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THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Holy Eucharist - Rite I (Year C)
April 27, 2025 9:30 AM
THE ENTRANCE RITE
(In preparation for worship, please be seated and remain in silent meditation, ensuring that all mobile devices are silenced.)
Organ Prelude
Opening Sentence and Prayer
Entrance Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #212) ‘Awake, arise, lift up your voice’
Greeting and Easter Acclamation Prayer Book, page 355
Gloria in Excelsis (Lift every Voice and Sing II, # 243) ‘Glory to God’
Prayer of the Day Prayer Book, page 224
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.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (5: 27 - 32) Pamela Bridgewater
27When the temple police had brought the apostles; they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Psalm (150) Laudate Dominium The Portland Psalter, Book Two Choir
Refrain: Let ev’rything that has breath, praise the Lord. (3x)
1 Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy temple; * praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts; * praise him for his excellent greatness. (Refrain)
3 Praise him with the blast of the ram’s‑horn; * praise him with lyre and harp.
4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; * praise him with strings and pipe. (Refrain)
5 Praise him with resounding cymbals; * praise him with loud‑clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath * praise the Lord. Hallelujah! (Refrain)
A Reading from the Revelation to John (1: 4 - 8) Ursula Brown
4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So, it is to be. Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Sequence Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #209) ‘We walk by faith, and not by sight’
GOSPEL REFRAIN (African American Heritage Hymnal, #642) (Sung thrice)
Halle, halle, halle - lujah, Halle, halle, halle – lujah.
Halle, halle, halle - lujah, Hallelujah, halle – lujah.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (20: 19 - 31)
19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Sermon
Profession of Faith (The Nicene Creed) Prayer Book, page 358
Prayers of the People (Form IV) Michelle McKenzie Prayer Book, page 388
Confession of Sin and Absolution Prayer Book, page 360
Gesture of Peace
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Offertory Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #180) ‘He is risen, he is risen!’
Doxology (African American Heritage Hymnal, #651)
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (Eucharistic Prayer A) (Stand or kneel) Prayer Book, page 361
Sanctus and Benedictus (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #255)
Memorial Acclamation (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #259)
The Great Amen (Lift Evry Voice and Sing II, #233)
The Lord’s Prayer (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #264)
Agnus Dei (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #270)
Hymns during the Administration of Holy Communion
(The Hymnal 1982, #335) ‘I am the bread of Life’
(Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #88) ‘My faith looks up to thee’
Prayer after Communion (Stand or kneel) Prayer Book, page 366
The Easter Blessing
Welcome / Announcements (Birthday, Travel, Blessing of the Children)
Mission Hymn (The Hymnal 1982, #435) ‘At the Name of Jesus’
Organ Postlude
(Please remain seated until the Postlude ends, and the candles are extinguished. Be mindful of those who have stayed behind for prayer.)
WELCOME * BIENVENIDOS * BIENVENUE
The Clergy, Wardens, and Vestry of our Parish welcome all visitors and members who have joined us in celebrating God in Christ Jesus.
We hope that you have had a rewarding spiritual experience, and we pray that you will come again. If you are looking for a spiritual home, we invite you to join our fellowship and worship. Please speak with the Priest or one of the Ushers.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: APRIL - MAY - JUNE
Holy Eucharist, Sundays, 9:30 am (Sanctuary / Online)
(Facebook / YouTube / Zoom ID: 970 3502 6969 / Passcode: 026667)
Bereavement Ministry, Sundays, 1 pm (Cry Room)
Episcopal Youth Fellowship (EYF), Sundays, 1pm (Conference Room)
Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer, Wednesdays, 10 am (Sanctuary / Zoom ID: 953 4196 0007 / Passcode: 025388 / Telephone: 1.646.876.9923 / ID: 953 4196 0007)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, NO BIBLE STUDY
Sunday, May 4, 3pm, Spring Concert (Adult Choir)
Sunday, May 11, Fellowship Hour (Brotherhood of St. Andrew) / 4pm - 10pm, ‘An Afternoon of Elegance’ (Trinidad and Tobago Organization)
Thursday, May 29, 10 am, Feast of the Ascension (Sanctuary/Zoom)
Sunday, June 8, 9:30 am, Feast of Pentecost
Sunday, June 15, 9:30 am, Feast of the Holy Trinity
Father’s Day Celebration (Episcopal Church Women)
Saturday, June 21, Sight and Sound ‘Noah’ (Ushers’ Guild)
Sunday, June 29, 9:30 am, Honoring our Graduates
(Christian Formation and Youth)
SPECIAL OFFERINGS AND INTENTIONS
ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean; Meridional, Brasil; Meru, Kenya; México, Mexico; Del Norte de México, Mexico; Michigan, The Episcopal Church; Eastern Michigan, The Episcopal Church.
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
Candles and flowers are offered to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Danyelle Hershkopf as she celebrates her birthday on April 23. Given with love by her aunts Paula, Suzette, Gilda, mum and dad Ingrid and Todd Hershkopf and the entire family. “Danyelle, may God's blessings of good health, happiness and prosperity continue to be always abundant in your life.”
Candles and flowers are offered to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Carletta Mazyck, Donna Greene, Maritza Douglas, Michelle Douglas, and Karen Douglas as they celebrate their birthdays in the month of April. Given with love by Caryle, Roger and Paula Douglas, with wishes for all God's blessings of good health, happiness and prosperity.
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY: Gennel Loncke (27), Marilyn Campbell (28), Jennifer Higgins (28), Craig Semper (29), Hyacinth Headley (30), Avril Edmondson-Payne (1), Marcella Elson (1), Richard Buery (2), Doreen Loncke-Joseph (2).
DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: Christ Church, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn; Saint Paul’s, Flatbush, Brooklyn; All Saints’, Brooklyn; Staff and Board of Directors of Episcopal Ministries; Saint Paul’s, Glen Cove; Saint George’s, Flushing; Saint John’s, Flushing.
HEALING PRAYERS for SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS: Joan Abrams, Nola Archer-Springer, Claudette Baptiste, Janet Beaton, Orion Best, Gwendolyn Blackett, Joyce Bourne, Stella Brown-Pilgrim, Margaret Burke, Beverly Clark, Marie Clarke, Andria Clarke-Worrell, Ena Dixon, Ruby Doris, Dorothy Drakes, Harris Edwards, Esther Elder, Kenneth Fleary, Pearl Fox, Dolsy Greaves-Prince, Lindora Hall, Ruby Jean Harper-Niles, Nerissa Hawker-King, Alice Herbert, Lynette Hunte, Monica Jones, Mavis King, Emmie Lambert, Germaine Mascoll, Leslin Maynard, Raymond Maynard, Norma McKenzie, Deborah McPherson, Lynette Neptune, Ashton Parris, Lucille Peters, Miriam Prince, Erene Radix, Ursula Richards, Gene Richardson, Edgar Roper, Kathleen Rose, Barbara Sammerson, Deonne Squires-Gilbert, Frederica Smith, Jean Soso, Ivonne Waldron, Winslow Wilson, Ines Wyatt.
HEALING PRAYERS for SICK and SHUT-IN RELATIVES and FRIENDS: Jennifer Allen, Sandra Alleyne, Adrian Garner, Carmen Baez, Manuela Blot, Richard Boyce, Bonnie Branch-Lincoln, Cheryl Clarke, Tiffany Clarke, Patrick Codrington, Gilberto Donaldson, Brenda Elbers, Cleve Esson, Sonia Estrada, Raymond Fenty, Celia Fikes, Denise Flatts, Zie Garraway, Hazel Gittens, Avril Green, Al Shura Hayden, Anthony Hayden, Antonette Hayden, Vernice Hinds, Myrna Johnson, Edward Jones, Elizabeth Kane, Colleen Kane, Cyril Kane, Ika Kane, Thelma Kane, Vilima Kane, Carol Kane-Hicks, Syrrea Kane-Price, Cedric Layne, Adrienne Le’Blanc, Maureen Lewis, Mildred Liburd, Dalila Narcisse, Igor Nelubin, Princess O’Garro, Paul Oseni, Jeannine Pierre-Louis, Margaret Roach, Pheobe Roberts, Joan Scott, Gamal Steele, Alana Tompkins, Philip Tudor, Ann Walker, Mary Forde-Walters, Bryon Wilson, Lemar Wynn, June Yanok.
+ IN MEMORIAM
Our prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Steadman Patrick Roach, Snr., who died on Monday, April 14. He is the stepfather of Canon Leys. We pray for those who mourn his death and that his soul will rest in peace and rise in glory.
Candles and flowers are given in loving memory our dear mother Dola Amelia Phillips, on the anniversary of her death (April 15, 2020). Given with love by her daughters Paula, Suzette, Ingrid ,Gilda and granddaughter Danyelle, sons-in-law Todd Hershkopf and Carlyle Douglas, together with other family members, and with much thanksgiving to God for giving us our mum. “Mum, we love you, miss you every day and you will remain in our hearts forever. May your soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Bread and wine is given to the glory of God and in loving memory of my sweetheart husband William N. Nyemah, who died on April 23, 2020. “Missing you. You will always be in our hearts. May your soul continue to rest in peace.” Given by your wife Izetta Thompson.
Candles are given in memory of my mother Edna Bell and sister Lynette on the anniversary of their birthdate, May 1 and April 30, respectively. “Gone but not forgotten, your memories are cherished in our hearts. May your souls rest in peace and rise in glory. Love you both.” Given by Joycelyn Elbers and Family.
STUDENTS AT COLLEGE: Kesiena Gbidi (Medgar Evers College), Najite Gbidi (Kingsborough Community College), Malike O. Cummings (Queens College). Angelique Agard (Essex County College), Nyla Bartholomew (University of North Carolina), Amanda Drakes (Baruch College), Andrew Garvey (John Jay College), Desmond Jordan (Kingsborough Community College), Jayden Richardson (University at Albany), Marliah Samuels (Binghamton University), Cynnia Semper (Norfolk State University), Jada Skye Spencer (Clark Atlanta University), Saige Wilson (Fordham University).
UNITED STATES MILITARY: Bernard Abraham (Army, North Carolina), Bennett Barnes (Army, Poland), Kibwe Cummings (Coast Guard, Maryland), Keron Glasgow (Army, Fort Bliss, Texas), Alonso Hall (Air Force, Japan), Richard Hinds (Army, South Korea), Trevaughn Luncheon (Navy, Florida), Shequita and Nephi Marston (Air Force, Germany), Shaquan McKenzie (Navy), Ashley McKenzie (Navy), Tacoma Washington (Army).
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Candles, bread and wine are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the 36th wedding anniversary of Michael and Joan King-Ashby, celebrated on April 14. Given with love by son Michael, Jnr.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Melba Moore will host today’s fellowship hour. If you would like to host on any given Sunday, please contact Glenna Bartholomew, Cynthia Daniel, Fay Hunt, Dianne Miller or Zelma Murray.
OFFERINGS: Please bring your offering to the Office, mail it to the Church, or send it via Zelle (SaintGabrielsBrooklyn@gmail.com). Please write checks to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.
OFFERING ENVELOPES 2025: Available in the Church Office. As you prepare your offering, please print your name on each envelope you use.
PLEDGE CARDS 2025 are available from the Ushers or the Office. All Members of the Church should fill out the card individually. Please place your completed card in the Offering Basket.
PRACTICE OF HOLY HABITS: As a Christian Steward, I affirm that I am tithing or have adopted a plan to work towards tithing as a minimum standard of giving, and if I am not already doing so, I am committed to giving priority to Corporate Worship, Personal Daily Prayer and Study and Sabbath Time in my life.
PRAYER BOOKS, BIBLES and HYMNALS are available for purchase. They are $30 each. Please visit the Office if you need any of these books.
READINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, April 30: Acts 5: 12 - 26 (Lois Newland); Psalm 34: 1 - 8; John 3: 16 - 21; Prayers of the People, Form IV (Helen Walker). READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY of EASTER, May 4 (Youth Sunday): Acts 9: 1 - 20; Psalms 30; Revelation 5: 11 - 14; John 21: 1 - 19; Prayers of the People, Form V.
SENIOR CHOIR: Sundays at 12pm. Please speak with the Organist and Music Minister, Christopher Bryant.
THANK YOU to the parishioners, family and friends for your donations in support of the Easter Egg Hunt and the donations made to the Women in Need Distribution Center in Harlem. Thank you for being a blessing.
TREE OF LIFE: To memorialize your deceased loved ones, please call the Church Office for details.
WEEKLY BULLETIN: Please submit information for publication to the Office by noon on Wednesdays (stgabrielschurchbrooklyn@gmail.com)
Spiritual Theme 2025
“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?’
(The Book of Common Prayer, Page 305)
Ministers of the Church
The Very Reverend Canon Donovan Ivanhoe Leys, Priest and Rector
1.917.216.7599 / sgecpriest@gmail.com
The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Long Island
The Right Reverend Daniel Allotey
Assisting Bishop, Diocese of Long Island, Bishop in Residence
Jillian Gbidi and Noel Browne, Wardens
R. Clifford Loncke and Ivonne E. Waldron, Wardens Emeritus
Andrea Wesley, Administrative Assistant
Christopher Bryant, Organist and Music Minister
Pablo Martinez and Zelma Murray, Custodians
THE VESTRY OF OUR CHURCH
The Very Reverend Canon Donovan Ivanhoe Leys, Chair
Jillian Gibidi (1.718.219.0922) / Noel Browne (1.917.681.6312), Wardens
2026: Carl Elbers, Adrienne Sandiford, Linda Watson-Lorde
2027: Audrey Cox, Dianne Miller (Treasurer), Leila Reid (Secretary)
2028: Malike Cummings, Heather Moise, M. Helen Walker
Live Steaming
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