St. Thomas Memorial Church
The Sixth Sunday of Easter:
Rogation Sunday
The Holy Eucharist – Rite II
May 5, 2024
Prelude “Breslau” Michael Higgins
The Service begins at the back of the church.
Priest Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
People Praise Him and highly exalt Him forever.
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us pray.
The Prayers of the Day
Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life. Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rogation Day Gospel: Matthew 6:25-34
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth; We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Rogation Blessing on the Soil and Seed
Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of life, let your blessing be upon this soil and the seeds to be planted in it and grant that it may serve to your glory and the welfare of your people, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Processional Hymn #291 “We plow the fields and scatter”
Starting on Pg. 355 of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)
Priest Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Prayer for Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gloria—Hymn #S-236
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you, for the radiance of your holy Name; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.
Glory to you, in the splendor of your temple; on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.
Priest The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Priest Let us pray.
The Collect of the Day
The Reading of God’s Word
The First Lesson: Acts 10:44-48
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98
The Second Lesson: 1 John 5:1-6
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn #412 “Earth and all stars” vv. 1,2,3
Before the Gospel
Reader The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Holy Gospel: John 15:9-17
After the Gospel
Reader The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon…………………………………………………………………………………..The Rev. Jeffrey D. Murph
The Nicene Creed (Pg. 358, BCP)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all
that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the
Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten,
not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the
Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made
man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death
and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the
Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will
have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People, Form I (Pg. 383, BCP)
With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord have mercy”.
For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our Bishops, especially Ketlen Solak, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this town, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the good earth, which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those in our thoughts and for the sick, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those celebrating their birthdays this week, especially Cyndie Rollinson, James M. Fitzroy, Jacqui Matthews, Janice Wolfe, Ian Dew-Becker, Dan Trecki, Zachary Aber, Linda Getts, and Anne Gocke, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those celebrating their anniversaries this week, especially Paul & Shelley Cammisa, Michael & Gretchen Kurzawa, and Dan & Jill Squire, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the ministries we support through Outreach, Shepherd’s Heart, the Eucharistic Ministry, and for all our missionaries at home and abroad, to Your honor and glory, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the Pittsburgh Diocese, especially St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Brackenridge, and the Rev. Dr. Frank Yesko, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For all men and women in the armed forces, and we pray, as your Son taught us, for our enemies. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
In the communion of St. Thomas and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our Lord. To Thee, O Lord our God.
(Concluding prayer read by the celebrant.)
The Confession (Pg. 360, BCP)
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen
The Absolution
The Peace
Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements
The Holy Communion
Offertory
“Rain Down On Me” by Ruth Elaine Schram
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Offering of Bread, Wine and Alms
The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer A
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing…..Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Hymnal S-130—Holy, holy, holy Lord Schubert
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.
Then the Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself;….the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world….”Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Priest and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Priest continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving……All this we ask for your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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
Priest Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Invitation
Hymn S-164—Lamb of God (Angus Dei)
Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus bearer of our sins: have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world: give us your peace, give us your peace.
(All baptized persons are welcome to receive the sacrament at our altar rail.)
Communion Hymn #302 “Father, we thank thee who hast planted”
“Here is Love”
Here is love vast as the ocean, loving kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember, who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten throughout heaven’s eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above;
And heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love.
By Matt Redman Song words used by Permission CCLI #940217
After Communion the Priest says
Let us pray.
Priest and People
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing
Recessional Hymn #400 “All creatures of our God and King” vv. 1,4,5,7
Dismissal
Priest Alleluia! Let us go forth in the name of Christ
People Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude “Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word” Thomas Walmisley
We at St. Thomas, members of the Body of Christ, are called by God to Grow;
Spiritually, in Parish Life, in Community Life, and as a Congregation.
SAINT THOMAS MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
378 Delaware Avenue
Oakmont, PA 15139
412-828-9680
www.st-tom.org
Email: sttomoakmont@gmail.com
The Rev. Jeffrey D. Murph, Rector
The Rev. Daniel J. Isadore, Associate Rector
Diocesan Resident Guy Brown, MDiv.
Mrs. Louise Lugar, Organist/Choir Director
St. Thomas’ Vestry
Matt Derby Paul Cammisa Lawrence Miguez Betti Rottschaefer
Sr. Warden Jr. Warden Vestry Clerk Treasurer
Shahnaz Alam-Denlinger, James Fischer, Theresa McClain, Lisa McClelland, John Westermann
UPCOMING / ONGOING EVENTS:
Monday—Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer in the Thomas House Chapel
Tuesdays at 11 am Bible Study in the Guild Room
Wednesdays at 10 am Healing Eucharist Service in the Thomas House Chapel
Sundays at 9:30 Adult Sunday School in the Guild Room
** Please take a bag of blessed dirt home with you to scatter over your gardens/landscaping.
** The healing services on May 8 and 15, and the Bible Study on May 14 are cancelled, as Fr. Murph will be out of town. The class and service will resume May 21 and 22 respectively.
** A generous donor has offered to match any contributions to the organ fund up to $8,000 (there is still almost $3,000 remaining). If you haven’t already donated or would like to add to your donation, please consider doing so now, as essentially your donation would be doubled. We are about $8,000 from our goal.
** St. Thomas will host a blood drive on May 26 from 8:30 am – 1 pm. Use the code UGoo50031 at vitalant.org, call 1-877-25VITAL or contact Wilma Gaughan at wmarieg@gmail.com to register.
** St. Thomas will host the bishop on our 150th Anniversary – June 9. We will also hold the Parish Picnic that day, in celebration of this event and to welcome our new confirmands. Parishioners are asked to bring a salad or side dish to share. The main course and a cake will be provided.
2024: St. Thomas’ 150th Anniversary Celebration Remember ~ Rejoice ~ Renew
Participants for this service:
Acolytes: Paul, Andy, and Ben Pierce
1st Lesson: Andy Pierce
2nd Lesson: Pat Serafini
Leader, Prayers of the People: Lawrence Miguez
Verger: Wilma Gaughan
Ushers: Lawrence Miguez, Jon Dailey
Coffee Hour Host/Hostess: Laurel & Josue Almada
** Denotes chalice bearer
Last week’s attendance: 8:00 29
10:30 60
Organ Fund Donations: $600.00 (amount doubled per match donation)
Total Donations: $5,027.23
