St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

In the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina

First Presbyterian Church, Topeka, Kansas “Ascension” WindowLouis Comfort Tiffany Studios, 1911Sunday, May 13, 2018

The Seventh Sunday of EasterCommemoration of the Ascension of the Lord

2

To Know Christ and to make Christ known…St. Paul’s invites all people to the Christian Way of unity with God and

neighborthrough a welcoming environment of worship and ministry

Please enter the church in silence so that all may have quiet time to prepare hearts and minds for worship.

The Holy EucharistVoluntary Agincourt Hymn (A hymn of glory let us sing) John DunstableIntroit Christ be with you Barry Rose

Christ be with you, Christ within you, Christ beside you, Christ to win you, Christ to comfort and restore you. Christ above you, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all who love you, Christ in mouth of

friend and stranger.

The Word of GodProcessional Hail the day that sees him rise

Hymnal 214 The Celebrant says to the people: Book of Common Prayer 355

Alleluia. Christ is risen.People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.Celebrant and PeopleAlmighty 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.Song of Praise Glory to God Hymnal S278

3

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord.You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Collect of the Day BCP 226The Celebrant says to the people:

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 people may be seated.)

A Reading from Acts (1:15-17, 21-26) In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a

4

guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.Reader The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

(Silence for reflection upon the reading.)

Psalm 1 BCP 585

ANTIPHON1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of

the wicked, *nor lingered in the way of sinners,nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2 Their delight is in the law of the LORD, *and they meditate on his law day and night.

5

(Antiphon: choir and congregation, verses of

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *everything they do shall prosper. ANTIPHON

4 It is not so with the wicked; *they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, *but the way of the wicked is doomed.ANTIPHON

A Reading from 1 John (5:9-13)If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.Reader The Word of the Lord.People Thanks Be to God.Hymn to Announce the Gospel Hail, thou once despised Jesus! Hymnal 495The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to John (17:6-19)

6

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.Jesus prayed for his disciples, “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. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.The Sermon The Rev. Dena Whalen

7

The Nicene Creed BCP 358We 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.The Prayers of the People (Form III) BCP 387Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;That we all may be one.Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;That your Name may be glorified by all people.We pray for Rob, our bishop; Dena, our rector; Kay, our deacon; Richard, our priest associate; Adam, our new assistant to the rector, and his family, Laurie, Aleea and

8

Hazel; St. Paul’s, Greenville, the Rev. Robert Hudak, rector, the Rev. Andrew Cannan, associate rector; the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding; Bishop staff of The Episcopal Church Center; and all bishops, priests, and deacons;That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.We pray for Donald, our president; Roy, our governor and all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;That there may be justice and peace on the earth.Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;That our works may find favor in your sight.Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;That they may be delivered from their distress.Give to the departed eternal rest;Let light perpetual shine upon them.We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.On this Mother’s Day we give thanks for our mothers and for the sacred vocation of motherhood;That this world may be nurtured and protected by motherly love.Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.SilenceIn our parish we pray for those on our parish prayer list: Ed, Nancy, John, Karen, Earl, Mary, Dot, Jackie, Audrey, Jere, Eleanor, Barbara, Richard, Barb, Bob, David and Pat, and those friends of the Parish listed in the bulletin. (Pause)The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

9

The PeaceCelebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.People And also with you.

The Holy CommunionOffertory Anthem Psalm 47

J. Davy (Text found on page 650 of the Book of Common Prayer.)

Congregational Response (The people stand)

10

The Great Thanksgiving 11

BCP 361 Please turn to page 361 in the red Book of Common Prayer for the complete Eucharistic Prayer AThe people stand. The Celebrant sings or says:

Celebrant The Lord be with you.People And also with you.Celebrant Lift up your hearts.People We lift them to the Lord.Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.People It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth…Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:Holy, holy, holy Lord: S128 Mathias

(The people stand or kneel)12

Then the Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us

for yourself …

The Celebrant and people continue BCP 362-363The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364The Breaking of the Bread A period of silence is kept.

Fraction Anthem S155 Near

Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Communion of the People

During the season of Easter it is customary to stand when receiving communion or a blessing.

All are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the altar. For the bread, place one hand over the other and hold them up chest high so the minister can easily place the bread on the palm of your hand. You may then consume the bread or hold it to dip (intinct) into the wine and then place it in your mouth. If you wish to receive the chalice, please guide it to your lips. If you do not wish to receive the wine, indicate by crossing your arms. After you have received the bread and the wine, it is appropriate to say “AMEN.” Gluten free communion bread is available. Ask the priest.

13

Communion Music Agnus Dei (Short Communion Service)

Adrian BattenO Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: Grant us thy peace.

When Christ was lifted from the earth Hymnal 603Alleluia 7 Taizé

After Communion, the Celebrant says Let us pray.People: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.The Celebrant pronounces a blessing to which the congregation responds, “AMEN.”Processional Jesus shall reign where’er the sun

Hymnal 544Dismissal

The Deacon dismisses the people, to which they reply: 14

Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!Voluntary Prelude in C minor Felix Mendelssohn

Our worship is ended; let our service begin.

Music at St. Paul’s

BRITISH CHORAL MASTERPIECES: The Choir of St. Paul's will sing Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs (featuring DeMar Neal, baritone) on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 PM.  The concert is free.

ANNOUNCEMENTS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – 9:20 – 10:20 a.m.

LARGE PRINT BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER: Thanks to a generous donor, several large-print Books of Common Prayer are available in the Narthex.UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO) SPRING INGATHERING: Today our UTO Blue Boxes and offerings will be collected. These offerings are given in thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings and challenges. They join the UTO collections from Episcopal churches across the USA to become a large grant fund that is available to us all. (Checks for UTO should be made payable to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and marked for “UTO”.) For more information about the United Thank Offering go to www.episcopalchurch.org/uto.

Our new Assistant to the Rector, Adam Pierce will be ordained as a transitional deacon on Saturday, May 19 at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern at 10:30 a.m. His ordination to the priesthood will take place six months later here at St. Paul’s. If you would like to attend, Merry Ann Wright (703-407-

15

0132) is organizing carpools.

JUNIOR WARDEN’S MESSAGE: Hello! My name is Keith Calder, a cradle Episcopalian, a native Wilmingtonian and an active member here since 1991. The Jr. Warden is no longer responsible for Buildings and Grounds; I am now "The People's Warden". I want your questions, comments, concerns and anything else on your mind concerning St. Paul's. I remain extremely excited to help define this new role but cannot do so without interaction with you. If I do not hear from you, then don't be surprised if you hear from me. Faithfully yours, J. Keith Calder keithcalder28405@gmail.com 910-233-2200311-4B Judges Road Wilmington, NC 28405THE STEWARD’S CORNER: I often awaken in the morning with a hymn or spiritual running through my mind. This morning it was “Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove, stay right here with us filling us with your love. And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise; without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived, when we shall leave this place.”I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for “this place,” St. Paul’s – the Body of Christ, the community of faith to which I belong. Every day I am thankful for the many gifts in the St. Paul’s family:

Wonderful worship and glorious music Pastoral care and parish life Outreach and community relations Good cooks and terrific artists and fabulous knitters Hospitality and welcome for new and old alike Clergy and staff Faithful folks and seekers of the Way Prayers and cares.

And that just names a few. I am blessed to be in Christian Community, sharing and receiving Gods bountiful love and grace

16

through Christ’s reconciling, embracing, saving love. And I am energized by God’s lively call to us to grow as disciples, to grow in praise and worship, to grow in service, and to grow in our ministries – within St. Paul’s and to our community.Wednesday night we had a wonderful potluck gathering to talk about the opportunities emerging for the Ormond Center, the arrival of our new assistant to the Rector, and the first elements of developing a facilities master plan. God has blessed St. Paul’s with renewed vitality and is urging us to live fully and actively into God’s dream for us.In the months ahead, I hope that each of us will participate actively as we plan for a new era of ministry and mission at St. Paul’s. It is an exciting and challenging and wonderful time for us as we increase our discipleship, share the Good News of God in Christ, engage in community ministry and follow God’s call in our individual lives and our lives as the Body of Christ that is St. Paul’s. The Holy Spirit is right here with us – filling us with love, blessings and new opportunities to love and serve Christ.

Prayer List In our parish… People requesting prayer

ED ABLARDFR. JOHN CAWTHORNE

EARL CRAIGKAREN DEJARLDMARY EDWARDSJACKIE HICKMAN

AUDREY LEWISJERE LEWIS

ELEANOR MORTONBARBARA O’ROURKE

BARB SCALIABOB SCALIA

PAT WHITEHEAD

DOUG CRAFTSSALLY DROHAN

MICHAEL DROHANJIM SORRENTI

17

WEEKLY CALENDARMO NDAY 5/14 VESTRY 5:30 PM

TUESDAY 5/15 STUDY GROUP LIBRARY 7:30 AMEDUCATION FOR MINISTRY LIBRARY 6:00

PMWEDNESDAY 5/16 STAFF 10:00 AM

DEACON’S OFFICE HOURS 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

HOLY EUCHARIST CHURCH12:10 PM

CHOIR SCHOOL 6:00 PMADULT CHOIR 7:00 PM

THURSDAY 5/17 GENTLEMEN OF NOBLE POVERTY 8:30 AMFRIDAY 5/18 MEN’S BIBLE STUDY PARISH HALL 7:45 AM

FAITHSHARE LIBRARY 10:00 AMSATURDAY 5/19 ALTAR GUILD SACRISTY 9:00 AM

18

Ministry Schedule

May 13 – 7 Easter / Mothers’ Day

May 20 – The Day of Penetcost

8:00 Greeter Linda Collette Judy Wilson8:00 Lay Ministers Merry Ann Wright MJ GiammariaBreakfast

Chefs Bill Baker, Donny Cardwell Tom Ballard, Bob CraftsAltar Guild Group 4 Group 5

Bread Bakers Anne Freeling Valerie DeJarld

Flower Guild Anne Laudati Merry Ann WrightGreeters Ron & Linda Morgan, Trish

ArnoldBarbara Bucci, Sonja Perkins, Trish

ArnoldHospitality Men’s Group PinkIntercessor Peggy Thompson Trish Arnold

10:30Lay

Ministers

Herb Gant, VergerLectors: David Heath, Marie

Ashworth, Lynda MillerEMs: Carolyn Demorest, Cy

OberleAssisting Minister: Don Brainard

Crucifer: Richard LaudatiGospel Book Bearer: Leon Tillery

Children’s Chaplain: Keith Calder

Herb Gant, VergerLectors: Judy Farri, Kathryn Hedgepeth,

Cleve CallisonEMs: Bob Swindell, Chip CarterAssisting Minister: Leon TilleryCrucifer: Royster Hedgepeth

Gospel Book Bearer: Cy OberleThurifer: Jeffrey Hughes

Children’s Chaplain: Richard Rhoads

Ushers Chris & Silas Coudriet Mac Umphlett, Phillip YatesVestry Jan Vick Barbara Bucci

Celebrating May Birthdays5/02 Miriam Oehrlein 5/03 Olivia Geisler

5/04 Teresa Sorrenti, Turner Wortham5/07 Em Rivenbark5/09 Karla Blinn, Mary Farris, Lynda Miller 5/10 Matt King5/11 Anne Freeling 5/12 Thomas Patz, Deborah Zackman5/15 Roxann Lansdowne 5/21 Keith Calder 5/22 Barbara

Trounson5/25 Eleanor Letson 5/28 Catherine Halecki 5/29 William

Moseley5/30 Nancy Singleton 5/31 Nancy Bobo, Jim Summey

A Warm Welcome to Everyone!Thank you for worshiping with us today. If you are new to St. Paul’s, please fill out a Guest card and place it in the offering plate or give it to the greeter or an usher. We invite you to join us following the 8:00 a.m. Eucharist for breakfast in the parish hall. For those attending the 10:30 service, please stay for the reception also in the parish hall. Please come to St. Paul’s again.

Would you like to know more about St. Paul’s?The first Sunday of each month, we host a coffee for all who would like to learn more about St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Participation does not commit you to church membership, but it is an opportunity for you to explore the life and ministry of St. Paul’s.The coffee will be held in the library immediately after the 10:30 worship. Hope to see you there!

19

Want to be included on our e-mail newsletter? Fill this out and place it in the offering plate, or fill out a guest card and let us welcome you

properly!

Name:

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church16 North Sixteenth Street

Wilmington, North Carolina 28401www.spechurch.com (910) 762-4578

Bulletin submissions: bulletin@spechurch.com (Deadline Thursdays, 12:00 p.m.)

E-news submissions: e-news@spechurch.com (Deadline Wednesdays 5:00 p.m.)

The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving, BishopThe Rev. Dena Whalen, RectorThe Rev. Deacon Kay Swindell

The Rev. Richard Banks, Priest AssociateRonnie D. Wise, Director of Music and Organist

Richard Rhoads, Assistant Director of Music and OrganistCarl Samet, Parish Administrator

Greg Bushman, Facilities ManagerDiane Matz-Kane, Bookkeeper

Brent Erway and Walter Alonzo, SextonsSt. Paul’s Vestry

Twink Barr – Children & YouthBarbara Bucci – MembershipKeith Calder – Junior WardenJoe Farri – Christian FormationHerb Gant – Worship

Steve Haughey – Buildings & Grounds

Royster Hedgepeth – StewardshipRichard Laudati – Parish Life

20

Want to be included on our e-mail newsletter? Fill this out and place it in the offering plate, or fill out a guest card and let us welcome you

properly!

Name:

Sue Sramek – Pastoral CareRick Thayer – Community Ministry

Jan Vick – Ormond CenterSpencer Weig – Senior Warden

Treasurer: Bob SwindellClerk: Merry Ann Wright

21