The Second Sunday of Easter

April 11, 2021 | 10 a.m.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church | Williamsburg VA

The Word of God

Opening Hymn    Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Refrain Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name. Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation. Refrain

Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and has risen. Refrain

Opening Acclamation

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Collect for Purity                                                                                                      Book of Common

Prayer, p. 355

Song of Praise

God’s Paschal Lamb is sacrificed for us.

Therefore with joy we keep the Easter feast; Forsaking sin, we share the bread of truth. Alleluia, alleluia!

The Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Reading    Acts 4:32-35

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the

apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 133 (in unison)

Oh, how good and pleasant it is, * when kindred live together in unity! It is like fine oil upon the head * that runs down upon the beard,

Upon the beard of Aaron, * and runs down upon the collar of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon * that falls upon the hills of Zion.

For there God has ordained the blessing: * life for evermore.

The Second Reading    1 John 1:1-2:2

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life– this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was

revealed to us– we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one

another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamation    Celtic Alleluia

The Gospel    John 20:19-31

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Christ.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the

other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that

through believing you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon                                                                                                                                       Steve Prince

A period of silence follows the sermon.

The Nicene Creed

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 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 Prayers of the People

Alleluia! What was dead shall live; what was dark shall shine; what was forgotten shall be remembered, for the Lord is risen and walks among us. Let us bring before God the needs of all our world, claiming that renewal and proclaiming, Christ is risen indeed.

God of life, in gratitude and great joy we praise you for the gifts of Christ’s resurrection. Give us hope, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

On this day which brings joy to all Christians, inspire us to work toward the unity of the church, that Christ’s body may be one, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

For all who at this challenging time have particular need of the gift of Easter; for all who journey from illness to health, from despair to hope, from grief to consolation, from loneliness to love. We pray

for Emma, Audrey, Hannah, Anna, Ann, and Asher and all our neighbors, that death may have no more

power over us, for Christ is risen:

Christ is risen indeed.

For all who suffer and all who mourn, that today you will wipe away all tears, for Christ is risen:

Christ is risen indeed.

Grant us the persistent faith of Mary Magdalene and the surprised belief of Peter and John. May we long to be your sign of life in our world, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

May we be one in faith with all who have died in Christ, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

God of life, we thank you for the mystery planted in us, the paradox of life from death and community from scattered disciples. We praise you for the dying which saves us from death and for the rising which brings us life. We pray, as we live, through Jesus the risen one, in the power of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

The Peace and Announcements

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

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving    Eucharistic Prayer A 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 God thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and with all the company of

heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power, God of 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. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, 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.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he

had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he 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 shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through 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 for ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 Bread

Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out through you and me, Spreading out into the desert, setting all the people free.	Joy is flowing like a river…
Love is flowing like a river…	Hope is flowing like a river…

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Communion Hymn    Peace is flowing like a river

The Post-Communion Prayer

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 of Easter

May almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.

May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever. Amen.

He is risen! He is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice. He has burst his three days’ prison; Let the whole wide earth rejoice. Death is conquered; we are free. Christ has won the victory. He is risen! He is risen! He hath opened heaven’s gate.  We are free from sin’s dark prison, Risen to a holier state. And a brighter Easter beam On our longing eyes shall stream.

May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. Amen.

Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

The Closing Hymn    He is risen

The Dismissal

Alleluia! Alleluia! Let us go forth in the name of the Risen Christ.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

And the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son,

and the

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the lives of Kathryn Blake Hicks and Jonathan Joseph Hicks.