May 16, 2021 is the Seventh Sunday of Easter

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Beginning this Sunday, May 16, 2021 — Fully Vaccinated Clergy & Readers will be permitted to remove their masks when reading lessons, preaching, or leading worship indoors.  Masks are required otherwise for indoor worship.  

Today is the Seventh Sunday of Eastertide.
The Church celebrates the resurrection with a feast of fifty days. On Fridays in Eastertide special acts of discipline and self-denial commemorating the crucifixion of the Lord are not practiced. “Alleluia” is said or sung repeatedly during our liturgy. The Paschal Candle burns throughout Eastertide. The central Christian belief is that Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. In our worship this is not a past or an abstract reality. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is remembered and made present in our worship and in our common life. “Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, the Beginning and End, Alpha and Omega. His are all times and ages. To him be glory and dominion through all eternity.” “Easter” is the English language name for the Sunday of the Resurrection. In most languages, the given name is some form of the word “Passover.” Easter celebrates the “Passover” of Jesus from death to life.

Last Week was Episcopal Charities Sunday.
Share your blessings with others who probably had a harder year than most. Episcopal Charities supports 62 feeding programs throughout the diocese, and as we know more people are going hungry during the pandemic than before.  You can make a donation to Episcopal Charities HERE or by texting SUNDAY to 91999. You’ll be brought to a secure donation form, where it will only take about a minute to make a real impact. Visit ec-ny.org/ecsunday for more info.

Today’s In Person Worship

  • Every Sunday at 8am the Eucharist (Rite 1) is celebrated in the Church.  The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 323, and includes 2 pre-recorded hymns, and lasts about 45 minutes. Weather permitting coffee and tea are available in Garden afterwards.
  • Every Sunday at 10am the Eucharist (Rite 2) is celebrated in the Church. The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355.  See below for detailed music information.  The service lasts about an hour.  Weather permitting coffee and tea are available in Garden afterwards.
  • Please review these Guidelines before attending worship at Christ Church.

Today’s Live-Stream Worship & Sermon Archives

Sunday Offerings & Financial Donations to Christ Church

Christ Church is supported by the generosity of members and friends who donate time, talent, and money to the church to ensure that it is open, staffed, safe, and active. God has given each of us many gifts and we are called to use them to build up the church and to show the spread the love of God to our community. Click on the Donate Button for a variety of ways to support Christ Church, including one-time donations, annual pledges, and raising funds through FaceBook or Amazon.

Today’s Propers (Collect & Lections from Holy Scripture)

The Collect

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The First Lesson
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus– for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us– one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

The Response
Psalm 1

Beatus vir qui non abiit

1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.
4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.

The Epistle
1 John 5:9-13

If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

The Gospel
John 17:6-19

Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Today’s Music
At the 8am and 10am services, the following recorded hymns and anthems will be offered by our full choir:
Hymn: Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!

Anthem: The Easter Song of Praise, by Richard Shephard (b. 1949)
Sing, choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing!
Around God’s throne exult in harmony!
Now Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!
Salute your King in glorious symphony!

Sing, choirs of earth! Behold, your light has come!
The glory of the Lord shines radiantly!
Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death!
The night is past; the day of life is here!

Sing, Church of God! Exult with joy outpoured!
The gospel trumpets tell of victory won!
Your Savior lives: he’s with you evermore!
Let all God’s people shout the long Amen!

Words from The Easter Proclamation, metrical form, Common Worship.
Words copyright © 1984, 1986 The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England; The Archbishops’ Council, 1999.
Music copyright © 1988 by The Royal School of Church Music; GIA Publications, Inc., agent in North America. All rights reserved.
Licensed under OneLicense.net A-713125.

Choral Benediction: Peace I leave with you, by Jeffrey Hoffman (b. 1970)
featuring Laurelyn Watson Chase, soprano soloist
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
— John 14: 27, authorized version of 1611 (KJV)

Music © copyright 2016. Used with permission.

 

At the 10am Service the following music selections will be offered  live by Jeffrey Hoffman, organist and choir director, and soprano Laurelyn Watson Chase, our soloist, on Sunday morning:

Organ prelude: IX. Voluntary in G major from Ten Voluntaries, Op. VII by John Stanley (1712-1786)

At the offertory, solo: Air: I know that my Redeemer liveth from Messiah by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep.
— Job 19: 25-26; 1 Corinthians 15: 20, authorized version of 1611 (KJV)

At the communion, hymn: O Lord most high, eternal King

O Lord Most High, eternal King,
by thee redeemed thy praise we sing.
The bonds of death are burst by thee,
and grace has won the victory.

Ascending to the Father’s throne
thou claim’st the kingdom as thine own;
and angels wonder when they see
how changed is our humanity.

Be thou our joy, O Mighty Lord,
as thou wilt be our great reward;
let all our glory be in thee
both now and through eternity.

O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
all praise to thee let earth accord,
who art, while endless ages run,
with Father and with Spirit, One.

Words: Medieval Latin; sts. 1-3, tr. F. Bland Tucker (1895-1984); st. 4, tr. Benjamin Webb (1819-1885)
Music: Gonfalon Royal, Percy Carter Buck (1871-1947).
Words copyright © 1985 by Church Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-713125.
Music published 1918 by Oxford University Press. Public Domain in the United States.

Organ voluntary: Chorale Prelude on “Gelobt sei Gott” by Healey Willan (1880–1968)
Ye sons and daughters of the King
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting:
Alleluia!
Music copyright © 1950 by Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Licensed under OneLicense.net A-713125.

Parish Prayer List

Please note that names are listed alphabetically by last name of the person being prayed for (if it is known).  We do not list last names for privacy reasons. For pastoral emergencies call or text one of the clergy: Father Matt (914.471.0260),  Deacon Katie Lawrence (914.589.1628), Deacon Chisara Alimole (914.338.5194), or call the parish office (914.738.5515) .  If you have any updates (birthdays, prayers additions, etc., please let us know.) Please submit names you wish to be included by Tuesday morning, to Marie at: marie@christchurchpelham.org.

Our prayers are asked especially for: Marion, Shane, Rosemary, Rob, Marcia, Mike, Anne, Ginny, Beverly, Barbara, Mary, Ralph, Jed, Didi, Sammy, Ryan, Monica, Rebecca, Janet, Amina, Alexia Grace, Alison, John, Emma, Hildy, Jason, Yen, Susan, Sue, Xandra, Sigi, Joyce, Julie, Scott, Sherrie, Michelle, James, Karen, Lisa, Laurelyn, Rob, Drue, Rob, Bill, Andrea, Sue,  Lael, M & D, Sandy,  and Katie.

We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week and in the coming week:  Grace Bodenmann (May 12), Linda Gerra (May 12), Annette Wiggins (May 12), Nicholas Mead (May 13), Kevin Alexander (May 14), Jack Kaufmann (May 14), Jabea Kisob (May 14), Kate Zambelli (May 14), J.D. Calder (May 17), Drue Weild (May 17), and Ashley Dolan (May 20).

We give thanks for The Rev. Deacon Chisara Alimole on the 4th anniversary of her Ordination to the Diaconate (May 13).

And we give thanks for the 26th Anniversary of Michael Fawcett and Michael Moynihan (May 16).

We pray for those in our Armed Services especially: Joseph, Kevin, Jack, Leopold, Philip, Jake, Matthew, Robert, Philip-Jason,  Nicholas, Sam, Jack, Helen, Mitchel, Tia, Tyrese, and Terrence.

We pray that all elected and appointed officials may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world, especially Joseph our President and Andrew our Governor.  Grant our nation peace and help us to work together with mutual forbearance and respect.

Our prayers are asked for all medical professionals and staff, for those working towards treatment and a cure for Covid-19, for all first responders and for all providing care during this pandemic, especially: Russ, Jordan, Anna, Nicholas, Amy, Kristine, Jaazmeen, Jennifer, Toni, Peter, Charles, Christine, Sean, Katie, Naima,  Sandra, Jim, Claire, Novelette, and Karis.

We remember and pray for the more than half-million Americans who have died from COVID-19, and we pray also for all who mourn.

We pray for those who have died, especially Amy Archbald (May 4),  Patrick Marinello (May 7), Tom Hoxsie (May 9), and Bob Weeks on the 5th anniversary of his death (May 10).

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

 

May their souls and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.  Amen

 

Announcements & News

CLICK HERE

 

Ascension Day, May 13, 2021

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Today is Ascension Day.
Today is Ascension Day. According to the Acts of the Apostles, our Lord Jesus Christ was present to his disciples for forty days after his resurrection. On the fortieth day he ascended to heaven and took his place at the right hand of the Father. Today the Church celebrates this event, the Ascension. In the Episcopal Church it is one of our seven “Principal Feasts.” Easter, the Church’s greatest season, does not end today, but lasts for fifty days and concludes on the Day of Pentecost.

Last Sunday was Episcopal Charities Sunday.
Share your blessings with others who probably had a harder year than most. Episcopal Charities supports 62 feeding programs throughout the diocese, and as we know more people are going hungry during the pandemic than before.  You can make a donation to Episcopal Charities HERE or by texting SUNDAY to 91999. You’ll be brought to a secure donation form, where it will only take about a minute to make a real impact. Visit ec-ny.org/ecsunday for more info.

Today’s In Person Worship

  • At 5pm on Ascension Day the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the Garden of Resurrection.  If it rains, we will be in the church. The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355.  See below for detailed music information.
  • Please review these Guidelines before attending worship at Christ Church.

Today’s Live-Stream Worship & Sermon Archives

Sunday Offerings & Financial Donations to Christ Church

Christ Church is supported by the generosity of members and friends who donate time, talent, and money to the church to ensure that it is open, staffed, safe, and active. God has given each of us many gifts and we are called to use them to build up the church and to show the spread the love of God to our community. Click on the Donate Button for a variety of ways to support Christ Church, including one-time donations, annual pledges, and raising funds through FaceBook or Amazon.

Today’s Propers (Collect & Lections from Holy Scripture)

The Collect

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.

or this

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After 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. While 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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But 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.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They 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.”

The Response
Psalm 47

Omnes gentes, plaudite

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

or

Psalm 93

Dominus regnavit

1 The Lord is King;
he has put on splendid apparel; *
the Lord has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.
2 He has made the whole world so sure *
that it cannot be moved;
3 Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.
4 The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
the waters have lifted up their voice; *
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
5 Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
6 Your testimonies are very sure, *
and holiness adorns your house, O Lord,
for ever and for evermore.

The Epistle
Ephesians 1:15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I 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, so 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God 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, far 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. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The Gospel
Luke 24:44-53

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.” 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. And 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.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Today’s Music
The following recorded hymns and anthems will be offered by our full choir: 

TBD

Parish Prayer List

Please note that names are listed alphabetically by last name of the person being prayed for (if it is known).  We do not list last names for privacy reasons. For pastoral emergencies call or text one of the clergy: Father Matt (914.471.0260),  Deacon Katie Lawrence (914.589.1628), Deacon Chisara Alimole (914.338.5194), or call the parish office (914.738.5515) .  If you have any updates (birthdays, prayers additions, etc., please let us know.) Please submit names you wish to be included by Tuesday morning, to Marie at: marie@christchurchpelham.org.

Our prayers are asked especially for: Marion, Shane, Rosemary, Rob, Marcia, Mike, Anne, Claudette, Ginny, Beverly, Barbara, Nicholas, Randy, Sonya, Mary, Ralph, Didi, Tom, Sammy, Patrick, Ryan, Monica, Rebecca, Janet, Amina, Ellen, Alexia Grace, Alison, Greg, John, Emma, Hildy, Jason, Shay,  Cara, Stephanie, Robert, Susan, Sue, Xandra, Sigi, Joyce, Julie, Scott, Robert, Sherrie, Michelle, Karen, Lisa, Laurelyn, Rob, Drue, Rob, Bill, Andrea, Sue,  Lael, M & D, Sandy,  and Katie.

We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week and in the coming week:  John Manfredi (May 3), Grace Bodenmann (May 12), Linda Gerra (May 12), Annette Wiggins (May 12), Nicholas Mead (May 13), Kevin Alexander (May 14), Jack Kaufmann (May 14), Jabea Kisob (May 14) and Kate Zambelli (May 14).

And we give thanks for the Wedding Anniversary of Eileen Peluso and David Hoffer (May 4),

We also give thanks for The Rev. Deacon Katie Lawrence on the 11th anniversary of her Ordination to Diaconate (May 2), and for The Rev. Deacon Chisara Alimole on the 8th anniversary of her Ordination to the Diaconate (May 13).

We pray for those in our Armed Services especially: Joseph, Kevin, Jack, Leopold, Philip, Jake, Matthew, Robert, Philip-Jason,  Nicholas, Sam, Jack, Helen, Mitchel, Tia, Tyrese, and Terrence.

We pray that all elected and appointed officials may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world, especially Joseph our President and Andrew our Governor.  Grant our nation peace and help us to work together with mutual forbearance and respect.

Our prayers are asked for all medical professionals and staff, for those working towards treatment and a cure for Covid-19, for all first responders and for all providing care during this pandemic, especially: Russ, Jordan, Anna, Nicholas, Amy, Kristine, Jaazmeen, Jennifer, Toni, Peter, Charles, Christine, Sean, Katie, Naima,  Sandra, Jim, Claire, Novelette, and Karis.

We remember and pray for the more than half-million Americans who have died from COVID-19, and we pray also for all who mourn.

We pray for those who have died, especially Amy Archbald (May 4, 2021), Thomas Hoxsie (May 9, 2021), and Bob Weeks on the 5th anniversary of his death (May 10).

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.  Amen

Announcements & News

CLICK HERE