Today is the Sixth 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.

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

• You can view the live-stream of Sunday morning services HERE
• Our Sermon and other archives are here: https://www.youtube.com/c/christchurchpelham

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, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson – Acts 10:44-48

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

The Response – Psalm 98 – Cantate Domino

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.

The Epistle – 1 John 5:1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

The Gospel – John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

Today’s Music
At the 8am and 10am services, the following recorded hymns and anthems will be offered by our full choir: 

Hymn-anthem: “Look there! the Christ our Brother comes” (“Joy to the heart”)

Hymn: “The Day of Resurrection, Earth tell it out abroad”

At the 10am Service the following music selections will be offered  live by Jeffrey Hoffman, organist and choir director, and mezzo-soprano Jann Degnan, our soloist, on Sunday morning:

Organ Prelude: Arioso in A from Cantata “Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe” (“I stand with a foot in the grave”), BWV 156 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), transcribed for organ solo by Edward Shippen Barnes (1887-1958)

At the Offertory, solo song: Ave Maria by Charles-François Gounod (1818-1893), based on a Prelude by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

— from The Angelus  (Latin, 11th century), quoting Luke 1

At the Communion, solo song: 4. The Call from Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a Way, as gives us breath:
Such a Truth, as ends all strife:
Such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:
Such a Light, as shows a feast:
Such a Feast, as mends in length:
Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:
Such a Joy, as none can move:
Such a Love, as none can part:
Such a Heart, as joyes in love.

— George Herbert (1593–1633)

Organ voluntary:  7. Postlude in F, Op. 28 by Christian Cappelen (1845-1916)

Parish Prayer List