29th May, 2022, 10.30am

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)

Presider & Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Mark Edington

Organ Prelude

Olivier Messiaen – Prayer of Christ ascending to his Father
Stefano Vasselli, Organist

Words of Welcome from Bishop Mark & Fr. Francisco

Processional Hymn

Crown him with many crowns
Diademata

All stand and sing

Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own;
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.

Crown him the Son of God
before the worlds began,
and ye, who tread where he hath trod,

crown him the Son of man;
who every grief hath known
that wrings the human breast,
and takes and bears them for his own,
that all in him may rest.

Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

Crown him of lords the Lord,
who over all doth reign,
who once on earth, the incarnate Word,
for ransomed sinners slain,
now lives in realms of light,
where saints with angels sing
their songs before him day and night,
their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown him the Lord of heaven,
enthroned in worlds above;
Crown him the King, to whom is given
the wondrous name of Love.
Crown him with many crowns,
as thrones before him fall,
crown him, ye kings, with many crowns,
for he is King of all.

  • Matthew Bridges (1800-1894)

Opening Acclamation

Presider: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
People: The Lord is Risen indeed. Alleluia!

Presider: 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.

Gloria in Excelsis

All sing together

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,
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. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

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

Presider: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

All are seated for the readings and the psalm.

The First Reading: Acts 16:16-34

Reader: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

With Paul and Silas, we came to Philippi in Macedonia, a Roman colony, and, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

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

Psalm 97: Dominus regnavit

Sung in Anglican Chant

1 The Lord is King; let the / earth re-/joice; *
let the multitude / of the / isles be / glad.

2 Clouds and darkness are / round a-/bout him, *
righteousness and justice are the found-/ations / of his / throne.

3 A fire / goes be-/fore him *
and burns up his / ene-mies on / every / side.

4 His lightnings / light up the / world; *
the earth / sees it / and is a-/fraid.

5 The mountains melt like wax at the / presence of the / Lord, *
at the presence of the / Lord of the / whole / earth.

6 The heavens de-/clare his / righteousness, *
and all the / peoples / see his / glory.

7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in / false / gods! *
Bow down be-/fore him, / all you / gods.

8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of / Judah re-/joice, *
be-/cause of your / judgments, O / Lord.

9 For you are the Lord, most high over / all the /earth; *
you are exalted / far above / all / gods.

10 The Lord loves / those who hate / evil; *
he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the / hand / of the / wicked.

11 Light has sprung / up for the / righteous, *
and joyful gladness for / those who / are true-/hearted.

12 Rejoice in the / Lord, you / righteous, *
and give / thanks to his / holy / Name.

The Second Reading: Revelation 2:12-14,16-17,20-21

Reader: A reading from the Revelation of John.

At the end of the visions I, John, heard these words: “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

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

The Gospel Hymn

Hail the day that sees him rise
Llanfair

All stand and sing

Hail the day that sees him rise
glorious to his native skies;
Christ, awhile to mortals given,
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits;
lift your heads, eternal gates!
Wide unfold the radiant scene;
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

See! he lifts his hands above;
See! he shows the prints of love:
Hark! his gracious lips bestow,
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Lord beyond our mortal sight,
raise our hearts to reach thy height,
there thy face unclouded see,
find our heaven of heavens in thee. Alleluia!

  • Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

The Gospel: John 17:20-26

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

Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

“Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Presider: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon: The Rt. Rev. Mark Edington

All are seated

The Nicene Creed

All stand and say together

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

Stand or kneel for the Prayers as you are able.
In the pauses we invite you to add your own petitions, aloud or in silence.

Leader:

Our hope is found in the presence of the King of Glory, so let us appeal to the Lord, saying, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

We pray, Jesus, that your prayers might be answered: may your Church be one as you and the Father are one. And through our unity, may the whole world come to know your love.

Pause.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Most High, we eagerly await your return. We long for your reign of justice and righteousness. Now, even as we wait, deliver the innocent from the hands of the wicked; bless the truehearted with joyful gladness.

Pause.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

O Lord, the heavens declare your righteousness. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, lungs to breathe in your holy presence.

Please add your personal  thanksgivings, aloud or in silence.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

We pray, Lover of souls, for all those who are being exploited. We pray for those in bondage. We pray for those who suffer because of the greed of others.

Pause.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

We pray for those who thirst for wholeness, for healing, for deliverance. We pray for all those who thirst. Give to the thirsty the gift of the water of life.

Please add your personal petitions, aloud or in silence.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Alpha and Omega, you bid your people, “Come!” May we, and all who have died, be with you, where you are, forever and ever.

Pause.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

A Prayer for Peace

All pray together

O God, who would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace: let the design of thy great love redeem the waste of our wraths and sorrows: and give peace to thy Church, peace among nations, peace in our dwellings, and peace in our hearts: through thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Collect after the Prayers

Presider: 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.

Confession of Sin and Absolution

All remain standing, or kneel, as able.

Presider: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

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.

Presider: 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

All stand

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

We remain in our places as we take this time to greet all those around us in the name of peace and reconciliation.

The Offertory

The greeters will pass among you to take up your financial offerings.
If you prefer to make a donation online or by credit card follow this link. For information on other ways to give, please visit www.stpaulsrome.it/donate.

Offertory Anthem

 Luca Marenzio (1554-1599) – O Rex Gloriae

The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B

Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

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:

All sing together

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.

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.

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,

All sing together

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

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 Saint Paul 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

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

We invite you to pray in your own languages

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

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

The Fraction Anthem

All sing the Antiphon.

Antiphon: Blessed are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.
Verse: My flesh is food, is food indeed; my blood is drink, is drink indeed.
Antiphon: Blessed are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.

The Ministration of Communion

Presider:        The gifts of God for the people of God.

All baptized Christians of any denomination are invited to come forward to participate fully in Communion. Baptized children may receive at the discretion of their parents.

If you do not wish to take communion you may come forward for a blessing,
indicated by crossing your arms over your chest. Gluten-free communion wafers are available;
please raise your hand at the altar rail to receive one.

Communion Anthem

R. Courtney / B. Red – In remembrance of me

Post Communion Prayer

Presider: Let us pray.

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.

Easter Blessing

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

Hail thou once despised Jesus
In Babilone

All sing together

Hail, thou once despiséd Jesus!
Hail, thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, thou universal Savior,
bearer of our sin and shame!
By thy merit we find favor:
life is given through thy Name
.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
all our sins on thee were laid:
by almighty love anointed,
thou hast full atonement made.
All thy people are forgiven
through the virtue of thy blood:
opened is the gate of heaven,
reconciled are we with God.

Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory,
there for ever to abide;
all the heavenly hosts adore thee,
seated at thy Father’s side.
There for sinners thou art pleading:
there thou dost our place prepare;
ever for us interceding,
till in glory we appear.

Worship, honor, power, and blessing
thou art worthy to receive;
highest praises, without ceasing,
right it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
all your noblest anthems raise;
help to sing our Savior’s merits,
help to chant Emmanuel’s praise!

  • John Bakewell (1721-1819) and Martin Madan (1726-1790)

The Dismissal

Presider: Andiamo nel mondo allietati dalla forza dello Spirito. Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia, alleluia!

People: Rendiamo grazie a Dio! Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!

Organ Postlude

Olivier Messiaen – Majesty of Christ  
Stefano Vasselli, Organist