St.

Stephen’s Episcopal
Church

1 9 0 Ra ughl e y Hi l l Rd.
Ha rri ngton, De l aw are
3 0 2 -39 8 -3 71 0
www.ststephensde.org

O ur Mi s s i on i s to grow a c ongre ga ti on tha t

w el c ome s a l l , to c ome toge the r to c e l e bra te
our be l i e f i n J es us Chri s t through bi bl i c a l
te a c hi ngs a nd pra ye r w hi l e s tri vi n g to a c hi e ve
a s pi r i tual c onnec ti on a nd fe l l ow shi p w i thi n i ts
m e m be r s hi p a nd c ommuni t y w e s er ve .

Holy Eucharist
April 14, 2024
rd
3 Sunday Of Easter
 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Processional Hymn- S t an d H 199

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever.
Amen.

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.

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.

The Collect:

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his

disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our
faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work;
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Lessons:

A Reading from Acts 3: 12-19: Selena Fry

Peter addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you
wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our
own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of
our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you
handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he
had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and
Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you,
and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the
dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his
name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and
know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this
perfect health in the presence of all of you. “And now,
friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your
rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through
all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent
therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped
out.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Psalm 4: Janet Voss

 1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols
and run after false gods?"
3 Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
5 Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the LORD.
6 Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!" *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us,
O LORD.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

The Epistle-1 John 3: 1-7: Selena Fry

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be
called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason
the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not
yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is
revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as
he is pure. Everyone who commits sin is guilty of
lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was
revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one
who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him
or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you.
Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is
righteous. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Gospel Hymn- Stand H 439

The Gospel- Luke 24: 36b-48: Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

People: Glory to you Lord Christ
Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them,
“Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and
thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why
are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch
me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you
see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them
his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were
disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you
anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them,
“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.” Then he
opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to
them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to
rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and
forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all
nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these
things. The Gospel of the Lord! Praise to you Lord Christ

Sermon Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Nicene Creed:

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.

Prayers of the People- Form III: Janet Voss

The Leader and People pray responsively

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
People-That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and

humbly serve you;
People-That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for [The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry our Presiding

Bishop, and The RT. Rev. Kevin S. Brown our Diocesan Bishop,
Bruce Lomas, Priest, Vestry Group: Susan, Selena, George, Sonny,
Alyce and Lee. The Diocesan Cycle of Prayer— St. Mark’s
Church, Millsboro, The Rev. David J. Archibald, Rector and for all
bishops, priests, and deacons;
People-That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and
Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations
of the world; We pray for those in the Military: C hri st opher
Daws on , J us t i n Garey, R ussel l Knaub , J ai m e Gri m es
J us ti n R . Huds o n, Bruce C ar rol l , Am ber Mabre y,
J ared Farm e r, Da rre n Hearn , J ohn Hea r n ,
Garr et t Burri s

People-That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People-That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;

we pray for the following:

For th e S i ck , an d / or i ssu es:

J ohn M acce y R egi na Mi l l er Bi l l S haw
Lex i M i l es S hi rl e y Bowden P aul a S wi ft
Em m a Fi s her Aust i n Dean Bri st ol Herd
J ean M os s P rest on Bowden Karen W ri ght
Donal d Fr az i er Nahei m S m i t h Barb ara Faj no r
M i chael C l ul e y Berni e Dupr as J i m Fri el
Don Hea rn W i l l McC oll e y W hi t ne y J ones
Li nda S ul l i van C al vi n Hi l l Hunt Hacket t
C at hi e Fl em i ng J ack S t ewart Bi l l Manshi p
Ti m W al t ers

For Good H eal th i n O l d er Years:

Molly Revels Pat Baker

People-That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest.

People-Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People-May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. I ask your
thanksgiving for the:

Birthday of Zachary Dupras

Confirmation of Viva Poore

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

The People may add their own petitions.

The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect

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. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People- And also with you.

Offertory Hymn- Stand Renew H 250

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest,

faces them and sings or says

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Celebrant Life 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.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

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.

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on

other
occasions as appointed.

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:
Celebrant and People

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.

The people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant continues

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.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to

hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the
cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel
containing wine to be consecrated.

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:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, 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 Father, now and forever. AMEN.

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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]

In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times

except during Easter Season. In place of, or in addition to, the
preceding, some other suitable anthem may be used. Facing the
people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

And may add- 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 Cup are given to the communicants with these
words
The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in
everlasting life. [Amen.]

or with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

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.

Announcements

The Blessing

Recessional Hymn- Stand H 525

Dismissal

Alleluia, Alleluia, Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the

power of the Spirit! Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia

Announcements:
-New Cof f ee H ou r S i gn -u p S h eet on th e b ack tab l e.

-Vestry Meeting- Monday April 15th at 7:00pm. Please use the

office doors to enter as we will be in the back area

Yard Clean up at Church- Wednesday April 17th at 3:00pm.