Join us in person or live-streamed at 10AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Details on our Worship page. Service words are below.
Prelude: Nearer My God to Thee (instrumental)
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: VU 644 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized to see your life unfold. I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well; In a blaze of light you wandered off to find where demons dwell. When you heard the wonder of the word I was there to cheer you on; You were raised to praise the living Lord, to whom you now belong. If you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one, I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk to rising sun. In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young, I’ll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I’ve begun. When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I’ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise. I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.
Gathering Sentences
You are with us, O God, whatever happens;
In the storms of life, when we do not know where to turn, you are there
You are with us, O God, whatever happens;
In the wonderful days, when life dances and sings, you are there.
You are with us, O God, whatever happens;
As we make the choice that reflects our Christian calling, you are there.
You are with us, O God, whatever happens;
In the community of faith as we worship and risk with others, you are there. Whatever happens, you are with us, O Most Caring God.
There is new life in Jesus Christ, as there was new life for Peter; an end to fishing on the lake, a beginning to changing others, and discovering is own limits. There is new life in Jesus Christ, as there was new life for Mary Magdalene; an end to searching for a purpose, a beginning to finding acceptance, and knowing her true friend. There is new life in Jesus Christ, as there was for Mathew the tax-gatherer; an end to taking advantage of others, a beginning to sharing love in the community. There is new life in Jesus Christ as there was for Saul of Tarsus; an end to attacking Christians, a beginning to an adventure with Christ, and mission to a hostile world. There is new life in Jesus Christ, new life for each of us. Thanks be to God. Amen
Collect of the Day: O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the book, Genesis 21.8–21
The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.’ The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named after you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, ‘Do not let me look on the death of the child.’ And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, ‘What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.’ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Living word of God live in our lives today
Psalm 86.1–10, 16–17 Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
‘I will establish your line for ever, and preserve your throne for all generations.’”
Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation
The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O Lord, and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones; for who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the gods? You
are much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible to all those round about you.
Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation
Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? O mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.
You rule the raging of the sea and still the surging of its waves.
You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound;
you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation
They rejoice daily in your name; they are jubilant in your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength, and by your favour our might is exalted.
Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 6.1b–11
What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Living word of God live in our lives today
Gradual Hymn: 174 CP Eternal Lord of Love, Behold Your Church
Eternal Lord of love, behold your church walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent, led by your cloud by day, by night your fire, moved by your love and toward your presence bent: far off yet here—the goal of all desire.
So daily dying to the way of self, so daily living to your way of love, we walk the road, Lord Jesus, that you trod, knowing ourselves baptized into your death: so we are dead and live with you in God.
If dead in you, so in you we arise, you the firstborn of all the faithful dead; and as through stony ground the green shoots break, glorious in springtime dress of leaf and flower, so in Creator’s glory shall we wake.
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 10.24–39
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
An Affirmation of Faith (A Sanctified Art, I’ve been meaning to ask….)
We believe in relationships.
We believe in asking hard questions,
in showing up for one another,
and in sitting together through the pain.
We believe in listening with grace,
learning with curiosity,
and apologizing with sincerity.
We believe in asking for help,
saying what we need,
and trusting that no degree of vulnerability
could strip us of God’s love.
We believe in trying our best
and offering grace
when our best is not enough.
And we believe that God is in all relationships—
modeling for us the value of community
through the relationships of the Trinity.
So we love today,
and we strive to love
even more tomorrow.
Let it be so. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbours, and for all those who are alone.
For this community, our country, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the gospel, and all who seek the truth.
For Geoffrey our bishop, and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For our own needs and those of others.
Silence. The people may add their own petitions.
Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence. The people may add their own thanksgivings.
We will exalt you, O God our king;
And praise your name for ever and ever.
We pray for all those who have died in the peace of Christ, and for those whose faith is known to you alone, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence. The people may add their own petitions.
Lord, let your loving kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion, forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gracious God, you have heard the prayers of your faithful people; you know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Grant our requests as may be best for us. This we ask in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offering Hymn: Peace Prayer (Lord Make Me a Means of Your Peace)
Lord make me a means of Your Peace
Where there’s hatred grown
Let me sow Your love
Where there’s injury Lord
Let forgiveness be my sword
Lord make me a means of Your Peace
Lord make me a means of Your Peace
When there’s sadness here
Let me sow Your joy
When the darkness nears
May Your light dispel our fears
Lord make me a means of Your Peace
Lord grant me to seek and to share
Less to be consoled
Than to help console
Less be understood
Than to understand Your good
Lord make me a means of Your Peace
Lord grant me to seek and to share
To forgive in thee
You’ve forgiven me
For to die in thee
Is eternal life to me
Lord make me a means of Your Peace
Prayer over the Gifts: Eternal God, you have made our Saviour Jesus Christ the head of all creation. Receive all we offer you this day and renew us in his risen life, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving - Supplementary Prayer 2
May God be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God our Creator. 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 singing:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest.
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, 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.
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.
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.
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 (sung: Cameron)
The 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
Hymns during Communion: Unruly Heart In the Shape of a Cross
Prayer after Communion
Almighty God, guide and protect your people who share in this sacred mystery, and keep us always in your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Doxology: Glory to God, 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
Announcements
Closing Hymn: Christ Be Our Light
Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.
Refrain Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair. Your word alone has pow’r to save us. Make us your living voice. Refrain
Longing for food, many are hungry. Longing for water, many still thirst. Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are fed. Refrain
Longing for shelter, many are homeless. Longing for warmth, many are cold. Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone. Refrain
Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong. Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come. Refrain
The Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God. Amen. Alleluia!
Postlude: We Are a Rainbow
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