The Second Sunday of Easter April 8, 2018 Our liturgy can be found in the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355. Prelude Hymn
Christ lay in death’s bonds #208 The Strife is o’er
George Bohm
The Easter Acclamation Alleluia! Christ is risen! 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.
Gloria in Excelsis
Barrie Cabena
The Collect of the Day Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 1
THE WORD OF GOD The First Lesson
A Reading from the Book of Acts (4:32-35)
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Reader: The Word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. Psalm 133
Oh, how good and pleasant it is when brethern live together in unity! It is like the fine oil upon the head, that runs down upon the beard, Upon the beard of Aaron, and runs down upon the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, that falls upon the hills of Zion. For there the Lord ordained the blessing: life for evermore. The Second Lesson
A Reading from the First Letter of John [1:1-2:2]
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you 2
also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Reader: The Word of the Lord. Response Thanks be to God. Sequence Hymn: #209 We walk by faith, and not by sight The Holy Gospel Response:
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John [20:19-31] Glory to You Lord Christ.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to You Lord Christ. The Sermon
The Rev. Adolfo Moronta
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 3
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. The Prayers of the People With thanksgiving for the gift of new life, and in hope that our risen Savior may fill us with the joy of his glorious and life-giving resurrection. Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for the gift of the Good News, and in hope that the church may find new life in the joyful mystery of the resurrection, especially through the leadership of our Presiding Bishop Michael, our Bishops Andrew, Allen, and Mary, our priests Judith and Adolfo, and the lay leaders of this congregation, Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for this community of Grace La Gracia, in hope that God may continue to renew us in his love and guide us in our preparations for a new Rector Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for the abundance we enjoy with our families and friends, and in hope that he may provide for those who lack food, work, or shelter. Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for the freedoms we enjoy, and in hope that by his power, war and famine may cease through all the world, Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for our health and in hope that he may reveal the light of his presence to comfort and strengthen those who are weak in body and soul, especially those we name silently or aloud Pause Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life, and in hope that he may enfold in his joyful presence those who have died, especially Edna and those we now name, silently or aloud, Pause Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior 4
In thanksgiving for the gift of faith, and in hope that God may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people, so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection, Let us pray to our Creator in Christ our Risen Savior Priest: O God, worker of wonders, you made this season for joy and gladness. Let the risen Lord abide with us always, set our hearts on fire, and open our eyes, so that we may see him at this table, the Christ now entered into glory, firstborn from the dead. Amen. The Peace Announcements Anthem
I know that my redeemer liveth I know that my redeemer liveth And that he shall stand At the latter day upon the Earth And tho’ worms destroy this body, Yet in my flesh, shall I see god. For now is Christ risen from the dead, The first -fruits of them that sleep.
Hymn
#205 Good Christians all, rejoice and sing
THE HOLY COMMUNION Eucharistic Prayer D The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing: Sanctus and Beneditus
Barrie Cabena
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Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation. Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new. And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all. When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you. 6
We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God. Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name. Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace. And grant that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and] all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN. The Lord’s Prayer At the Breaking of the Bread Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia.
Hymn #318
Here, O My Lord, I see thee face to face
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The Postcommunion Prayer Eternal God, by the power of your Word you created all things, and by your Spirit you renew the earth. Give now the water of life to all who thirst for you, and nourish with the spiritual food of bread and wine all who hunger for you, that our lives may bear the abundant fruit of your heavenly reign; through Jesus Christ, the first born from the dead. Amen. Sending forth of the Eucharistic Visitors: In the name of this congregation I 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. We who are many are one body because we share one bread, one cup. The Easter Blessing The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. Hymn #212 Awake, arise, lift up your voice
Postlude Fugue
Bohm
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Ministers of the Liturgy Celebrant & Preacher The Rev. Adolfo Moronta Assisting Priest The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Organist & Choir Director Peter Roberts Featured Soloist: Abigail Fischer, Soprano Lectors 8AM Stuart Madden, Mary Baker 10AM Jane Washington, Biff Henderson Intercessor: Jean Wilson Eucharistic Ministers 8 AM Oscar Bunche 10 AM Sandy McAllister, Andrea Spencer Acolytes 10 AM Rudye Breach, Anna Kristina O’ Hanlon, Vika O’Hanlon, Priya Kumar, Rohan Kumar, Aadi Kumar, Gabrielle Parkinson Ushers 8 AM Stuart Madden 10AM Ginger Grant, Lisa Daley, Hillary Fleming, Paxton Louis, Olivet Williams Eucharistic Visitors: Judith Hutton, Cecilia Peagler, Marie Barrow Coffee Hour Lipton & Yvonne Scarborough Assistant: Carole Lashley Nursery Care is available during the 10:00 AM service. If you are visiting with us for the first time, we welcome you to Grace Church! Our liturgy is found in the Book of Common Prayer. Our communion is open to all baptized Christians. Please take the time to fill out one of our visitor cards which the ushers have available. Your presence is a blessing to us; may our worship together be a blessing to you. Grace Church Prayer List: We hold the following people in prayer: KeAsia Boyles, Corine Bradley, Canon Percy Brathwaite, Bernice Burton, Inez Dale, Bill Dunphy, Cathy Dunphy, Sandra Esannason, Clara Harmon, Marie Huckabry, William Jackson, Jr., Ivy John, Trisha McGuiness, Canon Blake Rider, Gladstone Reid, Leroy Reid, Renee Reid, Uriel Reid, Norman Stanton, Susan Stanton, Laura Stix, Barbara Vigliotti, Stacey Vitale, Natasha Vodyanitskaya, Marthe Watkins, Barbara Wiggins, Charles Wiggins Bethel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: Verna Brown Cedar Manor, Ossining: Robert Auld Serving in the Armed Forces: Kenny Duffy, Denny J. Edmondson, David Packer, Sgt. Christopher Vigliotti, Gunnery Sgt. Les Yearwood. Please call the Parish Office or contact Sandy Gadsden McAllister if you would like to place someone’s name on our prayer list. Birthdays April 12 Andrea Robinson, Linda Heusser, Hyunjung Heffner, Vincent Orlando, Eric Woodberry, Christopher Carson, Aadi Kumar April 13 Yohannes Constable April 14 Ava Mariah Maughan Anniversary April 11 Karen Odom & Everett Dickson April 13 Laura & Robert Auld
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To the Grace Episcopal Church Family and Staff: The family of the late Lucille Wilson Breach can’t thank you all enough for your love, prayers and support during this difficult time. May our heavenly Father continue to bless you all. The altar flowers this week are given in memory of William (Bill) McAllister, Jesse Cooper, Earl Salahuddin and Georgia Commander.
Sundays in April Saturday April 7th 5 PM
First Saturdays at Grace: A Celebration of Creation
April 8th
11:30 AM 12:30 PM
Vestry and Search Committee Meeting - Library La Gracia Festival of Divine Mercy
April 15th
10:00 AM 11:15 AM
April 22nd
8 & 10 AM 4:30 PM
Family Service Parish Forum Hosted by the Building & Grounds Committee: Capital Improvements at the Church & Rectory Earth Day Celebration Downtown Music: 30th Anniversary Concert
April 29th
10:00 AM
Prayers for Healing THIS WEEK AT GRACE
12:05 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM
Tuesday- April 10th Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Book Club – Library The Search Committee – Parish Hall
Wednesday – April 11th 12:10 PM Downtown Music at Grace – Celebrating the 30th Season! 1:30PM-3PM Bible Study – Library 7:30PM-9PM Bible Study - Library Thursday – April 12th 12:05 PM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Friday – April 13th 7:00 PM La Gracia Bible Study Saturday- April 14th 1PM to 5PM Library Rental 5PM to 9PM Parish hall Rental
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Announcements for the Week of April 8, 2018 What’s New This Week? Today La Gracia will celebrate the Festival of Divine Mercy, a major liturgical feast held on the Sunday after Easter. It originated in Poland and is a major feast in the Dominican Republic and other Latin cultures. On this day Jesus proclaims unlimited mercy for all souls, a mercy made possible through the cross and the resurrection. In the icon of Divine Mercy, Jesus holds his left hand to his heart, from which shine streams of red and white light like the water and blood streaming from the wound in his side. With his right hand he blesses all who come to him. In granting absolute forgiveness, the resurrected Christ offers refuge for all souls and calls upon us to grant mercy to each other. Today’s service begins with a procession down Church Street to the church; it will be followed by a dinner, and it will conclude at 3 pm with prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. Tuesday April 10th: Book Club discussion: Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Interested in joining the book club? Contact Karen Odom at
[email protected]. Wednesday April 11th: 1:30-3 pm & 7:30-9 pm: Bible Study on the Book of Acts [Chapters 1-4] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has invited Episcopalians to share a study of the Book of Acts during the weeks between Easter and Pentecost. We will follow the outline and reflections in A Journey Through Acts, ed. Marek Zabriskie (Forward Movement, 2018), which is available on Amazon and from the publisher. Thursday April 12th: Lifting up Westchester Oasis of Hope Gala This event is sold out for 2018! Many thanks in advance to those of you who will be attending this event. For those of you who may want to support the work of LUW, please see Joe Gallo for information regarding donations for this event. The money raised will be used to support many of the important programs run by LUW. Thanks again! Next Sunday - April 15th: Parish Forum on Building and Grounds Walter Simon and Michael Heffner will give a presentation on the funding for major renovations in the Church building, the Rectory, the Stained-Glass Windows Project, and the Organ. Registration is now open: April 21st Diocesan Training for Eucharistic Visitors & Eucharistic Ministers to be held at Grace Church. Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors whose licenses have expired or who are not licensed, will have an opportunity to attend this bilingual training here at Grace Church / La Gracia from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. The cost of the training session is $25.00 payable at the time of registration or at the door on the day of training. Please speak with Rev. Lee or Fr. Adolfo for scholarship assistance. Click on the following link to register for the training session: https://www.dioceseny.org/ednyevent/eucharistic-ministereucharistic-visitor-training-2-2/.If you have questions about the training session or need additional information, please contact Sandy Madsden McAllister at
[email protected]; 914-923-3033 or Arlene Bullard at
[email protected]; 212-932-7363. Please see Rev. Lee or Fr Adolfo if you are thinking of joining this ministry. Join Today! chatwith-grace A new Snapchat group chat for J2A/ High school teens* connected with Grace/La Gracia. Share snaps, be creative, feel connected, tell stories etc. *chatwith-grace will be monitored by an adult.
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Sign up Now ! Annual Spring Brunch at La Bocca on May 20th 11:30 am-1:30 pm The Grace Church Welcome Committee welcomes you to Spring Brunch at La Bocca on Sunday, May 20th from 11:30am –1:30pm. The cost will be $40 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free. Payments are due by May15th. Reserve your place by April 29th. Please see Ella Fitzgerald after the 8am service or Sylvia Simon after the 10am service. Looking Ahead April 22nd: 4:30 PM Downtown Music 30th Anniversary Concert: Three Concertos and A World Premiere A World Premiere of work for orchestra and narrator, commissioned and narrated by Robert Sherman, caps this anniversary celebration. A gala reception follows. April 30th: 7 – 10 PM Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Training: Grace Church will host this training for leaders, teachers, and liturgical ministers from local churches. This course incorporates the latest science and teaches one how to respond to breathing (choking) and cardiac emergencies to help victims of any age - adults (about 12 years and older) and pediatric (infants and children up to 12 years of age). Those who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate for Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED valid for two years. The cost will be $50. You may register online at www.gracechurchwhiteplains.org, or contact Marisol Ortega, or call the parish office. May 5ht - First Saturdays at Grace: We will observe Cinco de Mayo w Eucharist with a the garden with Latin music. May 6th: Parish Forum with Anahaita Kotval, Executive Director of Lifting Up Westchester Anahaita Kotval will preach at the 10 AM service and will lead a discussion at a parish forum after the 10 AM service. She will also speak with the congregation at the 8 AM and 12:30 PM services . September 7 & 8 – Parish Retreat: Be Filled with The Holy Spirit How would you like to transform your life? Nourish your spiritual life and find the purpose you’re been seeking? October 28th – Bishop’s Visitation: Bishop Dietsche will make his triennial visitation to Grace La Gracia. Watch for more news. General Information: Note: In upgrading our Microsoft software, some email addresses were inadvertently deleted from our database. If you know anyone who is not receiving parish emails, please ask them contact Maria Campos at
[email protected] or 914-949-2874. Paying Pledges by check or online We now offer the opportunity to pay your pledge through PayPal on our website (www.gracechurchwhiteplains.org/Giving). If you pay by check, please note the current posted date and write your pledge number on the memo line. To arrange automatic payments of your pledge, please contact Maria Romeo in the parish office (
[email protected]). Counters There is an urgent need for counters. The task is not difficult. You will be a member of a two-person team and are only required to count once a month after church service. The task usually takes less than an hour of your time. We especially need individuals familiar with Excel. For more information please contact Jim Brown at
[email protected].
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