Bullentin, Sunday, May 29, 2022

May 27, 2022, 8:00 AM

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Helena, Arkansas

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 29, 2022

ASCENSION SUNDAY

THE HOLY EUCHARIST RITE TWO

Entrance Rite, Eucharistic Prayer B

The Word of God

“BCP” indicates pages in the red Book of Common Prayer.

“S” numbers refer to the front section of the blue Hymnal.

ENTRANCE HYMN We Come with joy to meet my Lord (H 304)

OPENING PROCLAMATION (BCP 355)

The people standing, the Celebrant says

Celebrant	Alleluia, Christ is risen.
People	The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia.

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 (S-280)

The following is sung, all standing

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.

Celebrant	The Lord be with you.
People	And also with you.
Celebrant	Let us pray.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

THE LESSONS

First Reading Acts 1:1-11

The people sit.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

¹In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning ²until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. ⁴While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; ⁵for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ⁶So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. ¹¹They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Reader	The Word of the Lord.
People	Thanks be to God.

Psalm Psalm 47

Remain seated and read responsively at the asterisk.

¹Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy.
²For the Lord Most High is to be feared; *
he is the great King over all the earth.
³He subdues the peoples under us, *
and the nations under our feet.
⁴He chooses our inheritance for us, *
the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
⁵God has gone up with a shout, *
the Lord with the sound of the ram’s-horn.
⁶Sing praises to God, sing praises; *
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
⁷For God is King of all the earth; *
sing praises with all your skill.
⁸God reigns over the nations; *
God sits upon his holy throne.
⁹The nobles of the peoples have gathered together *
with the people of the God of Abraham.
¹⁰The rulers of the earth belong to God, *
and he is highly exalted.

Second Reading Ephesians 1:15-23

The people sit.

A Reading from Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus.

¹⁵I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, ¹⁸so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. ²⁰God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. ²²And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Reader	The Word of the Lord.
People	Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn Christ is the world's true Light (H 542)

All stand.

Gospel Luke 24:44-53

All stand.

Priest	The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People	Glory to you, Lord Christ.

⁴⁴[Jesus said to his disciples,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
⁵⁰Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. ⁵¹While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; ⁵³and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Priest	The Gospel of the Lord.
People	Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon Rev. Teresa Cantrell

The Creed (BCP 358)

All stand.

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.

The Prayers of the People Form IV (BCP 388)

All remain standing or kneel.

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Let us remember Grace Food Pantry, Angels of Grace, and the Anchor Mission ministries.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We lift the people of Ukraine into your arms of love that they might find comfort, hope , and release from their suffering through your loving presence.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

LEM continues

ALL Pray

O God, who has blessed and sustained this parish through the years; we ask that you continue to lead us, stretch us, and direct us, in our search for a new rector. Raise for us, we pray, a priest and pastor who will boldly proclaim your Gospel, faithfully administer your sacraments, and serve your people with love and compassion, that we may continue to grow in the likeness of Christ and be a beacon of love and hope to our community and the world. To the glory of your holy Name. Amen.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession of Sin (BCP 359)

Celebrant says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People

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.

The Priest stands and says

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

All stand.

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

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

Announcements and birthday and anniversary blessings.

The Holy Communion

Offertory Sentence

The Celebrant says

Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts.

Offertory Music

The Great Thanksgiving (BCP 367)

The People remain standing.

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 him thanks and praise.

Facing the Holy Table, 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.

For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

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:

Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy (S-125)

Celebrant and People sing.

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.

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (BCP 368)

The People stand or kneel.

The Celebrant continues

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, 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 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.” Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory.

The Celebrant continues

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with St. Mark, St. John the Evangelist, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer (BCP 363)

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

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,

forever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Fraction (S-154)

All sing.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Celebrant says

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.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the wine are given to the communicants. The wine may be received in three ways: from the common cup, by Intinction (slightly dipping one’s wafer into the wine so as not to allow one’s fingers to touch the wine), and spiritually (crossing one’s arms over your chest until the chalice passes by).

Communion Music

Post-Communion Prayer (BCP 366)

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Almighty and everliving 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 mysteries

that we are living members of the Body of your Son,

and heirs of your eternal kingdom.

And now, Father, send us out

to do the work you have given us to do,

to love and serve you

as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Blessing

Post-Communion Hymn Alleluia! sing to Jesus (H 460)

Dismissal

Celebrant	Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People	Thanks be to God.

A Note on Today’s Readings

The Seventh Sunday of Easter—Year C

Welcome to our parish. Today we begin the final week of celebrating the victory Christ won over sin and death at Easter.

There were three aspects to that victory: Jesus’ resurrection, his ascension into heaven, and his sending the Holy Spirit. Last Thursday the church celebrated the Ascension and in today’s liturgy it is commemorated again. However, added to that is the theme of waiting for the Holy Spirit to come upon the church, empowering it for ministry.

Today’s gospel reading is a portion of the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus for all his followers. This prayer, which he offered on the night before his death, was fulfilled at Easter. That unity between him and us for which he prayed was accomplished in the resurrection, ascension, and giving of the Spirit. We become united in his Spirit and his love by means of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist.

In our reading from Acts today, we hear how powerfully God’s Spirit was at work in Paul and his friends. He and Silas were rescued from prison by an earthquake. As a result, the jailer was so impressed that he listened to their message, believed, and was baptized along with his family. The second reading is the concluding verses of Revelation in which the Lord’s promise to return is anticipated.

Today’s liturgy, then, looks forward to next Sunday when we celebrate God’s presence with us in the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s gifts to us, equipping us to make Christ known to all people.

Welcome to St. John’s. We are so glad you are here to worship with us today.

Please keep the following in your prayers: Debra Richardson, Kathy Sullivan, Courtney Turner, Kathleen Gibson, Cole Jefferies, Carol Spencer, Bonnie & Charles Rowland, Jo Liddy, Janet Juengel, Jim Howe, Cliff Clark, Sylvia Ross, Linda Dowling, Susan Taylor, Abigail Grace Fox, and Sarah Jones.

St. John’s continues to support the Angels of Grace and the Anchor Mission ministries.

Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.

Thank you for your donations. They are all greatly appreciated and needed.

Contact info:

Email: rector@saintjohnshelena.org

St. John’s Church Office:

Phone: 870-338-8115

Email: office@saintjohnshelena.org

Mailing address: P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 72342

Street address: 625 Pecan St., Helena, Arkansas

The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

The Rt. Reverend Larry R. Benfield, Bishop of Arkansas

Rev. Teresa Cantrell

The Vestry of St. John’s Church, Helena

Allison Biederman, Senior Warden (2022)

Ed Pat Wright, Junior Warden (2023)

Brooke Tappan, Clerk (2023), Tap Jennings (2023)

Mark Rogers (2022), Susan Carter (2022)

West Hornor (2024), Ned Pillow (2024)

Walter Morris, Treasurer

Pianist –Dagmar Bergan

Organist – Dr. Gabriel Statom

Lay Eucharist Minister & Acolyte – Mike Fielder

Ushers – Ben Pittman & Ed Pat Wright

Facebook Live – Julie Pittman

Altar Guild – Susan Carter

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God

and in thanksgiving for St. John’s Church family.