Fourth Sunday of Easter April 25, 2021 - Christ Church NYC ...
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 25, 2021WELCOME The Reverend Dr. Violet Lee
CALL TO WORSHIP The Reverend Nicole Armstrong
Good friends:
We gather together to worship God,
the Shepherd of our souls.
The one who has created us,
who sustains us,
who redeems us,
who walks beside us in good times and bad,
and who calls us to follow.
This is our God!
Let us worship our Sovereign together!
OPENING PRAYER Brandon Batson
Across the barriers of time and geography,
please bind your hearts with mine
as we address ourselves to God who is:
Gentle...yet powerful.
Lowly...yet almighty.
Shepherd...yet King.
Holy One:
In your gentleness,
guide us.
In your power,
strengthen us.
In your lowliness,
strip from us our selfish pride
which only destroys us.
In your greatness,
lift us up that we might aspire to greater things.
As a shepherd,
call us to be your servants.
As a Sovereign,
call us to be your royal priesthood.
O God,
who is our shepherd and our King;
O Christ,
who was crucified and is now risen from the dead;
O Spirit,
who comforts and empowers;
O great One in Three, Holy Trinity,
this hour, set us free to worship.
Amen.
2RESPONSE
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Annika Rudolph
Loving God, good shepherd,
by the leading of your Spirit,
help us to listen for your voice
and follow in your paths
all the days of our lives;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
MUSIC
What's Going On (1970) Marvin Gaye
Mother, mother,
There's too many of you crying.
Brother, brother, brother,
There's far too many of you dying.
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.
Father, father,
We don't need to escalate;
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate.
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.
Picket lines and picket signs;
Don't punish me with brutality;
Talk to me
So you can see,
Oh, what's going on.
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF JOHN, 3:16-24 Annika Rudolph
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and
yet refuses help?
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we
are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is
greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have
boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and
do what pleases him.
3And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one
another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in
them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
MUSIC
The King of Love My Shepherd Is The 23rd Psalm arranged in meter and verse as set to music by John Rutter
Please join in singing the hymn:
The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never.
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth;
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me;
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
4A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, 10:11-18
The Reverend Dr. Violet Lee
‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the
shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the
wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the
sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I
know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I
must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this
reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I
have received this command from my Father.’
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE The Reverend Dr. Stephen Bauman
EASTER CAROL
Now the Green Glade Riseth Easter carol arranged by Tyler Weakland
The Christ Church Choir;
Tyler Weakland, piano; and Adrián Sandi, clarinet
Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,
Thinking that He never would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead the risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Jesus' touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
INVITATION TO GIVE Nicholas Hipple
5PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Dan Domingo, Annika Rudolph,
John Brown, Jade Lee
We now gather up the aspirations of our hearts in prayer,
humbly acknowledging that God alone
is the source of every good thing.
Holy God, you are more than we can know or name,
yet we call on you again and again
for you alone are God.
We cannot live apart from you,
for you have called us into your life.
Your steadfast love surrounds us all our days.
Wherever we may be, you call to us,
and though often hard of hearing,
we are grateful for your persistent grace
that will not let us go.
Your Spirit abides among us.
We will follow your paths
all the days of our lives.
We gather in thanksgiving today
for all the good gifts you’ve given us:
for the beauty of creation;
for the lives of those who bless us beyond their knowing;
for this community of faith;
for opportunities to serve you by serving others;
and for the gift of life granted yet again today.
Your Spirit abides among us.
We will follow your paths
all the days of our lives.
We gather in humility and hopeful in need:
for those we know who are suffering body or spirit
whom we now name in our hearts ...silence…
for those in the midst of a difficult decision;
for those grieving a loss, an ending, or a dream deferred.
We pray for healing and strength
in every broken place of our lives.
Your Spirit abides among us.
We will follow your paths
all the days of our lives.
We gather in concern for our nation and world in turmoil:
for those whose lives have been wracked by violence;
for those who are hungry, thirsty
or experiencing any deprivation
preventing health and wholeness of body, mind and spirit;
for victims of systemic injustice
and the pandemic of guns;
for our political and civil leaders
that they may listen to the better angels of their natures
for the sake of the common good;
and for all of us, that you root out of our hearts
the seeds of bigotry and narrow-mindedness.
6Help us to love as you love.
Your Spirit abides among us.
We will follow your paths
all the days of our lives.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 in the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
May the goodness and mercy of God
follow you all the days of your life,
and, at your life’s end, may you dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
CLOSING MUSIC
Great Day! African-American spiritual; arr. Moses Hogan
Christ Church Staff:
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Bauman, Senior Minister
The Rev. Dr. Violet Lee, Executive Program Minister
Ms. Roseann DeGennaro, Church Administrator
Dr. Steve Pilkington, Director of Music and Organist
The Rev. Nicole Armstrong, Director of Spiritual Formation
Mr. Brandon Batson, Director of Communications & Christ Church Online
Mr. Jacob Nelson, Coordinator of Connections & LGBTQIA+ Community & Director of Parish Choir
Mr. Tyler Weakland, Director of the Children’s & Bell Choirs
Ms. Amelia Acerra, Executive Administrative Assistant
The Rev. Mickey Correa, Minister of Christ Church Washington Heights
Ms. Monika Guzman-Estrada, Director of Nido de Esperanza, Washington Heights
7UPCOMING ONLINE EVENTS
Remember to visit christchurchnyc.online/events for access links to all of our events & services.
MEDITATION THURSDAYS- Ever felt like you needed a spring cleaning for your mental
and spiritual health? Well meditation is a wonderful practice to find that peace, energy, and
stillness. Join Reverend Nicole Armstrong and Rebekka Bonner for a 4-week session of "Spring
Meditation." We will meet Thursdays, May 6th- May27th, on zoom, at 6:30pm for a brief 15-
minute guided meditation. We will offer Lectio Devina, Compassionate Body Scan, and a few
others. No experience is necessary, and beginners are especially encouraged to come
experience the rejuvenating effects of guided meditation. Please reach out to Rev. Nicole with
any questions at nicole@christchurchnyc.org
PRAYER REQUESTS – We have a Prayer Team praying over prayer requests each week. Send
any requests to amelia@christchurchnyc.org.
MORNING PRAYER – Daily, Monday through Friday, 8:00am. Everyone is invited to join the
Christ Church family for a short time of prayer and reflection each morning.
CHRIST CHURCH WASHINGTON HEIGHTS WORSHIP SERVICE – Sundays, 12:00pm.
Join Pastor Mickey Correa for a live, bilingual, zoom service every Sunday morning at 12 noon
featuring scripture reading and an inspiring message.
WEDNESDAY MEDITATION– Wednesdays, 12:00pm. Gather together for a mid-week, mid-
day time of spiritual reflection and prayer.
PARISH CHOIR MEETUP- Thursdays, 7:00pm. Join this flourishing community of support,
respect, faith, love, and music under the direction of Jake Nelson. Jake leads the group in a
variety of activities including community-building exercises, prayers and devotions, vocal
warm-up exercises, group check-ins, and virtual singing projects. Beginning this past summer,
the group started offering additional church-wide programs on Zoom, such as Music
Testimonies and Hymn Sings. Whether you have been a member for years or if you're simply
looking for community, please consider checking out and participating in the Christ Church
Parish Choir. Parish Choir events are open to ALL. If you are new or are looking for additional
information, please send an email to jake@christchurchnyc.org.
SHARING TABLE OUTREACH - Our outreach meal program, Sharing Table, serves weekly
on Sundays! If you are interested in helping with a range of tasks including sandwich prep,
bag packing, distribution, line monitoring, and cleanup please CLICK HERE to sign up.
8SERVE WITH NIDO DE ESPERANZA- Nido de Esperanza serves families in need in the
Washington Heights community- meeting needs with food, support services, virtual ESL
classes and much more. Currently Nido is in need of drivers every week to help assist with
their food distribution program. If you have a vehicle and would like to help in this way
please contact Monika Guzman-Estrada at monika@nidodeesperanzanyc.org.
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