The 5th Sunday of Easter

May 10, 2020

Rob and Beth welcome us to church on this lovely Mothers’ Day.

The ringing of the bell calls us to worship and gives us a sign of hope.

Follow the service on this page by using the + and – signs to open and close the sections, or you may like to download the PDF of the service booklet at the link below.

May 10 – 5th Sunday of Easter PDF Download

Introductory Rites

Hymn - Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing

Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

The Lord of life is ris'n today;
death's mighty stone is rolled away;
let all the earth rejoice and say:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

We sing in songs of victory
that Love, that Life, which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Your Name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Entrance Antiphon - Cf Ps 98:1-2

O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders;
in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.

Greeting

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Christ is risen, alleluia.
He is risen indeed, alleluia.

Penitential Act

Dear friends,
this water will be sprinkled on us
as a memorial of our Baptism.
May the Lord our God help us by his grace
to remain faithful to the Spirit we have received.

I saw water flowing from the Temple,
from its right-hand side, alleluia:
and all to whom this water came
were saved and shall say: alleluia, alleluia.

May almighty God cleanse us of our sins,
and through the celebration of this Eucharist
make us worthy to share at the table of his Kingdom.
Amen.

Hymn of Praise

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God's people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Everliving God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:
give us grace to love one another,
to follow in the way of his commandments,
and to share his risen life;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading - Acts 7.55-60

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Standing before the high priest and the council, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

For the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.

Psalm 31.1-5, 17-18

1. To you, Lord, have I come for shelter:
let me never be put to shame.
2. O deliver me in your righteousness:
incline your ear to me and be swift to save me.

3. Be for me a rock of refuge, a fortress to defend me:
for you are my high rock and my stronghold.
4. Lead me and guide me for your name’s sake:
bring me out of the net that they have secretly laid for me, for you are my strength.

5. Into your hands I commit my spirit:
you will redeem me, O Lord God of truth.

17. All my days are in your hand:
O deliver me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.
18. Make your face to shine upon your servant:
and save me for your mercy’s sake.

Second Reading - 1 Peter 2.2-10

A reading from the first letter of Peter.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight. Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,’ and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

For the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.

Catherine reads from Acts; the singers bring Psalm 31; Peter T reads from 1 Peter

Gospel Acclamation - John 14.6

Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.'
Alleluia!

Gospel - John 14.1-14

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.’

For the Gospel of the Lord,
praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel acclamation; Fr Graeme reads the gospel

Reflection with Fr Graeme Kaines

Especially when they are with their parents, children tend strongly to trust where they are being taken. At this stage of Easter we are preparing for Christ to be removed from our physical presence into a new kind of presence. In today’s Gospel Jesus calls us to the fundamental relationship of trust and assures us that he is not going to abandon us when the change happens. It is important for us not to be afraid and to trust God in our roles as a royal priesthood and living stones of the Gospel.

We read today how Thomas asks Jesus where he is taking them because they do not know where this is to be. The reply from Jesus is that they trust him and must not let their hearts be troubled. He continues that he is returning to the Father and that this will one day be their final destination. With his Father there are many dwelling places – a place suitable for every single person. God will be very inclusive. Jesus goes before to prepare a place for all of us. We are not given any details except that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life.

We all negotiate periods of turmoil and distress when sometimes we find we need to suspend our trust in particular people or organisations. Things happen which can throw us into confusion and make our trust very difficult. Often our trust is not destroyed but rather suspended. It can be the same for us and Jesus.

At such times it is good to recall past blessings and the joy and happiness which we have experienced previously because the effect of Jesus on ours or other people’s lives. Then we were able to see what happened as the work of Jesus, so why not now in our present situation? It is tragic to allow trust in Christ to fade without challenge.

At present at St Mary Magdalene’s Church we are passing through very troubling times – small congregations, alarming shortfalls in income and all the problems of Covid-19. It is important that we trust in God and offer to God all the good aspects of our parish life at St Mary Magdalene’s Church. It is amazing, for example, how so much that is positive has sprung up since we were forbidden to gather at church for Mass. Our Parish is blessed with much spiritual depth and much technological skill, both of which have come to the fore. This shows how far from dead our parish community is. There is much for which we can all hope.

Fr Graeme’s reflection on the gospel reading

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 joys in love.

The singers practise physical distancing to bring you music each Sunday.

Come My Way: Text by George Herbert, Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Apostles' Creed

Let us profess the faith of the church:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Leonie leads us in prayers for Mothers’ Day

Greeting of Peace

We are the body of Christ.
God’s Spirit is with us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Altar and Gifts

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God, the Father almighty.

May the Lord accept our sacrifice
for the praise and glory of God’s name,
for our good, and the good of all God’s holy Church.

Prayer over the Offerings

Gracious God,
you show us your way
and give us your divine life.
May everything we do
be directed by the knowledge of your truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

All glory and honour, be yours now and always,
mighty Creator, everliving God.

We give you thanks and praise for your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who by the power of your Spirit was born of Mary
and lived as one of us.

He is the true Paschal Lamb
who was offered for us
and has taken away the sin of the world.
He is the Good Shepherd
who knows the sheep
and calls them each by name.

By his death, he has destroyed death
and by his rising to life again
has restored us to eternal life.

Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name,
for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Merciful God, we thank you for these gifts of your creation,
this bread and wine,
and we pray that by your Word and Holy Spirit,
we who eat and drink them
may be partakers of Christ's body and blood.

On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread;
and when he had given you thanks
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
'Take, eat. This is my body given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.'

After supper, he took the cup,
and again giving you thanks
he gave it to his disciples, saying,
'Drink from this, all of you.

This is my blood of the new covenant
shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.

Therefore we do as our Saviour has commanded:
proclaiming his offering of himself
made once for all upon the cross,
his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,
and looking for his coming again,
we celebrate, with this bread and this cup,
his one perfect and sufficient sacrifice
for the sins of the whole world.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit,
unite us in the body of your Son,
and bring us with all your people
into the joy of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
with whom, and in whom,
in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
we worship you, Father,
in songs of never-ending praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power
are yours for ever and ever. Amen.

Communion Rite

The Lord's Prayer

Let us pray with confidence to the Father
in the words our Saviour against us:

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.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the bread and invitation to communion

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
We who are many are one body,

for we all share in the one bread.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Act of Spiritual Communion - St Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Communion Antiphon - Cf John 15:1, 5

I am the true vine and you are the branches, says the Lord.
Whoever remain in me, and I in them, bear fruit in plenty, alleluia

Prayer after Communion

God of love,
in this eucharist we have heard your truth
and shared in your life.
May we always walk in your way,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

Hymn - Jesus lives! Thy terrors now can, O Death, no more appal us

Jesus lives! thy terrors now
Can, O Death, no more appal us;
Jesus lives! by this we know
Thou, O Grave, canst not enthrall us.
alleluia!

Jesus lives! henceforth is death
But the gate of Life immortal;
This shall calm our trembling breath,
When we pass its gloomy portal.
alleluia!

Jesus lives! for us He died;
Then alone to Jesus living,
Pure in heart may we abide,
Glory to our Savior giving.
alleluia!

Jesus lives! our hearts know well
Naught from us his love shall sever;
Life, nor death, nor powers of hell
Tear us from his keeping ever.
alleluia!

Jesus lives! to him the Throne
Over all the world is given;
We, in spirit with him one,
Rest and reign with him in heaven.
alleluia!

Concluding Rites

Blessing and Dismissal

The God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you what is pleasing in his sight;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Fr Graeme gives us the blessing

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

At the shrine of Our Lady

Regina Coeli

Joy to thee, O Queen of heaven, alleluia!
He whom thou was meet to bear, alleluia!
As he promised hath arisen, alleluia!
Pour for us to God thy prayer, alleluia!

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God,
Who gave joy to the world
through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant we pray, that with his mother, the Virgin Mary,
we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Time for morning tea. Catherine has set a delicious feast to celebrate Mothers’ Day and we have more familiar faces to greet. It’s lovely to see Philip and Helen, and to welcome Heather, John D, Stephanie and Alison with their mothers.