Fourth of 10:30 a.m. April 25, 2021

The Rev. Jerald W. Hyche Welcome! Rector So wonderful to be worshiping with you The Rev. Kyle Carswell today. If you’re new to St. James, I invite Curate you to take a moment to fill out one of the

Corbin Sturch CONNECT cards in the pew. You can give it Music Director to an usher or simply place in the offering

Jane Bates plate on your way out. If you do, I will be in Parish Administrator touch to answer any questions you might have about St. James, and I would love to Thomas Johnson learn more about you, too. Lay Ministry Coordinator

Kate Lagus Thank you for being here. Our celebration Newcomer Coordinator of God’s work in the world today is made that much better by your presence. Angela St. Julien St. James School Director Peace,

Juanita Siller Sexton

Fr. Jerald +

Please silence your mobile phone. Contact us

(936) 756-8831 Assisted-hearing devices

stjamesconroe.org are available from the ushers.

1803 Highland Hollow Drive Conroe, Texas 77304 Today’s altar flowers are given To the glory of God by the Altar Guild. Send mail to: To donate altar flowers, contact the P.O. Box 559 Church Office or by clicking GIVE on the Conroe, Texas 77305-0559 church website.

2 HOLY BAPTISM According to the Book of Common Prayer + said or sung by the congregation

Prelude Improvisation

The Word of God

As the bell is rung, please stand as you are able.

+Hymn In - No. 523 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

The Opening Acclamation

Alleluia. Christ is risen. +The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

There is one Body and one Spirit;

+There is one hope in God’s call to us;

One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;

+One God and Father of all.

+Gloria - No. S278 Wm. Mathias

3 The Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you. +And also with you.

Let us pray.

4 O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

Please be seated.

The First Lesson Acts 4:5-12

The rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

`the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.'

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."

The Word of the Lord. +Thanks be to God.

The Psalm Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. 3 He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Second Lesson 1 John 3:16-24

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

The Word of the Lord. +Thanks be to God.

During the following hymn, children ages 4 through 4th grade are invited to Children’s Chapel, returning for the Baptism.

Please stand as you are able.

6 +Sequence Hymn - No. 664 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Verses 1-2 before the Gospel Verse 3 after the Gospel

The Holy Gospel John 10:11-18

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. +Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away — and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord. +Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Rev. Jerald W. Hyche

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates

Celebrant The Candidates for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

Parents and Godparents I present Andrew Ryan Winder to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

7 Celebrant Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?

Parents and Godparents I will, with God's help.

Celebrant Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?

Parents and Godparents I will, with God's help.

Question Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?

Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?

Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?

Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?

Answer I do.

Question Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?

Answer I do.

Question Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?

Answer I do.

The Celebrant addresses the congregation.

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this child in his life in Christ? +We will.

8 Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

The Baptismal Covenant

Do you believe in God the Father? +I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? +I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? +I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy , the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers ? +I will, with God’s help.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? +I will, with God’s help.

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? +I will, with God’s help.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? +I will, with God’s help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? +I will, with God’s help.

9 Prayers for the Candidates

Let us now pray for this child who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth.

Deliver him, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Open his heart to your grace and truth. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Fill him with your holy and life-giving Spirit. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Keep him in the faith and communion of your holy Church. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Teach him to love others in the power of the Spirit. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Send him into the world in witness to your love. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Bring him to the fullness of your peace and glory. +Lord, hear our prayer.

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. +Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Lord be with you. +And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. +It is right to give God thanks and praise.

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

10 We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. +Amen.

The Baptism

The candidate is baptized and anointed with oil.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. +Amen.

Let us welcome the newly baptized.

+We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you. +And also with you.

11 The Holy Communion

Anthem at the Offertory Borning Cry by J. Ylvisaker

Please stand as you are able.

+The Doxology R.V. Williams

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below, Alleluia, Alleluia Praise God the Father, God the Son, Praise God the Spirit Three in One, Alleluia, Alleluia

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A

The Lord be with you. +And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. +We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. +It is right to give God 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:

12 +The Sanctus - No. S125 R. Proulx

+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 as you are able.

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:

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

We celebrate the 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.

13 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.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

+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

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

The Invitation

14 All who seek God are welcome at Christ’s table.

To receive the sacrament, maintain social distancing as you come forward, pew by pew, to the station on your side of the nave. To receive the wine, you must intinct, or dip, the wafer into the chalice only. Please consume the sacrament as you return to your pew, using the side aisles.

For a gluten-free wafer, put one arm across your chest. For a blessing only, cross your arms across your chest.

If you are unable to come forward, notify an usher and the sacrament will be brought to you.

+Hymn at Communion - No. 662 Abide With Me

Please stand or kneel as you are able.

The Post Communion Prayer

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 courageto love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

+Amen.

Please stand as you are able.

+Hymn In Procession - No. 450 All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

The Dismissal

+Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Postlude Improvisation

15 Be an Art Camp VBS volunteer!

We need your help! Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. There is a lot to do to make Art Camp VBS happen in any year, but this year especially. Because of the ongoing pandemic, our ability to host this important ministry and the size of the event will depend on the number of our volunteers. Giving of your time will make a difference in your life and the lives of the campers. No experience required — just a willingness to serve and have fun!

Say, ”Yes I am in” by signing up at stjamesconroe.org/families-and-youth.

Ministers of the Service

Presider The Rev. Jerald W. Hyche

Assisting Clergy The Rev. Kyle Carswell

Organist Corbin Sturch

Eucharistic Ministers Bill Dougherty Judy Forsman

Lector Donna Oppermann

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