Easter-3 (Yr C) May 4, 2025 | St. Mark's Episcopal Church

The prelude is a time for preparation for worship.

As we enter the sanctuary, let us prepare through quiet prayer and meditation.

The service is being livestreamed and recorded and will be available on our Facebook page and on YouTube.

The People’s responses are in bold type, and directions are italicized.

PRELUDE

“Variation on ‘Engelberg’” (Hymn #296) Kyle Johnson

Please stand

PROCESSIONAL

“”O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height” (v.1,2,4) The Hymnal 1982, #432

1 O praise ye the Lord!

Praise him in the height;

rejoice in his word,

ye angels of light;

ye heavens, adore him

by whom ye were made,

and worship before him,

in brightness arrayed.

2 O praise ye the Lord!

Praise him upon earth,

in tuneful accord,

all ye of new birth;

praise him who hath brought you

his grace from above,

praise him who hath taught you

to sing of his love.

4 O praise ye the Lord!

Thanksgiving and song

to him be outpoured

all ages along!

For love in creation,

for heaven restored,

for grace of salvation,

O praise ye the Lord!

The Liturgy of the Word

Celebrant Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Song of Praise LEVaS II, #246

Praise, praise, honor and glory, Praise, praise, honor and glory,

Praise, praise, honor and glory, Honor and glory to Christ, our King.

Celebrant 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.

Collect of the Day

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 9:1-20

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Psalm 30

(Reader and People read responsively by whole verse.)

1 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up *

and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *

and you restored me to health.

3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *

you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *

give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *

his favor for a lifetime.

6 Weeping may spend the night, *

but joy comes in the morning.

7 While I felt secure, I said, “I shall never be disturbed. *

You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”

8 Then you hid your face, *

and I was filled with fear.

9 I cried to you, O Lord; *

I pleaded with the Lord, saying,

10 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *

will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *

O Lord, be my helper.”

12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *

you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.

13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

A Reading from the Book of Revelation 5:11-14

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GRADUAL HYMN

“We know that Christ is raised” The Hymnal 1982, #296

1 We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.

Embraced by death he broke its fearful hold;

and our despair he turned to blazing joy.

Alleluia!

2 We share by water in his saving death.

Reborn we share with him an Easter life

as living members of a living Christ.

Alleluia!

3 The Father’s splendor clothes the Son with life.

The Spirit’s power shakes the Church of God.

Baptized we live with God the Three in One.

Alleluia!

4 A new creation comes to life and grows

as Christ’s new body takes on flesh and blood.

The universe restored and whole will sing:

Alleluia! Amen.

THE GOSPEL

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 21:1-19

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Please be seated

THE SERMON The Rev. Cn. Jodi Baron

Please stand

THE NICENE CREED

All: 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

In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Church of Ireland.

In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for Grace Church in Cincinnati, St. John in Lancaster, and Trinity in Columbus.

In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Don & Carol Nancarrow, Jeff & Libby Nicholson, and Faggio Nocero-Sargent.

In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.

Pray for the Church.

Silence

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people.

Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the sick, especially those on St. Mark’s prayer list: Rommel, Tibby, Patricia, Jim, Mary-Anna, Wayne, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Susan, and the Darnells; for the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison.

Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him.

Pray that they may find and be found by him.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed.

Pray for those who have died.

Silence

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored.

Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

Celebrant Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

(from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 33)

THE CONFESSION

Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God and our neighbors.

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.

Celebrant Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

THE PEACE

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

Please be seated

ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS

THE OFFERTORY

The Ushers collect the offering at this time

OFFERTORY SOLO Negro Spiritual—Edward Boatner

“Oh, What a Beautiful City” Soloist– Laura Leach

Please stand as the offerings are brought to the altar.

THE DOXOLOGY (verse 3) The Hymnal 1982, #380

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God all creatures here below;

Praise God above ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

A Prayer over the Gifts Received for the Children of CARE House

Lord Jesus, who took the children into your arms and embraced them with your love, receive these gifts for the children of CARE House. Through the power of your Spirit, may these offerings and the offering of all our ministries to them, bring them comfort and healing. May they come to know and feel in their hearts and in their souls the fullness of life and of love given to all of us by our one God and Father. In your holy name we pray. Amen

The Liturgy of the Table

God’s Table is open to all, as God’s Love is open to all.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER C

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.

Celebrant God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.

People Glory to you for ever and ever.

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.

By your will they were created and have their being.

From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.

Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.

By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.

And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

Please stand or kneel

Celebrant And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, 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.”

After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, 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.”

Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,

We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

Lord God of our Fathers; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.

Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

All 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 forever. Amen.

Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

FRACTION ANTHEM

“My flesh is food indeed” The Hymnal 1982, #S169

My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, says the Lord.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood dwell in me, and I in them.

My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, says the Lord.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

What we celebrate is not The Episcopal Church’s Supper, but The Lord’s Supper. All are welcome at the Lord’s Table for Communion; those not partaking are invited to come forward, cross your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing.

COMMUNION HYMN

“I am the bread of life” (v. 1,2,4) The Hymnal 1982, #335

1 I am the bread of life;

they who come to me shall not hunger;

they who believe in me shall not thirst.

No one can come to me unless the Father draw them.

And I will raise them up,

and I will raise them up on the last day.

2 The Bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world,

and they who eat of this bread, they shall live for ever.

Refrain

3 Unless you eat of the Flesh of the Son of Man

and drink of his Blood, you shall not have life within you.

Refrain

4 I am the resurrection, I am the life.

They who believe in me, even if they die, they shall live for ever.

Refrain

5 Yes, Lord, we believe that you are the Christ,

the Son of God who has come into the world.

Refrain

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Celebrant Let us pray.

All 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 PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

Celebrant Bow down before the Lord. 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.

RECESSIONAL

“Earth and all stars” (v.1,2,3) The Hymnal 1982, #412

1 Earth and all stars,

loud rushing planets,