St. Paul’s Episcopal Church We are called to gather around the sacred story and table of Christ

where all are invited to be fed and everyone’s story matters. All are welcome, no exceptions!

THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 17, 2020

“All Guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.”

The Rule of St. Benedict

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ORDER OF WORSHIP

Please be mindful to keep your microphones muted during responses if possible

Priest Alleluia. Christ is risen. People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. Priest 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. Priest

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One People Have mercy upon us. The Collect of the Day Priest The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Priest Let us pray.

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The First Lesson

A Reading (Lesson) From the Book of Acts (17:22-31)

A Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.

B From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’

C Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. People Thanks be to God (Psalm to be read responsively breaking at the asterisk. Please mute your microphone) Psalm 66:7-18

7 Bless our God, you peoples; * make the voice of his praise to be heard;

8 Who holds our souls in life, *

and will not allow our feet to slip. 9 For you, O God, have proved us; *

you have tried us just as silver is tried.

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10 You brought us into the snare; * you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.

11 You let enemies ride over our heads;

we went through fire and water; * but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.

12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings

and will pay you my vows, * which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.

13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts

with the smoke of rams; * I will give you oxen and goats.

14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, * and I will tell you what he has done for me.

15 I called out to him with my mouth, *

and his praise was on my tongue. 16 If I had found evil in my heart, *

the Lord would not have heard me; 17 But in truth God has heard me; *

he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *

nor withheld his love from me. The Second Lesson A reading from the First Letter of Peter (I Peter 3:13-22) Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.

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For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. People Thanks be to God. The Gospel John 14:15-21 Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Priest The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ. The Sermon The Reverend Barbara A.T. Wilson

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The people say together—(Please mute your microphone)

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.

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The Prayers of the People

For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; we pray this week especially for the congregations in the Joliet Deanery: St. Joseph & St. Aidan in Blue Island, St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor, St. Clement in Harvey, St. Edward and Christ in Joliet and for our companion Diocese of SE Mexico and Renk: San Juan in Acayucan, St. James in Lathbior. For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

We pray for those who are sick, especially: Gail, Puzz, Toni, Dorothy, Margaret, David, Ed, Colleen, Lisa, Paul, Neil, Maddie, Edward Stephen, Jubilee, Tasha, Malachi, Damien, and Rosemarie, Bryce, Jim, Jan

(The People may add their own petitions)

For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and Jeff our Bishop all bishops and other ministers. For all who serve God’s Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation. (The People may add their own petitions)

Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. (The People may add their own thanksgivings)

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. (The People may add their own petitions)

The Peace

Priest Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

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An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. Please unmute your microphone for the Lord’s Prayer said together Priest And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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 Easter Blessing Priest The Wisdom of God, the Love of God and the Grace of God strengthen you to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world, in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

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Announcements for the Good of the Order Birthday God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants, as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Wedding Anniversary Gracious Creator: You blessed the marriage of two people with your love years ago. Amid the joys and struggles of their life you have preserved and strengthened the covenant between them; bless and renew that covenant now, increase your love in them, and strengthen their bond of peace, so that surrounded by their children, family and friends, they may always rejoice in the gift of their love for one another and for your enduring love that blesses their days together. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Travel O God, whose beauty and intention fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dismissal Priest Alleluia, alleluia. Let us go forth in the name of Christ! People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

*Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer for on-line use by the Congregation of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, DeKalb, Illinois

https://www.bcponline.org/ http://www.lectionarypage.net/ https://episcopalchicago.org/ http://www.stpaulsdekalb.org/ mthrbarbara@gmail.com

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Welcome to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church DeKalb, Illinois, Diocese of Chicago

Member of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist (temporarily suspended) Sundays 8:00 AM (spoken service); 10:30 AM (with music)

Child care for infants & young children is available Sundays 10:15 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. in the Nursery.

Currently – Zoom Liturgy of the Word on Sundays at 9:00 AM Zoom Compline on Fridays at 7:00 PM

Christian Education: Sundays: Christian formation classes for all ages.

Children meet in the St. Timothy Center, September-May Adult Formation meets in the Conference Room or Parish Hall

Currently – Zoom Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 900 Normal Road, DeKalb, Illinois 60115

Parish Office: 815-756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Website: http://www.stpaulsdekalb.org Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM (temporarily suspended)

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector;

Email: revbarbara@stpaulsdekalb.org Lynne Jacobson, MDiv, Pastoral Assistant

Susan King – Administrative Assistant Lorraine Langer, Director of Music, Hannah Buckle, Assistant Director of Music

Kathleen Johnson, Organist. Rick Johns, Treasurer. Jocelyn Prall - Sacristan

Julie Rogers, Brittany Altepeter, Karyn Perkins, Nursery Attendants

Our Wardens and Vestry Maureen Gerrity, Senior Warden, Gretchen Schlabach, Junior Warden

Rebecca Smith, Clerk, Terry Dickow, Donna de Oliveira, Bill Cummings, Jacob Maas

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Announcements

Join us for A Series of Occasions to Connect! Grace and Peace to you all in this strange time of "sheltering at home” and being compelled

for the sake of one another's health and well-being to avoid gathering for worship. We can make good use of this time by sanctifying it and offering it, and ourselves, souls and bodies, to God.

Let's consider this time as a true Sabbath from our usual busy-ness a time to listen and look

for God's Presence here. Our weekly series on our website includes a Lectionary Bible Study (via Zoom), Gospel reflections and more.

Meet Our new Assistant Director of Music

The St. Paul’s music program is excited to share that Hannah Buckle has been promoted to Assistant Director Music and will also continue as our church’s primary pianist and accompanist.

The Lobsters are Coming Later (maybe)!

Due to the ongoing covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, we have decided to postpone Lobster Boil until late summer or fall. Even under the most optimistic of scenarios, the committee felt that it would be impossible to put together a Lobster Boil for our scheduled date of May 16. We will reassess the situation as it develops in coming months. We also need to find a time when lobsters are available at a good price. Here is a website with some information on that: https://lobsteranywhere.com/seafood-savvy/best-time-buy-lobster/ . Discretionary Fund Collection and Food Pantry Giving Donations to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund can be mailed to St. Paul’s or can be sent using Realm. The Salvation Army Food Pantry has asked for financial help only during this time and you can check on their website on how to send help at https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/dekalb/

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Evenings of Taize Dear Friends in Christ, I hope this note finds you well and that you are discovering new and creative ways to cope with staying at home while keeping yourself and others safe. As wonderful as it is to gather together to worship through prayer and song please remember that as members of the Body of Christ, even when we are not together, we are still one body and each of us is precious in God’s sight. I encourage you to add the music of Taize to your prayer life and routines in an intentional way. If you haven’t already created a special space in your home for prayer may I suggest that you do? Light a candle, burn incense, read poetry, listen to the sounds of nature, breathe deeply and allow yourself to fall into, and meditate with, the simple songs of Taize. We will be sure to let you know when we resume our evening services. In the meanwhile, please pray for me as I pray for you. God’s Peace to you and to those in your loving care, Lynne Jacobson, MDiv., Liturgist/Pastoral Assistant For more information about St. Paul’s

Go to our website, www.stpaulsdekalb.org - to hear the Sermons, Announcements, Schedules, Mars Hill Newsletter, etc. The Church of St. Paul is on Facebook and Twitter! Like our page and sign up to follow us to get the latest updates on what’s going on!

St. Paul's is an affirming and inclusive Christian community!

Striving through worship, love and service to welcome all people just as God created you. No matter where you are on your journey of faith, and whether you are single, married, divorced, separated, or partnered, our welcome knows no boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic condition, physical or mental ability. We believe that God delights in the diversity of creation and so do we! All are welcome, no exceptions!

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Household Prayer: Morning

I give thanks for the gift of life and breath that is mine today in Christ.

Make me eager to do good and to resist evil, and grant me the wisdom to recognize the difference.

Fill me with your assurance in all I say and do that I may share the hope that is within me in gentleness and reverence of Christ. Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

O God, in whom I live and move and have my being, you hear me when I cry and listen to my prayer;

you set my feet on steady ground, you never leave me alone. As I rest in you tonight, sanctify my heart in Christ, and fill me with your strength, that I may rise to love

and serve you and greet another day. Amen.

A word about the Household Prayers: These prayers are printed on a page of their own so that you can tear them out and use them in your devotions at home. These prayers come from an anthology titled Feasting on the Word, that includes several liturgies for services. The prayers reflect the readings of the week, including special feast days.