Paths to Explore: October 2020

Thursday, 29 October 2020

November 1 - All Saints Celebration

Prelude It is well with my Soul

Sentence of the Day

They are before the throne of God, and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. Revelation 7.15

Gathering Hymn For All the Saints

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine,
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gathering the Community (inspired by Revelation 21: 1-6)
We are the church that lives into God’s future today.
A church united across space and time.
A church of many races, languages and ethnicities.
A church that lives by the work of God in Christ that was, is now, and is still to come.
The one who is seated on the throne says to us: “See, I am making all things new!”
A new heaven and a new earth, where the home of God is among God’s people.
God’s future is epic, and its good news.
Remember God’s future, for this is our story!

Prayer of the Day (together)
In all our weakness and strength, with our youth-filled spirits and aging bodies, we come to be your people, O God. Strong in faith and eager with questions, singing our praise and whispering our prayers, filled with saintly determination yet mindful of our human limitations, we come to be your people, O God. Made strong in your endless love for us, we know ourselves to be yours and we truly become your people today. Amen.

Collect for All Saints (together)
Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the mystical Body of your Son, grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word

A Reading from the Revelation of John (7:9-17)

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

Listen for the Leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God

Psalm 34:1-10, 22

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Magnify the Lord, exalt his name

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Magnify the Lord, exalt his name

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Magnify the Lord, exalt his name

A Reading from the first letter of John (3:1-3)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Listen for the Leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn Beatitudes
Blest are you the poor who trust in God to fill your lives,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.
Blest are you, the sorrowing who know that God is wise,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Blest are you, the lowly ones, who know your need to share,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.
Blest are you whose searching souls will draw you to God’s care,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Chorus
Let you light shine for all the world to see:
The brightness of your life within, the peace that sets you free.
Let your light shine to fill your nights and days;
All will see the deeds you do and offer God their praise.

Blest are those whose mercy shows God’s gentle love to all,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.
Blest are you, the pure in heart, whose lives reflect God’s call,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Blest are you who work for peace to join us all as one,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.
Blest are you who suffer hate to prepare the day to come,
For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Chorus
Let you light shine for all the world to see:
The brightness of your life within, the peace that sets you free.
Let your light shine to fill your nights and days;
All will see the deeds you do and offer God their praise.

The Gospel

The Lord be with you      And also, with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (5:1-12)

The Gospel of Christ        R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

The Homily

An Affirmation of Faith (Celebrations along the Way Dorothy McRae-McMahon
We believe, against all our realities
and the lack of hope around us,
we believe in God.

We believe that Jesus Christ
and the life of this Christ will survive in the world.

We believe that the Spirit is still with us,
the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ.

We believe that we are eternally linked
with the love and good and courage of our God,
if we will choose to be.
And we so choose. Amen

All Saints Day Intercessions

God be praised! As the summer follows the spring and green leaves grow after the fire, as the sunlight swings from coast to coast to coast so the gifts of God come to us. As we lift our faces to the rising of the mountains, to the vast spread of the plains the blessings of God spread forth towards each one of us, the saints of God this day.
Dear God, we are thankful

We remember the great ancestors of our faith, from Abraham and Sarah, to Paul and Phoebe:
Ancestors of the faith, we remember you.

We remember the prophets and priests, the ministers and teachers who have taught us the way of God:
Teachers of the faith, we remember you.

We remember our grandparents and parents, aunts and uncles, those who have gone before us in our lifetime:
Family of our faith, we remember you.

We lift up the memories of children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives and parents whose lives ended too soon:
Those close in our heart, we remember you.

We lift up to You, O God, those we have lost from our lives, knowing that they are with Your heart forever and we give thanks for their lives and celebrate them
Family of God, we remember you, and we honor you. We know you are with us in the spirit of worship, and you will not be forgotten.

We give thanks, O God, for all who have gone on to join with You beyond this life. We trust in the hope of resurrection and the promise of new life in Christ, and know that in our grief and celebration, O God,
You are with us through it all, and we are not left alone. In the name of Christ, in whom love lives forever, we pray. Amen.

Remembrance of the Dead

As we enter into this day, let us call to mind our loved ones who have gone before us, who now stand in the unfading Light of Christ. Let us remember them now by name.

Instrumental music continues as the names of deceased loved ones are said and candles lit by those who wish to do so. After all who wished have prayed, the presider continues with the following antiphon.

Antiphon

Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Alleluia.

God of life we thank you for the assurance that the dead are in your hands and that we are called and destined to eternal life on account of your risen Son Jesus. Do not let our heart be troubled but reunite us one day with those whom we have known and loved. Lead us all to you through him who is our way, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Confession (Celebrations Along the Way Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
We come before you, O God, in humble confession, knowing that you are open to hear us and receive us. If we have found it hard to bless each other, in our differences, in our self-righteousness, remind us of spirit of overflowing blessing.

If we have looked at others with a lack of understanding, if we have failed to notice that some people are carrying burdens on the road, give to us your caring insights, your loving glance.

If we have not received your blessing of us, pushing away your gifts of grace and remaining victims of our own lack of compassion, forgive us and open our hearts.

Assurance
Watch and listen. Christ has looked upon us all with love. Hold the silence before God and wait in faithful expectation for the gift of grace. It is there waiting for us now. Amen

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

The Celebration of the Eucharist

The Offertory Hymn        Alleluia! Glory to God
Glory to God who does wondrous things;
Let all the people God’s praises now sing;
All of creation in splendour shall ring: alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

See how salvation for all has been won;
Up from the grave our new life has begun;
Life now perfected in Jesus, the Son; alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Now in our presence the Lord will appear,
Shine in the faces in all of us here;
Fill us with joy and cast out all our fear: alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Call us, good Shepard; we listen for you,
Wanting to see you in all that we do;
We would the gate if salvation pass through: alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Lord, we are open to all that you say,
Ready to listen and follow your way;
You are the potter and we are the clay: alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

If we have love, then we dwell in the Lord;
God will protect us from fire and sword.
Fill us with love and the peace of his word: alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Prayer over the gifts (together)
Holy and mighty God, we give you thanks for the triumph of Christ in the lives of all his saints. Receive all we offer you this day, and help us, like them, to run our course with faith, that we may come to your eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Eucharistic Prayer 3
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 our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; in the multitude of your saints you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them receive the crown of glory that never fades away. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all who have served you in every age, we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.

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, 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
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen

The Breaking of the Bread
“I am the bread of life,” says the Lord. “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry; whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in him!

The Communion

The Prayer after Communion
Lord of hosts, we praise your glory reflected in your saints. May we who share at this table be filled with the joy of your eternal kingdom, where Jesus is Lord, now and forever. Amen

The Doxology
Glory to God,
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 Hail the Fisher Folk
Hail the fishermen long ago who took their chances on the road.
Bet their futures not lived yet and cast aside their fishing nets.
The fishermen

Hail the women of Galilee, who stood beside a brooding sea,
Watched it all and cried the end and were the first to start again.
Hail the women.

Hail the slaves and the broken ones, who turned their hearts to the kingdom come
Wove their drama into song and leapt for joy when he came along.
The broken ones.

Hail the ones who left us young, when their life had just begun,
Pure as innocence can be and we bless their memory.
All hail the young.

Hail the saints and martyrs here, in lands and life times through the years,
Prayer and action, joy and tears who left a trail to walk through fear.
The martyrs here.

Hail the old and hail the ise, who know the mystery of our lives,
Watch the sunset, touch the rain and lose their life to be regained.
All hail the aged.

Hail the fisherfolk of today, who hear the call and live the way,
Beside God to make a stand for truth and mercy in this land.
The Fisherfolk.

The Blessing
We are the saints of God. We are called to be the church.
Go forth in faith, in hope and it love!
And may the face of God be turned towards us, the spirit hover close as our covering of love and Christ Jesus find us as we long to be found. Amen

The Dismissal
God sends us out with encouragement and a challenge: Lead lives worthy of God's reign and glory.
We desire to live as God intends; we will work and rest in God's care.
Live in faithfulness to one another and to God who calls you forth in his service.
The Word of God is at work in us; in him we witness and are more than conquerors.
Blessed are all who seek their strength in God alone, happy are they who live the gospel.
May God be praised in all we do and say; may we be gentle apostles and courageous disciples.

Postlude When the Saints

Friday, 23 October 2020

Service of Worship -- October 25

** Welcome back to the service. The service today is led by the Reverend Bill Oakley in the congregation of St. Paul, Winnipeg.**

The YouTube livestream link for the service at St. Paul tomorrow
https://youtu.be/Ro1vy05oEFA

Prelude El-Shaddi

Welcome

Gathering Hymn Dakota Hymn

Many and great oh God are thy things.
Maker of earth and sky.
Thy hands have spread the heavens with stars.
Thy fingers spread the mountains and plains.
Lo at the word the waters were formed.
Deep seas obey thy voice.

Grant unto us communion with thee.
Thou star abiding one.
Come unto us and dwell with us.
With Thee are found the gifts of life.
Bless us with life that has no end
Eternal life with thee.

The Gathering

Sisters and brothers – Arise! Lift your hearts. Lift your eyes. Lift your voices.
The living God, the living, moving Spirit of God has called us together – in witness, in celebration, in struggle.
Reach out toward each other. Our God reaches out toward us!
Let us worship God!

Prayer of Approach (together)
God of love, we are so very grateful that you love us unconditionally. Help us to love you, too, and to love our neighbours as well as ourselves. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jubilate    Psalm 100

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; * serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; * he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; * give thanks to him and call upon his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; * and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17    Refrain: In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

Lord, you have been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

You turn us back to dust, and say, ‘Turn back, you mortals.’ For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands—O prosper the work of our hands!
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

A Reading from the book, Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants”; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigour had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

Listen for the leading of the Spirit                R: Thanks be to God

Responsory 2
My life is in your hand, deliver me; * shine on your servant with the light of your love.
My life is in your hand, deliver me; * shine on your servant with the light of your love.

In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
Shine on your servant with the light of your love.

Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
Shine on your servant with the light of your love.

Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.
Shine on your servant with the light of your love.

I put my trust in the Lord; I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
Shine on your servant with the light of your love.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
My life is in your hand, deliver me; * shine on your servant with the light of your love.

A Reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn O God Our Help

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:

Under the shadow of thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time like an ever rolling stream
Bears all our years away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

O God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew 22:34-46

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet’ ”?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

The Homily

An Affirmation of Faith (From Celebrations along the way by Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
Let us Celebrate our God

We Celebrate our God,
who is not afraid of our minds
with all their questions,
and all their doubting searchings for the truth.

We celebrate our God,
who knows and loves our deepest hearts,
whose compassion is always greater than ours
so that the measure of kindness
is always less that that of God.

We celebrate our God
who engages with our souls
linking us with the mystery of the universe,
the endless eternity,
yet is as close to us in our tiny beings
as a parent with a child. Amen

Offering Hymn We will take what you Offer
LIsten Here
We will take what you offer,
We will live by your word;
We will love one another and be fed by you, Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts
God of constant love, you have guided your people in all times and ages. May we who offer you our praise today always be ready to follow where you lead; we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Intercessions and Thanksgivings
Gracious God, you have taught us to fulfill all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Be
gracious to your servants as we lift our voices to you, saying: That we may obtain what you promise,
may we love what you command.

Holy God, you have approved your Church and entrusted her with the message of the gospel: Help us witness to your grace by loving you with all our heart and soul and mind and by loving our neighbor as ourselves.
That we may obtain what you promise, may we love what you command.

Almighty God, guide our leaders and all in authority in the nations to act out of motivations of love and to shun all deceit or impure motives or trickery, that they may speak not to please mortals, but to please you, the Holy One who tests our hearts.
That we may obtain what you promise, may we love what you command.

Compassionate God, look upon the suffering and mistreatment of the human family and, like a nurse tenderly caring for her children, make known your gentleness among all people, that healing and peace may abound throughout all creation.
That we may obtain what you promise, may we love what you command.

Ever-present God, be with us in this community that we may share the good news with one another and live for the sake of your love.
That we may obtain what you promise, may we love what you command.

Loving God, hear our prayers for our neighbors and ourselves, remembering especially ___.
Accept our gratefulness and praise as we speak our thanksgivings to you ___.
Bring into your eternity those who have died. May they know you face to face.
That we may obtain what you promise, may we love what you command.

Be gracious to your servant and satisfy us by your loving kindness, O God, that your Spirit of love may be manifest in our lives and in our deeds, as we fulfill the great commandment of our Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen

The Collect
Lord God our redeemer, who heard the cry of your people and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery, free us from the tyranny of sin and death, and by the leading of your Spirit bring us to our promised land; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen

Announcements

Closing Hymn The Wellspring

The Father gives away His word and his breath,
And all things are called into being.
This mystery of love and of life is a gift,
And it’s glory beyond human reason.

Chorus
For holy, holy, holy is the God of power and might.
In all of heaven and earth the glory lives.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

Whatever he speaks is worthy to be
Pure and blameless and holy.
Whatever he breathes is lovely indeed,
Forever reflecting his glory. Chorus

For holy, holy, holy is the God of power and might.
In all of heaven and earth the glory lives.
Hosanna in the highest. Chorus

For holy, holy, holy is the God of power and might.
In all of heaven and earth the glory lives.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

The Blessing

Dismissal
Let us go from this place with eyes wide open, ready to welcome God’s people and respond to Christ’s call, willing to work for life made new.
We go, to follow the way of Jesus and to serve a world in need. Thanks be to God. Alleluia

Postlude One of Us

Thursday, 15 October 2020

Service of Worship -- October 18, 2020

** Welcome back to the service. The service today is led by the Reverend Mary Lysecki in the congregation of St. Paul, Winnipeg.**

Prelude – Bless the Broken Road

Welcome

Gathering Hymn – Let My People Seek Their Freedom
“From the slave pens of the Delta,
from the ghettos on the Nile
Let my people seek their freedom
in the wilderness awhile”:
So God spoke from out of Sinai,
so God spoke and it was done,
and the people crossed the waters
toward the rising of the sun.

“From the aging shrines and structures,
from the cloister and the aisle
Let my people seek their freedom
in the wilderness awhile”:
so the Son of God has spoken,
and the storm clouds are unfurled,
for God’s people must be scattered
to be servants in the world.

When we murmur on the mountains
for the old Egyptian plains,
when we miss our ancient bondage,
and the hope, the promise, wanes;
then the rock shall yield its water
and the manna fall by night,
and with visions of a future
shall we march toward the light.

In the maelstrom of the nations,
in the journeying into space,
in the clash of generations,
in the hungering for grace,
in our agony and glory,
we are called to newer ways
by the Lord of our tomorrows
and the God of earth’s todays.

The Gathering
Name Unnamed, whose intriguing presence

is closer to home than we dare imagine,
fill us with wonder of you
that we may be filled with wonder of ourselves.

Name Unnamed, whose creativity is a river is running,
startle us with diversity
and surprise us with difference

that we may be filled with wonder of others.

Name Unnamed, whose mystery and concern is revealed in Jesus
reshape our perceptions,
reshape our patterns of living,
reshape our politics and prayer,
that we may be filled with wonder of a world made whole.

Prayer of Approach
We are here, God.
We have felt your touch in the sunlight.
seen your power in the wild wind.
We have wondered at your mystery in the stars,
and we marvel that the maker of the universe knows us by name.
We are here, God.
We are here to praise and worship you.

We are here, Jesus.
We know that you came to find us.
We have listened to your words
and smiled at your stories.
We have felt the warmth of your love,
and we thank you that you have called us friends.
We are here, Jesus.
We are here to praise and worship you.

We are here, Holy Spirit.
We are grateful for your presence,
grateful for the way you bring us close –
for the way you comfort us and challenge us
and keep us right.
We are here, Holy Spirit.
We are here to praise and worship you.

We are here, God,
in this moment, in this place.
And we thank you that you are here with us.

You know us, God.
We do not have to pretend with you.

In the silence of your love, we bring you
the things that trouble us,
that harm us,
that make us feel ashamed or afraid.

Silence

God have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
God have mercy on us.

Silence

Listen to the words of Jesus,
words that we can trust:
“Don’t be afraid.
Your sins are forgiven.
I love you.
Come and follow me.”
Thanks be to God. Amen.

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF EXODUS
Moses said to the Lord, "See, you have said to me, 'Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.' Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth." The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, 'The Lord'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the Lord continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."
Listen for the leading of the Spirit                        R: Thanks be to God

Psalm 99
1 The Lord is king; let the people tremble; God is enthroned upon the Cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; God is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his name, which is great and awesome; God is the Holy One.
4 “O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and fall down before his footstool; God is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among God’s priests, and Samuel among those who call upon God’s name,
they called upon the Lord, and God answered them.
7 God spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies and the decree that God gave them.
8 “O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.”
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship God upon God’s holy hill; for the Lord our God is the Holy One.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit                        R: Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn            Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty
Early in the morning my song shall rise to thee
Holy. holy, holy Merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee
Though our sinful human gaze thy glory may not see
only Thou art holy; there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea:
Holy, holy, holy Merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (22:15-22 )
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

The Homily

Hymn – Surely It is God Who Saves Me
Surely it is God who saves me;

I shall trust and have no fear.

For the Lord defends and shields me

and his saving help is near.

So rejoice as you draw water

from salvation's healing spring;

in the day of your deliverance

thank the Lord, his mercies sing.

Make God's deeds known to the peoples:

tell out his exalted Name.

Praise the Lord, who has done great things;

all his works God's might proclaim.

Zion, lift your voice in singing;

for with you has come to dwell,

in your very midst the great

and Holy One of Israel.

An Affirmation of Faith (From Celebrations along the way by Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
We believe in a bright and amazing God,
who has been to the depths of despair
on our behalf;
who has risen in splendour and majesty;
who decorates the universe
with sparkling water, clear white light,
twinkling stars and sharp colours,
over and over again.

We believe that Jesus is the light of the world;
that God believes in us, and trusts us,
even though we make the same mistakes
over and over again.

We commit ourselves to Jesus,
to one another as brothers and sisters,
and to the maker’s business in the world.
God said: Let there be light. Amen

Offering Hymn – They’ll Know We Are Christians by our Love
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Chorus
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land. Chorus

We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride. Chorus

All praise to Creator from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one. Chorus

Prayer over the Gifts
God of constant love, you have guided your people in all times and ages. May we who offer you our praise today always be ready to follow where you lead; we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Intercessions and Thanksgivings
Let us be at peace within ourselves.

Let us accept that we are profoundly loved and need never be afraid.
Silence

Let us be aware of the source of being that is common to us all and to all living creatures.
Silence

Let us be filled with the presence of the great compassion towards ourselves and towards all living beings.
Silence

Realising that we are all nourished from the same source of life, may we so live that others be not deprived of air, food, water, shelter, or the chance to live.
Silence

Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be a cause of suffering to one another.
Silence

With humility let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth.
Silence

May God kindle in us the fire of love to bring us alive and give warmth to the world.
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth; lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust;
lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. Amen

The Collect
O God, you have set before us a great hope that your kingdom will come on earth, and have taught us to pray for its coming: make us ready to thank you for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and work for the perfect day when your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen

Announcements

Closing Hymn – All Will Be Well
Of that day and hour, no one on earth will know,
Not even the angels or the Son;
We cannot be sure, if the day will be swift or be slow,
But we can be certain that it will come.

Chorus
All will be well, all will be well,
And all manner of things shall be well.
All will be well, all will be well,
And all manner of things shall be well.

And there will be signs, in the sun and the moon and the stars,
Distress in the heavens and the seas;
Then lift up your eyes, look up your salvation is near,
This is not your death, it’s the birthcry of peace. Chorus

Like a child in the womb, resisting the onslaught of life,
We struggle to hold to what we now see;
Our prayers are but groans and we fear there’s a terrible price,
It’s our new creation coming to be. Chorus

The Blessing

Dismissal
Let us go from this place with eyes wide open, ready to welcome God’s people and respond to Christ’s call, willing to work for life made new.

We go, to follow the way of Jesus and to serve a world in need. Thanks be to God. Alleluia

Thursday, 8 October 2020

October 11-- Thanksgiving

We Gather as God’s People

Pre lude This is My Father's World
Welcome

Gathering Hymn Canticle of the Sun

Refrain
The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

Praise for the sun, the bringer of day, he carries the light of the Lord in his rays; the moon and the stars who light up the way unto your throne!

Praise for the wind that blows through the trees, the seas' mighty storms, the gentlest breeze; they blow where they will, they blow where they please to please the Lord!

Praise for the rain that waters our fields, and blesses our crops so all the earth yields; from death unto life her mystery revealed springs forth in joy!

Praise for the fire who gives us his light, the warmth of the sun to brighten our night; he dances with joy, his spirit so bright, he sings of you!

Gathering of the Community: (based on Psalm 65)
Come, gather together people of God.
We come to sing and shout God’s praise.
The gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy!
The river of God is full of water.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow with richness.
The hills and the valleys are full of God’s blessing.
Together they shout and sing for joy.
Together we shout and sing for joy!
We will not forget the Lord our God and the earth that nourishes us.
We will remember and give thanks.

Prayer of Approach
Loving God, Creator of all things, we come to you this morning with thankful hearts for all your gifts to us and to your people everywhere. We think about the amazing beauty of the world you have made and this powerful yet fragile land we call our home. As we worship together, remind us of the sacredness of all creation and of our responsibility to respect the ways of the earth and the connections between all things. AMEN

A New Commandment (New Zealand Prayer Book)
Hear the teaching of Christ:
       A new commandment I give to you,
       that you love one another as I have love you.
Spirit of God, search our hearts

Collect of the Day
Creator of the fruitful earth, you made us stewards of all things. Give us grateful hearts for all your goodness, and steadfast wills to use your bounty well, that the whole human family, today and in generations to come, may with us give thanks for the riches of your creation. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word

Old Testament    A Reading from the book Deuteronomy
For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid waste-land with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gained me this wealth.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today. (8:7-18)

Listen for the Leading of the Spirit                    R: Thanks be to God

Psalm 65
Refrain: You crown the year with your goodness, O Lord

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
You crown the year with your goodness, O Lord

By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
You crown the year with your goodness, O Lord

You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples. Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
You crown the year with your goodness, O Lord

You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your goodness, O Lord

You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.
You crown the year with your goodness, O Lord

New Testament A Reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 9:6-15

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures for ever.’
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Listen for the Leading of the Spirit            R: Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn    Come Ye thankful People Come
Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown,
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear:
Lord of harvest, grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offenses purge away;
Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
to thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
In thy presence to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

The Gospel

The Lord be with you                        R: And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’ (22:1-14)

The Gospel of Christ                                R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Homily

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

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.

Litany of Confession: (based on words by Chief Seattle, 1855)
Creator God, we confess that we do not always remember you.
We forget that all we have and are comes from you.

We forget that the earth is our mother—we are made from the earth. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. We are part of the earth, and the earth is part of us.

We forget that the rivers are our brothers; they quench our thirst. We forget that the perfumed flowers are our sisters.

We forget that the air is precious, for all of us share the same

breath. The wind gives our children the breath of life.

We forget that the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth. We forget that all things are connected, like the blood that unites one family.

We forget that you are the same God whose compassion is equal for all.

We forget that we did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Forgive us O Creator, and help us to remember that whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.

Forgive us O Sustainer, and accept our thanks for your gift of life.

Assurance of Pardon:
The good news is that God loves and forgives us and forever invites us to return to the ways of wholeness. We can be new people; we can live with respect for the earth and all its creatures. As forgiven people we join together with grateful hearts and sing praise to God.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low Alleluia, Alleluia
Praise God above ye heavenly hosts

Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Prayers of the People

We thank you, God, for the beauty of nature, for food to eat and for clothes to wear.
Thank you, God of creation.

We thank you for the world and all it holds. We ask that all that is good in it remain and that we lessen the pollution of our earth.
Hear us, Lord of the world.

We thank you for all the people in our community…. We ask that you help us to be kind and understanding to others.
Hear us, gentle Lamb of God.

We thank you that young and old have a place in the church…. We ask that you help us to continue to show our faith.
Hear us, living Saviour.

We thank you for those who are willing to take leadership…. We ask that they be reasonable in their decisions and work for the good of everybody.
Hear us, God of justice.

We thank you for the young and young at heart…. We ask that you help them to understand life and find their way.
Hear us, God of now and forever.

We thank you for organizations that aid those in need. …We ask for help to recognize what we can do to help and to use what we have to do it.
Hear us, God of hope.

We give thanks for you, God of faithfulness.
May we live what we pray. Amen.

Passing the Peace:
In recognition of the new beginning which God has freely given us, let us acknowledge with love to those around us the peace of Christ

Offering Hymn The Trumpets sound, the Angels sing

The trumpets sound, the angels sing
The feast is ready to begin
The gates of heav'n are open wide
And Jesus welcomes you inside

Sing with thankfulness Songs of pure delight
Come and revel in heaven's love and light
Take your place at the table of the King
The feast is ready to begin
The feast is ready to begin

Tables are laden with good things
O taste the peace and joy He brings
He'll fill you up with love dvine
He'll turn your water into wine

The hungry heart He satisfies
Offers the poor His paradise
Now hear all heav'n and earth applaud
The amazing goodness of the Lord

Prayer over the Offering
Source of all life, the heaven and earth are yours, yet you have given us dominion over all things. Receive the symbols of our labour and love which we offer you this day, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Eucharistic Prayer
Copyright © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2006All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.

The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

Almighty God, good Father to us all, your face is turned towards your world. In love you gave us Jesus your Son to rescue us from sin and death. Your Word goes out to call us home to the city where angels sing your praise. We join with them in heaven's song:

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.

Father of all, we give you thanks for every gift that comes from heaven. To the darkness Jesus came as your light. With signs of faith and words of hope he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean. This is his story.

This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son, yet at the end they turned on him. On the night he was betrayed he came to table with his friends to celebrate the freedom of your people. This is his story.

This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus blessed you, God, for the food; he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:

This is my body, given for you all. Jesus then gave thanks for the wine; he took the cup, gave it and said: This is my blood, shed for you all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. This is our story.

This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

Therefore, Creator, with this bread and this cup we celebrate the cross on which he died to set us free. Defying death he rose again and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world. This is our story.

This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

Send your Spirit on us now that by these gifts we may feed on Christ with opened eyes and hearts on fire. May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you and be welcomed at your feast in heaven where all creation worships you, Creator, Son and Holy Spirit:

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:
We gather our prayers together into the prayer which Jesus taught us, (using a version from the New Zealand Prayer Book.)

Eternal Spirit,
Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice is followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread
Creator of all, you gave us golden fields of wheat, whose many grains we have gathered and made into this one bread.
So may your church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom

The Communion

Prayer after Communion
God of our hope, in this eucharist we find the source of all your blessings. Nourished in these holy mysteries may we, with our lives, give you continual thanks and praise. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Doxology
Glory to God
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, forever and ever. Amen

The Blessing and Dismissal

Closing Hymn The Wedding Banquet



Chorus:           I cannot come,
                          I cannot come to the banquet,
                        Don't trouble me now.
                          I have married a wife
                        I have bought me a cow
                          I have fields and commitments
                      that cost a pretty sum.
                        Pray, hold me excused
                          I cannot come.

A certain man held a feast on his fine estate in town,
he laid a festive table and wore a wedding gown.
He sent invitations to his neighbours far and wide
but when the meal was ready, each of them replied:                        Chorus

The master rose up in anger, called his servants by name,
said: "Go into the town, fetch the blind and the lame,
fetch the peasant and the pauper, for this I have willed,
my banquet must be crowded, and my table must be filled."            Chorus

When all the poor had assembled, there was still room to spare,
so the master demanded: "Go search everywhere,
to the highways and the byways and force them to come in.
My table must filled before the banquet can begin."                        Chorus

My God has written a lesson for the rest of humankind;
if we're slow in responding, He may leave us behind.
God's preparing a banquet for the great and glorious day,
when the Lord and Master calls us, be certain not to say:                Chorus

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Recalibrating

Disruptions, life is filled with them in the ordinary everyday times. Sometimes we notice because it has inconvenienced us and sometimes, we notice because it causes major upheaval. Disruptions, large or small, can have a major impact. How do you handle disruptions in life? Are you able to go with the flow? Does it throw you completely off track? Do you step back and re-evaluate?

I have to tell you I am severely directionally challenged. If you take me and set me downtown and spin me around, I’ll get lost! No Joke! Telling me to go north, south, east or west is pointless. I have no sense of direction. Just tell me if I go right or left. Disruptions happen very easily in my life. Some are simple others less so. It is what we do when the disruptions happen that become more interesting. I can tell you when we first moved to Winnipeg (the largest city that I have lived in) more than once I felt like crying when I would get lost. At least once a day I would experience great frustration and try to get going back in the right direction. And then I listened to what the GPS would say when I missed my turn – recalibrating. Recalibrating! Finding another way. Then I realized that I was never truly lost because it could all be recalibrated.

Disruptions are like that, they recalibrate us. They send us down different paths, change our direction, help us see things from a different perspective all because there was a disruption to the usual routine that we tried to stick so closely with. Again, I ask, that you consider how you handle those disruptions. Can you now see them from a different perspective, allow them to recalibrate you and give you a whole new experience?

2020 has thus far been months and months of disruption. Just as soon as we think we are getting on the right track of lower numbers and cases of CoVid 19, we have a spike and we are back in the restricted zone. Disruptions happen daily with how we interact with people, shop, plan a dinner out (or not), celebrate special days in life and holidays. We are re-calibrating how we do everything. Some roll with the necessary changes and recalibrate but for countless others the stress, anxiety and depression are increasing and recalibrating is hard to do because there does not seem to be a return to the more normal interactions that are so important to us for our emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well being.

Disruptions do not spell an end. Recalibrating does not mean we have missed the point or done something wrong. In these uncertain times we are challenged to find new ways of doing the things we enjoy. Nothing is canceled, nothing is lost but we are challenged to find a new route, a new direction and to take a different path. It will not be easy but it will be an experience, whether good or bad, that will reveal a whole new dimension to us and show us things and places and people that we have not encountered before. Disruptions are not always a bad thing, even in disruptions we can find a gift, new hope and a whole new way of doing things. I hope your disruptions will become an exciting opportunity to experience something new, or at least experience something old in a whole new way.

Thursday, 1 October 2020

October 4 2020

Prelude

His Eye is on the Sparrow

The Gathering Hymn All Creatures of our God and King

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain:
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show. Refrain

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One! Refrain

The Gathering

The heavens declare the glory of God, the Milky Way reveals God’s handiwork.

Yet I would mark all things down as a loss, compared to knowing the perfection of Christ Jesus my lord.

The stone which builders once rejected has now become the corner stone.

This is God’s own doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

Holy, holy, holy are you most beautiful and mysterious God.

Holy, holy, holy are you, Christ Jesus, the very radiance of God.

Holy, holy, holy are you, True Spirit, the joy that lives in our hearts.

God our Friend, please do not allow familiarity to dull our awareness of your unspeakable love. May worship be the holiest aspiring and the dearest pleasure of our souls. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen

Jubilate Psalm 100

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; * serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; * he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; * give thanks to him and call upon his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; * and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Psalm 19
REFRAIN The statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another. Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard, Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world.