The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Transcription

1 Welcome to A Progressive Community Loving God, Serving Others, Journeying Together The Fifth Sunday of Easter May 3, a.m. service begins on page 3 10 a.m. service begins on page 17 Here you will find an energized and inclusive community of people seeking God s transforming presence. Grace St. Paul s is a safe place to connect your spirit and your mind. Please join with us in experiencing Christ s love in a diverse congregation that celebrates individual gifts. We invite you to take part in liturgies that are rich and innovative, in spiritual formation for all ages, and in action for social justice. We welcome you to share in this joyful journey!

2 About Today s Services Altar Flowers Today s altar flowers are given to the glory of God and for the beauty of the worship service. If you would like to dedicate plants or flowers, please call the church office at WELCOME HOME The people who are Grace St. Paul s church are pleased you are here and welcome you.! Regardless of your faith tradition, you are welcome to receive communion in this church.! Please join us for coffee and snacks after both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services in McBride Hall, across the breezeway from the church. First-time guests, please stop by the Welcome Table in the Hall and pick up your special gift for being with us.! Please fill out a yellow card located in the pew racks and give it to the friendly folks at the Welcome Table.! Nursery care (for both services), Sunday School and Youth Group are all located in the rooms below from the sanctuary:! Nursery care for children ages three and under is in the St. Teresa of Avila room.! Sunday School, preschool through 5 th grade, is held concurrently with the 10 a.m. service.! Youth group, grades 6 through 12, meets in the St. Francis Room right after the 10:00 service.! An usher or greeter would be pleased to show you to these areas.! Restrooms are located just outside the church building in the covered breezeway. We hope you will return many times and consider Grace St. Paul s as your church home. COVER ART: Grapes, from Flickr.com user Eddietherocker, [retrieved April 29, 2015] East Adams Street Tucson, Arizona Visit us on the web: Phone (520) Fax (520) Emergency Pastoral Care (520) Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-noon The Rev. Steve Keplinger: Rector@grace-stpauls.org Rosalind Garcia: Rosalind.Garcia@grace-stpauls.org Jean Smart: ParishAdmin@grace-stpauls.org David Wachter: bulletins@grace-stpauls.org Weekly Worship Sunday 8 a.m. Communion Service 10 a.m. Communion Service Tuesday 6 p.m. Evening Prayer (1 st Tuesday of month includes Communion) 7 p.m. Meditation Group Wednesday 7 a.m. Communion Service Thursday 5:30 p.m. Spirit Now Service

3 8 a.m. Communion Service The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Celebrant Please remember to silence your electronic devices. The Liturgy of the Word Prelude Prélude Gaston Litaize Greeting and Announcements Processional Hymn We know that Christ is raised and dies no more The people may stand. (Blue) No. 296 (stanzas 1 & 2) -3-

4 Opening Acclamation Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is risen! People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Chant of Praise The Opening Acclamation is from Enriching our Worship, 1997 Church Publishing Incorporated. The Collect of the Day The Collect of the Day is adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p Celebrant: May God be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray. Silence Celebrant: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. -4-

5 We Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God A Reading from Acts [8:26-40] An angel of the Lord said to Philip, Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go over to this chariot and join it. So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, Do you understand what you are reading? He replied, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can Please be seated. describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. The eunuch asked Philip, About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized? He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s People. People: Thanks be to God. Psalm 22: I will praise God in the great assembly; * I will honor God in the congregation. 25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek you shall be blessed; * they shall never be discouraged. 26 All the ends of the earth shall return to you; * all the families of the nations shall stand before you. 27 All peoples belong to the Holy One, * for God created everything that is. The Psalm is read responsively by whole verse. -5-

6 28 All who are born shall come before you; * all who go down to the dust shall worship you. 29 Our descendants shall follow the Holy One; * they shall be known as God s forever. 30 They shall proclaim to a people yet unborn * God s faithfulness throughout all ages. A Reading from 1 John [4:7-21] Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s People. People: Thanks be to God. Sequence Music A Reading from the Holy Gospel [John 15:1-8] Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John. People: Glory to you, O Christ. Diácono: Santo Evangelio de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo, según Juan. Pueblo: Gloria a ti, Cristo! Jesus said to his disciples, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, I love God, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. The people may stand. fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to -6-

7 you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. Deacon: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. People: Praise to you, O Christ. Diácono: El Evangelio del Jesucristo. Pueblo: Te alabamos, Cristo. The Sermon A period of silence follows the Sermon, marked with meditation bell. The Nicene Creed Please be seated. Preacher: The Rev. Steve Keplinger The people may stand. The Nicene Creed is a historical statement of faith used by the early Christian community to define orthodoxy. Please join us as you feel called. 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. -7-

8 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. The Filioque (Latin for and the son ), the dogmatic formula expressing the double procession of the Holy Spirit, was added to the Nicene Creed by the Western church. Prayers of the People Parish prayer intercessions may be found on page 35. The Prayers of the People were adapted by The Rev. Claudia Heath and The Rev. Steve Keplinger for Grace St. Paul s from Prayers used by New Song Episcopal Church in Coralville, Iowa. Each prayer is intended to be read by a different member of the congregation. Please feel free to participate by reading a prayer. Leader: Living Christ, you are risen from the dead! Give us the faith, like Thomas, to doubt, knowing that when we seek the truth, we find you. We pray for the Church. Today we offer our joy that we celebrate your glorious resurrection with our brothers and sisters around the world. Envelop your people with a sense of your risen presence, today and always. (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for the church.) For the household of faith, the church of the risen Christ, we pray: People:Be with us and bless us, O God. Leader: We pray for our nation. God of hope, teach us the difference between reaching down and reaching out. This week we pray for the city of Baltimore and a return to nonviolent means to end injustice. (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for the country.) -8-

9 For our nation and for our common good, we pray: People:Be with us and guide us, O God. Leader: We pray for the whole world. God of creation, you have given us a world of glorious diversity. This week, in the light of the recent study showing a connection between neonic pesticides and the decline of bees, we pray for a temporary ban on neonics. (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for creation.) For the welfare of our world, we pray: People:Be with us and unite us, O God. Leader: We pray for this community. Bless the many gifts of our members and keep before us the image of the servant Jesus, that like him, we may kneel with basin and towel before each other and before those you continue to bring into our midst. This week we give thanks for tonight s Newcomers Dinner for our recent parishioners at Grace St. Paul s. (The people may add their own prayers, spoken or unspoken, for our lives together.) For our community, we pray: People:Be with us and help us, O God. Leader: We pray for all who suffer. This week we especially pray for the people of Nepal in the aftermath of last week s deadly earthquake. We also pray for all on our prayer list * as well as those we name now... (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for any who suffer.) God of compassion, open our hearts to bind and heal in your name. Bless all of those who ask our prayers, and give us courage to learn the names of others. For all who suffer and struggle, we pray: People:Be with us and heal us, O God. Leader: We pray for all who have died, especially Suzanne Nystrom, Julie La Rue, and Mary McDonald. God, you have loved us from before birth and will continue to love us beyond the grave. Comfort those who mourn, that they may be assured with that same hope of resurrection. * We pray for the people of South Sudan; Catherine Brown; Jill Clements; Walter Collins; Jay Elliston; Phyllis Garver; Oma Sam Guard; Sara Heitshu & Terry Friedman; Jean Keplinger; Christine Nelson; the family of Suzanne Nystrom; Danielle Phillips; Jane Pundt; Dorée Ramey; Barbara & Sam Reynolds; Robert Rosenberg; Susan Southwick; Ed; Lee; Edna; William Brown; Francesca Jarvis; Tony Jones; the family and friends of Julie LaRue, especially Br. Chuck & Nan Hannan; Maribel Ortiz; Peggy Southwick; Amy; Jerry & Rondy; Joel; Kurt; Monica, Roman & Danitza; Marilyn; Nate; Nichole; Nick & Emily; Penny; Tina; Yvonne; Yong Ae. -9-

10 (The people may add prayers, spoken or unspoken, for those who have died or mourn.) Leader: For all who have entered new life in Christ s resurrection, we pray: People:Be with us and raise us, O God. Leader: We give thanks for all the blessings of our lives. May all of us continue to experience the risen Christ through the gift of each other. This week we give thanks for our new Animal Memorial Garden to be dedicated next Sunday. (The people may add their own thanksgivings and blessings, spoken or unspoken.) God of love and compassion, People:Be with us and thank you, O God. The Collect following the Prayers is adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012, 2011 Abingdon Press, and posted on Ministry Matters. Celebrant: God of love, plant us in the soil of your grace. Nurture us with the strength of Christ, the vine of everlasting life. Enlighten us with the wisdom of your Spirit, which flows through us today and all days. Abide in us, that we may abide in you and live in your love, we pray. Amen. The Peace Celebrant: The Peace of God be always with you. People: And also with you. Meditation bell will bring us back to silence. Prayer for Birthdays and Anniversaries Celebrant: O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Offertory Sentence The Liturgy of the Table Please be seated. Celebrant: For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown to spring up, so Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. [Isaiah 61:11] Giving and Receiving There will be two offering baskets this morning. Please place your Giving and Receiving card in the second basket. Offertory Music -10-

11 Table Chant The people may stand. The Great Thanksgiving The Great Thanksgiving is Eucharistic Prayer 1 from Enriching Our Worship. The Preface to the Prayer is adapted from The Book of Common Prayer. Celebrant: God is with us. People: God is present here. Celebrant: Rejoice! Lift up your hearts. People: We lift our hearts to the Most High. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Holy One. People: It is right to offer thanks and praise. Celebrant: It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we say: Celebrant and People: Holy, holy, holy 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. -11-

12 The Celebrant continues Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful caretakers and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Celebrant and People: Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people. Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Celebrant: Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life. At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or 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 before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. Deacon: Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Celebrant and People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The Celebrant continues Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Paul, -12-

13 Catherine of Siena, Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, the Apostles Philip and James, Athanasius, Monnica, * and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN. The Lord s Prayer (traditional) Deacon: As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, Deacon and People: 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 Fraction Anthem Celebrant: This is the bread that gives life to the world. People: Happy are those who are called to this table. The people may stand. Diácono y Pueblo: 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 Fraction Anthem was adapted from anthems in Enriching Our Worship by The Rev. Steve Keplinger * Catherine of Siena was a 14th-century mystic who centered her life on prayer and meditation. She devoted her time to caring for leprosy and cancer patients, as well as visiting prisoners condemned to death. Sarah Josepha Buell Hale was a 19th-century American editor and prophetic witness who worked for the ministry of women in the Episcopal church and the recognition of the influence of women in society. She is also remembered for preserving American historical monuments, working for the nationalization of the Thanksgiving holiday, and her publication of children s literature for Sunday School, including the poem Mary had a Little Lamb. Philip and James are known to us from the list of the Twelve Apostles. James is called the son of Alpheus. Philip appears in several stories in the Gospel of John. Athanasius was a fourth-century Bishop of Alexandria who was the major influence in settling the controversy at the Council of Nicea and the wording of the Nicene Creed. Monnica was the mother of Augustine of Hippo and was chiefly responsible for his conversion to Christianity. -13-

14 The Invitation to Communion Celebrant: The Communion The Gifts of God for the People of God. Please be seated. Everyone is invited to receive Holy Communion. Please approach the altar rail from the center aisle. Take the first available space. You may choose the standing station at the center or the stations along the rail. You may come forward to receive a blessing if you prefer not to receive communion. Place crossed arms on chest to signal your desire for a blessing. You may also do this if you prefer not to receive the wine. You may touch the chalice and the chalice bearer will say the words of administration. Communion Music Sending Eucharistic Visitors After communion, the service resumes here. The Celebrant may name the Eucharistic Visitors and those who may receive Holy Communion at home. All say together: We send you forth bearing these Holy Gifts. May those to whom you go share with us in the Communion of Christ s Body and Blood. We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup. Postcommunion Prayer Celebrant and People: God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen. The people may stand. The Postcommunion Prayer is from Enriching Our Worship. -14-

15 Blessing The Blessing is Adapted from Nathan Nettleton, LaughingBird.net. Celebrant: Go now, and love one another, because love is from God. Proclaim God s salvation to every generation. Remain in Jesus Christ, and like branches of a vine, draw your life from him. And may God the vine grower tend you and make you fruitful; May Christ Jesus abide in you and give you life; And may the Holy Spirit cast out all fear and fill you with God s love. Amen. Recessional Hymn O love, how deep, how broad, how high (Blue) No. 448 (stanzas 1 & 5) -15-

16 Dismissal Deacon: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Resurrection! Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Postlude Voluntary for the Cornet Walter Watson Please join us following this service for Coffee Hour in McBride Hall (across the labyrinth), or join us for classes classrooms are downstairs beneath the sanctuary, with access either by the stairs off the breezeway or by the ramp near the parking lot. Deacon: The Rev. Chris Ledyard Lectors: Lois Mervyn, Ric Wood Gospel in Spanish: Debbie Tinajero Chalice: Sara Heitshu, Marilyn Thompson Service Participants, 8 a.m. Acolyte: Pia Cuneo Verger: James Gooden Altar Guild: Jane Thrall, Heather Williams Ushers: Robert Rosenberg, Peggy Scott Listings of lay ministers are subject to last-minute changes after the bulletin is printed. -16-

17 10 a.m. Communion Service The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Celebrant SACRED SPACE Please respect those who seek time for quiet reflection before worship begins and while listening to the prelude. Your sanctuary is a sacred place for all to prepare for worship in meditation and prayer. We encourage you to socialize and greet others in the foyer in the back of the church (the narthex) and in McBride Hall. The Liturgy of the Word Please remember to silence your electronic devices. Prelude Prélude Gaston Litaize Greeting and Announcements As the Greeting and Announcements end, the church will be darkened and the candles will be lit by the acolytes, signaling the silence we enter into before worship. Processional Hymn The people may stand. We know that Christ is raised and dies no more (Blue) No

18 Opening Acclamation The Opening Acclamation was written by Katherine Hawker for the Evangelical United Church of Christ. Posted on Liturgy Outside. Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is risen! People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Celebrant: Chant of Praise The vine emerges from the earth, nourished and nourishing. It rises without visible connection; roots hidden, promise unknown. Strong to withstand storms, fragile when plucked too soon. So it is that we grow nourished by invisible connections to the living God, called to nourish that which is seen and that which is yet buried within. Amen. -18-

19 The Collect of the Day The Collect of the Day is adapted from Prayers for an Inclusive Church by The Rev. Steven Shakespeare. Celebrant: May God be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray. Silence God of deep soil and luxuriant growth; you call us from our shallow selves to find our depth in you: may we abide in him alone who can teach us who we are; through Jesus the Christ, the true vine. Amen. We Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God A Reading from Acts [8:26-40] An angel of the Lord said to Philip, Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go over to this chariot and join it. So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, Do you understand what you are reading? He replied, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can Please be seated. describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. The eunuch asked Philip, About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized? He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s People. People: Thanks be to God. -19-

20 Psalm 22:24-30 The Choir sings the Antiphon first, then all repeat the Antiphon. Antiphon 24 I will praise God in the great assembly; * I will honor God in the congregation. 25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek you shall be blessed; * they shall never be discouraged. 26 All the ends of the earth shall return to you; * all the families of the nations shall stand before you. 27 All peoples belong to the Holy One, * for God created everything that is. 28 All who are born shall come before you; * all who go down to the dust shall worship you. 29 Our descendants shall follow the Holy One; * they shall be known as God s forever. 30 They shall proclaim to a people yet unborn * God s faithfulness throughout all ages. ALL REPEAT THE ANTIPHON ALL REPEAT THE ANTIPHON A Reading from 1 John [4:7-21] Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we -20-

21 also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, I love God, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s People. People: Thanks be to God. Sequence Hymn Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life The people may stand. (Blue) No

22 A Reading from the Holy Gospel [John 15:1-8] Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John. People: Glory to you, O Christ. Diácono: Santo Evangelio de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo, según Juan. Pueblo: Gloria a ti, Cristo! Jesus said to his disciples, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the Deacon: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. People: Praise to you, O Christ. Diácono: El Evangelio del Jesucristo. Pueblo: Te alabamos, Cristo. The Sermon A period of silence follows the Sermon, marked with meditation bell. Easter Litany -22- branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. Please be seated. Preacher: The Rev. Steve Keplinger The people may stand. The Easter litany, Every Day Is Easter, was adapted from Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws, When Thomas saw the wounds and was set free it was Easter day When Peter s three yes s to Jesus finished his three denials it was Easter day When Mary was ready to embalm the dead and ran in fear from the empty tomb it was Easter day When the disciples looked from afar at a breakfast of fish on the beach it was Easter day

23 When Emmaus became synonymous with welcome and the breaking of bread with strangers it was Easter day When Paul was blinded by the light and recognized the voice niggling in his head it was Easter day When the hungry are fed at the table the same table as the rich it is Easter day When weapons are beaten to ploughshares and peace is a word to be shouted it is Easter day When the stranger is welcomed in community and the lonely are restored to relationship it is Easter day Amen. Prayers of the People Parish prayer intercessions may be found on page 35. The Prayers of the People were adapted by The Rev. Claudia Heath and The Rev. Steve Keplinger for Grace St. Paul s from Prayers used by New Song Episcopal Church in Coralville, Iowa. Each prayer is intended to be read by a different member of the congregation. Please feel free to participate by reading a prayer. Leader: Living Christ, you are risen from the dead! Give us the faith, like Thomas, to doubt, knowing that when we seek the truth, we find you. We pray for the Church. Today we offer our joy that we celebrate your glorious resurrection with our brothers and sisters around the world. Envelop your people with a sense of your risen presence, today and always. (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for the church.) For the household of faith, the church of the risen Christ, we pray: People:Be with us and bless us, O God. Leader: We pray for our nation. God of hope, teach us the difference between reaching down and reaching out. This week we pray for the city of Baltimore and a return to nonviolent means to end injustice. (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for the country.) For our nation and for our common good, we pray: People:Be with us and guide us, O God. -23-

24 Leader: We pray for the whole world. God of creation, you have given us a world of glorious diversity. This week, in the light of the recent study showing a connection between neonic pesticides and the decline of bees, we pray for a temporary ban on neonics. (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for creation.) For the welfare of our world, we pray: People:Be with us and unite us, O God. Leader: We pray for this community. Bless the many gifts of our members and keep before us the image of the servant Jesus, that like him, we may kneel with basin and towel before each other and before those you continue to bring into our midst. This week we give thanks for tonight s Newcomers Dinner for our recent parishioners at Grace St. Paul s. (The people may add their own prayers, spoken or unspoken, for our lives together.) For our community, we pray: People:Be with us and help us, O God. Leader: We pray for all who suffer. This week we especially pray for the people of Nepal in the aftermath of last week s deadly earthquake. We also pray for all on our prayer list * as well as those we name now... (The people may add their prayers, spoken or unspoken, for any who suffer.) God of compassion, open our hearts to bind and heal in your name. Bless all of those who ask our prayers, and give us courage to learn the names of others. For all who suffer and struggle, we pray: People:Be with us and heal us, O God. Leader: We pray for all who have died, especially Suzanne Nystrom, Julie La Rue, and Mary McDonald. God, you have loved us from before birth and will continue to love us beyond the grave. Comfort those who mourn, that they may be assured with that same hope of resurrection. (The people may add prayers, spoken or unspoken, for those who have died or mourn.) Leader: For all who have entered new life in Christ s resurrection, we pray: People:Be with us and raise us, O God. * We pray for the people of South Sudan; Catherine Brown; Jill Clements; Walter Collins; Jay Elliston; Phyllis Garver; Oma Sam Guard; Sara Heitshu & Terry Friedman; Jean Keplinger; Christine Nelson; the family of Suzanne Nystrom; Danielle Phillips; Jane Pundt; Dorée Ramey; Barbara & Sam Reynolds; Robert Rosenberg; Susan Southwick; Ed; Lee; Edna; William Brown; Francesca Jarvis; Tony Jones; the family and friends of Julie LaRue, especially Br. Chuck & Nan Hannan; Maribel Ortiz; Peggy Southwick; Amy; Jerry & Rondy; Joel; Kurt; Monica, Roman & Danitza; Marilyn; Nate; Nichole; Nick & Emily; Penny; Tina; Yvonne; Yong Ae. -24-

25 Leader: We give thanks for all the blessings of our lives. May all of us continue to experience the risen Christ through the gift of each other. This week we give thanks for our new Animal Memorial Garden to be dedicated next Sunday. (The people may add their own thanksgivings and blessings, spoken or unspoken.) God of love and compassion, People:Be with us and thank you, O God. The Collect following the Prayers is adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012, 2011 Abingdon Press, and posted on Ministry Matters. Celebrant: God of love, plant us in the soil of your grace. Nurture us with the strength of Christ, the vine of everlasting life. Enlighten us with the wisdom of your Spirit, which flows through us today and all days. Abide in us, that we may abide in you and live in your love, we pray. Amen. The Peace Celebrant: The Peace of Christ be always with you. People: And also with you. Meditation bell will bring us back to silence. Prayer for Birthdays and Anniversaries Celebrant: O God, grant long life and peace and protection and many years! -25-

26 The Liturgy of the Table Offertory Sentence Please be seated. Celebrant: For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown to spring up, so Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. [Isaiah 61:11] Giving and Receiving There will be two offering baskets this morning. Please place your Giving and Receiving card in the second basket. Offertory Anthem Love never ends James Biery Pause Prayer over the Gifts The Prayer over the Gifts is from A New Zealand Prayer Book. Celebrant: Giver of life, receive all we offer you this day. People: Let the Spirit you bestow on your Church continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. Amen. Table Chant The people may stand. -26-

27 The Great Thanksgiving The first half of the Eucharistic Prayer is from Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare. The Preface at the beginning of the Prayer is by Nathan Nettleton. The Prayer following the Sanctus is Eucharistic Prayer I in Enriching Our Worship, Church Publishing. Celebrant: God is with us. People: God is present here. Celebrant: Rejoice! Lift up your hearts. People: We lift our hearts to the Most High. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Holy One. People: It is right to offer thanks and praise. Celebrant: We praise you, God of freedom, for you breathed life into the void and showed yourself as the one who loves in freedom. We give thanks for your risen Son, Jesus, who was dead and buried, but who you raised and who is alive forever, reaching out to us, wiping away our tears and calling us by name. From the nothingness of slavery you called a people into being and led them to springs of life; the presence of your glory went with shattered exiles into strange and distant lands and gathered from the valley of despair the flesh and blood of living hope. In Jesus, you confronted the powers that killed and oppressed; you spoke to those considered dead and helped them stand again; he taught us to die that we might live. He gave himself for us tortured and forsaken, but he could not be confined by death; in the garden he speaks our name, in the breaking of the bread he shows himself among us; by the lakeside, in the new day, he calls us to take up his work. Therefore, with all who lost faith, all who walked away in sadness, with the women at the tomb, and the men who hid in fear we confess ourselves surprised by the suddenness of dawn and join the undying song of heaven: -27-

28 Sanctus (Holy) The Celebrant continues: Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful caretakers and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. People and Celebrant: Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people. Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. The Celebrant continues: Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life. -28-

29 At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or 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 before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. Deacon: Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again The Celebrant continues Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Paul, Catherine of Siena, Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, the Apostles Philip and James, Athanasius, Monnica, * and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN. * Catherine of Siena was a 14th-century mystic who centered her life on prayer and meditation. She devoted her time to caring for leprosy and cancer patients, as well as visiting prisoners condemned to death. Sarah Josepha Buell Hale was a 19th-century American editor and prophetic witness who worked for the ministry of women in the Episcopal church and the recognition of the influence of women in society. She is also remembered for preserving American historical monuments, working for the nationalization of the Thanksgiving holiday, and her publication of children s literature for Sunday School, including the poem Mary had a Little Lamb. Philip and James are known to us from the list of the Twelve Apostles. James is called the son of Alpheus. Philip appears in several stories in the Gospel of John. Athanasius was a fourth-century Bishop of Alexandria who was the major influence in settling the controversy at the Council of Nicea and the wording of the Nicene Creed. Monnica was the mother of Augustine of Hippo and was chiefly responsible for his conversion to Christianity. -29-

30 The Lord s Prayer (Contemporary) The people may stand. Each Sunday at Grace St. Paul s, the Lord s Prayer alternates between English and Spanish. Deacon: Oremos como nuestro Salvador Cristo nos enseñó, Diácono y Pueblo: 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 Fraction Anthem Celebrant: This is the bread that gives life to the world. People: Happy are those who are called to this table. The Invitation to Communion Celebrant: The Communion The gifts of God for the people of God. Deacon and People: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. The Fraction Anthem was adapted from anthems in Enriching Our Worship by The Rev. Steve Keplinger Please be seated. Everyone is invited to receive Holy Communion. Please approach the altar rail from the center aisle. Take the first available space. You may choose the standing station at the center or the stations along the rail. You may come forward to receive a blessing if you prefer not to receive communion. Place crossed arms on chest to signal your desire for a blessing. You may also do this if you prefer not to receive the wine. You may touch the chalice and the chalice bearer will say the words of administration. Communion Anthem A new commandment William Mundy (c c. 1591) -30-

31 Communion Hymn O blessed spring (Green) WLP No

32 Sending Eucharistic Visitors After communion, the service resumes here. The Celebrant may name the Eucharistic Visitors and those who may receive Holy Communion at home. All say together: We send you forth bearing these Holy Gifts. May those to whom you go share with us in the Communion of Christ s Body and Blood. We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup. Postcommunion Prayer Celebrant: The people may stand. The Postcommunion Prayer was written by Stephen M. Fearing, and posted on Wild and Precious Life, Let us pray. People: Resurrected God, though we have hidden ourselves in a locked room and huddled together as ones who build barriers, send your Living Word through our locked doors and into our guarded hearts that we might be witnesses of your grace and couriers of your goodness. Blessing By the power of your Holy Spirit, grant us the trust to believe the Gospel not because we see it but because we have been seen by it and transformed through it. Amen. Celebrant: Go now, and love one another, because love is from God. Proclaim God s salvation to every generation. Remain in Jesus Christ, and like branches of a vine, draw your life from him. The Blessing is Adapted from Nathan Nettleton, LaughingBird.net. And may God the vine grower tend you and make you fruitful; May Christ Jesus abide in you and give you life; And may the Holy Spirit cast out all fear and fill you with God s love. Amen. -32-

33 Recessional Hymn O love, how deep, how broad, how high (Blue) No

34 Dismissal Deacon: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Resurrection! Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Postlude Voluntary for the Cornet Walter Watson Please join us following this service for Coffee Hour in McBride Hall (across the labyrinth), or join us for classes or meetings classrooms and meeting rooms are downstairs beneath the sanctuary, with access either by the stairs off the breezeway or by the ramp near the parking lot. Service Participants, 10 a.m. Deacon: The Rev. Nancy Meister Assisting: The Rev. Rosanna Kazanjian Lectors: Therese Trujillo, Charlie Cormode Gospel in Spanish: Teresa Mendez Subdeacon: Nanalee Raphael Chalice: Eric Carr, Kitt Leonard, Dick & Mary Ann Miya Acolytes: Rachel Whitaker, Savannah Lipp, Olivia Lara, Preston Ballesteros, Michael Ballesteros Acolyte Director: David Christy Ushers: Ethan Driver, Rick Lucas, Jane Nakazato, Jim Zuelow Altar Guild: Nancy Barton, Eric Carr, Greeters: Kitt Leonard Kitt Leonard, Judith Turner Listings of lay ministers are subject to last-minute changes after the bulletin is printed. -34-

35 We hold the following in our prayers today: We pray for Katharine our Presiding Bishop; Kirk our Bishop; Steve, our Rector; and the clergy and staff who serve Grace St. Paul s; the Diocese of Ngbo (Enugu, Nigeria), The Rt. Rev. Christian Ebisike; St. Paul s in Winslow; Ajo Way Church of God in Tucson. We pray for peace in Zimbabwe, Syria, Congo, Sudan, Gaza, and in all places. We pray for those in the military, especially those serving in combat zones, including Ronald Berryhill; Christopher Gallo; Michael Hannan; Andrew Harris; Donna Heath; Frederick Jenning; Jordan S. Marks; Eric Osche; Mark Pundt; Terrence Robinson; Laramie Struble; Brian. We pray for the people of South Sudan; Catherine Brown; Jill Clements; Walter Collins; Jay Elliston; Phyllis Garver; Oma Sam Guard; Sara Heitshu & Terry Friedman; Jean Keplinger; Christine Nelson; Phyllis Newberry; the family of Suzanne Nystrom; Danielle Phillips; Jane Pundt; Dorée Ramey; Barbara & Sam Reynolds; Robert Rosenberg; Susan Southwick; Ed; Lee; Edna; William Brown; Francesca Jarvis; Tony Jones; the family and friends of Julie LaRue, especially Br. Chuck & Nan Hannan; Maribel Ortiz; Peggy Southwick; Amy; Jerry & Rondy; Joel; Sister Joan; Kurt; Monica, Roman & Danitza; Marilyn; Nate; Nichole; Nick & Emily; Penny; Tina; Tommy; Yvonne; Yong Ae. We hold in prayer animal companions who are in need, especially Logan. We hold in prayer our animal companions who have died. We pray for those who have died, especially Julie LaRue; Suzanne Nystrom. We pray also for those who have died in the desert on our border and all those who have died in Afghanistan. PRAYER LIST GUIDELINES Names of parishioners submitted this week will remain on the list during the current month. Please contact David Wachter by 4 p.m. on Wednesday ( or bulletins@grace-stpauls.org) to add a name to the list printed in the bulletin. Names of nonparishioners, including relatives of parishioners, will remain on the prayers for one week only if the crisis continues, please call the church office each week by 4 p.m. on Wednesday to renew, or send an to bulletins@grace-stpauls.org. Full names will be listed unless first name only is requested. The Intercessory Prayer Team will receive all names submitted; this large team maintains daily intercessions. There are no time limitations on this ministry. -35-

36 GSP Parish Life May 3, 2015 The Sunday bulletin is filled with information about events at Grace St. Paul s or of interest to the Grace St. Paul s community. Please take it home and read it at your leisure. There s something for everyone! Check out GSP s website: Grace St. Paul s Episcopal Church 2331 E. Adams St., Tucson, AZ Arts for Summer Camp Spiritual and Cultural Treasures of Africa Join us as we: June 8-12, 2015 ages kindergarten-3rd grades and 4th-8th grades! create masks of African animals 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Cost: $65 scholarships available! learn about music and dance from different African nations! learn about, cook, and sample food from around the continent of Africa! meet insects, reptiles, and mammals from different parts of Africa! discover Bible stories of the Queen of Sheba; Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia; and the Ethiopian treasurer Register at and click on the Arts for Summer link or contact Rosalind Garcia at Rosalind.Garcia@grace-stpauls.org or at Old Yarn Cluttering Your Closet? Arts for Summer Camp Needs Yarn! The children will be making African animal masks. We need animal colored yarn for the masks. Contact Rosalind Garcia at Rosalind.Garcia@grace-stpauls.org or Thank you! -36-

37 Summer Help for Sunday School Summer is when we give our wonderful volunteers time off and ask for others to help us out by taking a Sunday or two to lead a lesson. We re pretty free-wheeling during the summer, so this is a great time to teach kids one of your hidden talents! We have eleven Sundays to fill: June 14, 21, and 28; July 5, 12, 19, and 26; August 2, 9, 16, and 23. Please let us know when you can help by contacting Rosalind Garcia at Rosalind.Garcia@grace-stpauls.org or at SpiritSong: Worship in the Style of Taizé SpiritSong is GSP s monthly contemplative worship experience in the style of the very popular Taizé movement in France. Using candlelight, times for silent reflection, lovely repetitive chants from Taizé, and opportunities for personal reflection, SpiritSong is designed for anyone who seeks to go deeper in the Spirit. SpiritSong, led by Roger Pierce and Jane Click, occurs on the second Sunday of each month at 6 p.m. Join us in the chancel area for the beautiful experience of SpiritSong. Kiosk? What s That? It s that little machine that looks like an ipad, the one in the narthex of the church and it is there to help you make your financial giving to GSP so much easier. Remember, you can make a one-time gift, indicate your new financial intentions for 2015, and make regular contributions through your friendly Kiosk. If you re unsure how it works, just ask. Try it you ll like it! -37-

38 WILL YOU LEAVE MORE than an EMPTY PEW? Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. until Noon in McBride Hall Planned Giving provides options for considering your family, church, and community in your will or estate plan. You may be able to reduce taxes on your estate and give more help to the people and organizations you care about. Led by Clyde Kunz, board member of Episcopal Church Foundation. Presented by Giving and Receiving committee. Light refreshments will be provided. No reservation is needed, but an RSVP to will help us plan. GSP Saturday Night Baseball Club! Enjoy UA baseball with others from GSP! We ll meet at the GSP parking lot an hour to 45 minutes before the game and carpool. Games are scheduled on Saturdays: May 9 (vs. Washington), 7 p.m.; and May 23 (vs. Hawaii), 6 p.m. (Schedule is subject to change.) Ticket prices (general admission, single game): $10 (full price) or $7 (seniors and youth 3-12) at gate on same day, OR $8 (full price) or $5 (seniors and youth 3-12) online before game day. (Tickets are available online at Want to go to a game, but the cost is an issue? Call the church office ((520) ) we can make it happen! -38-

39 Coffee Hour Hospitality We d like to make coffee hour self-supporting. Your donations of food and any monetary contributions you make can help offset the costs of condiments and paper products. Coffee and light refreshments are offered on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in McBride Hall. We have wonderfully generous members and talented bakers and we want to take advantage of both. So, in an effort to have the wealth spread evenly across the various Sundays each month, we ll ask folks to provide goodies based on the first letter in their last names:! The first Sunday of each month: last names that begin with letters A F! The second Sunday of each month: last names that begin with letters G L! The third Sunday of each month: last names that begin with letters M R! The fourth Sunday of each month: last names that begin with letters S Z Our hope is that, by providing some sort of schedule, we will have something delicious to offer consistently every Sunday. Let s have a feast every week! Of course, anyone inspired to share good food on additional Sundays is welcome to do so. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Allen, the chair of the Coffee Hour Hospitality ministry, at Liturgy & Music SPIRIT NOW: An Emerging Worship Experience, Inclusive and Interactive Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. in McBride Hall. Join us for a contemporary weekday worship service. Each week we focus on a different theme and our liturgy includes simple chants, readings from other traditions, and a shared Eucharist. LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE? Would you like to try Prayer in a small community? Come to Evening Prayer on Tuesdays, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. in the Julian Chapel. On the first Tuesday of each month, Evening Prayer will include Communion. Stay afterwards for the brief fellowship afterwards if you d like. Come join us in the joy of small, prayerful community. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Br. Chuck or Nan Hannan, Gale Odion, or Mark Drew. INTERFAITH MEDITATION GROUP Please join us for meditation every Tuesday at 7 p.m. for an intimate, candle-lit gathering in the Julian Chapel. Our meditation group is inclusive and open to all regardless of where you may be on your spiritual journey or whether you are new to meditation or an experienced meditator. Our format begins with a short optional walking meditation that flows into our minutes of silent seated meditation. For more information please contact David Clements at INVITATION FROM THE USHERING COMMITTEE GSP needs a few people who are willing to join ushering teams for the 10 a.m. service. The time commitment is once every four weeks. There are also -39-

40 opportunities for substitute ushers (vacation fill-ins, holidays, etc.) Training is provided. This is a wonderful way to meet people at GSP and to offer friendship and a warm welcome to the church! If you are interested, please contact Jane Nakazato at jnyoga@aol.com. Thank you!! INVITATION FROM ALTAR GUILD GSP needs a small amount of your time each month to help make its worship space a place of beauty, and to prepare and clean the vessels used for communion. If you would like to consider volunteering for this ministry, the Altar Guild would love to have you. Please contact Jane Thrall at either (520) or tucsonjane@aol.com. Thank you! DIGITAL BULLETIN AVAILABLE! For those who find it an aid to worship (and can help save trees and money), we have made our Sunday bulletin available for download on electronic devices. You can access the bulletin by visiting our website and clicking on Sunday Bulletins, clicking on the link provided in the left column of the Friday , or by scanning the QR code right here. If you choose to download the bulletin, please be respectful of your neighbor and be particularly careful about the light that your device casts. Our goal is always to create the most spirit-filled, meditative, energizing, and enlightening worship experience possible for all. RECORDINGS AVAILABLE CD and DVD recordings of the 10 a.m. service may be ordered; please contact the church office ( ). FLOWERS Did something special happen to you recently that you d like to celebrate? Honor it with altar flowers or plants! Perhaps you want flowers or plants in memory of or in honor of a loved one. If so, call the office ( ) to arrange flower or plant dedications. Any Office Welcome Team volunteer will be happy to take your information and give it to Jean Smart, our Parish Administrator. Adult Spiritual Formation TODAY: Exploring Today s Lectionary 9 a.m. in the Bloom Education Center. Does the Bible just seem like Greek to you? One Sunday a month we discuss the Bible readings for that day in more depth and in a small-group setting. Come join us for a thoughtful but always lively conversation about scripture! Are you interested in a Women s Bible Study? We want to gauge the interest in creating a Women s Bible Study that would meet during the day. Please contact us at adulted@grace-stpauls.org to give us your input! CONTINUING: Weekday Class! Following the Way of Jesus: Reconsidering Our Christian Journeys Every Monday, 10 a.m.-noon, in the Bloom Education Center. We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen... What makes someone a Christian? What do you believe? For many of us, our understanding of what it means to be a Christian has been shaped not only by church teachings but also by time and experience over the course of our own unique spiritual journeys. Join us for a class experience at GSP each week in which we will undertake a shared conversation about what matters most to us as followers of Jesus. We will utilize a variety of media resources and each class will focus on a different aspect of Christian faith, allowing for plenty of time for questions, discussion, and sharing. In our first weeks we will consider our experiences of the Bible. Each session will stand alone and all are welcome. No registration needed. Co-facilitated by Catherine Penn Williams and Brian Arthur. CONTINUING: For Men: Coffee, Bagels and Bible Stuff Every Thursday morning from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in McBride -40-

41 Hall. Come join our Men s BS (Bible Stuff) group! We will engage different books of the Bible beginning with the Book of Acts in a relaxed and non-judgmental atmosphere, examining the text from a historical perspective and applying it to our current lives. All men are welcome! Facilitated by Bill Moore, GSP Junior Warden. The Spirituality of Decluttering 2 Sundays, May 10 & 17 at 9 a.m. in the Bloom Education Center. Got too much stuff? This spring, Time Magazine made the claim that Americans have more possessions than any time in history. And yet, all that stuff doesn t make us happy, as rates of depression and anxiety continue to soar in American culture. Join us in a non-judgmental setting as we explore the post-wwii phenomenon of material acquisition and how the new movements of decluttering and minimalist living are becoming spiritual practices for many people of faith. During our discussion, we will draw on current resources such as Marie Kondo (author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing), The Minimalists (authors of Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life) and Mark Scandrette (author of FREE: Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most). Facilitated by Catherine Penn Williams, co-chair of Adult Spiritual Formation Ministry. She is a recovering paper hoarder and a collector of too many beautiful things. Beyond Tribalism Preaching a 21st Century Pentecost Sunday, May 24 at 9 a.m. in the Bloom Education Center. Together we will read Pastor Dawn Hutchings sermon, Beyond Tribalism Preaching a 21st Century Pentecost. We will utilize her text to view our understanding, misunderstanding, and biases about Pentecost and the Quiet Member of the Trinity The Holy Spirit. We will also utilize her text as a jumping-off point to share our own Pentecost stories and to examine our own images or visions of the Holy Spirit. Facilitated by Dr. Robert Ward, GSP member and psychotherapist who specializes in work with adolescents and families. Robert wrote his doctoral thesis on Integrating Spirituality and Psychotherapy. He has also worked as a business consultant addressing the topic of Spirituality in the Work Place. Exploring Today s Lectionary Sunday, May 31 at 9 a.m. in the Bloom Education Center. Does the Bible just seem like so much Greek to you? One Sunday a month we discuss the Bible readings for that day in more depth and in a small group setting. Come join us for a thoughtful but always lively conversation about scripture! Health & Healing Ministries INVITATION FROM DESERT ANGELS QUILTING MINISTRY Do you like to sew? Then maybe you would like to join our quilting group. We meet every Wednesday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. in McBride Hall, with a break at noon for lunch (be sure to bring your lunch!). If you have any questions, or if you would like more information, please contact Judith Turner at (520) DONATE BLANKETS AND TOWELS FOR DOGS AND CATS There is a desperate need for blankets and towels to provide physical and emotional comfort to the hundreds of dogs and cats who are sheltered at Pima Animal Care Center (PACC). Towels and blankets help soften the harshness of cement floors and wire crates, and provide some emotional security to the animals at PACC. The shelter is a very stressful place; the comfort that blankets and towels can bring has the added bonus of helping the cats and dogs become more adoptable by relieving some of that stress. So clean out your closets and give a helping hand to the animals at PACC!! Please leave your extra towels and blankets in the donation box in McBride Hall. Thank you for your kindness. Sponsored by the Animals and Spirituality Ministry. PASTORAL CARE EMERGENCIES It is easy and quick to reach a member of the pastoral care team. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call -41-

42 If you would like to learn more about how to volunteer as a pastoral care giver, please contact The Rev. Steve Kelsey at or via e- mail at smkelsey@gmail.com. Social Justice & Outreach Just Coffee: Dark Roast, Regular Roast, and Decaf (bean or ground) will be available for sale and for order at $9-$10/pound in McBride Hall today after both services. LATEST ON JOSEPH S PANTRY As the weather has been warming up, the pantry has been getting more requests for sticks of deodorant. When you are out shopping, please consider buying a few deodorants for our guests. Also, keeping enough jars of peanut butter on our shelves is always a struggle; we would appreciate help with that as well. Volunteers are needed on Thursday mornings and every other Tuesday morning. If you are interested in volunteering, please Christy Thomas cethomas853@gmail.com or call Andrew Gardner at (520) TIHAN NEEDS YOUR HELP! Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) seeks donations of all kinds for Especially needed are toilet paper and paper towels (other congregations are taking care of other needs). Donations may be placed in the TIHAN box in McBride Hall. Thanks for your help! DRIVERS NEEDED: BREAD FROM THE PANTRY Do you have 45 minutes to spare once a week? Or once a month? Bread from the Pantry is looking for drivers to collect and deliver bread on different days during the week. Volunteers can sign up for the same day every week or the same day once a month. We ll work with your schedule! Volunteers need a good-sized sedan or small SUV and need to be comfortable working alone in the evening. Volunteers collect bread from Beyond Bread (on Campbell south of Ft. Lowell) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The bread is collected at 8 p.m. and delivered to GSP. If you re interested or would like additional details, please call Bill Trujillo at Thank you! Parish Membership & Administration GET YOUR NAME TAG! If you don t already have a name tag, please sign up for one at the Welcome Table in McBride Hall or on the bulletin board across from the Welcome Table. HOW DO I SUBMIT ITEMS FOR THE SUNDAY BULLETIN? Please send bulletin announcements to David Wachter at bulletins@grace-stpauls.org. Please make prayer list requests by calling the church office at and speaking with the Office Welcome Team volunteer, or by sending them directly to David Wachter at bulletins@grace-stpauls.org. The deadline for the Sunday bulletin is 4 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Prayer list requests for the bulletin may be made until 4 p.m. on Wednesday this week. Thanks! HOW DO I SCHEDULE EVENTS AT GSP? If you would like to schedule a meeting or event at Grace St. Paul s, contact Jean Smart, GSP s Parish Administrator, in the church office; please her at ParishAdmin@grace-stpauls.org. -42-