September 27, 2020 -- St. Michael and All Angels

 

St. Michael and All Angels Sunday 

Prelude Jerusalem the Golden

Dialog of the Angels:
Bless the Lord, all you multitude of angels.
Bless the Lord, O inhabitants of earth.
God sends forth his angels for divine service:
To serve those who are to inherit salvation.
The Lord commands the angels concerning you:
To watch and guard you in all your ways.
When the Son of Man comes with the clouds: 

He will order his angels to gather the elect.
Then 'round the throne we all shall gather: 
And sing with all the heavenly host: "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord!"

Gathering Hymn      God has Spoken

Chorus: God has spoken to the people Alleluia!
             And the words are words of wisdom, Alleluia!

Open your ears, O Christian people,
Open your ears and hear good news.
Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,
God has come to you 
God has come to you.                      Chorus

Those who have ears to hear God’s message
Those who have ears, then let them hear.
Those who would learn the way of wisdom,
Let them hear God’s word
Let them hear God’s word              Chorus

Israel comes to greet the Saviour;
Judah is glad to see his day.
From east to west the peoples travel,
God will show the way
God will show the way

Chorus
God has spoken to the people Alleluia!
And the words are words of wisdom, Alleluia!
God has spoken to the people Alleluia! 
And the words are words of wisdom, Alleluia!

The Gathering of the Community
Where is God?
God is in the rock and the water.
Loving God, be with us now and forever.
Where is God?
God is in the darkness, and in the light.
Loving God, be with us now and forever.
Where is God?
God is in our living and in our dying.
Loving God, be with us now and forever.
Come, let us worship the God who is in us and all around us.

Prayer of the Day
Loving God, help us to be patient as we travel the road of life: help us to trust you, and love you, and serve you. We pray in Jesus’ name. 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 loved you.
                Spirit of God, search our hearts

The Collect of the Day
Eternal God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals. Grant that as your holy angels stand before you in heaven, so at your command they may help and defend us here on earth; through 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 Book Daniel (10:10-14; 12:1-3)

But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. He said to me, ‘Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.’ So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. He said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.’

‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 

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

Psalm 103:19-22

The Psalm Refrain is : Bless the Lord, O my Soul

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.

Bless the Lord, O my Soul

Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Bless the Lord, O my Soul 

A Reading from the Revelation of John (12:7-12)

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

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

Gradual Hymn     445 God the Creator
God the Creator, you in love made me
who once was nothing but now have grown.
I bring the best of all my life offers;
for you I share whatever I own.

O Christ the Saviour, you in love called me
who once was no one, lost and alone.
I pledge to go wherever you summon
making your will and purpose my own. 

O God the Spirit, you in love made me
who once was nowhere and felt unknown.
I know my need of you for companion:
all things can change when not on my own.

And with the people summoned together
to be the church in which faith is sown
I make my promise to live for Jesus
and let the world know all are his own 



The Gospel

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

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

The Gospel of Christ                   Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Homily

An Affirmation of Faith (~ posted on The United Church of Canada website.) 

We are not alone, we live in God's world.

We believe in God: who has created and is creating, 
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.

Thanks be to God. Amen.



Litany of the Angels (from the Evangelical Lutheran church in America)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and all the orders of creation. God created humankind to have dominion upon the earth, and he created the angels to serve as guardians and messengers of his holy word of love and salvation. Let us pray to the Lord of the angels for all our needs and the needs of people everywhere.

Almighty God, we thank you for the wonder of your creation and the variety of orders within it. We thank you for your servants, the angels, whom you send to us on our behalf. Above all we thank you for your Son, enthroned above the cherubim, for the salvation which he bought us by his blood.
We praise you, O God.

As you sent angels in dreams to visit Jacob and Joseph with messages of your will, help us also to know your will for our lives and lead us to do it.
Lord, send us your holy angels.

As you sent angels to rescue Lot and his family in Sodom and to save Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, so rescue us in our times of need and adversity.
Lord, send us your holy angels.

As the angel of the Lord stood between the people of Israel and the Egyptians at the Red Sea, so stand between us and our enemies, and lend us your guard and protection.
Lord, send us your holy angels.

As the angel went before the Israelites to lead them through the wilderness into the Promised Land, so send an angel before us that we might follow your path of righteousness into your promised kingdom.
Lord, send us your holy angels.

Make us as welcoming of strangers as Abraham and Sarah, who received and entertained angels unaware.
Hear our prayer.

Give us eyes that are as open as Balaam and his donkey to see the wonder of your angels standing before us.
Hear our prayer.

Guard our children with your guardian angels as they venture into life without us, and bring them to faith in the Christ who received the little children.
Hear our prayer.

Send holy Michael, the archangel, great defender of the faithful, to be our defender in times of trouble and temptation.
Good Lord, deliver us.

Send your archangel Gabriel, holy bearer of glad tidings, to bring us your word and to help us to understand it.
Good Lord, redeem us.

Send your archangel Raphael, great healer of your people, to bring healing and health to all our diseases and distresses.
Good Lord, heal us.

And at the last, send forth your trumpeting angels to waken us from our sleep and take us to your heavenly kingdom.
Good Lord, save us.

Holy God, mighty Lord, King of the universe, in your goodness and by your grace, you show favor to your people by giving us your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and by sending your holy angels to minister to us as they ministered to him in the wilderness. For all this, we thank you. And we ask that you would hearken to our prayers, so that we might praise your holy name in one voice with all the host of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Confession and Absolution (New Zealand Prayer Book)

God has promised forgiveness for all who truly repent, turn to Christ in faith and are themselves forgiving. In silence we call to mind our sins.
Let us humbly offer our wrong doings before God

Merciful God, we have sinned in what we have thought and said,
In the wrong we have done and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry. We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ’s sake and renew our lives to the glory of your name. Amen

Through the cross of Christ, God have mercy on you, pardon you and set you free. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. God strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life. Amen


The Peace
The Peace of Christ rule in our hearts
The Word of Christ dwell in us richly

The Celebration of the Eucharist

Offertory Hymn      Thuma Mina
Thuma mina, thuma mina,
Thuma mina, So mandla

Send me Jesus, send me Jesus
Send me Jesus, send me Lord.

Lead me Jesus, lead me Jesus
Lead me Jesus, lead me Lord.

Fill me Jesus, fill me Jesus
Fill me Jesus, fill me Lord.

Roma nna, rom anna
Roma nna, modimo.

Prayer over the Gifts
God of glory, as you have appointed angels to minister in your presence, so may all our worship bring you worthy praise. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Eucharistic Prayer 3
The Lord is here.
God’s 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 our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise, because, in the mystery you disclose to us, you reveal your glory as the glory of your Son and the Holy Spirit: three persons equal in majesty, undivided in splendour, yet one Lord, one God, ever to be adored in your everlasting glory. Therefore with all the company of heaven 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 the one 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 Woman 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:

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

“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
Music during the communion:
The Dragon - Michael Card – pre-recorded

Prayer after Communion
Eternal God, you have fed us with the bread of angels. May we who come under their protection, like them give you continual service and praise; through 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

Closing Hymn      618 Glorious in Majesty
Glorious in majesty, holy in His praises
Jesus our saviour and our king
Born a man yet God of old, let us all adore Him
Filled with His Spirit let us sing

Refrain      Living is to love Him
                  Serving Him to know His freedom
                  Come along with us to join the praise of Jesus
                  Come to Jesus now, Go to live His word rejoicing

Victory He won for us, freeing us from darkness,
Dying and rising from the dead
Living with the Father now, yet He is among us
We are the body, He the head

One in love, as family, living with each other
Gladly we share each other’s pain
Yet He will not leave us so, soon He is returning
Taking us back with Him to reign

The Blessing

The Dismissal
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in Peace
We go in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God, Alleluia.

Postlude      I Will Sing 
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord,
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord,
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

We will come, we will come as one before the Lord,
We will come, we will come as one before the Lord,
We will come, we will come as one before the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

If the Son, if the Son shall make you free,
If the Son, if the Son shall make you free,
If the Son, if the Son shall make you free,
You shall be free indeed.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy,
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, 
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, 
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

Ev’ry knee shall bow and ev’ry tongue confess, 
Ev’ry knee shall bow and ev’ry tongue confess,
Ev’ry knee shall bow and ev’ry tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

In his name in his name we have the victory,
In his name in his name we have the victory,
In his name in his name we have the victory,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

Pentecost 16

 

Prelude     How Can I Keep from Singing (Solo Rachel Cameron)

Gathering Hymn 474 Jesus Where'er thy People Meet

Gathering the Community

We will bless the name of God forever
God is great, we are witnesses of the awesome acts
We pause, pray, meditate on the bounty of God’s greatness to all of creation
God is gracious, merciful and compassionate to all of creation, even those slow to recognize or accept all that God offers to us
So, we are called to proclaim the glory of God
God is great and worthy of our praise, let’s worship together

Liberating God, we seek your journey. With parted waters, set us free. With cloud and fire, guide us.
With gushing waters, quench our thirst. With food from heaven, feed us. Draw us out with joy and singing, that we might know your ways. Amen.

The Collect
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth, and ourselves in your image. Teach us to discern your hand in all your works and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word 

Old Testament Reading
A Reading from the Book Exodus (16.2–15)

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’

Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church              R: Thanks be to God


Psalm 105.1–6, 37–45

The Psalm Refrain is: Remember me, O Lord, with the love you have for your people

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
Remember me, O Lord, with the love you have for your people

Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered,
O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Remember me, O Lord, with the love you have for your people

Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold, and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled.
Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.
Remember me, O Lord, with the love you have for your people

He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.
They asked, and he brought quails, and gave them food from heaven in abundance.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.
For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.
Remember me, O Lord, with the love you have for your people

So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.
He gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples,
that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!
Remember me, O Lord, with the love you have for your people

New Testament Reading
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians (1.21–30)

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church              R: Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn     I know that My Redeemer Lives

The Gospel
The Lord be with you              R: And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (20:1-16)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

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

The Homily

An Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God the Creator,
who created and is creating everything:
the universe, the world, the plants and animals, and us;
each of us, unique, individual and beloved of God.

We believe in God the Christ,
who saved and is saving everything:
the universe, the world, the plants and animals, and us:
each of us; unique, individual and beloved of the Christ.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who guided and is guiding everything:
the universe, the world, the plants and animals, and us;
each of us, unique, individual and beloved of the Spirit.

We believe that this one God in three persons,
is present among us,
working directly in our lives
and the lives of all who are born into this world,
striving to bring us back into harmony
with all creation and with God:
forgiving, healing, touching everyone,
never rejecting any who willingly receive
this freely offered gift of love and grace and eternal life.

— Copyright Lisa Frenz, from a Thanksgiving Liturgy written for the Mount Carmel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

The Prayers of the People

Confession and Absolution
The spirit calls each of us

God of fruitful labor, work sometimes brings out the worst in us.
At home, at school, in the workplace, even in our relationship with you,
we too easily question what others do and get,
instead of taking care of our own business.
Take away our bitterness. Teach us the art of the careful complaint.
Give us grateful hearts, we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance (based on Exodus 16: 2-15, Philippians 1: 21-30)

Hear the good news: what we do matters,
but our salvation is God's doing.
God hears our complaints, but also our prayers.
God will not forget us.
In Christ's name, we are forgiven. Amen. 

—from the Ministry Matters website. 

The Peace
With a gentle nod or a reverent bow, we offer one another the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, may it rest upon you today and every day.

The Celebration of the Eucharist 

The Offering Hymn     The Gift of Love

Prayer over the Gifts
God of power, the glory of your works fills us with wonder and awe. Accept our offering this day, and help us to live in peace and harmony with all your creation, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Great Thanksgiving     Eucharistic Prayer 4

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.

It is right to give you thanks and praise, O Lord, our God, sustainer of the universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space,
galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home;
by your will they were created and have their being.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill; you made us the stewards of creation.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

But we turn against you, and betray your trust; and we turn against one another. Again and again you call us to return. Through the prophets and sages you reveal your righteous law. In the fullness of time you sent your Son, born of a woman, to be our Saviour. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. By his death he opened to us the way of freedom and peace.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

Therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs,
and with those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, for sending us Jesus, the Christ, who on the night he was handed over
to suffering and death, took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, gave it to his friends,
and said, “Take this, and eat it: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after supper, he took the cup of wine; he gave you thanks, 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.”
Glory to you for ever and ever.

Gracious God, we recall the death of your Son Jesus Christ, we proclaim his resurrection and ascension,
and we look with expectation for his coming as Lord of all the nations.
We who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring you these gifts.

Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this offering of your Church, that we who eat and drink at this holy table may share the divine life of Christ our Lord. Glory to you for ever and ever. Pour out your Spirit upon the whole earth and make it your new creation.

Gather your Church together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, where peace and justice are revealed, that we, with all your people, of every language, race, and nation, may share the banquet you have promised; through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, all honour and glory are yours, creator of all.
Glory to you for ever and 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.

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

Invitation to the Feast
These are the gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God

If your preference is not to receive the Eucharist please indicate by folding your arms across your chest. This will indicate that you prefer a blessing

Music During Communion

Prayer after Communion
Ruler of the universe, all creation yearns for its fulfilment in your Son. May we who have shared in holy things grow into maturity in him. This we ask in the name of the same 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Closing Hymn  MV 127 I Saw the Rich Ones

The Blessing
Go out from here as workers in God’s upside-down kingdom,
where the last are first and the first are last, where needs are met in miraculous ways,
and there is grace enough for all!

And may the blessing of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit
surround you and sustain you in the coming days.  Amen.

The Dismissal
May God, who has begun a good work within us, continue that work until the day when Christ Jesus returns.
May our love overflow more and more;
may we continue to grow in knowledge and understanding,so that we can clearly discern what really matters
The God who calls us is faithful, and will do it.
We go now into the mission field with the help of God to do the work.  Thanks be to God Alleluia

Postlude Music

Pentecost 14 -- September 3, 2020

 

Gathering Song 536 Singing Songs of Expectation
Singing songs of expectation, onward goes the pilgrim band,
Through the night of doubt and sorrow, marching to the promised land.
Clear before us through the darkness gleams and burns the guiding light:
Trusting God, we march together stepping fearless through the night.

One the light of God’s own presence, o’er his ransomed people shed,
Chasing far the gloom and terror, brightening all the path we tread:
One the object of our journey, one the faith which never tires,
One the earnest looking forward, one the hope our God inspires.

One the strain the lips of thousands lift as from the heart of one;
One the conflict, one the peril, one the march in God begun:
One the gladness of rejoicing on the far eternal shore,
Where the one almighty Creator reigns in love for evermore.

Gathering together
Hallelujah, sing to God a brand-new song and praise God in the company of all who love the Creator
Exult in the King, dance and strike up the band with great music
Everyone break out it praise where ever you are sitting
Praise and celebrate God everywhere
God delights in creation, crowning it with honour and glory
Let us worship together

Loving God, we praise you for this present moment and this time together. Fill us with your joy and empower us with your Holy Spirit, that our strength may be renewed to sing a new song of your glory in a world which longs for your justice and peace.

Collect together
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that richly bearing the fruit of good works, we may by you be richly rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

A Reading from the book Exodus (12:1-14)

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

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

Psalm 149
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!

A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (13:8-14)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

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

Gradual Hymn      500 Servant Song

Sister, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,
Fellow travellers on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant too.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (18:15-20)
R: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

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

Homily

Affirmation of Faith (bettergatherings.com, Anglican Diocese of Sydney)
We believe in God the Father,
maker of all things.
We believe in his Son Jesus Christ,
Lord and Saviour of the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
giver of life and light.
We belong to the Church,
God's family everywhere. Amen.

Prayers of the People      Led by Mikaela Oldenkamp

Offering Hymn          Lord Jesus, Of You I Will Sing

Lord Jesus, of you I will sing as I journey,
I’ll tell everybody about you wherever I go:
You alone are our life and our peace and our love.
Lord Jesus, of you I will sing as I journey.

Lord Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey.
May all of my joy be a faithful reflection of you.
May the earth and the sea and the sky join my song.
Lord Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey.

As long as I live, Jesus make me your servant,
To carry your cross and to share all your burdens and tears
For you saved me by giving your body and blood.
As long as I live, Jesus, make me your servant.

I fear in the dark and the doubt of my journey
But courage will come with the sound of your steps by my side.
And with all of my people you saved by your love
We’ll sing to your dawn at the end of our journey.

Prayer over the Gifts
Great and holy God, accept our offering of labour and love. May we bring you true and spiritual worship and be one with you. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen

Supplementary Eucharistic Prayer 2 (S2)
Presider      May God be with you.
People      And also with you.

Presider      Lift up your hearts.
People      We lift them up to God.

Presider      Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
People      It is right to offer thanks and praise.

Eternal God, Source of all being, we give you thanks and praise for your faithful love. You call us into friendship with you and one another to be your holy people, a sign of your presence in the world. When those we trust betray us, unfailingly you remain with us. When we injure others, you confront us in your love and call us to the paths of righteousness. You stand with the weak, and those, broken and alone, whom you have always welcomed home, making the first last, and the last first. Therefore, we raise our voices with angels and archangels, forever praising you and saying

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed are you, O Holy One: when Hagar was driven into the wilderness you followed her and gave her hope.
When Joseph was sold into bondage, you turned malice to your people’s good. When you called Israel out of slavery, you brought them through the wilderness into the promised land.
When your people were taken into exile you wept with them by the river of Babylon and carried them home.
People      Restore us, O God, let your face shine!

At the right time you sent your Anointed One to stand with the poor, the outcast, and the oppressed. Jesus touched lepers, and the sick, and healed them.
He accepted water from a woman of Samaria and offered her the water of new life. Christ knew the desolation of the cross and opened the way for all humanity into the redemption of your reconciling love.
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus, at supper with his friends, took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, “Take and 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.”
Loving and Holy One, recalling Christ’s death and resurrection, we offer you these gifts, longing for the bread of tomorrow and the wine of the age to come.
Therefore, we proclaim our hope.

People      Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Pour out your Spirit on these gifts that through them you may sustain us in our hunger for your peace. We hold before you all whose lives are marked by suffering, our sisters and brothers. When we are broken and cast aside, embrace us in your love.

People      Restore us, O God, let your face shine!

Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O Source of all life, 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.

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

The Communion
These are the gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.

Song During Communion      We Will Rise
As we hope in the Lord
We will gain our strength
We will run for miles
We will stand up straight
We will not grow weary
We will not grow faint
With the wings of an eagle we will rise

With the wings of an eagle we will rise
With the wings of an eagle we will rise
For our hope is found in the power of God
With the wings of an eagle we will rise
With the wings of an eagle we will rise

For the Lord who is God
Calls God’s people home
Not to be afraid
As they journey the road
Hand in hand we’ll be walking
With the Lord our God
On the wings of an eagle we will rise

With the wings of an eagle we will rise
With the wings of an eagle we will rise
For our hope is found in the power of God
With the wings of an eagle we will rise
With the wings of an eagle we will rise
With the wings of an eagle we will rise
With the wings of an eagle we will rise

Prayer after Communion
All your works praise you, O Lord.
And your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, bring life to others; we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing
The Spirit of God inspires…listen!
The Spirit of God transforms…grow!
The Spirit of God empowers…go…and be…and do!

And may you…
those you encounter…
and those who are touched beyond that encounter…
discover and know the grace, love, and peace of God
each and every day. Amen.

by Scott Cervas, pastor 

at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church 

The Dismissal (based on Psalm 105:4, 7-8)
As you go from here into the week ahead,
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for God’s works; be alert for signs of God’s presence.

For This is God—our God—in charge of the whole earth.
And God remembers the Covenant— for a thousand generations God’s word has been good.

So let us go with confidence and joy, knowing that God goes with us.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia



Sending Hymn 312 Praise to the Lord



Praise to the Lord, all of you, God’s servants.

Blessed be the name of our God now and ever.

From the rising up of the sun

May the Lord be praised, praise to the name of the Lord!



There is none like our God in the heav’ns or on earth,

Who lifts the weak out of dust, placing them with the mighty,

Who stoops to raise the weak and low:

May the Lord be praised, praise to the name of the Lord!



Praise to the Lord, all of you, God’s servants.

Blessed be the name of our God now and ever.

From the rising up of the sun

May the Lord be praised, praise to the name of the Lord!

From the rising up of the sun

May the Lord be praised, praise to the name of the Lord!

Pentecost 13 -- August 30--No distance is too great

 

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope to which he has called us. (See Ephesians 1.17, 18) 

Watch the Service Here

Welcome

Many are the Lightbeams

Many are the lightbeams from the one light.
Our one light is Jesus.
Many are the lightbeams from the one light;
we are one in Christ.

Many are the branches of the one tree.
Our one tree is Jesus.
Many are the branches of the one tree;
we are one in Christ.

Many are the gifts giv’n, love is all one.
Love’s the gift of Jesus.
Many are the gifts giv’n, love is all one;
we are one in Christ.

Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one,
Servant spirit of Jesus.
Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one,
we are one in Christ.

Many are the members, the body is one,
Members all of Jesus.
Many are the members, the body is one,
we are one in Christ.

Gathering
Let us open our hearts to the sunshine of God’s love
Let us open our souls to the gentle wind of God’s Spirit
We have gathered to hear the good news of Jesus Christ
A word that renews us again and again

Loving God, we thank you for your child who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen

As the scriptures are read, we allow God’s word to speak to us, and ponder its meaning in our lives.
Let us hear the words of scripture:

A Reading from the Book, Exodus (3:1-15)  Read by Denise McRae
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.” But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’“ God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.

Hear what the spirit is saying to the church          R: Thanks be to God


Psalm 105 (1-6, 23-26, 45c)  Read by Karen Watson
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.
And the Lord made his people very fruitful, and made them stronger than their foes,
whose hearts he then turned to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.
He sent his servant Moses, and Aaron whom he had chosen.
Praise the Lord!

A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (12:9-21)  Read by Joel Odegun

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Hear what the spirit is saying to the church              R: Thanks be to God 

179 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery

Tree of Life and awesome mystery, in your death we are reborn;
Though you die in all of history, still you rise with every morn,
Still you rise with every morn.

Seed that dies to rise in glory, may we see ourselves in you;
If we learn to live your story we may die to rise anew,
We many die to rise anew.

We remember truth once spoken, love passed on through act and word;
Every person lost and broken wears the body of our Lord,
Wears the body of our Lord.

Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit, come in flame our hearts anew.
We many all your joy inherit if we bear the cross with you,
If we bear the cross with you.

Christ, you lead and we shall follow, stumbling though our steps may be
One with you in joy and sorrow, we the river, you the sea, 

We the river, you the sea.

A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew (16:21-28)  Read by Chris Trott

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Hear what the spirit is saying to the church                  R: Thanks be to God


Homily 

Here I Am Lord 

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Chorus         Here I am, Lord.
                     Is it I, Lord?
                     I have heard You calling in the night.
                     I will go, Lord,
                     If You lead me.
                     I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?                         Chorus
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?                         Chorus

Prayer over the gifts and blessing of the School Supplies

Today, we have before us school supplies to be carried to and from school by the children and youth.

These school supplies will contain work to be done, work that's been returned, books to be studied, tools to complete homework. Notebooks, pencils, pens, protractors, compasses, crayons, rules, scissors, glue sticks and other items used for school work will find their way in and out of the hands of the young people.

Some days, the student may carry so many supplies that they find it difficult to walk. Other days, their load will be lighter and their backpacks nearly empty. But on each and every day, these supplies represent work required of the students. And, as in every aspect of our life, we bring these before God for blessing at this time.

Let us pray together:
Gracious God, we lift to you today, all students.
Where ever they are gathered today give them your blessing as they commit themselves to study and learn in the school year ahead. We ask your blessing on each of them.
Further, we ask your blessing on these school supplies. They will hold the school work of each student and will be carried from home to school and back again. As these students use these supplies, may they be reminded of the love and care of this congregation that surrounds them each school day.
We pray as well for the teachers and administrators in our schools. May they also be sustained by your blessing. May they be reminded that this congregation embraces their call to teaching and learning and surrounds them with love and care as well.
We pray in the name of Jesus who we seek to follow day by day. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith

Let us affirm the life among us

We affirm that we see and experience
This life in our midst.
it invites other life in us,
It gives life to people beyond us

We affirm that here in this place
Life can be sustained,
That in us new life can emerge and grow
And that hope for life is to be cherished everyday.

We celebrate the God who conquered death.
We hold ourselves open to a new creation in us.
We believe that in every child of God
The spirit breathes a thousand, thousand gracious possibilities. Amen

(Celebrations along the Way –Dorothy McRae-McMahon)

435 Take My Life, and Let it Be

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee;
Take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine;
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own;
It shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love: my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be 

ever, only, all for thee.

Prayers of the People  Led by  Mark Moote

Collect of the Day
Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us in all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Dismissal
As we go out into the world May the Christ be revealed in wonderful ways,
may our eyes be opened to see this blessing and our faith be lifted up in joy. Thanks be to God. Alleluia

Jesus Saw Them Fishing

Jesus saw them fishing by the shore of Galilee,
Casting out their nets into the sea.
Simon Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee,
Waiting in their boats
So patiently.

Chorus        And Jesus said,
                   “Oh, come and follow me.
                    Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
                    Oh, come and fish with me,
                    And your life will never be the same again.”

A rich young person came to Jesus looking for advice.
“How can I  obtain eternal life?”
Jesus told him, “Honour the commandments of the Lord.
Then sell off all your riches
For the poor.”                                     Chorus

“If you want to follow me, deny your very self.
Take up your cross and walk the walk with me.
This might seem a hardship, an impossibility,
But nothing is impossible
With God.”                                         Chorus

Pentecost 12

 

Sentence of the Day

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

                                                                                                Matthew 16.16

Welcome
Gathering Music

Gathering of the Community
Leader: Before we got up this morning and decided to come to church,
All: God was waiting for us, to welcome us with grace.
Leader: When we are unsure of what to do; when we falter before the next step,
All: we come to listen to God's voice, to learn from the One who teaches us all we ever need to know.
Leader: When we are surrounded by cruelty and injustice; when our fears cripple our souls,
All: God delivers us with steadfast love; we are set free to be God's sons and daughters.

Prayer of the Day Together
Dear God, there are times when we feel defeated useless, unloved and unlovable. Life can be disappointing. We give up, and think nothing matters. And even in those times, you come to us. You touch us, lift us up, smile, and tell us you love us. No matter what is going on, you are with us. You love us. Thank you, God, for caring for us so much, for never giving up on us, for giving us new life! Amen.

The Collect together
Almighty God, we are taught by your word that all our doings without love are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue; through 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 letter of Paul to the Romans

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (12:1-8)

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


Gradual Music

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

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (16:13-20)

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

The Homily

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession (inspired by Jeremiah 1: 4-10)

Let us pray to our God saying Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Holy God, you knew us before we took our first breath. You uttered your living Word and brought forth light, love, and life. You gathered us from the dust of the earth and called us your people. You sent us into the world to proclaim your mighty and wondrous deeds. You are with us even now as we continue our call. Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Mighty God, you have done great things; who is like you? You alone are our rock of refuge. You alone are our strong fortress. You alone are our hope and in you alone is our trust.
Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Merciful God, your love never ends. We confess to you that we do not always share your love as we should. Where you have called us to live as one body, we exist as divided members. Where you have called us to give our Spirit-given gifts, we ignore your call. Where you have called us to forgive, we have forgotten your mercy. Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Gracious God, do not be far from us! Strengthen us that we might be givers of your grace and may your steadfast love be known to all of your children. Send your Holy Spirit to empower our hands to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and love all as you have first loved us.
Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Loving God, hear today the prayers that we lift up to you. Be with those of us who worship here at St. Paul’s. Give us hearts of courage and songs of your grace to tell others of your righteous acts and deeds of salvation. Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Abundant God, be with those of us that yearn for your restoration and healing. Today, we ask your blessing upon [list names of those in need of healing]. We also lift up to you those who we bring before you with our lips or within our hearts… Lord, in your righteousness, deliver us and set us free.

Faithful God, your power and your righteousness reach the heavens. Hear us, your servants, as we follow you to the day when faith, hope, and love will be upon the lips of all of us, your children.
These things we pray in the name of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

~ written by Stephen M. Fearing, and posted on Wild and Precious Life.

Confession and Absolution

Presider      Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners                        and invites them to his table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.

Silence is kept.

Presider         Most merciful God,

All      we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done,              and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not                   loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your           Son  Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in           your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Presider      Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm                         and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our                         Lord. Amen.

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

The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Preparation of the Gifts
The Offering Music

Prayer over the gifts together

God of glory, receive all we offer this day as a symbol of our love, and increase in us that true and perfect gift. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer 5
Presider      The Lord be with you.
People      And also with you.
Presider      Lift up your hearts.
People      We lift them to the Lord.
Presider      Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People      It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, for the gift of a world full of wonder, and for our life which comes from you. By your power you sustain the universe.
People      Glory to you for ever and ever.

You created us to love you with all our heart, and to love each other as ourselves, but we rebel against you by the evil that we do. In Jesus, your Son, you bring healing to our world and gather us into one great family. Therefore, with all who serve you on earth and in heaven, we praise your wonderful name, as we sing (say),
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 you thanks and praise, loving Father, because in sending Jesus, your Son, to us you showed us how much you love us. He cares for the poor and the hungry. He suffers with the sick and the rejected. Betrayed and forsaken, he did not strike back but overcame hatred with love. On the cross he defeated the power of sin and death. By raising him from the dead you show us the power of your love to bring new life to all your people.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

On the night before he gave up his life for us, Jesus, at supper with his friends, took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which is given for you.” After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which is shed for you and for many, so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.”
Glory to you for ever and ever.

Gracious God, with this bread and wine we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, and we offer ourselves to you in him. Send your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts, that we may know the presence of Jesus in the breaking of bread, and share in the life of the family of your children.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

Father, you call us to be your servants; fill us with the courage and love of Jesus, that all the world may gather in joy at the table of your kingdom. We sing your praise, almighty Father, through Jesus, our Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Glory to you for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking of the Bread

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


The Communion
Music during Communion

Prayer after Communion 

Living God, increase in us the healing power of your love. Guide and direct us that we may please you in all things, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord

 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.

The Blessing

The Dismissal

Leader: Leave this house of prayer and get ready to serve the world that God loves.
All: We will enjoy doing the things we are good at, we will cheerfully undertake those things that we find boring, and we will courageously tackle those difficult things we have been avoiding. Thanks be to God, Alleluia

Closing Music

Pentecost 11 -- August 16 2020 Race, Racism, Racist, Racialized and ... Reptile?

 

Today's Presider and Guest Blogger is Rev. Tim Sale, honorary assistant at St. Paul 

To watch the service click here

430      Will You Come and Follow Me

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let me love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Welcome to St. Paul’s Fort Garry Anglican Community worship on this Summer Sunday. Today, we will be celebrating the Eucharist, here in our church building, and at home wherever you are. If you would like to share in our meal together, please take a moment now to get some bread and perhaps some wine so we can share together in one spirit, even though we remain apart physically.

The Grace of our companion Jesus, the Love our Creator God and the energy of the Spirit be in you all,
Response: And also in you!


Collect
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS, Chapter 45: 1-15
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Send everyone away from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there - since there are five more years of famine to come - so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.' And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here." Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Song     Whatsoever You Do

Chorus
Whatsoever you do to the least of my people
That you do unto me.

When I was hungry, you sent me your grain;
Sick or in prison, you softened my pain.
Now enter into the home of Creator.             Chorus

When I was lonely and in a strange land,
Looking for kindness, you held out your hand.
Now enter into the home of Creator.             Chorus


When I was little, you played for a. while;
When old and shut-in; you listened and smiled.
Now enter into the home of Creator.             Chorus


When I was weary you helped me find rest;
Supported and cheered me, when I was depressed.
Now enter into the home of Creator.             Chorus

Bereaved and in sorrow, you shared in my loss;
Mocked or insulted, you shouldered my cross.
Now enter into the home of Creator.             Chorus


The Gospel  of MATTHEW 15: 21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He an-swered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Homily
Race, Racism, Racist and Racialized.

We are living in a most unusual Covid-19 time. But today, I want to ask you to put Covid out of your minds for a few minutes. There is a much more basic tidal wave of movements sweeping across many societies in our world. Think of “Occupy”, the rebellion of the 99 percent against the obscene concentration of wealth in the world’s billionaires. Think of “Me Too”, the demand of women that male aggression, sexual and physical be named and stopped. “Black Lives Matter” is the demand for justice and respect for Blacks in encounters with any authority, but especially the justice system. “Idle no More” and “No more Silence” recognize the violence and injustice faced by aboriginal women. Think of the many Climate Change organizations and of Greta Thunberg. Think of our Bishop Geoff and Canada’s Anglican Bishops call, along with the calls of a multitude of others, for a Guaranteed Adequate Income. Each of these movements speaks of a demand that those in power relinquish some of their dominant power in the name of love and justice. We might say, In the name of basic human rights.

What unites each of these seemingly different movements is that they all stem from the perception and experience of power being used to oppress. Poverty, violence, oppression and exclusion are the root of each of these and of most other justice movements. And because poverty, oppression, violence and exclusion are vastly disproportionately felt by poor and marginalized people, especially people of colour, that’s why we keep hearing four words almost daily right now. Race, Racism, Racist and Racialized.

Understanding these tidal waves requires us to reach a deeper understanding of our both how our brain deals with our experiences and our resulting social structures. That’s hard, because these structures are the water we swim in; shadows on the wall, unseen yet basic assumptions that shape how we function day by day.

So here’s a fifth word… Reptile. Our wonderful brain is not ALL really human. Deep in our brain stem towards the back of our head lies our inheritance of over 300 million years of evolution from ancient critters, such as Lizards. It’s the part of the brain that controls our basic systems… breathing, heart beat, sleeping, swallowing and movement. It’s our “Flee, Freeze or Fight” brain. It gets its cues from a little almond-shaped structure called the Amygdala which senses danger and seeks to save us from injury or death, and it’s fast… it senses danger even before our conscious brain sees it.

When we reached our current state as “Humans”, evolution had added the higher levels of brain function that let us speak, anticipate the future, plan, evaluate and imagine… in short what we broadly call our consciousness. That consciousness includes a capacity for Empathy; that ability to feel what others are experiencing; pain, rejection, pleasure, exclusion, fear.

With our consciousness came the ability to learn… to learn empathy, and sadly as well, to learn selfishness and fear of others. And that’s where race comes in with vengeance. Our fear response is wired to fear difference. If the dominant culture is white, or even if whites are in a minority, but have great power (Think South Africa and Apartheid), then “others” different ones, are non-white. They are aboriginal: Africa, North America, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Asia, China, India. We White ones, with our power and skills and wealth (often extorted wealth), defined the rules, and made sure that these rules worked for us, and they did.

However, there have always been those whose capacity for empathy outweighed their fear of different others, of letting go of unjust power. They are the advocates, the enspirited ones, the Holy-Spirited ones who called for us to listen to our “better angels”. Jesus, Mohammed, Ghandi, Buddha Tutu, King, and a host of others through the ages. It turns out that we can help folks to increase their empathy, just as we need to help children learn empathy, to learn to respond to the feelings and needs of others.

This is the gift of the wonderful story of Joseph’s reuniting with his brothers… the brothers who beat him and forced him to leave all that he loved. Now in a position of great power in Pharaoh’s household, Joseph wept for joy at seeing his brothers, even though they did not recognize him in his handsome robes. His deep empathy flooded out, drowning his anger and hurt, and reconciliation began.

However, we can also teach fear, which is the basis of racism, and racist behaviour. Leaders who rely on fostering fear lead us to our Lizard brains; the world becomes a dangerous place full of those “Not Like US”. Those who have weak empathy and respond and react to such leadership are being primed for violence, often expressed in racist actions.

Our Gospel of the Canaanite woman crying for healing for her daughter, exposed the racism of the disciples, and perhaps of Jesus himself. She is “other”, a non-Jew. “Send her away” the disciples said. Jesus said "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.", implying that he saw her as a dog, not his concern… he was sent only to the “lost sheep of Israel”. But she confronted Jesus, and he heard and relented, and healing happened. Most importantly, this the amazing turning point when Jesus’ understanding of his ministry broadened to embrace a wider community… a call for love and justice for all - the whole of humanity.

Leaders who rely on building empathy call on our capacity for empathy in return, and we become a more inclusive nation, more generous and caring community. We nurture and care for our young and old, we share our wealth, we embrace restorative justice, we care for our world’s capacity to nurture us and we are colour-blind.

For there is only one Race; the Human Race. That’s why the character of leadership really, really matters.

Ultimately, we choose our way… in leadership, and in community building. It is a choice, a deliberate choice. So as the writer of Deuteronomy says;

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. Choose Life.

MV 138     My Love Colours Outside the Lines 

My love colours outside the lines, 
Exploring paths that few could ever find; 
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before, 
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines. 

My Lord colours outside the lines, 
Turns wounds to blessings, water into wine; 
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before 
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines. 

We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown, 
Body and soul need a soaking from time to time. 
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die, 
And realize there are worlds outside the lines. 

My soul longs to colour outside the lines, 
Tear back the curtains, sun, come in and shine; 
I want to walk beyond the boundaries where I’ve never been before, 
Throw open doors to worlds outside the lines. 

We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown, 
Body and soul need a soaking from time to time. 
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die, 
And realize there are worlds outside the lines. 

My soul longs to colour outside the lines, 
Tear back the curtains, sun, come in and shine; 
I want to walk beyond the boundaries where I’ve never been before, 
Throw open doors to worlds outside the lines. 

Prayers of the People:         Brook Jones

Offering:
As we make our offering this morning, take a moment to put into the plate your worries; for your family, for yourself, for the world and all its worries, and offer them up, let them go, if only for a few minutes and be at peace.

Offering Hymn      484 In Christ there is no East or West

In Christ there is no east or west,
In Christ no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find,
Whose service is the golden cord
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, disciples of the faith,
Whate’er your race may be;
Who serves my God in truth and love
is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west,
In Christ meet south and north;
All faithful souls are joined in one
Throughout the whole wide earth.

The Eucharistic prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer After Communion
Eternal God, May we who have been nourished by holy things live as faithful heirs of your promised kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing:

As we have been gathered, so must we be sown back into the world to witness to the power of God's
transforming love, to support and challenge each other, to bring healing and justice to the world around us.

Said together here and at home:

And now may the God who shakes heaven and earth, whom death could not contain,
Who lives to disturb and heal us bless us with the power to go forth and proclaim the gospel.  Amen.

Closing Hymn         418 Draw the Circle Wide

Chorus             Draw the circle wide.
                        Draw it wider still.
                        Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
                        Standing side by side,
                        Draw the circle wide.

God the still point of the circle,
Round whom all creation turns;
Nothing lost, but held forever,
In God’s gracious arms.                         Chorus

Let our hearts touch far horizons,
So encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders,
Faithful to God’s call.                             Chorus

Let the dreams we dream be larger,
Than we’ve ever dreamed before; 

Let the dream of Christ be in us, 

Open every door.                                 Chorus x2

Thanks to our readers and singers, and to all of you out there joining us this Holy Day. Please be safe, love each other and your neighbours and come together again with us next week when we will worship together outside, and enjoy the wonderful music of steel drums!