St. Luke's Episcopal Church
313 Main Street, Chester, Vermont 05143
(802) 875 - 6000
followed by Coffee Hour
Sunday April 26, 2026
Holy Eucharist
10:00 AM
The organ prelude is selected and played by organist Karlaine Livingston.
After the prelude, the church bell is rung inviting the passing populace to our service. A moment of silence is then observed.
The congregation is invited to stand.
Entrance Hymn
# 205 The Hymnal 1982
Minister: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia
Minister: Let us pray.
Minister and People:
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.
Song of Praise
#S-280 The Hymnal 1982
The Collect for Easter
Minister: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Let us pray.
Minister and People: Holy Shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house where we celebrate with you for ever. Amen.
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47
Lector: A Reading from Acts of the Apostles
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
PSALM 23
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O God, you are my shepherd; * I shall not be in want.
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You make me lie down in green pastures * and lead me beside still waters.
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You revive my soul * and guide me along right pathways for the sake of your Name.
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Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
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Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of God for ever.
Second Reading
1 Peter 2:19-25
Lector: A reading from the First Letter of Peter.
19It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
#343 The Hymnal 1982
The Holy Gospel
John 10:1-10
Minister: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ
[Jesus said,] 1“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Minister: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie
Nicene Creed
Minister and people:
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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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
Reader: Brothers and Sisters, Jesus bore our sins on the cross so that we, free from sins, might live in righteousness. Let us pray to our Lord, saying, “Revive our souls, and guide us along right pathways.”
Reader: Guardian of our souls, call your Church to greater righteousness. Help us to live by your example and follow in your steps.
Silence
Reader: Revive our souls,
People: And guide us along right pathways.
Reader: Guardian of our souls, spread out your table in the presence of those who are troubled. Feed their souls and bodies with your good and generous gifts.
Silence
Reader: Revive our souls,
People: And guide us along right pathways.
Reader: Guardian of our souls, you have blessed us with a beautiful planet full of places where we can find rest and peace. May we care for it, as you care deeply for all you have made.
(The congregation is invited to add their thanksgivings here, followed by silence)
Reader: Revive our souls,
People: And guide us along right pathways.
Reader: Guardian of our souls, you desire the goodwill of all the people. Give us generous hearts and open hands.
Silence
Reader: Revive our souls,
People: And guide us along right pathways.
Reader: Guardian of our souls, it is your presence that comforts us. Make your presence known to the sick and the sorrowful, to the fearful and the weak.
(The congregation is invited to add their petitions here, followed by silence)
Silence
Reader: Revive our souls,
People: And guide us along right pathways.
Reader: Guardian of our souls, you came that we may have life, and have it abundantly. Bring the dying and the dead into your eternal home.
Silence
Reader: Revive our souls,
People: And guide us along right pathways.
Confession of Sin
Minister: Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People:
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.
Amen.
Absolution
Minister: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
The Peace
Minister: The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Offertory Sentence
Minister: From the very beginning, “Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”(Acts)
Offertory Hymn
#208 The Hymnal 1982
Presentation of the Offering
The “Doxology”
Minister and people:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Song, and Holy Ghost.
Eucharistic Prayer C
(The people remain standing)
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Minister:
All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things.
You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord; Because you gave Jesus Christ your only Son, to be born for us; who by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we night be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. And so as the stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:
The Sanctus
#S-125 The Hymnal 1982
Minister:
Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise.
Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering.
Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.
We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension,
longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts
your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:
Minister and people:
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!
Minister: Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ.
Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Luke, the patron of this congregation, and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.
Minister and people:
Blessed are you now and for ever. AMEN.
Minister: And now, As our Savior Christ Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Lord's Prayer
Minister and people:
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
Minister: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Fraction Anthem
#S-164 Service Music, The Hymnal 1982
Minister: The Holy Gifts of God for the Holy People of God.
This is the table, not of the Church but of Jesus Christ. It is made ready for those who love God and who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. It is Christ who invites you to be known and fed here. All are welcome to receive communion. (Special COVID precautions may be voiced here.)
Communion Hymn
#304 The Hymnal 1982
Post-communion Prayer
Minister: Let us pray.
Minister and People:
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Closing Hymn
#801 Wonder, Love, and Praise
Closing Blessing for Easter
Minister: The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Savior Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
Postlude
The organ prelude is selected and played by our organist, Karlaine Livingston.
Announcements
Dismissal
Minister: Go in peace to love and serve our God. Alleluia
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia
Coffee Hour follows as usual in Willard Hall
Wednesdays at St. Luke’s
Every Wednesday the Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Luke’s at 5:30 PM, a service lasting about thirty minutes. The service will be celebrated in upstairs in the small chapel at the rear of the church unless it is particularly cold when the service will be held downstairs in Willard Hall.
Prepare for next Sunday by reading the scripture lessons in advance and find yourself more open to next Sunday’s worship.
First reading: Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16;
Second reading, often call the epistle: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Gospel reading: John 14:1-14
OUR UPCOMING WORSHIP SCHEDULE
April 29 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
Commemoration of Catherine of Siena
May 3 The Fifth Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist 10-11:15 AM
Reading group continues after coffee hour.
May 6 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
Commemorating Julian of Norwich
May 10 The Sixth Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist 10-11:15 AM Mother's Day
The Rev. Susan Kershaw presiding
May 13 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
May 17 The Seventh Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist 10-11:15 AM
(Sunday after Ascension Day)
May 20 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
Commemorating Alcuin of York
May 24 The Day of Pentecost Holy Eucharist 10-11:15 AM
The Rev. Susan Kershaw presiding. Wear some red color or colors
OTHER EVENTS
May 7 Memory Café 11AM-1:00 PM
May 20 Vestry Meeting 6:30-8:00 P.M.
The Lunch Bunch discussion group is beginning a new book, Julian of Norwich, by Veronica Mary Rolf. In addition we are also reading the complete translations of the revelations Julian received from God. By reading the two books together, we get background, interpretation, and the opportunity to consider Julian‘s words standing on their own.
We meet on Mondays from noon to 12:45 via Zoom. Please contact Belinda Whipple Worth (belinda.ww@gmail.com) with questions or to receive the Zoom invitation.