Holy Eucharist for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 8, 2022, 8:30 & 10:30 AM

The Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 8, 2022
St. Titus’ Episcopal Church
400 Moline Street, Durham, NC 27707
http://www.sttitusdurham.org
st.titusepiscopal@gmail.com
(919) 682-5504

Welcome to St. Titus’ Episcopal Church

Whether you are here for the first time or your family has been part of St. Titus’ for generations, whether you’re here in person or watching online, the Holy Spirit has brought you to this place. We’re glad you’re here! Our Mission and Vision Statements are printed below. You can learn more about this faith community on our website, sttitusdurham.org. Our interim rector, Rev. Alicia; our curate, Rev. Mawethu; or our deacon, Rev. Sarah, would be happy to talk with you about who we are and what we do at St. Titus’. We invite you to join us on our journey of faith.

Our Mission Statement

St. Titus’ is a diverse and growing community committed to walking with Christ by serving others, pursuing justice and welcoming all.

Our Vision Statement

God dreams for St. Titus’ to be sacred ground where all of God’s children experience the unconditional love of Jesus. In faithful response, we will offer Spirit-filled worship where people from diverse backgrounds encounter God. As an intergenerational community, we will deepen our faith through sharing scripture, Christian tradition and our own experience. We will be open and authentic with one another, and respond to the needs of our neighbors with compassion and creativity. Our passion for God’s justice and peace will compel us to become agents for social, political, and economic transformation. St. Titus’ will be Beloved Community.

Serving Today: May 8

Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis
Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Althea Alton
Deacon: The Rev. Sarah Woodard
Curate: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
Eucharistic Minister: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Mike Woodard (8:30) Donna Smith (10:30)
Epistle: Jack Peterson (8:30) Lionell Parker (10:30)
Intercessor: Carolyn White (8:30)
Altar Guild: Hazel Brown, Marguerite Peebles, Willette Crews
Tech Team: Livio Carnera, Chuck Hennessee, Yvette Matthews
Ushers: Marguerite Peebles, Dwight Peebles

The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
May 8, 2022 at 8:30 (no music) & 10:30 am

Opening Hymn: Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven Hymnal 1982 #410

Officiant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Officiant may say
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.

Glory to God [spoken without refrain at 8:30 am; sung at 10:30 am] LEVAS II #243

Refrain:
Glory, Glory, hallelujah,
Lord we praise your Holy name,
Glory, Glory hallelujah,
Lord we praise your Holy name.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to His people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Refrain

You take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
You are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Refrain

Amen.

The Officiant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Officiant: Let us pray.

Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 9:36-43

Reader: A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Psalm 23 Dominus regit me

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.

4 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.
5 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.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Second Reading: Revelation 7:9-17

Reader: A Reading from the Revelation to St. John

I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever!
Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Sequence Hymn The King of love my Shepherd is Hymnal 1982 #645

Gospel John 10:22-30

The Deacon says
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

After the Gospel the Deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon The Rev. Dr. Althea Alton

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.

Prayers of the People

The Intercessor says
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!

The good shepherd is faithful and true; therefore, let us pray with confidence: “Father, keep us; Jesus, lead us.”

Good Shepherd, you know your sheep: Give us the ears to hear you call our names and the strength to follow where you lead.

[Silence]

Father, keep us.
Jesus, lead us.

For those killed, injured, or traumatized because of human violence, we pray: God, wipe away every tear from their eyes. We pray again for an end to the violence. We pray again for peace.

[Silence]

Father, keep us.
Jesus, lead us.

Creator God, by the victory of your Son, turn the valleys of death into green pastures where living waters flow. Bless and renew your creation.

[You may add your thanksgivings at this time.]

[Silence]

Father, keep us.
Jesus, lead us.

O Lord, we pray for those who work for justice and peace in our community. Flood this city with goodness and mercy. Extinguish from our region the fear of evil.

[Silence]

Father, keep us.
Jesus, lead us.

Mighty God, we look for the day when hunger is no more, and thirst is no more. We look for the day when the souls of the downcast are revived, and the displaced find a home in your shelter. In this Easter season, we pray in faith for all those in need.

We pray for:
Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Rose, Ann, Monroe, Murphy, Karen, Derek, Walter, Mary, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Scherrye, Sydney, Carol

You may add your petitions and thanksgivings at this time

[Silence]

Father, keep us.
Jesus, lead us.

Good Shepherd, your gift is eternal life; those who belong to you never perish. Bring us, and those who have died, into your heavenly home where we may worship you forever and forever.

[Silence]

Father, keep us.
Jesus, lead us.

The celebrant adds a concluding collect.
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The deacon says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. [The people may stand or kneel.]

[Silence may be kept.]

Minister and People
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.

The Priest stands and says
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

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

The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Hymn for the Passing of the Peace Koinonia AAHH #579

How can I say that I love the Lord / whom I’ve never, ever seen before;
and forget to say that I love the one / whom I walk beside each and every day?
How can look upon your face and ignore GOD’s Love? / You, I must embrace!
You’re my brother; you’re my sister;
and I love you with the love of my Lord.

The Holy Communion

Offertory Hymn I will sing praise (Willis L. Barnett)

The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharistic Prayer B)

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
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord;

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 Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name.

Sanctus (spoken at 8:30 a.m.)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of power and 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.

LEVAS II #255 (sung at 10:30 a.m.)

Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord, of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.

Then the Celebrant continues
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.

On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Blessed Titus and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

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 [Spoken at 8:30, sung at 10:30]

The Celebrant says
As our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to say

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

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Priest invites the people to Communion
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.

Communion Hymns Let us break bread together LEVAS II #152; This is my body LEVAS II #155; The blood will never lose its power AAHH #256

For those of you who are participating in this celebration of Holy Eucharist from a different location, we invite you to pray with these words during the distribution of the holy sacrament:

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Post-communion Prayer

The celebrant says
Let us pray.

The celebrant and people say together
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.

Blessing

The Celebrant says
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord 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.
Recessional Hymn He’s got the whole world in his hands AAHH #150

Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia. Alleluia.
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Announcements

Welcome the Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis! On Sunday, May 8, there will be a drive-by welcome in the St. Titus’ parking lot from 11:35 am – 12:35 pm.

Special Guests on May 22 On Sunday, May 22 we will have three guests from our sister city Arusha, Tanzania: Lord Mayor Maximillian Iranqhe, First Lady Emliana Iranqhe and the Honarable Regional Commissioner Mtanda. They will worship with us. Following the 10:30 service, the Mayor will bring greetings from our sister city and share with us the progress of the Mozella McLaughlin Orphanage operated by Christ Church. We hope you will stay, hear his brief comments and greet them warmly.

Valerie Colbert Diaconate Ordination: Valerie Colbert’s ordination will take place on May 21 at 11 am at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson, NC. If you would like to attend, please RSVP by May 12, 2022 to valeriecolbert@ymail.com or (704.654.7303).

Support St. Titus’: If you would like to support our ministries you can make an online donation here by following the QR code or by visiting our homepage: sttitusdurham.org. You can also mail or hand-deliver a check to St. Titus’ at 400 Moline St., Durham, NC, 27707. Thank you
Stay in Touch: To receive weekly email announcements from St. Titus’, email Jack or sign up by following this link: http://eepurl.com/htIWIr .

Sign up for The Titusian, St. Titus’ monthly newsletter, on the St. Titus’ homepage: sttitusdurham.org, or by emailing Jack.

Subscribe to Please Note, a weekly update from the Diocese of North Carolina by following this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/QCPKOTo .

Upcoming Events:
May
8 – 11:35 – 12:35 – Drive-by Welcome Event for the Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis
12 – 14 – Global Mission Conference on Women
21 – Valerie Colbert Ordination
21 – ECW Convocation Meeting

June
8: Pauli Murray Proud Shoes Reading Discussion
15: Pauli Murray Reading Discussion
18: Pauli Murray Center: Rooted & Growing: Celebrating our 1st Decade
22: 7 pm Pauli Murray Service
25: Pauli Murray Pilgrimage

Clergy & Staff

Interim Rector: The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis (919) 682-5504 st.titusrevalexis@gmail.com
Curate: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca (919) 717-8144 st.tituscurate@gmail.com
Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard (919) 599-5227 sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Administrator: Jack Peterson (919) 682-5504 st.titussecretary@gmail.com
Music Director: Ramon Holloway (919) 886-5325 sainttitusmusic@yahoo.com

Vestry Roster

Senior Warden Althea Alton 2021 althea.alton@yahoo.com
Junior Warden Keith Bishop 2023 KeithBishop@keithbishoplaw.com
Meisha Davis 2022 meisha.davis1@gmail.com
Diane Hundley 2022 dianehundley@bellsouth.net
Marguerite Peebles 2022 apeeblesmarguerit@bellsouth.net
Gloria Drew 2023 gdrew41@att.net
Chuck Hennessee 2023 wllmhennessee@aol.com
Treasurer Mary Hawkins pisces0835@gmail.com

Church Organizational Leaders Email

Altar Guild Hazel Brown hazelyb24@gmail.com
Acolyte Warden Vincent Quiett quiettv@msn.com
Benevolent Team Coordinator Willette Crews willettec@legalaidnc.org
Card Ministry Alexine Miller alexinemiller@yahoo.com
Communications Ministry Mary Hawkins pisces0835@gmail.com
Episcopal Church Women Valerie Quiett quiettv@msn.com
Episcopal Church Women Vickie Miller vickiemiller746@yahoo.com
Memorial Garden Warden James Barnes jbarnl3719@aol
Parish Outreach Coordinator Willette Crews willettec@legalaidnc.org
Parish Outreach Coordinator William Hennessee wllmhennessee@aol.com
St. David’s Usher Guild Dwight Peebles dapeebles@bellsouth.net
Invite.Welcome.Connect Committee Sarah Woodard sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Youth Coordinator (open)

St. Titus’ Episcopal Church, 400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707
(919) 682-5504; st.titusepiscopal@gmail.com
sttitusdurham.org