We Gather as God’s People
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 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 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 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)
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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