St. Francis Church Biblically minded. Mission Driven.

The Right Reverend John C. Bauerschmidt--Bishop of Tennessee

The Reverend Joseph B. Howard--Vicar

Order of Worship

The vision of St. Francis Church is to be a community dedicated

to the transformation of lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
for the Kingdom of God.

Second Sunday of Easter

A note for visitors: We’re thankful that you could join us for worship today, and
we pray God blesses you in your time here. The service is printed in your bulletin and
insert. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask someone around you!

St. Francis Church wants to encourage families to worship together. The practice of
dividing families for worship is a modern invention and is often detrimental to the goal
of worshipping as a body. In order to be a community where all ages feel welcome,
we provide coloring materials for children to use during worship and seek to be a
community that understands the specific gifts and challenges that children bring. We
encourage you, should you feel comfortable doing so, to sit toward the front with your
children, as little-ones are often more attentive if they can see what is happening.

That being said, we understand that there may be times when it is best to take
advantage of child care, which we have available in the room immediately through the
Kitchen off of the entryway. All parents are provided with vibrating beepers to inform
them should anything come up requiring their attention.

In Preparation for worship: We invite you to take a few moments before the service
begins to be still, and rest from the business of your lives. Take time to breathe deeply,
and reflect upon the past week. When you’re ready, you might say the following prayer
or one like it in preparation for worship.

O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and
of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of
heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled
affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; though Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

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 The Word of God
Processional: Before the throne of God above Words: Charitie Lees Bancroft (1863)
Music: Vikki Cook (1993 Sovereign Grace Ministries)

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there the Risen Lamb

My perfect spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am
The King of Glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Opening Acclamation:
All Standing

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.

People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Collect for Purity:

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.

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Canticle 20, Glory to God: Gloria in excelsis S 280

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Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant
of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s
Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

First Reading: Acts 2:14a,22-32

All sit.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed the multitude, “Men of
Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty
works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves
know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God,
you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having
loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David
says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I
may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my
flesh will dwell in hope. For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One
see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of
gladness with thy presence.’ Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David
that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a
prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his
descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that
he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised
up, and of that we all are witnesses.”

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Psalm of the day:

Remain seated

Psalm 16
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Conserva me, Domine

1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *

I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord,
my good above all other.”

2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.

3 But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.

4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.

5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.

6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.

8 I have set the Lord always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.

9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.

10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.

11 You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

A Reading from the First letter of Peter.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been
born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to
an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who
by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last
time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is
tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him
and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the
salvation of your souls.

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

Sequence Hymn: What wondrous love is this Hymnal 439

Holy Gospel: John 20:19-31

All stand.

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

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the
disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,
“Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be
with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he
breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the
twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told
him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of
the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will
not believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with
them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be
with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out
your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered
him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen
me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs
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in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written
that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may
have life in his name.

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Sermon: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

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.

The Prayers of the People

Leader: Let us pray

In our Diocese we pray for Grace Chapel, Rossview.

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;

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People: That we all may be one.

Leader: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
People: That your Name may be glorified by all people.

Leader: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

People: That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacra-
ments.

Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the
world;
People: That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Leader: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People: That our works may find favor in your sight.

Leader: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
People: That they may be delivered from their distress.

Leader: Give to the departed eternal rest;

People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Leader: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

Celebrant: Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask, help us to ask
only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare
not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Confession

Celebrant: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of
grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14, 16

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence.

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;
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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.

Celebrant: 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.

All stand

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

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

Announcements

The Holy Communion

Offertory music selected by the musician
All stand for the Doxology: Hymnal 380 (last verse)

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Celebrant: All things come of thee O Lord.
People: And of thine own have we given thee.

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.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

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:

The Sanctus: S-130

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.

Please stand or kneel at this time, as best helps you to pray.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we
had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of
us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a
perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

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Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son,
the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may
faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and
at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed by 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

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

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.

ON RECEIVING COMMUNION: All baptized Christians are welcome to receive

communion. If you do not wish to receive, you are invited to come for a prayer of
blessing—simply cross your arms over your chest to let the servers know that you will
not be receiving. Prayers before receiving can be found on pages 337 (the Prayer of
Humble Access) and 834 in the Book of Common Prayer (the red books available under
your chairs).

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Communion music: Jesus, remember me Taize

Post-Communion Prayer
After Communion, the Celebrant says:

Let us Pray

The minister and people together, pray:

Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing

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The Recessional: Crown Him with many crowns Hymnal 494

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Celebrant says the dismissal
People: Thanks be to God.

Announcements
Welcome to our guests!
We’re very happy that you chose to worship with us this morning. Please join us after the service for snacks and conversation, to take
some time to get to know us and for us to get to know you. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Upcoming events & service opportunities:

April 5:
Acolyte Training: The next scheduled acolyte training (for children and adults) will be on Saturday April 5th from 10:30 until 12:00.

Sharing the Word: The Christian Education Committee of the Diocese of Tennessee will sponsor the Sharing the Word workshop for
Christian educators from 9-2 pm at St. George’s Church, Nashville. Visit the Diocesan website and find the Sharing the word flyer and
registration form for more info: http://episcopaldiocese-tn.org/forms

April 19:
Evangelism, Episcopal Style: The Very Rev’d Kevin Martin, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Matthew in the Diocese of Dallas will
present on the topic of evangelism in a series of workshops at St. George’s Church, Nashville from 8:30 until 2:00. Fr. Jody would like
to encourage as many people as possible from St. Francis to attend. We are a Church plant, and this is what we’re all about! See our
brochure rack for a registration sheet, or just ask Fr. Jody for more info.

April 22:
N.T. Wright: The Right Rev’s N.T. (Tom) Wright, the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England, and one of the world’s foremost
scholars of the New Testament and defenders of the physical resurection of Christ, will speak on his new book: Surprised by Hope:
Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church at West End United Methodist from 7:30-9:30. Visit http://www.
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westendumc.org for more info.

Volunteer opportunities at St. Francis: If you are interested in any of the following ministries, please let Fr. Jody know after the
service or via email: frjody@stfrancis-tn.net .

Reader/Lector (Read the lessons and lead prayers), Newsletter & website team (basically contributing to both of these, helping to
organize them, not doing it all. The more the merrier), Sexton team (Several members already volunteer their time and energy to help
keep St. Francis’ clean and tidy.)

If you have an announcement that you would like in the bulletin, please email it to Fr. Jody by Wednesday the week before so it can be
included.

Bishop of Tennessee
The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt

Vicar
The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

Mission Council
Ralph Eddy
Linda Palmer
Thom Chittom
Shelley Sircy
clerk: Nanci Frey

Accompanist
Thomas Duffy

Schedule of Ministry:
Preacher & Celebrant: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard Reader: Anna Howard
Acolyte/Crucifer: none Prayer Station: Linda Palmer
Oblationers: Ralph & Karen Eddy Chalicist: Shelley Sircy
To check the schedule online, visit:
http://stfrancis-tn.net and go to congregational resources-->schedule

To get in touch with Fr. Jody for any reason, you can reach him at the Church, 851-0790, his cell, 440-6492 or via
email at frjody@stfrancis-tn.net.
_______________________________________________________________________________

St. Francis Church

Biblically minded. Mission driven.
812 Meadowlark Ln
PO Box 697
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Phone: 851-0790
http://stfrancis-tn.net

Cover Image: Christ appears to the Disciples

CCLI License No. 2334637
Oneliscence.net No. A-714717

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