Liturgical Information
The Sixth Sunday of Easter (C)

Themes & Motives: Holy Spirit, love, community, mission

Introit:
Speak out with a voice of joy; let it be heard to the ends of the earth: The Lord has set his people free, alleluia. (See Isaiah 48:20)

Opening Prayer:
Ever-living God,
help us to celebrate our joy
in the resurrection of the Lord
and to express in our lives
the love we celebrate.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• Acts of the Apostles 15:1-2,22-29 ["For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials." /v.28]
• Psalm 67:2-3 / 5 / 6-8 [R. O God, let all the nations praise you. /v.4]
• Revelation 21:10-14,22-23 [The angel showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. /v.10]
• Gospel Verse: John 14:23 [Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.]
      See Renaissance Alleluia [Eastertide verses]
• John 14:23-29 [The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. /v.26]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
accept our prayers and offerings.
Make us worthy of your sacraments of love
by granting us your forgiveness.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface for Easter V: [Christ is Priest and Victim]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season,
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

As he offered his body on the cross,
his perfect sacrifice fulfilled all others.
As he gave himself into your hands for our salvation,
he showed himself to be the priest, the altar, and the lamb of sacrifice.

The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world,
while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord. The Father will send you the Holy Spirit, to be with you for ever, alleluia. (John 14:15-16)

Prayer after Communion:
Almighty and ever-living Lord,
you restored us to life
by raising Christ from death.
Strengthen us by this Easter sacrament;
may we feel its saving power in our daily life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Solemn Blessing:
Through the resurrection of his Son
God has redeemed you and made you his children.
May he bless you with joy. Amen.

The Redeemer has given you lasting freedom.
May you inherit his everlasting life. Amen.

By faith you rose with him in baptism.
May your lives be holy,
so that you will be united with him for ever. Amen.