Saturday, 23 May 2020

Easter 7 -- Ascension



For a number of weeks the same format has been followed for the service, a Morning Prayer style of the Anglican Church of Canada.  Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I get tired of the same thing over and over, so with thanks to the musicians we have changed it up a bit for you.   The link to the recording is just below, I hope that you enjoy today's service.
                                                                                                                                                Karen




Jesus Shall Reign Were’er the Sun      383 BCP 

Jesus shall reign were’er the sun
doth its successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shre to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more. 

People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name. 

Blessings abound where’er he reigns;
the prisoners leap to lose their chains;
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest. 

Let every creature rise and bring
peculiar honours to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen. 

Call to Celebration

Open our eyes, our hearts, our whole selves and sense the good things we have from the Lord our God
Bless the Lord for all that our God has done

Together we pray:
Creator of the universe, we are your people. You bless our earth with natural beauty and wealth. Show us the way to use these blessings without destroying them. Increase our appreciation of clean air, pure water and the breathtaking beauty of the natural landscape. May our lifetime here enable others to have such blessings in future generations. We ask this in your holy name. Amen



As we read the word of God, and Listen to the word of God, Let it Speak to us

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO JOHN
Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
JOHN 14:15-21

Reflection

Wind Upon the Waters              Marty Haugen 

Wind upon the waters, voice upon the deep, 
rouse your sons and daughters, wake us from our sleep, 
breathing life into all flesh, breathing love into all hearts, 
living wind upon the waters of my soul. 

Showers from the heavens, water from the earth, 
gift so wholly given, source of every birth, 
joy of every living thing, making all creation sing, 
shower down upon the dry earth of my soul. 

Rock and hill and garden, wood and desert sand, 
prairie, field, and meadow shaped by Love’s own hand, 
Love that fills the world around, springing up from barren ground, 
grow your love within the garden of my soul. 

Blazing light of wonder, flame that pierces night, 
burst the dark asunder, fill our souls with light. 
Lord of glory, fill the skies, make an end to hatred’s cries, 
be the blazing sun of justice in our lives. 

Wind upon the waters, rains upon the sand, 
grace your sons and daughters, newborn by your hand. 
Come, O Spirit, and renew all the life that comes from you, 
send your winds upon the waters of my soul.  

Reflective Prayers

God worked to create this world with its order, its beauty and its unexplored possibilities. Let us thank the creator

Thank you, God, for the harmony of the seasons, the rhythm of the sun and rain, seed time and harvest. We look at the stars and we marvel at the vast unlimited space. We explore the moon and planets and rejoice in the amazing skills that you have given us and your trust in us to care for all of creation. Thank you for believing in us even when we mar your creation and become arrogant in our use of it rather than being the stewards of it. 

Song    Spinning Blue Planet       Ian Macdonald 

This is the moment, Creation’s first glance, 
light plays with darkness and chaos with dance, 
Spirit with matter, forms heaven, forms earth; 
Creation continues God’s breath gives dust birth. 

Chorus:     On a spinning blue planet, third place from the sun, 
                    here words are spoken, here words are done. 
                    Alive in the struggles, the laughter, the peace, 
                    The Creator is singing and never will cease. 


This is the calling, Creations first fire 
to journey in search of God’s deepest desire. 
Smashing the idols of privilege and wrong, 
in exodus freedom our spirits belong.                  Chorus 

The earthbound journey, Creation’s first song, 
from Genesis gardens to sad Babylons. 
Lost in the rhythms of power, of pride, 
seeking the music only mercy provides.              Chorus 

This is the Mystery: how life becomes whole! 
Bread broken body; wine poured out soul! 
Come, seed your lives, grow like grapes, grow like grain; 
the vine will connect you, love’s rising again.     Chorus 


Jesus came into the world to do the work of God. To embody all that God calls us to do and be. Jesus brought light where there was darkness. Jesus made the days holy by living them to exemplify the glory of creation

Thank you for the work of Jesus. Thank you for the example that he set in teaching, healing, reconciling. This example of his ministry was entrusted to the disciples and to each successive generation to us. Help us to be better disciples. Upholding the faith that Jesus lived and to be teachers, healers and reconcilers in our own time

Silently take some time and consider the life of Jesus and his invitation to each of us 

Rest in My Wings          Colleen Fulmer 

Chorus      Don’t be afraid, I’m holding you close in the darkness, 
                My love and my grace will carry you through the long night. 
                The life that I give bubbles in you like a fountain, 
                So rest in my wings and put all your fears to flight. 

Tho you be burdened, I will cradle you deep in my nest, 
Tho you be weary, my wings will enfold you in rest. 
Tho you be desert, my rivers will flow deep inside, 
Tho you be barren, I’ll fill out your womb with new life.     Chorus 


Tho you be orphaned, I’ll always be here at your side, 
Tho you be empty, I’ll bring forth new fruit on the vine. 
Tho you be thirsty, you’ll drink from the well of my side, 
Tho you be hungry, the finest of bread I’ll provide.             Chorus 

We think about the work of all the generations in between us and the early followers. The growth of faith. The care for each other as well as the creation that has been entrusted to us.

God our creator we give you praise for all those who have worked towards making the world a better place. For scholars and saints; for sensitive people who have cared for and loved their neighbour; for the pioneers who have dared to go off into the unknown and for those who quietly go about doing ministry and live their faith each day un-noticed. We give thanks for the tasks that test our skills and our strength. We thank you for helping us feel fulfilled with a job well done and for the new challenges that each new day will bring to us. We give thanks for those who work with us

Silently give thanks for those that we share ministry with

During these days of uncertainty and fear because of Virus Covid 19 we give thanks for those who serve us through their daily work

We acknowledge with deep gratitude clerks, custodians, doctors, nurses, personal care attendants, orderlies, chaplains, drivers, educators, postal workers, police, fire fighters, delivery people, paramedics, morticians, parents, partners, children, janitorial staff, government officials at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Help them to find joy in their service even amidst the fear and uncertainty that comes each day.

Silently recall those who serve with generosity

Be Not Afraid              Bob Dufford 

Refrain      Be not afraid, I go before you always. 
                   Come follow Me, and I will give you rest. 


You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. 
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. 
You shall speak your words in foreign lands 
and all will understand. You shall see the face of God and live. refrain 

If you pass through raging waters in the sea you shall not drown. 
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. 
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, 
know that I am with you through it all.                      Refrain 

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. 
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. 
And if wicked tongues insult and hate you all because of me, 
blessed, blessed are you.                                          Refrain 

Give thanks for all who have finished their life journey and have passed into God’s eternal realm, lovingly received by the God who created them

We remember all those who have died. We pray for those who have succumbed to Covid-19. We pray for those whose lives have ended tragically and too soon. We remember today the family members that are grieving the loss of loved ones, the RCMP family that grieves the loss of a colleague and the Canadian Forces Family that mourns the recent loss of seven of its members. We give thanks for the lives and the light that each shone in the world and for those whose lives they touched and changed.

We take time to give thanks for all that we have been blessed with during our life. 
Consider in what moments does my heart find meaning during these days that I find difficult and lonely to navigate? 

And Now as our Saviour taught us, we pray Our Father…. 

The Blessing

The Dismissal
Filled with God’s praises we glorify our creator. May peace be with us all, now and forever. Amen Alleluia 

Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise 247 BCP

Hail the day that sees him rise, alleluia!
To his throne above the skies; alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, alleluia!
Enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia! 

There for him high triumph waits; alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates; alleluia!
He hath conquered death and sin; alleluia!
Take the King of glory in. Alleluia! 

Highest heaven its Lord receives, alleluia!
Yet he loves the earth he leaves; alleluia!
Though returning to his throne, alleluia!
Still he calls the world his own. Alleluia! 

See! He lifts his hands above, alleluia!
See! He shows the prints of love; alleluia!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow alleluia!
Blessings on his church below. Alleluia!























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