A morning service during the Covid-19 restrictions
3rd Sunday of Easter - May 1, 2022

Prelude: “Today I Awake” Text and music: John L. Bell (1949 - ). © 1989 WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland). Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission granted under One License #606702-A 

Christ our Passover
1 Corinthians 5.7–8; Romans 6.9–11; 1 Corinthians 15.20–22
Alleluia!
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
	but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia!
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
	death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
	but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
	and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia!
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
	the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
	by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, * so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia!

Crown Him With Many Crowns
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne: 
hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in our strife for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a sceptre sways
from pole to pole, that wars may cease, absorbed in prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end; and round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side,
rich wounds yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail through all eternity.
Text: Matthew Bridges (1800-1894) and Godfrey Thring (1823-1903) alt. Music: George Job Elvey (1816 -1893); Public domain.  Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission granted under One License #606702-A 

The Proclamation of the Word
Acts 9.1–6, (7–20)
				Psalm 30
					
1 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up *
	and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
	and you restored me to health.
3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
	you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
	give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
	his favour for a lifetime.
6 Weeping may spend the night, *
	but joy comes in the morning.
7 While I felt secure, I said, “I shall never be disturbed. *
	You, Lord, with your favour, made me as strong as the mountains.”
8 Then you hid your face, *
	and I was filled with fear.
9 I cried to you, O Lord; *
	I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
	will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
	O Lord, be my helper.”
12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
	you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
	O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever
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.

Revelation 5.11–14
John 21.1–19 A reflection on the readings (written by the Ven. Glen MIller)

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs
Come, let us join our cheerful songs with angels round the throne;
ten thousand thousand are their tongues, but all their joys are one.

“Worthy the Lamb that died”, they cry “to be exalted thus!
“Worthy the Lamb!” our lips reply, “for he was slain for us”

Jesus is worthy to receive honour and power divine;
and blessings, more than we can give, be, Lord, forever thine!

Let all creation join in one to bless the sacred name
of God who sits upon the throne, and to adore the Lamb!
Text: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), alt. Music: Henry Lahee (1826-1912); Public Domain. Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission granted under One License #606702-A 

Prayers (see litany below)
Parish Prayer cycle: Leanne White, James Wallace
Our prayers have been requested for: Thelma, Wendy, Vivian & Junior, Glenora,  the front line workers who continue to serve in the midst of this pandemic, our Archbishop Anne, the Parish of St. Stephen which includes: Church of the Redeemer, Rosseau, St. Thomas’, Orrville, 
St. Thomas’, Ullswater/Bent River, The Rev. Peter Simmons, The Rev. Dr. Cal MacFarlane (Hon.). We also give thanks for those who have recovered from their illnesses.

15 Easter
(In joy and hope let us pray to the source of all life, saying, “Hear us, Lord of glory!”)
That our risen Saviour may fill us with the joy of his holy and life-giving resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.							Hear us, Lord of glory!
That isolated and persecuted churches may find fresh strength in the Easter gospel, let us pray to the Lord.							Hear us, Lord of glory!
That he may grant us humility to be subject to one another in Christian love, let us pray to the Lord.									Hear us, Lord of glory!
That he may provide for those who lack food, work, or shelter, let us pray to the Lord.
									Hear us, Lord of glory!
That by his power wars and famine may cease through all the earth, let us pray to the Lord.
									Hear us, Lord of glory!
That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick, the weak, and the dying, that they may be comforted and strengthened, let us pray to the Lord.	Hear us, Lord of glory!
That he may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people, that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection, let us pray to the Lord. 		Hear us, Lord of glory!	

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion, forgive us our sins,
known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant:
Almighty God have mercy upon you (us), pardon and deliver you (us) from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you (us) in all goodness, and keep you (us) in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect of the day
O God, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

The Lord’s prayer
Rise Up, O Saints of God 

Rise up, O saints of God! From vain ambitions turn;
Christ rose triumphant that your hearts with nobler zeal might burn.

Speak out, O saints of God! Despair engulfs earth’s frame;
as heirs of God’s baptismal grace the word of hope proclaim.

Rise up, O saints of God! The kingdom’s task embrace;
redress sin’s cruel consequence; give justice larger place.

Give heed, O saints of God! Creation cries in pain;
stretch forth your hand of healing now, with love the weak sustain.
Commit your hearts to seek the paths with Christ has trod, 
and, quickened by the Spirit’s power, rise up, O saints of God.
Text: Norman O. Forness (1936- )© Music: William Henry Monk (1823-1889) Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission granted under One License #606702-A 

An Easter Blessing
May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you
may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Dismissal
Then may be said or sung,
Officiant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God!

Postlude: “Singing Songs of Expectation”, text: Bernard Severin Ingemann (1789-1862) tr. Sabine Baring Goulde (1834-1924), alt. Music: The Columbian Harmony, Cincinatti, 1825. Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission granted under One License #606702-A 

The text above is taken from the Book of Alternative Service published by the Anglican Church of Canada and used with permission. The words of the Hymns are all in public domain unless otherwise noted.