Sunday April 18 (Easter 3)

Community Gathers: Welcome & Land Acknowledgment

Opening Hymn: #207 At the Lambs High Feast We Sing
At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who has washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him whose love divine
gives his sacred blood for wine,
gives his body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
paschal victim, paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from the sky,
pow'rs of hell beneath thee lie;
death is conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
hymns of glory and of praise,
risen Lord, to thee we raise;
holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

This, our gift of Easter joy,
sin alone can now destroy;
from sin’s power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Father, unto thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to thee,
With the Spirit, ever be.

Officiant Opening Prayer:
Psalm 149 1 Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; * sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
Alleluia! The Lord has risen indeed: O come, let us worship.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

And also with you

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 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

Jubilate Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age. *** Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Confession
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor (silence is held)
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Readings: (Anne Johnson)
1st Lesson: Acts 3:12-19
The PSALM 4    REFRAIN: You have put gladness in our heart
2nd Lesson: 1 John 3:1-7

Gospel Hymn: #61 As We Gather at Your Table
As we gather at your table,
As we listen to your word,
Help us know, O God, your presence;
Let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
Till we claim it as our own;
Teach us through this holy banquet
How to make Love’s victory known.

Turn our worship into witness
In the sacrament of life;
Send us forth to love and serve you,
Bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion
To forgive as you forgave;
May we still behold your image
In the world you died to save.

Gracious Spirit, help us summon
Other guests to share that feast
Where triumphant Love will welcome
Those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us
Nor will pride our peace destroy,
As we join with saints and angels
To repeat the sounding joy.

The Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48

Reflection:

The 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, & the life everlasting. Amen.

The Offertory: God of grace, you have freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Accept all we offer you this day, and strengthen us in the new life you have given us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayers of People (Tim Ray)

A Prayer for Families Almighty God, our heavenly Creator, who places us in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from us, we ask you, every root of bitterness, the force of ego, and the pride of life. Fill our homes with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in marriage, have been made one flesh. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent love among us all, that we may evermore be gracious and kindly one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (spoken in our mother tongue)

A Collect: Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ's blessing, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Closing Hymn: Let There Be Peace On Earth
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

Blessing

Dismissal

Rev. Alastair’s Sunday Quote: “Humility is the surest sign of strength”. ~Thomas Merton

Thank-you for your continued prayers and support of our parish ministry here at St. John’s. If you’d like to give financially please contact the office at 250-334-4331 or visit https://www.sjtdcourtenay.ca and click on the “Donate” tab.