Pentecost 4 -- How much do you trust God?

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Welcome 
Hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing #354

Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious measure, sung by flaming tongues above
O the vast, the boundless treasure of my God’s unchanging love.

Here I make faith’s affirmation: thus far by thy help I’ve come,
and I hope, by thy compassion, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
take my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Gathering of the Community
Leader:     God has been with us from the beginning of time, rescuing, performing miracles, loving,                         holding us close.
All:          God is always with us.
Leader:     God created everything and filled the world with love.
All:          God is always with us.
Leader:     God sends the rain and the sunshine; God is in the mighty thunder and in the yawn of a flea.
All:         God is always with us.
Leader:     God led the people of the past, and God leads us. We can face the future with faith, knowing                 that God is with us
All:         God is always with us.

Prayer of the Day
God, we want to serve you and be disciples, but we can think of a zillion other things we need to do. Help us to make the right choices. Help us to discover the joy and satisfaction that comes from following you. Amen.

Collect for Indigenous Sunday
Creator God, from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name. You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love, and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love, and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness. Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership, may be strengthened and guided to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life. Amen

Song     Abraham’s Daughter – Arcade Fire

Abraham took Isaac's hand and led him to the lonesome hill.
While his daughter hid and watched,
She dared not breathe, she was so still.
Just as the angel cried for the slaughter,
Abraham's daughter raised her voice.

Then the angel asked her what her name was,
She said, "I have none."
Then he asked, "How can this be?"
"My father never gave me one."

And when he saw her, raised for the slaughter,
Abraham's daughter raised her bow.
"How darest you, child, defy your father?"
"You better let young Isaac go."

Reading of Scripture Genesis 22:1-14

After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt-offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.’ Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘Father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.

When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.’ And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt-offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’Homily

Hymn     Out of Deep Unordered Water VU 453

Out of deep, unordered water
God created land and life;
world of bird and beast, and later,
twosome people, husband and wife.

Chorus:    There is water in the river
                  bringing life to tree and plant.
                  Let creation praise its giver:
                  there is water in the font.

Water on the human forehead,
birthmark of the love of God,
is the sign of death and rising;
through the seas there runs a road.         Chorus

Standing round the font reminds us
of the Hebrews' climb ashore.
Life is hallowed by the knowledge:
God has been this way before.             Chorus

Affirmation of Faith

We are, all of us, Treaty People:
original inhabitants
and those who came later—
inheritors of a diverse history,
dwellers in a common land,

travellers toward a better day. 

We have known

friendship and animosity,
cooperation and oppression,

blessing and pain. 

And now we embrace

the sacred covenant
that heralds a new beginning:
that softens the heart
and dismantles the prisons of

the present and the past. 

We joyfully claim

our rights and responsibilities
as Treaty People.  Amen.

—Treaty People’s Creed (2011), 

The All My Relations Network of Saskatchewan Conference

Hymn    God of the Sparrow #414

God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise

God of the earthquake God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save

God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks

God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life 

The Prayers of the People     Thanksgiving in the Four Directions         Led by Mary Lysecki

Creator, we long for wholeness in our families, for honest, open communication to say what we need to say in safety and without fear.
Creator, we give thanks for the knowledge you give in all traditions of the world. Help us to honour the gifts of all traditions.
Teach us to know how to love and live.

We give thanks for new life, for youth, represented by the eastern direction. We give thanks for new learning, for the sun which rises to begin each new day, and for the teachings of the peoples of the east, and yellow-skinned peoples.
Teach us to know how to love and live.

We give thanks for the south, for the black-skinned peoples of the world, for the growth of the summertime in our lives, the learnings of our adult lives, to be kind and accept ourselves. Teach us as parents to love and respect our children, to care for the elders and those who cannot care for themselves.
Teach us to know how to love and live.

We give thanks for the west, for the gifts of Aboriginal peoples of the world, for understandings of care of the earth, for teachings about rocks, leaves and trees, for the knowledge we have in our own teachings, all of these given by our Creator. Help us to use our understandings to bring joy and new life to our communities.
Teach us to know how to love and live.

We give thanks for the northern direction, for the white-skinned peoples of the world, and white-haired peoples in our families and communities. Help us to receive gifts of wisdom from all peoples. Help us to grow our roots deeper through life’s journey that we may grow in kindness to ourselves and each other.
Teach us to know how to love and live.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Blessing

The Dismissal

One:     Christ has set us free! Let’s hold on to that freedom, and never become slaves to rules again.
All:    We must not use our freedom as an excuse to do anything we want.
One:     Let’s use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.
All:     God’s Spirit can make us loving, happy, peaceful, patient,
One:     kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled.
All:     God’s Spirit has given us life, so let us live in the Spirit.
One:     May God walk with you all your days.
All:     And with you also.
            Thanks be to God. Amen. Alleluia

Song    10,000 Reasons – Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin

Chorus:     Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,
                   worship His holy name.
                   Sing like never before, O my soul,
                   I’ll worship Your holy name.


The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
let me be singing when the ev’ning comes.                 Chorus

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,
Your name is great and Your heart is kind;
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,
ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.                 Chorus

And on that day when my strength is failing,
the end draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul sings Your praise un-ending,
ten thousand years and then forevermore.                 Chorus x2

I’ll worship Your holy name,
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name.

Sing like never before, Oh, my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name,
worship Your holy name,
worship Your holy name.

Permission to print/podcast/stream the music in this service is obtained from OneLicense 

License # A60523

Anniversary Celebration

100^th Anniversary Celebration

Liturgy for the Anniversary of a Church 

Please note that the major sources of the service are from the Book of Alternative Services others are unknow but likely have been found somewhere on the internet.  Where possible people have been credited for their work.  The congregation of St. Paul had the option to gather today for an out door service, however for those not quite ready to gather here is the printed version of today's worship for you to follow at home.

Opening Hymn     Song of Creation         - G. Norbet, Weston Priory

In the beginning all was empty and void;

God’s spirit moved above the waters.

Out of darkness came a word that brought new life:

“This is so good, let there be light.”

Then in the stillness of the night your word,

lept into our city of turmoil;

a man was born,

a man of peace and not of war,

revealing hopes yet unfulfilled.

In the beginning all was empty and void;

God’s spirit moved above the waters.

Out of darkness came a word that brought new life:

“This is so good, let there be light.”

Jesus his name,

and what a gift he was,

inspired to know Creator’s vision.

And he so loved us,

more than his own life.

What greater gift could he have shared.

In the beginning all was empty and void;

God’s spirit moved above the waters.

Out of darkness came a word that brought new life:

“This is so good, let there be light.”

Gathering the Community

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
             This is the name by which our God reveals Himself.
All: This is the name He has given us in baptism.
Leader: In this name we have gathered these 100 years.
All: In this name we gather today to celebrate his gracious acts.



Anniversary Canticle
Leader: Church anniversaries ought to include not only a look back with thanksgiving, but a look                         forward with commitment.  Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord!

All: Praise the Lord! Give thanks to him!

Leader: God has blessed us and brought us to this time.
All: God has blessed us and brought us to this place.

Leader: God has caused his name to dwell in our midst.
All: God has stirred our hearts and made us glad.

Leader: God has shown us his glory in his mighty word.
All: God has shown us the way of truth and life.

Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord!
All: Praise the Lord! Give thanks to him!

Leader: For 100 years, God has nurtured and fed us.
All: For 100 years, God has shown us his grace.

Leader: For 100 years, God has given himself in Word and Sacrament.
All: For 100 years, God has empowered us with his Holy Spirit.

Leader: For 100 years, God has made us his witnesses in the world.
All: For 100 years, God has placed us in loving fellowship with one another.

Leader: Praise the Lord for 100 years!
All : Praise the Lord for evermore! Oh, praise the name of the Lord!

Collect of the Day
O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word 

Reading of Scripture Matthew 10:24-39

Homily

The Prayers of the People

Leader: The Lord God is his goodness has blessed us with 100 years of  mission and ministry as St. Paul’s Church. We are a remembering people, and it is good that we remember that God has chosen us,
baptized us, and brought us together as the Church of Christ in this place. As remembering people, we look back at all the saving acts of God: the Creation, the Flood, the Covenant, the Exodus, the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Church.

We are a remembering people, but we are also a people of this day, brought together by God to be a holy fellowship of believers: the Body of Christ, sharing, caring, working in the world, and living in the hope of the world to come.

Our eyes look back with thanksgiving. Our eyes look forward in hope. Therefore, with thanksgiving for the past and hope for the future, let us dedicate ourselves and our lives to the mission which God gives us as the Church of Jesus Christ in this place.

All:      Almighty God, we give you thanks for the work you have done in this place. We give you                 thanks for your love and faithfulness. When we called on your name, you made your                      presence known to us. When we prayed, you heard us. When we preached your Word and             administered your Sacraments, you were in our midst. You have accepted our humble                     sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. You have listened to our confessions and forgiven                 our sins. And you have sent your Holy Spirit to heal and comfort our hurts, our sorrows,                 our infirmities, and our losses.

Leader: Continue to empower us with your Spirit, O Lord, that we might proclaim your Gospel to all                   people.
All: We dedicate our lives to your service.

Leader: Help us to witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in all that we do and say
All: We dedicate our lives to your service.

Leader: Show us how we might give care and support to the needy, love and mercy to the broken and                 forlorn.
All: We dedicate our lives to your service.

Leader: Show us new ways of loving one another and those around us.
All: We dedicate our lives to your service.

Leader: Break down those prejudices and barriers which divide us, and make us all one in your Son,                   Jesus Christ.
All: Hear our prayer, O Lord.

Leader: Renew us by the Spirit, given at our baptisms, so that we might be challenged to move beyond              our ruts, our apathy, and our anxieties of inadequacy.
All: Hear our prayer, O Lord.

Leader: Grant that we may continually grow in the Spirit and in the ministry that you give us as                           members of your royal priesthood, the priesthood of all believers, so that we may carry out our               mission of service and love.
All: Hear our prayer, O Lord.

Leader: Continue to comfort, heal, and lift up the broken and afflicted among us. By the promise of                     your presence, bring us your healing love.
All: Hear our prayer, O Lord.

Leader: Bring us at last to the joy of your eternal kingdom, where, with the faithful of this church who                 have gone before us and with all your saints, we may evermore praise your name.
All: Hear our prayer, O Lord.

Leader: Blessed Lord, draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills                 and make us wholly yours. Use us as you will, to the glory of your holy name and the welfare                 of your people; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the             Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Confession and Absolution
Leader: God's people Israel were not perfect; they grumbled and complained. But they asked God's                     forgiveness, and in grace, God gave it. We here at St. Paul’s Church are likewise imperfect                     people, and each week we have honestly acknowledged our sinfulness, for we know that in                     Christ, we have forgiveness so that we turn from our sin and seek to serve God.

All      Gracious God, we know that we are in bondage to sin. We complain in spite of Your                         gracious provision, we grumble in spite of Your gracious provision, we grumble in spite of             Your love, we rebel against Your will. Forgive us, we pray, our sinful acts and thoughts, for             the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us Your Spirit that He may renew our hearts and             inspire us to service.

(A time of silence)

Leader: God has forgiven your sin, as God did for Israel of old. And He does so not because we merit                 it. God does so because of the saving grace of Jesus, who died for us that we may live. So now,              as has been done from this church numerous times, receive the grace of God, you are forgiven                 all your sins in the name of the Creator and of the Redeemer and of the Sustainer. Amen

Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And also with you.

Offering Hymn     Comfort My People – Steve Bell With permission, Signpost Music

Listen Here

Do you know

Have you not heard

Has it been told you from the first

Have you not understood

From the forming of the earth

He sits enthroned

Above the world

And sets the heavens like a tent

A place for us to live in

A place for all to live

Chorus    Who has measured the waters

                In the hollow of His hands

                Do you know

                Who has marked off the heavens

                With the breath of His word

                Do you know

                Comfort my people (X 3 last time)

                Comfort my people

                Says the Lord

He brought out

The starry host

One by one He called them by name

Why do you still complain

That He doesn't know your ways

Lift your eyes

And look to see

Who created all of these

And never more complain

That He doesn't know your ways

Chorus

The Celebration of the Eucharist 

Prayer over the Gifts
Eternal God, you have made our Saviour Jesus Christ the head of all creation. Receive all we offer you this day and renew us in his risen life, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen

Eucharistic Prayer #3
Presider      The Lord be with you.
People      And also with you.
Presider      Lift up your hearts.
People      We lift them to the Lord.
Presider      Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People      It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; heaven itself cannot contain you and your glory fills all the world. You accept our setting apart of places for your worship and in them pour out your gifts of grace upon your faithful people. This table is a sign to us of the heavenly altar, where your saints and angels praise you. Here we have recalled the sacrifice of your Son; here we have been fed with the body and blood of your Son; here our sins have been forgiven; here we have tasted the joys of your eternal kingdom. Grant that in these mysteries we may be united with one another and strengthened for service in your world. Therefore, with angels and archangels and those who worship you in every age, we raise our voices in joyful praise to proclaim the glory of your name.

All     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.

We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love
you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people;
in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh,
Jesus your Son.

For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil,
and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth,
out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted,
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, Father, according to his command,
All      we remember his death,
           we proclaim his resurrection, 

            we await his coming in glory;

 and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving
to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament
of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant.
Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Breaking of the Bread
        We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
All    We, being many, are one body, for we all share in the one bread

The Communion

Prayer after Communion
Almighty God, guide and protect your people who share in this sacred mystery, and keep us always in your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Doxology
        Glory to God,
All      whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to                 God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever.                 Amen.

Closing Hymn Until All Are Fed – Brian McFarland One Licence A-605236

Listen Here

How long will be sing? How long will we pray?

How long will we write and send?

How long will we bring? How long will we stay?

How long will we make amends?

Chorus

Until all are fed, we cry out. Until all on earth have the bread.

Like the one who loves us, each and everyone…

We serve until all are fed.

How long will we talk? How long will we prod?

How long must we fret and hoard?

How long will we walk to tear down this façade?

How long? How long, oh lord?

Chorus

How can we standby and failed to be aghast?

How long till we do what’s right?

How could we standby and choose a lesser fast?

How long till we see the light?

Chorus

On the green, green grass they gathered long ago,

To hear what the master said.

What they had they shared - some fishes and some loaves.

They serve until all were fed.

Chorus

The Blessing

The Dismissal         (written by Rev. Nora Vedress)
Leader: So now we leave this space of worship and while so much of the road ahead is uncertain, the                 path constantly changing, we know some things that are as solid and sure as the ground beneath             our feet, and the sky above our heads.
All: We know God is love.
        We know Christ’s light endures.

Leader: We know the Holy Spirit is there, found in the space between all things,
All      closer to us than our next breath, binding us to each other, until we meet again,

Leader: Go in peace.
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia

2nd Sunday after Pentecost -- The Harvest is Plentiful but the labourers are few

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Song      Wind In The Willows             - Alan Bell

As I went a walking one morning in spring,
I met with some travelers in an old country lane.
One was an old man, the second a maid.
And the third was a young boy who smiled as he said:

Chorus:
With the wind in the willows and the birds in the sky.
We’ve a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie.
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind.


I sat down beside them, the flowers all around,
And we ate on a mantle spread out on the ground.
They told me of prophets and princes and kings
And they spoke of the one god who knows everything.      Chorus


I asked them to tell me their name and their race
So I might remember their kindness and grace.
My name is Joseph, this is Mary my wife
And this is our young son, our pride and delight.
We travel the whole world, by land and by sea
To tell all the people that they might be free.                  Chorus


Sadly, I left them, in an old country lane
For I knew that I never would see them again.
Once was an old man, the second a maid.
And the third was a young boy who smiled as he said:      Chorus



The Gathering
Jesus spoke words of comfort, walked with the unclean and unloved,
shared wisdom, food, drink, brought healing into lives and challenged the status quo.
To show God’s love

Jesus spoke the word of God, walked a painful road to the Cross, shared living water, bread of life,
brought Salvation to the world and died for the sake of all.
This is love.

It is a seed planted that germinates and blossoms spreading its sweet perfume.
Reminding us of God’s love and care for all


Collect
Almighty God, without you we are not able to please you. Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen


Song      Give Thanks                - Henry Smith

Give thanks with a grateful heart;
Give thanks to the Holy One;
Give thanks because we’re given Jesus Christ, the Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart;
Give thanks to the Holy One;
Give thanks because we’re given Jesus Christ, the Son.

And now let the weak say, “ I am strong;”
Let the poor say, “I am rich,”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
And now let the weak say, “ I am strong;”
Let the poor say, “ I am rich,”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.


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


Scripture Reading          Matthew 9:35-10:23

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Homily

Song for Refection      Come with Me into the Fields        - Dan Schutte

The fields are high and summer’s days are few;
Green fields have turned to gold.
The time is here for the harvesting,
For gathering home into barns.

Chorus:
The harvest is plenty, laborers are few.
Come with me into the fields.
Your arms may grow weary; your shoes will wear thin.
Come with me into the fields.


The seeds were sown by other hands than yours;
Nurtured and cared for, they grew.
But those who have sown will not harvest them;
The reaping will not be their care.                                  Chorus


Affirmation of Faith                      (inspired by Matthew 25:16-20, Matthew 9:35-38)

I believe in a God
who created all things
and seeks for all to be in communion as God’s people.

I believe in Jesus Christ
who showed us how to share love,
and who commissioned us to go out into the highways and byways
inviting all to be a part of God’s work in the world.

I believe in the Holy Spirit
who leads and guides us into the world,
then touches the lives of those around us
in ways that make them receptive to love.

I believe in the harvest
and the call for laborers to receive and respond,
sharing light and life with the world. Amen.

                        ~  by Tim Tate, Lead Pastor, Warrenton UMC. Posted on www.warrentonumc.org



Prayers of Reflection led by Mikaela Oldencamp

God our Creator, in whose love we live and move, we pray for a world crying out to feel loved, wanted, cherished and unique.
Heavenly Creator, source of all love

We pray for a world torn apart by conflict and war. A world that lives uneasily in a climate of fear
with no clear vision for future days
Heavenly Creator, source of all hope

We pray for a world that thinks less of others than of self. A world where division between nations, race, religion neighbour and family leads to distrust
Heavenly Creator, source of all peace

We pray for a world that is short on happiness, too busy to enjoy this world you have created, too preoccupied with living to appreciate life.
Heavenly Creator, source of all joy

We pray for a world where spiritual longing is satisfied by fashionable notions and temporary solutions
with no thought for tomorrow.
Heavenly Creator, source of our Salvation

We pray for a world that needs to know your love, your hope, your peace, your joy and Salvation.
A world that needs to know it is special, unique and is uniquely loved by the Creator. Amen.
                                            — written by John Birch, and posted on his Faith and Worship website.



Song      Until All Are Fed                              – Brian McFarland One Licence A-605236

How long will be sing? How long will we pray?
How long will we write and send?
How long will we bring? How long will we stay?
How long will we make amends?

Chorus
Until all are fed, we cry out. Until all on earth have the bread.
Like the one who loves us, each and everyone…
We serve until all are fed.

How long will we talk? How long will we prod?
How long must we fret and hoard?
How long will we walk to tear down this façade?
How long? How long, oh lord?

Chorus

How can we standby and failed to be aghast?
How long till we do what’s right?
How could we standby and choose a lesser fast?
How long till we see the light?

Chorus

On the green, green grass they gathered long ago,
To hear what the master said.
What they had they shared - some fishes and some loaves.
They served until all were fed.

Chorus


A time to pause for personal  Reflection
We take time to give thanks for all that we have been blessed with during our life.
Consider: What would allow me to be more tender toward those I encounter today?


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

Song Joyful, Joyful #425                            -Beethoven, adapted by E. Hodges

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee
Op'ning to the Sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
fill us with the light of day.


All Thy works with joy surround Thee
Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee
center of unbroken praise
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea
chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee.


Thou art giving and forgiving
ever blessing, ever blest
well-spring of the joy of living
ocean-depth of happy rest
Thou the Father, and our Mother—
all who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other
lift us to the Joy Divine

St. Paul’s One License # A-605236 for the songs included in the service/blog

Trinity Sunday

Gathering Song: These are the Words (Patti Smith)

Listen here

Awake everyone, the dawn has come

 Life is streaming from the sun 

A garden blessed, the bird that sings

Nature gives us everything 

Awake everyone, the time has come 

To mend, to tend, our common home 

To give our thanks, sow our seeds 

Extend the hand to those in need 

When the soul yearns for love 

It comes flowing from above 

Mercy, hope, humility 

These are the words to live by every day 

Walls will crumble, we arise 

To work as one, abide, provide 

Mercy, hope, humility 

These are the words we whisper in our sleep 

When in doubt the nights are long 

Wear the smile, wear the sun 

To comfort us when alone 

Holding your heart, love will come 

Walls will crumble as we abide 

Restore the house, we shall provide 

Love, compassion, unity 

These are the words to live by every day 

Awake everyone, the time has come 

Life is streaming from the sun 

Mercy, hope, humanity 

These are the words 

These are the words 

These are the words

(and as an edit I would stongly recommend watching the video)

℗ 2018 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment Bass, Piano, Vocal, Composer, Lyricist, Producer: Tony Shanahan Acoustic Guitar, Strings, Violin: David Mansfield Violin: Joyce Hammann Violin: Entcho Todorov Cello: Mary Wooten Percussion, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer: James Frazee Choir: Louise Petitgand Choir: Margot Petitgand Recording Engineer: Laurent Petitgand Mastering Engineer: Greg Calbi Auto-generated by YouTube.

Gathering of the Community

Leader: Let us shape a space for The Three: 

One      the Spirit as breath of life

Two:     the Bread as food of heaven

Three:   the Love in relationship 

Let us shape a space that tangles all three through our life and our worship held in relationship and met here

Let us shape a space for the many faces of God woven together and revealed in each of us On this Trinity Sunday Let us shape a space to be found together in worship

Prayer of Approach

God of the Heavens, keeper of the stars, Lord of the darkest, most remote places of the universe, the one who hovered and breathed life, and the Creator of every living thing: Be our salvation, our comfort, our hope, for you are holy and righteous, your words are true and your light dispels all darkness. Glory to the Almighty God, Sun of Righteousness and Breath of Life. Amen.

Proclamation of the Word

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights - the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night - and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

GENESIS 1:1-2:4A

Psalm 8
Refrain O Lord our governor, how exalted is your name in all the world!

O Lord our governor, how exalted is your name in all the world!
Out of the mouths of infants and children your majesty is praised above the heavens. R

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, to quell the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, R

What is man that you should be mindful of him? the son of man that you should seek him out?
You have made him but little lower than the angels; you adorn him with glory and honour; R

You give him mastery over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet;
All sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of the field, R

The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
O Lord our governor, how exalted is your name in all the world! R


A READING FROM THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13

Song She Comes Sailing on the Wind                                            Author: Gordon Light

Listen here

Refrain:
    She comes sailing on the wind,
    her wings flashing in the sun;
    on a journey just begun,
    she flies on.
    And in the passage of her flight,
    her song rings out through the night,
    full of laughter, full of light,
    she flies on.

Silent waters rocking on the morning of our birth,
like an empty cradle waiting to be filled.
And from the heart of God the Spirit moved up on the earth,
like a mother breathing life into her child.

Many were the dreamers whose eyes were given sight
when the Spirit filled their dreams with life and form.
Deserts turned to gardens, broken hearts found new delight,
and then down the ages still she flew on.

(Refrain)

To a gentle girl in Galilee, a gentle breeze she came,
a whisper softly calling in the dark,
the promise of a child of peace whose reign would never end,
Mary sang the Spirit song within her heart.

Flying to the river, she waited circling high
above the child now grown so full of grace.
As he rose up from the water, she swept down from the sky,
and she carried him away in her embrace.

(Refrain)

Long after the deep darkness that fell upon the world,
after dawn returned in flame of rising sun,
the Spirit touched the earth again, again her wings unfurled,
bringing life in wind and fire as she flew on.

(Refrain)

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

MATTHEW 28:16-20

Reflection

Dear Lord, I can’t. You Can. Please Do.

Awake everyone, the time has come 

Life is streaming from the sun 

Mercy, hope, humanity 

These are the words to live by every day

(from These are the Words by Patti Smith) 

Perhaps it is fortuitous that we have the Genesis reading set for this Trinity Sunday. We watch the news, participate in demonstrations, add our voices from isolation in support and cry out against the racism visited upon other human beings – God’s creation. Perhaps it is a timely reminder from our story to remember who we are and whose we are.

The creation story takes time to unfold and if you are detail oriented it sometimes appears to not have unfolded in a “proper” order. After all verses 11 and 12 outline the vegetation came before the seeds,

        Then God said, ‘Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every             kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ And it was so.  The earth brought forth                         vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in         it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.” 

as pointed out in the Tuesday Discussion group. But that is not what I want to get caught up with. In the creation of human kind, a few verses later, in verse 26, it states that God made human kind in God’s image.

So, what is God’s image? In the times we are living in we are reminded that we are failing to recognize it. The supremacy of one over another, based on skin colour, has been shown in significant and horrific ways. Do you still believe that God is an old man? Up in the sky? With a long white beard and white hair? And likely white? Our childhood image of God tends to reflect back what we immediately see around us ( would hope that has changed as we have matured and grown in faith.)  But let’s reflect on verses 26 and 27 in Genesis

           “God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; … So God                         created humankind in his image,
                                in the image of God he created them;
                                male and female he created them.”

And then, somewhere along the line we forgot this. Somewhere along the line someone thought they were better, smarter, greater because they were lighter in complexion. Somewhere along the line it was translated that to be of a light complexion (preferably as white as possible) was to be superior, was to be better, was to be preferred. Even Hollywood highlighted the importance of a lighter complexion when in the movie The Blue Lagoon (1980) towards the closing scene when Emmaline and Richard were found, Emmaline was told that her skin was too dark and it would need to be lightened up for polite society. I believe lemons were recommended! The idea is everywhere in our society and yet Genesis reminds us that ALL are made in God’s likeness.

The plural that is used also reminds us on this Trinity Sunday of how we refer to God.
God – the Creator
God – the Redeemer
God – the Sustainer

And then I heard the words to the song, These are the Words (Patti Smith). Through out the song she sings “Mercy, hope, humility, These are the words to live by every day”.

Imagine that description of the Triune God
God of Mercy – Creator
God of Hope – Jesus Redeemer
God of Humility – Spirit Sustainer

And then in the final verse of the song she switches out humility and sings
“Mercy, hope, humanity
These are the words to live by every day”

God of Mercy – Our Creator
God of Hope – Jesus our Redeemer
God of Humanity – Spirit Sustainer (of our humanity)

A timely reminder, indeed, to have the creation story as part of Trinity Sunday to remind us all to be better, to do better, to stand as ONE lovingly created by God to care for all of the created order. Look for the face of God in all that you meet and pray that they see God’s face reflected in you.

Mercy – Hope – Humility (Humanity) may it be our guiding principle and may we reflect it daily through our actions constantly reminded that it is God’s creation and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to care for the whole of it as human beings reflecting God in the world.

These are the words … “love, compassion, unity these are the words to live by everyday…”

Song for reflection:     Love, Take a walk      Listen here               

℗ 2015 Ana Hernandez & Fran McKendree 

Released on: 2015-10-31 Auto-generated by YouTube.

The Prayers of the People 

Holy, holy, holy God, in calling forth creation from the void, revealing yourself in human flesh, and pouring forth your wisdom to guide us, you manifest your concern for your whole universe. You invite us, as your people, to gather the world's needs into our hearts and bring them before you saying

Blessed Trinity, One God; how exalted is your Name in all the world.

Holy and mysterious One, you have given to your church peace with the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through Christ we have been justified by faith and obtained access to the grace in which we stand: Guide your Church into all truth through the Spirit of truth, that we may faithfully praise you and serve you always.
Blessed Trinity, One God; how exalted is your Name in all the world 

Your majesty is praised from the mouths of infants and children: Let the leaders of our nation and all in authority throughout the world follow your wisdom, know your peace, and create communities of compassion and love.
Blessed Trinity, One God; how exalted is your Name in all the world

In your Spirit you reach everywhere to bless all humanity, created in your divine image: Send forth your Wisdom to direct the human race, that all may listen to her voice and live into the fullness of life as you intend.
Blessed Trinity, One God; how exalted is your Name in all the world 

You have led us into a good community where neighbors attend to one another with mutual care and accountability: Let us hear the call of wisdom and understanding, that we may live creatively and increase the measure of truth, beauty, and goodness that can be shared among all people.
Blessed Trinity, One God; how exalted is your Name in all the world

Your divine wisdom rejoices in this inhabited world and delights in the human race. Let our suffering produce endurance, and endurance produce character, and character produce hope which does not disappoint us: 

Hear our prayers for those for whom we intercede, especially for…..
Accept our gratefulness for your goodness and blessing toward us, especially for ….
Receive into your eternal life those who have died, especially for….
Blessed Trinity, One God; how exalted is your Name in all the world

Holy, holy, holy God, fill us with strength and courage, with discernment and compassion, that we may be your instruments of justice and love in this world, that it may be on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Offering Hymn You Reign

Listen here (Video includes the lyrics please open in another window)

Prayer over the Gifts
Living God, receive all we offer you this day. Grant that hearing your word and responding to your Spirit, we may share in your divine life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen

The Lords Prayer

Collect of the Day
Father, we praise you: through your Word and Holy Spirit you created all things. You reveal your salvation in all the world by sending to us Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Through your Holy Spirit you give us a share in your life and love. Fill us with the vision of your glory, that we may always serve and praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Closing Prayer

So now we leave this time of worship
And while so much of the road ahead is uncertain,
the path constantly changing,
we know some things that are as solid and sure
as the ground beneath our feet,
and the sky above our heads.

We know God is love.
We know Christ’s light endures.

We know the Holy Spirit this there,
found in the space between all things,
closer to us than our next breath,
binding us to each other,
until we meet we again,

Go in peace.

~ Rev. Nora Vedress, 

Calvary United Church in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Song     The Canticle of the Turning

Listen here

My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the one who waits.
You fixed your sight on the servant's plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain:      My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
                    Let the fires of your justice burn.
                    Wipe away all tears,
                    For the dawn draws near,
                    And the world is about to turn.


Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me.
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.                             (Refrain)

From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
These are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.                             (Refrain)

Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise that holds us bound,
'Til the spear and rod be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.                     (Refrain)

Paraphrase of Luke 1:46-58 (Magnificat)

Words: Rory Cooney (1990)

Music: STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN (Irish Traditional Folk Song)