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THE  FIFTH  SUNDAY  OF  EASTER

Holy Eucharist - Rite II (Year B)

April 28, 2024       9:30 AM

This Bulletin, with Psalm and Prayers, is from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. The Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All Hymns/Music are used with permission under Saint Gabriel’s Copyright License #21688433 and #21688440 from Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc.

THE  ENTRANCE   RITE

(In preparation for worship, please be seated and remain in silent meditation, ensuring that all mobile devices are silenced.)

Opening Sentence and Prayer

Entrance Hymn  (The Hymnal 1982, #376)              ‘Joyful, joyful, we adore thee’

Greeting and Easter Acclamation                                                Prayer Book, page 355

Gloria in Excelsis (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #243)       ‘Glory to God’              

Prayer of the Day                                                                           Prayer Book, page 225

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 our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE  LITURGY  OF   THE  WORD 

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (8: 26 - 40)                                   Carl Elbers

²⁶An 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.) ²⁷So 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 ²⁸and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” ³⁰So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. ³²Now 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. ³³In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” ³⁴The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. ³⁶As 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?” ³⁸He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. ³⁹When 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. ⁴⁰But 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.

Lector         The Word of the Lord.                                 People           Thanks be to God.

Psalm 22: 24 - 30                  Deus, Deus meus                                                          Choir

24     My praise is of him in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.

25     The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: “May your heart live forever!”

26     All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.

27     For kingship belongs to the Lord; he rules over the nations.

28     To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship, all who go down to the dust fall before him.

29     My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the Lord’s forever.

30     They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn the saving deeds that he has done.

A Reading from the First Letter of John (4: 7 - 21)                                 Nashine Fraser

⁷Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. ¹⁰In 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. ¹¹Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. ¹³By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. ¹⁵God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. ¹⁶So 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. ¹⁷Love 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. ¹⁸There 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. ¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰Those 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. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

The Word of the Lord.                                                     People         Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #62)  ‘In Christ there is no east or west.’

GOSPEL REFRAIN (African American Heritage Hymnal, #642)

(Sung thrice, before and after the Gospel)

Halle, halle, halle - lujah,      Halle, halle, halle – lujah.

Halle, halle, halle - lujah,      Hallelujah, halle – lujah.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (15: 1 - 8)

¹ Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. ²He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide 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. ⁵I 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. ⁶Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Homily                                                           

Profession of Faith (The Nicene Creed)                                       Prayer Book, page 358

Prayers of the People (Form IV)             Noel Browne                Prayer Book, page 388

Confession of Sin and Absolution                                               Prayer Book, page 360

Gesture of Peace

THE   LITURGY  OF  THE   EUCHARIST

Offertory Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #432)    ‘O praise ye the Lord!’         

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (Eucharistic Prayer B) (Stand or kneel)                       Prayer Book, page 367

The Preface of Easter                                                           Prayer Book, page 379

Sanctus and Benedictus (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #255) 

Memorial Acclamation (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #260)

The Great Amen (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #233)

The Lord’s Prayer (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #264)

Agnus Dei (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #270)

Communion of the People

All baptized persons are invited to share in the Body and Blood of Christ including those of other Christian traditions. The Body of Christ will be placed on your open palm while you receive the Blood of Christ by drinking from the Chalice.

Persons who do not wish to receive may come forward for a blessing with their arms folded across their chest.

Hymns during the Administration of Holy Communion:

(Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #138 / #145) ‘Lord, I want to Be a Christian’ / ‘Have thine own way, Lord!’

Prayer after Communion (Stand or kneel)                                 Prayer Book, page 366

The Easter Blessing

Welcome / Announcements (Birthday, Travel, Blessing of the Children)

Mission Hymn    (The Hymnal 1982, #561)     ‘Stand up, stand up, for Jesus’

Organ Postlude (Please remain in your place until the Postlude is ended and the candles are extinguished. Be mindful of those who have stayed behind for prayer.)

WELCOME * BIENVENUE * BIENVENIDOS

The Priest, Wardens, and Vestry of our Parish welcome all visitors and members who have joined us in celebrating the Resurrection of God in Christ. 

We hope that you have had a rewarding spiritual experience, and we pray that you will come again. If you are looking for a spiritual home, we invite you to join our fellowship and worship. Please speak with the Priest or one of the Ushers.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: MAY

Holy Eucharist, Sundays, 9:30 am (Sanctuary/Online)

(Facebook / YouTube / Zoom ID: 970 3502 6969 / Passcode: 026667)

(Telephone: 1.646.876.9923 / ID: 970 3502 6969)

Sunday School (Golden Hall) 

Confirmation Class, Sundays, 1 pm

Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer, Wednesdays, 10 am (Sanctuary/Zoom ID: 953 4196 0007 / Passcode: 025388 / Telephone: 1.646.876.9923 / ID: 953 4196 0007)

Wednesday, May 1: NO BIBLE STUDY

Thursday, May 9, 10 am, Feast of the Ascension (Sanctuary/Zoom)

Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day Celebration (Brotherhood of St. Andrew)

Saturday, May 18, Tea Party (Fund Raising Committee)

Sunday, May 19, 9:30 am, Feast of Pentecost

Saturday, May 25, Grab and Go Brunch (Episcopal Church Women)

Sunday, May 26, 9:30 am, Feast of the Holy Trinity

SPECIAL  OFFERINGS   AND  INTENTIONS

ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: The Church of Bangladesh; Easton, The Episcopal Church; Eau Claire, The Episcopal Church; Central Ecuador, The Episcopal Church; Edinburgh, The Scottish Episcopal Church; Edmonton, Canada; Saint Edmundsbury and Ipswich, England.

BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Bread and wine is offered in thanksgiving to God for Keith Williams who celebrated his birthday anniversary on April 13. May God continue to bless and keep him. Given by his wife, children and his entire family.

Candles are offered by Fay Hunt for God’s many blessing on her dear son, Nigel Escalona. “Wishing you God’s grace on your birthday (April 24). Love Always!”

Candles and flowers are offered to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the birthday anniversary of our niece Danyelle Hershkopf (April 23). Given with love, by her Aunts Paula, Suzette and Gilda, together with her Mum and Dad, Ingrid and Todd Hershkopf, and other Family Members. “May God's blessings of good health, happiness and prosperity, continue to be always abundant in your life.” 

Candles and flowers are offered to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the April birthday anniversaries of Carletta Mazyck, Donna Greene, Maritza Douglas, Michelle Douglas and Karen Douglas. Given with love, by Carlyle, Roger and Paula Douglas. May God’s blessings of good health, happiness and prosperity, be always abundant in your lives. 

BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK: Marilyn Campbell (28), Jennifer Higgins (28), Craig Semper (29), Hyacinth Headley (30), Imelda Cumberbatch (1), Avril Edmondson-Payne (1), Marcella Elson (1), Richard Buery (2), Doreen Loncke-Joseph (2), Elrid Holder (4).

DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: Saint Paul’s, Flatbush, Brooklyn; All Saints’, Brooklyn; Staff and Board of Directors of Episcopal Ministries; Saint  Paul’s, Glen Cove; Saint George’s, Flushing; Saint John’s, Flushing; Trinity Church, Roslyn.

HEALING PRAYERS for SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS: Nola Archer-Springer, Claudette Baptiste, Merle Beache, Janet Beaton, Velma Beckford, Orion Best, Gwendolyn Blackett, Joyce Bourne, Stella Brown-Pilgrim, Marie Clarke, Andria Clarke-Worrell, Ena Dixon, Ruby Doris, Dorothy Drakes, Kenneth Fleary, Amy Gibson, Dolsy Greaves-Prince, Lindora Hall, Nerissa Hawker-King, Lynette Hunte, Monica Jones, Meta Kane, Mavis King, Emmie Lambert, Germaine Mascoll, Leslin Maynard, Raymond Maynard, Deborah McPherson, Lynette Neptune, Ashton Parris, Lucille Peters, Miriam Prince, Erene Radix, Ursula Richards, Gene Richardson, Edgar Roper, Barbara Sammerson, Stanislaus Shortt, Deonne Squires-Gilbert, Hilda Small, Frederica Smith, Jean Soso, Izetta Thompson, Ivonne Waldron, Carol Williams, Denise Williams, Winslow Wilson, Ines Wyatt.

HEALING PRAYERS for SICK and SHUT-IN RELATIVES and FRIENDS: Jennifer Allen, Adrian Garner, Carmen Baez, Manuela Blot, Richard Boyce, Yvonne Callender, Cheryl Clarke, Tiffany Clarke, Patrick Codrington, Mayleen Cumberbatch, Gilberto Donaldson, Brenda Elbers, Sonia Estrada, Zie Garraway, Hazel Gittens, Avril Green, Myrna Johnson, Edward Jones, Dennis Joshua, Elizabeth Kane, Colleen Kane, Cyril Kane, Ika Kane, Thelma Kane, Vilima Kane, Carol Kane-Hicks, Syrrea Kane-Price, Shirley Lasley, Adrienne  Le’Blanc, Maureen Lewis, Mildred Liburd, Princess O’Garro, Jeannine Pierre-Louis, Pheobe Roberts, Monica Robinson-Khan, Joan Scott, Alana Tompkins, Philip Tudor, Mary Forde-Walters, Peter Williams, Bryon Wilson, Lemar Wynn, June Yanok.

+ IN MEMORIAM

Candles and Flowers are given in loving memory of my husband Ludovico A.B. Assanah, who died April 21, 2014, my aunt Malsey M. Duncan who died April 22, 2015, and my mother Unzel L. Simon who died April 24th, 2016. Given by Lola Simon-Assanah, and by their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

Candles are given in loving memory of William N. Nyemah, who departed this life on April 23, 2020. Given with love by his wife Izetta k. Thompson and Family. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

STUDENTS AT COLLEGE: Angelique Agard (Essex County College); Malike O. Cummings (Queens College); Amanda Drakes (Baruch College); Kesiena Gbidi (Medgar Evers College); Najite Gbidi (Kingsborough Community College); Andrew Garvey (John Jay College); Shekyah McKenzie (New York University); Marshal Neptune (Borough of Manhattan Community College); Saige Wilson (Fordham University); Coen Woodland (Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina).

UNITED STATES MILITARY: Bernard Abraham (Army, North Carolina); Bennett Barnes (Army, Poland); Kibwe Cummings (Coast Guard, Crisfield, Maryland); (Alonso Hall (Air Force, Japan); Richard Hinds (Army, South Korea); Trevaughn Luncheon (Navy, Florida), Shequita and Nephi Marston (Airforce, Germany), Shaquan McKenzie (Navy); Ashley McKenzie (Navy); Tacoma Washington (Army).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today, we welcome Father Joseph Diele as our celebrant and preacher. We pray God’s continued blessings on his Ministry.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Hosted  today by Body and Soul Ministry. If you would like to host on any given Sunday, please contact Jillian Gbidi at 1.718.219.0922.

OFFERINGS: Please bring your Offering to the Office, mail it to the Church, or send it in via Zelle (SaintGabrielsBrooklyn@gmail.com). Please write checks to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.

READINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, May 1 (Saint Philip and Saint James): Isaiah 30: 18 - 21 (Yolanda Usher); Psalm 119: 33 - 40; 2 Corinthians 4: 1 - 6 (Helen Walker); Prayers of the People, Form IV (Michael Ashby Sr.); John 14: 6 - 14. READINGS FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, May 5: Acts 10: 44 - 48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5: 1 - 6; Prayers of the People, Form V; John 15: 9 - 17.

WEEKLY BULLETIN: Please submit information for publication to the Office by noon on Wednesdays (stgabrielschurchbrooklyn@gmail.com)