United in God’s Love, Empowered to Serve, Welcoming All
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 30, 2025
Holy EUCHARIST
11:00 A.M.
BISHOP: The Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer
INTERIM RECTOR: The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting
MUSIC DIRECTOR and ORGANIST: Stephen Kennedy
DEACON: The Rev. Joel Wilbur
Deacon Joel is a transitional deacon, preparing for ordination to the priesthood.
We seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
We strive for justice and peace among all people,
respecting the dignity of every human being.
Welcome
We seek to mirror the love of God and the hospitality of Jesus in our worship and our service to others. We are a community welcoming all races, ethnicities, faiths, genders, orientations, and abilities. Our worship is open to all, and every person is invited to receive communion.
CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – TELEPHONE: 585.454.3878
TUESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THURSDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
As discussed during the Annual Meeting, the Rector Search Committee is interested in your input! Click here and leave us a message https://songforchristchurch.org/contact and share your thoughts. Members of the Search Committee will be available after church during Coffee Hour, too, to answer any questions, and the boards will be available through the month of February.
VOLUNTARY Six Pieces, No. 5 Saraband In Modo Elegiaco
Herbert Howells (1892–1983)
At the ringing of the bell, all who are able, stand.
THE ENTRANCE RITE
INTROIT Laetare, Ierusalem
HYMN 448 O love, how deep, how broad, how high
A PENITENTIAL ORDER: RITE TWO
Presider:
Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31
CONFESSION
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence is kept.
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;
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.
The Priest, stands and says
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.
TRISAGION
THE WORD OF GOD
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Presider: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE LESSONS
Please be seated.
After each Reading, the Reader says: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
THE FIRST READING: Joshua 5:9-12
The Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt." And so that place is called Gilgal to this day. While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.
GRADUAL: Psalm 32 Beati quorum 1-8
EPISTLE: II Corinthians 5:16-21
From now on, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Please stand, as able.
TRACT: Qui confidunt
Cantors: Who-so dwelleth under the defence of the Highest: Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope and my stronghold: my God, in him will I trust.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Gospeler: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So Jesus told them this parable:
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.
"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"
Gospeler: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting
A time of silent reflection is kept after the sermon.
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: With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying "Compassionate God, hear our prayer.”
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Compassionate God, hear our prayer.
For our Bishop Kara, for all bishops, clergy, and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer.
For the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer.
For this city of Rochester and for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer.
For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to protect and use its resources rightly, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer
For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, especially those on our parish prayer list. Let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unhoused and the destitute, for refugees and prisoners, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection and for the departed whose faith is known to you along, remembering especially those who have died in violence and war, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord.
Compassionate God, hear our prayer
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. Compassionate God, hear our prayer
In the communion of Mary, the Mother of God and all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our Redeemer.
To You, O Lord our God.
The Presider adds the following Collect:
O Gracious God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
THE PEACE
Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Donate here
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.
OFFERTORY
Your monetary offering- whether given in the offering plate or by online donation- supports the worship, pastoral care, and outreach of Christ Church as we seek to love and serve God and our neighbors. Thank you for your generosity.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
HYMN 603 When Christ was lifted from the earth
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
All who are able stand
SURSUM CORDA Plainsong
Presider: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who loves you.Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
SANCTUS James Jeffery (b. 2004)
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.
The people may stand or kneel as they are able.
Holy and gracious God: 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:
Presider and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Presider continues
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 Mary, the Mother of God and 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 forever. AMEN.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
A period of silence is kept.
FRACTION ANTHEM
Agnus Dei (Alternatim setti) Anon., c.1375
First Agnus Dei: Organ and small choir
Second Agnus Dei: with congregation and large choir
Third Agnus Dei: Organ and small choir
Presider: The gifts of God for the People of God.
The Bread and the Cup are given to communicants with these words:
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
The Response to each is: Amen.
ANTHEM Tantum ergo, Op. 55 Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Caleb Meyerhoff, Tenor soloist
Translation: Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
HYMN 686 Come, thou fount of every blessing
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Presider: Let us pray.
Almighty and ever-living 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 forever. Amen.
THE SOLEMN PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
The Deacon or, in the absence of a deacon, the Presider says:
Bow down before the Lord.
Keep this your family, Lord, with your never-failing mercy, that relying solely on the help of your heavenly grace, they may be upheld by your divine protection, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
DISMISSAL
Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
DEO GRATIAS
Mass VIII (De Angeli)” Mode 5
VOLUNTARY Fugue in A minor BWV 543/2 J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
CHRIST CHURCH PARISH PRAYER LIST
Please keep these persons and intentions in your prayers this week-
The wardens, vestry, search committee, and clergy of this parish.
The sick and the suffering, remembering Kristy Liddell’s mother Kina.
Bradley Buenting (Julianne’s brother, upcoming surgery).
Ellen Iaia (Steve’s mother).
Refugees and immigrants, those lacking housing, employment, and the necessities of life.
Those affected by recent tornados, storms, and wildfires.
All those afflicted by poverty, bigotry, violence, war, and oppression.
For those who have died and those who mourn.
Our Celebrant today was the Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting
Vestry- Jeremy Cooney, Jim Ford, John Fields, Norma Hopcraft, Kristy Liddell, Nancy Norwood, Shirley Ricker, Craig Smith, Jim Kurmis
Wardens- Valerie Jutsum Deb VanderBilt
and David Jutsum- Clerk of the Vestry
_______________________________________________________________________
Organists
Stephen Kennedy, director of music and organist
Andrew Johnson, assistant organist
Dominic Fiacco, VanDelinder Fellow
Jimmy Jeffery, VanDelinder fellow
David Higgs and William Porter, associate organists
Choral Scholars
Anna Bjerken
Amelia Harkey
Maya Watters
Mary Reins
Caroline Barata
Andrea McGaugh
Caleb Meyerhoff
Daniel Perez (ESM/CC Choral Scholar)
CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS &Staff -
The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting, Interim Rector
Joel Wilber, Transitional Deacon
Stephen Kennedy, Director of Music, stephenk@rochester.rr.com
Steve Iaia, Sexton, stepheniaia9@gmail.com
Lori Frank, Office Administrator, office@christchurchrochester.org.
Office Hours:
TUESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THURSDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK
TODAY: March 23, 2025
Town Hall style Meeting and Children's choir right after church
1:00-3:00 “Let’s Build Together”
9:00 pm Compline
MONDAY, March 24
10:00 am Zoom Morning Prayer
https://songforchristchurch.org/monday-morning-prayer
TUESDAY, March 25
Tuesday Pipes 12:10pm
WEDNESDAY, March 26
5:30pm Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist with imposition of ashes
Choir rehearsal 6:30 pm
THURSDAY, March 27
12:00 Noon- Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
7:00 pm Zoom Evening Prayer
https://songforchristchurch.org/thursday-evening-prayer
LET’S BUILD TOGETHER
Christ Church has a building club for LEGO® fans of all ages! The group gathers weekly in the sacristy between 1:00 and 3:00. Dave Jutsum will supply the LEGO® bricks and pieces.
LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this club.
MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Christ Church Children’s Choir wants your kids! 20-minute rehearsals follow the 11:00 am Eucharist on Sundays. Please feel free to contact Stephen Kennedy and/or Andrew Johnson if you have a child interested in participating or if you have any questions about our program.
Please consider lending a helping hand with Compline set-up immediately following today’s Eucharist.
CHURCH SCHOOL
Available every Sunday for the 11:00 service. Children of any age are welcome! Teachers are on site from 10:45 a.m., and will bring your children down to the sanctuary after the Prayers of the People so that they can join in for communion. Church School focuses on arts & crafts related to the themes of the week’s readings. You can visit the room on the 2nd floor—if you are unfamiliar with the building, please ask an usher, who will be glad to show you the room. Note: Christ Church follows Safe Church practices—at least 2 teachers are always in the room with the children.
DONATIONS, PLEDGE ENVELOPES, AND VISITOR’S BOOK
You can make an online donation or pledge by simply going to the Christ Church website: christchurchrochester.org
There is no service charge when you click the DONATE button.
Please pick up your envelopes in the Narthex
For more information about upcoming events at Church, scan this QR code below.
https://songforchristchurch.org/announcements
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visit the website, http://www.christchurchrochester.org and
The Song, https://songforchristchurch.org often, for any updates and to access free recordings.
LITURGICAL CALENDARS 2024 or 2025
Please let the office know if you are interested in receiving a calendar.
Email: office@christchurchrochester.org
Phone: 585-454-3878
FORWARD DAY BY DAY PUBLICATION
Please let the office know if you are interested in receiving a copy.
Email: office@christchurchrochester.org
Phone: 585-454-3878