Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2026

 

You are welcome to print this liturgy at home and bring it with you on Sunday.

 

Opening Acclamation
Let us hear our Lord’s blessing on those who follow him:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be consoled.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be satisfied.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Collect for Purity
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
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.

Processional

Song of Praise

The Collect of the Day from A Prayer Book for Australia (1995)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

O God, whose Son is the good shepherd, send us out as shepherds to seek the lost, to heal the injured and to nurture all with grace and compassion; through Jesus, who calls each by name. Amen.

First Lesson Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 23

Glory Be to the Father, and to the *Son,
and to the Holy *Spirit.
As it was in the be*ginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. A*men.

Second Lesson 1 Peter 2:19-25

For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

The Gospel Reading John 10:1-10

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Gospel Acclamation

Homily


A Creed from the United Church of Canada
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.

We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil,  to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

The Prayers of the People
by Rev. Terri Pilarski

For all the blessings of this life, we give thanks to you, Creator God. For families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers, who nurture us, that the love of God may grow within. That your love, your Word, like a seed, may grow to produce in us, good fruit.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For the leaders of various nations and cities, that they may lead with strong hearts and gentle hands and generous spirits, with compassion and mercy, with wisdom and grace. May they reflect your will guiding all their actions and decisions.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who serve in harms way, those who live in dangerous places, those who live in areas of war and strife, those who live in fear, those who worry about employment, bills, food, and struggle just to find dignity in life. May your grace bring peace and safety to all people, one to another.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who suffer from any illness or dis-ease of mind, body, or spirit: Restore these, and all those we carry in our hearts, to fullness of health— health as only you, O God, can bring. May your mercy shower each of us with healing mercy and love.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who are dying, and for those who have died: send forth your comforting love. Give solace to those who mourn. Console those who grieve. May your grace surround us like a mantle upon our heads,
a shawl upon our shoulders, a hand, to hold our hand.
May your love, be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.
Amen.


The Peace
Jesus said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34) The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Song of Preparation

Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen


About Communion

On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Jesus.

Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.


Celebrating at the Lord’s Table
Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ our risen high priest; make yourself known in the breaking of bread.
Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving
The Book of Common Prayer
The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every- where to give thanks to you, Father 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:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
+ Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Holy and gracious Father: 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 Father 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 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again. 

Sanctify these gifts 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 Father, now and for ever. Amen.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, so we pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.


Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.


The Breaking of the Bread
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

The 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.

Communion Music

The Great Silence
When all have received communion, ministers and people keep silence for reflection.

Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.

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 Blessing

The Recessional

The Dismissal

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!