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.

 

Gathering hymn       “Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord                                 From Blue Hymnal, 178, vs. 2 

 

 

The Collect of the Day 

Celebrant       The Lord be with you.

People            And also with you.

Celebrant        Let us pray.

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

 

  

The Lessons

 

The First Lesson:  Acts 1:6-14                                                                                                     

A Reading from the Book Acts:

When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. The Word of the Lord.                              

People     Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 (responsively, by half verse)

1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate him flee before him.

2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *
let them also be merry and joyful.

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;
exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *
YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!

5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, *
God in his holy habitation!

6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.

7 O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,

8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.

10 Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.

33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.

34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *
he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.

35 Ascribe power to God; *
his majesty is over Israel;
his strength is in the skies.

36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! *
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!

 

The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11                                                                                                                                         

A Reading from the Book of First Peter:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. The Word of the Lord.                                               

People      Thanks be to God.

 

 

Gospel Acclamation             “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia”                                From the Blue Hymnal 208

 

 

 

The Holy Gospel           John 17:1-11

Gospeller       The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People           Glory to you, Lord Christ

Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

”I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

Gospeller       The Gospel of the Lord.

People           Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

The Sermon            Rev. Anne

Anne’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   Redeeming God, you call us to devote ourselves constantly to prayer for the sake of Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us offer our prayers this day on behalf of your church and the world. We give thanks for the blessings of this life, for Matthew, and Andrea celebrating  their birthdays this week; and for Kristi & Clark marking their anniversary this week,, and those blessings you would name: [a time of silence]. Fill us with your Spirit’s power,

People    That we may be one with Christ, as Christ is one with you.

 

Intercessor   Rescuing God, parent of orphans and protector of widows, you give the desolate a home to live in and lead out the prisoners into prosperity. Help us to order the patterns of our common life to support the health of your human family and the welfare of your world. We pray especially for all affected by COVID-19, and for those situations you would name: [a time of silence].  Fill us with your Spirit’s power,

People    That we may be one with Christ, as Christ is one with you.

 

Intercessor   Steadfast God, you have given to your church the inheritance of faith in Christ and bestowed your Spirit’s love upon us to make us one in you. Help us to grow in strength and courage to witness to this hope, praying especially for our Bishops Susan and Jennifer, for our staff Fran, Anne, Susan, Walter, Joy, Mary, and Nicole, and for our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer in this time of social distancing we pray for: Students, Faculty, and Administrators at Diocesan Church Schools: Christchurch, St. Catherine’s, St. Christopher’s, St. Margaret’s, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, Stuart Hall; for Ascension Church in Beraud, Haiti and those whom you would name: [A time of silence], that all may find your saving love eternally in Christ. Fill us with your Spirit’s power,

People    That we may be one with Christ, as Christ is one with you.

 

Intercessor   Life-giving God, you send rain in abundance to relieve the parched crops and thirsty land and make clean the winds of heaven. Help us to find sustainable solutions as we seek to honor and care for the well-being of your creation [A time of silence]. Fill us with your Spirit’s power,

People    That we may be one with Christ, as Christ is one with you.

 

Intercessor   Loving God, you heard the sufferings of your people, listened to our cries, and sent a Son into our world that was no stranger to our pain. Help us to offer your healing and compassion as we minister to others in the mercy of your Christ. We pray especially for Mitzi, Ethan, Bishop Susan, Declan, Dick, Sally, Guy, Marco, David, Chris, Gail, Andrei, Jane, Thomas, Chris, Stephanie, Ally, Kait, Johnny, Emma, Cheryl, for those suffering from COVID-19, and those that you would name: [a time of silence]. Fill us with your Spirit’s power,

People    That we may be one with Christ, as Christ is one with you.

 

Intercessor   Resurrecting God, you draw near to those who are sick and dying, and you call them home to you. We remember before you all who have died, and pray for all who will die today, and those whom you would name: [A time of silence]. May we all know the joy of life eternal shared with you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People    Amen.

 

Kimberly Bracken Long. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost (pp. 168-170). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.

 

 

A Memorial Day Prayer
O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

 

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.

 

 

Offertory Hymn    “Have thine own way, Lord” , vv. 1 & 4                                              From LEVAS, 145 

 

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.

 

 

Closing Hymn         “See the Conqueror mounts in triumph”, v. 1                                From the Blue Hymnal, 215

 

 

The Dismissal

Celebrant       Let us go forth in the name of Christ, Alleluia, Alleluia!
People                 Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!

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