SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Episcopal Visit

The Right Reverend Alan M. GatesBishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts, Presiding

MAY 9, 2021

OUR MISSION STATEMENTSt. Stephen’s is an open and affirming Christian church worshiping in the Anglican tradition. Crossing lines of color, class, culture, and generation, we seek transformation of our lives and our community

through Christ’s Gospel of love, compassion, and justice.

74 South Common St., Lynn, MA 01902 T: (781)599-4220 Find us on Facebook www.StStephensLynn.orgThe Rev. Gregory Perez, Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Joseph NgothoThe Rev. Zachary Kinyua

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THE HOLY EUCHARIST

THE WORD OF GOD

Prelude: Be Still My Soul Bruce Beecroft

Processional Hymn: Earth and All the Stars 1982 Hymnal: 412

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Opening Acclamation: 1982 Hymnal: S-78

THE COLLECT FOR PURITYBishop Gates BCP, p. 355

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.

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Glory to God Canticle 20 1982 Hymnal: S-278

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THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY

Bishop Gates: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Bishop Gates: 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.

THE LESSONS

The Old Testament: Acts: 10: 44-48 Ginny Fuller

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

The word of the Lord. Thanks Be to God

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Psalm 98 Pam Alleyne

1 Sing to the LORD a new song, *for he has done marvelous things.

2 With his right hand and his holy arm *has he won for himself the victory.

3 The LORD has made known his victory; *his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5 Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; *lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6 Sing to the LORD with the harp, *with the harp and the voice of song.

7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *shout with joy before the King, the LORD.

8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *the lands and those who dwell therein.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth.

10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *and the peoples with equity.

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THE EPISTLE

The New Testament: 1 John 5: 1-6 Conrad Squires

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks Be to God

Gradual Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Lift Hymnal: 189

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The Gospel: John 15: 9-17 Bishop Gates

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

Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Christ.

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THE SERMON The Rt. Rev. Alan Gates

THE NICENE CREEDBishop Gates

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

+ MOTHER’S DAY PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE +

Ginny Fuller

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with youTo those who lost a child – we mourn with youTo those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate youTo those who walk the road of motherhood alone, we walk with you.To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with youTo those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you.

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To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need youTo those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with youTo those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with youTo those who lost their mothers – we grieve with youTo those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experienceTo those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midstTo those who have experienced abortion – we remember you on this dayTo those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to beTo those who step-parent – we walk with you on these complex pathsTo those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be – we grieve with youTo those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with youTo those who placed children up for adoption – we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heartAnd to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

AMEN

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+ THE PRAYER LIST +

We pray for the recently deceased: Joyce Palmer, Janet Lewis

We pray for the deceased in whose memory the altar flowers and candles are given to the glory of God: Gladys L. Haywood, Julia A. Callaway, Bertram & Jeanette Nottingham, John & Louise Cantrell, Alfred & Ann Nottingham, Pamela Marcin, Hazen Haddock , Mildred Stewart, Deceased Members of the Mother's Parish Aid Society

We pray for those who are in need of healing: Joanne Green, Larry Jenkins, Debbie Potter, Eldorna Blackman, Larry McLaughlin, Shyann Censullo, Daniel, Diana Brown, Mary Thomas, Virginia Guidara, Penny Perdue, Jonyce Smith, Geno Harris Family, Sharon Mazurek

We pray for Homebound Parishioners: Alice McFarlane, Debbie Pascucci, Elizabeth Leahy, Dan Gately, Robert Hunt, Marion Clark, Catherine Lule

THE CONCLUDING COLLECTBishop Gates

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGWe lift up all those celebrating birthdays

O God, our times are in your hands: Look with Favor, we pray, on your children as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and daily strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

THE PEACEBishop Gates

Bishop Gates: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.People: And also with you.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hallelujah! We Are Reopening!On Sunday, April 25th, the Vestry approved the recommendation by the Reopening Team to open the church to limited capacity of 75 on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021. At the end of this newsletter, you will see a Risk Acknowledgement and Waiver form which we ask that you fill out and sign if you are planning on attending church in person. Each household must pre-register in order to attend in person services at this time. The form has additional instructions that you should be familiar with prior to returning to the building. We will still provide virtual/on-line services each Sunday. Please fill in the form, sign and bring it with you on May 23rd.

Scholarships applications for high school college students are due June 1st. Request an application by emailing the Church office at ststephens@ststephenslynn.org. Scholarship Sunday will be June 13, 2021 at the 10 AM service. Attendance at this service is mandatory (Virtual or in-person, should we be open). (Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.)

Bible Study is scheduled each Wednesday at 6:30 PM to explore Paul’s Letter to the Romans. If you are interested in joining the group, please reach out to Rev. Greg for the Zoom link at gperez@ststephenslynn.org or 781-599-4220, Ext. 2.

The Women’s Group is schedule to meet on Sunday, May 9th at 12:30 at St. Stephen’s Church in the parking lot.

Diocesan Sung Compline: Each Friday at 8 p.m. the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston hosts Sung Compline via Zoom. The service features a brief reflection and music from churches being prayed for in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. The service also in-cludes remembrance by name of those who have died from COV- ID-19. To feature music from your church in an upcoming service, contact cathedral music director Louise Mundinger at lmundinger@ diomass.org. To volunteer to offer a 2-3 minute reflection, contact Dean Amy McCreath at amccreath@diomass.org. Names of those who have died of COVID-19 can be sent to   cathedral@diomass.org .

Public webinars to explore recently released Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Leadership: After two years and more than 1,300 surveys, the Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Leadership is now available to the wider church and public. The audit identifies nine patterns of systemic racism—ranging from the historical con- text of church leadership to current power dynamics—and it will be explored in three public webinars at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, May 11 (audit findings), June 1 (systemic racism patterns) and June 29 (next steps).

Offertory Hymn: Ave Maria, Schubert Soloist: Nadine Hickey14

THE OFFERTORY

Offertory Sentence: Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.

DOXOLOGY

Praise, God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharist Prayer A (From The Book of Common Prayer page 369)

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

Bishop Gates: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-where to give thanks to you, God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. 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:

Song of Praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord 1982 Hymnal: S-125

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Holy and gracious God: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Creator of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ 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 remembrance of me.”

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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.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O God, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever

AMEN

Pam Alleyne

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.

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THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Those who have previously received consecrated wafers can partake.

POST COMMUNION PRAYERBishop Gates

Let us pray,Almighty and ever living God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteriesthat we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, O God, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

EASTER BLESSINGBishop Gates

May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

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Recessional Hymn: O God Our Help In Ages Past 1982 Hymnal: 680

THE DISMISSAL

Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Postlude: Ye Holy Angels Bright Bruce Beecroft

Next week readings: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19, Psalm 1

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