FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
May 2, 2021

Prelude     

~We thank Dr. Mark Hardy & Catherine Clair for providing music for this service, 

and Maryellen Polvino-Bodnar for keeping us “connected!” 

~Special thanks and blessings for Carol Harling-Henry who is returning to her home in New York City 

after many years at Epiphany, serving on the Vestry and as Head of the Epiphany Altar Guild. Godspeed!❤

     

Easter Acclamation

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! 

Opening Hymn    I come to the garden   LEVAS Hymnal – 69  

The Collect

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.

The Gospel & Reflection  

John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, ”I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 

He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 

You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. 

Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, 

because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away 

like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” 

Prayers of the People 

Leader:  In peace, we pray to you, Lord God. 

For all people in their daily life and work;

People: For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

Leader: For this community, the nation, and the world;

People: For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

Leader: For the just and proper use of your creation;

People: For victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

Leader: For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

People: For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

Leader: For Michael, our Presiding Bishop, for Eugene and Robert, our bishops; for all clergy and laity;

People: For all who serve God in his Church.

Leader: For the special needs and concerns of this congregation,  

especially for all those effected by the Coronavirus and for those working for racial justice.   

(Silence). Hear us, Lord;

People: For your mercy is great.

Leader: We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. (Silence)  We will exalt you, O God our King;

People: And praise your Name for ever and ever.

Leader: We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. (Silence) 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

       People: Who put their trust in you.

Celebrant: 

O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, 

look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, 

and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Holy Communion 

“Do This is Remembrance of Me”

Please bring bread for yourself/family 

to be consecrated during the Eucharistic Prayer. 

Communion Hymn   In remembrance of me   LEVAS Hymnal – 149

Communion Prayer

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. 

Prayer for Peace 

O God, the Father of all, guide us into the ways of peace. Lead us from prejudice to truth;

 deliver us from hatred, cruelty, violence, and mean spiritedness; fill us with generosity,

 hospitality and love, and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,

 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

Final Blessing

All:    Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; 

render to no one, evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;

 help the afflicted; honor all; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in power of the Holy Spirit.

Celebrant: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, 

and the Holy Spirit be upon you, and remain with you, now and forever. Amen. 

Closing Hymn     His Eye is on the Sparrow  LEVAS  Hymnal – 191        

Celebrant: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy. Alleluia! Alleluia!    

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Announcements

IT’S MAY!

It’s time to plant the Victory Gardens! 

There is ONE plot left!

 If you would like a plot in the Epiphany Victory Gardens…RSVP.

An annual donation is requested/for water and reservation.

The New Parish Hall

Want to help finish the new community room? 

Volunteers are being organized to cut and nail, paint and finish. 

Shane Wolfe is organizing and guiding the interior renovations! 

RSVP is you would like to join the crew! 

Easter Gifts

Many thanks to Epiphany Church for generous Easter Gifts!

$3,000 was given to help complete the Epiphany Labyrinth landscaping, and

$4,000 was given for the Racial Reparations Fund of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

 

 

THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE ALWAYS WITH YOU!

EASTER GIFTS
Gifts for Thanksgivings & Memorials

You are not too late!
Gifts and Memorials will be included
in the weekly emails/Order of Services throughout the Season of Easter.
This week’s GIFTS will be included on Saturday.
Please use the form provided in the Easter mailing or simply email the information.
epiphanyodenton@gmail.com

Memorials
Laura Wetherald (Mary Levy)
James & Marjorie Louder, Tom & Miriam Gibboney, John & Nanette LaVault (Tom & Charlotte Gibboney)
The Conboy & Clark Families, Macie Stodghill (James H. Conboy)
Jan Dirk & Alettha E. de Wit, Wesley E & Lillian V. Sullivan (Kathleen & Pieter de Wit)
Ella May, James, Jay, & Robin Lewald, Phebe Corckran, Marguerite & Sam Tuttle,
Bruce & Margaret McPherson (Phebe & Bruce McPherson )
Molly Rose Bodnar, Paula, Gerry, Anne Bodnar, Esther & Joe Polvino (John & Maryellen Bodnar)
My brother, Clive (Rita Spohn)
Joseph Lamptey, Elizabeth Addy, Odarkor Lamptey (Mabel Quarcoopome)

Thanksgivings
Erik, Ben, Andrew, Katherine (Tom & Charlotte Gibboney)
Good Health for Everyone! (Yollette Scott-Wilson & Raymon Wilson)
Alexander & Rebekah, Sofia Saskia Kathleen (Kathleen & Pieter de Wit)
Eleanor & Arthur Coe (Phebe & Bruce McPherson)
Family & Friends (Mabel Quarcoopome)

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE COMING TO THE CHAPEL
Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the service. (10:20 am)
We welcome a Return, not to “normal” but to the familiar.
An RSVP is necessary to attend.

 Masks and social distancing, temperatures and a sign-in book for tracing are required.

 The Service will follow the Book of Common Prayer

Please bring your own BCP or this ORDER OF SERVICE.

Books/Hymnals will not be provided at the Chapel at this time.

Please continue to bring your own bread for communion.

Following the service we will gather for fellowship on the labyrinth garden porch.