The Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18th, 2025

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
Now the Green Blade Riseth (John MacLeod Campbell Crum)

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom we had slain,
Thinking that He’d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,
Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Song of Praise
Hallelujah (Psalm 148) (Flo Paris Oakes)

Hallelujah!
Moon and stars, morning sun, clouds and rain
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Orchard trees, cedars tall, forests green
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
The fox and sparrow both the wild and the tame
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
Men and angels, queens and princes, little babe
We all sing, we all sing
Lift our voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

The Collect of the Day from Common Worship: Additional Collects (2004)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Risen Christ, your wounds declare God’s love for the world and the wonder of your risen life gives us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

First Lesson Acts 11:1-18

The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him. They accused him, “You went into the home of the uncircumcised and ate with them!”

Step-by-step, Peter explained what had happened. “I was in the city of Joppa praying when I had a visionary experience. In my vision, I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered from heaven by its four corners. It came all the way down to me. As I stared at it, wondering what it was, I saw four-legged animals—including wild beasts—as well as reptiles and wild birds. I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!’ I responded, ‘Absolutely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ The voice from heaven spoke a second time, ‘Never consider unclean what God has made pure.’ This happened three times, then everything was pulled back into heaven.

At that moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Spirit told me to go with them even though they were Gentiles. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered that man’s house. He reported to us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He will tell you how you and your entire household can be saved.’ When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on us in the beginning. I remembered the Lord’s words: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, then who am I? Could I stand in God’s way?”

Once the apostles and other believers heard this, they calmed down. They praised God and concluded, “So then God has enabled Gentiles to change their hearts and lives so that they might have new life.”

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

Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the *heavens;
Praise him in the heights a*bove.
Praise him, all his *angels;
Praise him, all his heavenly *hosts.

Praise him, sun and *moon;
Praise him, all you shining *stars.
Praise him, heaven of *heavens,
And you waters above the *skies.

Let them praise the Name of the *Lord;
For he commanded, and they were cre*ated.
And he established them for ever and *ever;
He issued a decree that will never pass a*way.

Praise the Lord from the *earth,
You great sea creatures and all ocean *depths;
Lightning and hail, snow and *clouds,
Stormy winds that do his *bidding,

You mountains and all *hills,
Fruit trees and all *cedars,
Wild animals and all *cattle,
Small creatures and flying *birds,

Kings of the earth and all *peoples,
You princes and all rulers of the *earth;
Young men and *women,
Old men and *children.

Let them praise the Name of the *Lord,
For his Name alone is ex*alted,
His splendor is above the earth and the *heavens.
And he has raised up strength for his *people,
The people close to his *heart.

Glory be 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 Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

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

Gospel Acclamation
I Am Sure I Shall See (Taizé)

I am sure I shall see
The goodness of the Lord in the land of living!
Yes, I shall see the goodness of our God;
Hold firm, trust in the Lord!

The Gospel Reading John 13:31-35

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

When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’

“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

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

Gospel Acclamation
I Am Sure I Shall See (Taizé)

I am sure I shall see
The goodness of the Lord in the land of living!
Yes, I shall see the goodness of our God;
Hold firm, trust in the Lord!

Homily Rev. Danny Bryant

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
Love Is Everywhere (Beware) (Jeff Tweedy)

So tangled in the wild
Seeing myself as something more mean
Out in the country
Sadness wants me
Further away from the scene

Right now, right now
Love is everywhere
Right now, right now
Love is everywhere

Where the sunlight grabs the lake
It's frozen in the flames
Beneath the sleeping town
With the riots raining down
It's all yours now—it's all for you

Right now, right now
Love is everywhere
Right now, right now
Love is everywhere

So many things I do
I can't explain to you

Right now, right now
Love is everywhere
Right now I'm frightened how
Love is here, beware

Our love is everywhere

Presentation Hymn
Doxología

A Dios, el Padre celestial,
al Hijo nuestro Redentor,
al eterno Consolador,
unidos todos alabad.
Amén.

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
Aleluya. Cristo, nuestro Pascua, se ha sacrificado por nosotros.
Celebramos la fiesta. ¡Aleluya!

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
Love Will Never Fail (1 Corinthians 13) (The Porter’s Gate)

Love is patient, love is kind
It has no arrogance or pride
It seeks the good of others first
It keeps no record of wrong or hurt

It finds no joy in wickedness
But rejoices in the truth
Through it all it will endure

Love will never fail

Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail

Though all prophecy will cease
Though our knowledge, it will fade
Though an end will come to speech
And even death will pass away

We will see you face to face
And your mercy will prevail
Faith and hope, they will remain
Love will never fail

Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail

Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail

Here Is Love (William Rees, William Edwards)

Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness long foretold.
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, gave a love that can't be sold.
Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion, fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.

Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness long foretold.
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, gave a love that can't be sold.
Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.

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
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie D. Babcock)

This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas——
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

The Dismissal

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