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







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