Marcus Larson: Dramatiskt forslandskap med figurer och kvarnbyggnader 1854

The Collect

God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Acts 10.44-48

While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

Psalm 98

Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing to the Lord a new song, *for he has done marvellous things.
His own right hand and his holy arm *have won for him the victory.
The Lord has made known his salvation; * his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. R
Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; * break into singing and make music.
Make music to the Lord with the lyre, * with the lyre and the voice of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn * sound praises before the Lord, the King. R
Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, * the world and all that dwell upon it.
Let the rivers clap their hands * and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.

Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.

Second Reading: 1 John 5.1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
 

Gospel Reading: John 15.9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’

The RSCM (2009) has: “Fruit frames this passage of St John’s Gospel: last week’s reading spoke of the Vine, and here is the ‘juice’, or the heart of the matter. Bearing fruit in Christ means loving people. Sometimes this is accompanied by warmth of feeling, sometimes (perhaps often?) it is a sheer act of will in obedience to the commandment Jesus lays on us, to love one another. Always this fruit is produced not in our own strength, but because he first chose us to go and bear it.”

Prayers of Intercession

¶The Church of Christ

Lord we pray for your Church. You speak to us, urging us to follow the example of your Son, and to fulfil your word. Now that we see only through a glass darkly, may we know ourselves unsatisfied with all that distorts your truth. Help us to understand your purpose through the words of scripture, finding your Word beyond,  and listening to your liberating voice. Give us hearts to long for you, grace to discern you, and courage to proclaim you.

Lord, who makes all things new: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

Lord, with the strength of endurance and the folly of weakness, with the wisdom of justice and the power of gentleness, you have brought triumph from the midst of defeat. Work still in these our days, we pray, bringing new and unexpected life out of despair and death, that we may sing a new song to your glory. *

Lord, who makes all things new: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶The local community

Lord, may the power of your love overcome the pettiness and squabbling that divides people. Make us loving and filled with your grace in our human relationships, that we may show ourselves to be amongst those whom Christ called his friends.

Lord, who makes all things new: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶Those who suffer

Lord, we ask for your mercy on those who find it difficult to love because they have rarely been loved in their turn. Look with compassion and understanding on those in whom the will to love has grown cold. Visit with new life the neglected and lonely of our society. Shine light and warmth into the hearts of those who long for human companionship, and may they thus be led to you.

Lord, who makes all things new: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶The communion of saints

Lord, we give thanks for those who were called to be followers of Christ in this world, and all those whose beliefs were known only to unto you. May they be received into eternal life with that divine love which they first glimpsed through the gift of love between one human and another.

Lord, who makes all things new: in your mercy, hear our prayer

 
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*Based on Jim Cotter’s interpretation of Psalm 98.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life:
may we thirst for you,
the spring of life and source of goodness,
through him who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

^{Copyright acknowledgement (where not already indicated above): Post Communion (6th of Easter) © 1985 Anglican Church of Canada: The Book of Alternative Services Invitation to Confession (Easter Day until Eve of Ascension) © 1988 Continuum (Mowbray) (Adapted) Some material included in this service is copyright: © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000 Collect (6th of Easter, Short) © The Archbishops’ Council 2005}