Welcome To
Food for the Soul
Jesus the True Vine, April 30-May 2nd, 2024
The leader or a designated person may say a blessing over the food
GATHERING/GLORIA
Leader: Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
People: The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Leader: The Lord be with you
People: And Also with you
Leader: Let us pray.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Reader: A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 8:26-40
An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS
The Prayers: Daily Office
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Leader 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.
Prayer of Intercession for Easter
Leader: Let us pray that Christ's resurrection may be seen throughout the world. (you may take turns around the room leading each bidding)
Lord God, our loving heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Your Son, our Passover Lamb, has taken away the sin of the world. Forgive us and all people.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Your Son said, 'Peace be with you'. Bring your peace to the world and to our own country.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Your Son appeared to Mary Magdalene when she was weeping. Comfort those who are sad, lonely, or grieving.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Your Son met the women and asked them to tell the disciples about his resurrection. Guide Christians everywhere to witness to the resurrection in their lives.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Your Son proclaimed himself to the two disciples from the Scriptures and made himself known to them in the breaking of the bread. Reveal him to us and all people through the teaching of your word and the celebration of your holy meal.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Your Son strengthened the faith of Thomas by telling him to touch his hands and side. Reassure those who are troubled by doubts, and strengthen their faith in your goodness.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Your Son conquered death by his death and won the victory by his resurrection. Be with those who are dying, and lead them to life with you forever.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, grant that all who now celebrate these joyful holy days here on earth may finally praise you forever, with all the angels and saints in heaven. We ask this through your risen Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
— from the Lutheran Church of Australia.
Collect for Easter
Leader: O God, who makes this most holy season to shine with the glory of the Lord's resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS
Leader: I now invite your prayers, intercessions & thanksgivings either silently or aloud.
(about 30 seconds for prayer & reflection)
Let us take a moment to pray for any birthdays, anniversaries special occasions or intercessions requested
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Leader: Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
The service of prayer is now concluded. You are welcome to stay and linger, get to know one another, or depart in peace.
The Prayers: Holy Communion
Leader: Let us offer all that we are and all that we have to God as we pray. After each of the following bidding, I will pause, and I invite you to lift up your own prayers either silently or aloud.
Let us pray for the Universal Church, its members, and its mission
For the Nation and all in authority
For the welfare of the world
For the concerns of this local community
For those who suffer and those in any trouble
In the fellowship of all Saints, we pray for those who have died
For the forgiveness of our sins, and the will to turn toward justice.
Leader: Continuing to pray for ourselves and our many ministries in the world, at this time it is our Houston Canterbury tradition that we ask one another: How may we pray for you this week? You are encouraged to turn to one another.
***We also celebrate any birthdays & special celebrations at this time***
Pastor: May Almighty God receive all the prayers of our hearts, fulfilling our desires and petitions as may be best for us. 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.
Leader:The Peace of God be always with you.
People: And also with you!
(Let us exchange a sign of Christ’s peace.)
Leader:Offer to God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving and make good our vows to the Holy One.
This is a time when we offer up our gifts to God, which God has given to us. You are encouraged to consider a monetary donation here or signing up to offer your time and talents using the sign up page here if you have not already done so.
HOLY COMMUNION Eucharistic Prayer from Enriching Our Worship
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God,
source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation.
Your Spirit moved over the deep
and brought all things into being:
sun, moon, and stars;
earth, winds, and waters;
and every living thing.
You made us in your image,
and taught us to walk in your ways.
But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;
and yet, as a loving parent cares for her children,
you would not forget us.
Time and again you called us
to live in the fullness of your love.
And so this day we join with Saints and Angels
in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,
lifting our voices to magnify you as we say together:
All: 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.
Priest: Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death
and to reveal the riches of your grace,
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,
that she might conceive and bear a son,
Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,
healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself
yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross
the sacrifice of his life,
and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us,
Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.
Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,
and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,
who was and is and is to come,
we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts
that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.
Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth
and make us your new creation,
the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us, with all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to you be honor, glory, and praise,
forever and ever. AMEN.
And now, Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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, forever and ever. Amen.
The Priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Priest: Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia!
The table of bread and wine is now to be made ready. It is the table of company with Jesus, and all who love him. It is the table of sharing with the poor of the world, with whom Jesus identified himself. It is the table of communion with the earth, in which Christ became incarnate. So come to this table, you who have much faith and you who would like to have more; you who have been here often and you who have not been for a while; you who have tried to follow Jesus, and you who have failed; Come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.
**If you are drawn by what you have seen and heard here & think you may want to become part of the community of Christ, we invite you to consider the sacrament of Baptism. We encourage you to have a conversation with the priest after the service, and learn more here on our website.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
All: Blessed Jesus, at this table, you have been for us both host and meal. Now send us forth to extend our tables and to share your gifts until that day when all feast together at your heavenly banquet Amen.
MISSION & BLESSING
Priest: Beloved, what is our mission?
People: Our mission is to seek and serve Christ in all persons, across our campuses and beyond.
Priest: As you go seeking and serving Christ in all persons, wherever you may be, the blessing of God Almighty; the Eternal Source, the Word, and the Spirit be with you this day and always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Leader: Go in peace to serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!
This is a time when we offer up our gifts to God, which God has given to us. You are encouraged to consider a monetary donation here or signing up to offer your time and talents using the sign up page here if you have not already done so.
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Eucharistic Prayer 2, Enriching Our Worship
From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB164103.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.
Blessing: The Book of Occasional Services (2018), 12