimberly Bracken Long. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost (pp. 149-150). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition, adapted by The Rev. Fran Gardner-Smith.
Intercessor: Together let us pray for St Thomas Church.
All: Almighty God, by your Spirit the whole body of your Church is governed and sanctified, hear our prayer for St Thomas, build in us a renewed vision of your Church; shape our life according to your will; empower us with the gifts to make us one that together we may grow as a church in the spiritual strength of community and reach out to include all people in Christ’s love, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
During this unprecedented time, giving is crucial to our health and viability. Please consider this a time of reflection and an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing ministries of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Contributions can be mailed to the church office (8991 Brook Road, McLean, VA 22102 ) or given online here. Thank you!
The Lord’s Prayer
Officiant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Officiant Let us pray.
Officiant and People
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The Blessing
Be of good courage, never be afraid
Because God who created you,
Is always with you
And loves you fiercely.
And may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ, Alleluia, Alleluia!
People Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Comments are closed.