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.
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn 433 CP Lord You Give the Great Commission
Lord, You give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the Word." Lest the Church neglect its mission, and the Gospel go unheard, Help us witness to Your purpose with renewed integrity, With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Lord, You call us to Your service: “In My Name baptize and teach." That the world may trust Your promise, life abundant meant for each, Give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community. With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Lord, You make the common holy: “This My body, this My blood." Let us all, for earth’s true glory, daily lift life heavenward, Asking that the world around us share your children’s liberty With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Lord, You show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive." Yet we hoard as private treasure all that You so freely give. May Your care and mercy lead us to a just society. With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end." Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend And, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity. With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Gathering of the Community
Before we got up this morning and decided to come to church, God was waiting for us, to welcome us with grace.
When we are unsure of what to do; when we falter before the next step, we come to listen to God's voice, to learn from the One who teaches us all we ever need to know. When we are surrounded by cruelty and injustice;when our fears cripple our souls, 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.
Glory to God, we give you thanks and praise;
Of heav’nly joy and earthly peace we sing.
We worship you, to you our hearts we raise,
Lord God almighty Father, heav’nly king.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s only Son,
You bore for us the load of this world’s sin.
O Lamb of God, your glorious vict’ry won,
Receive our prayer, grant us your peace within.
Alone O Christ, you only are the Lord,
At God’s right hand in majesty most high:
Who with the Spirit worshipped and adored:
With all the heav’nly host we glorify.
Collect
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 prophet, Jeremiah 1.4–10
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.’ Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.’
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Hymn: The Lord is My Refuge (Psalm 71/31)
The Lord is my refuge, the rock of my soul—
my fortress deliverer to whom I go.
In the time of my trouble, since the time of my youth:
my reliance is God, my salvation in Truth.
REFRAIN:
I will praise You, I will praise You, O God of my birth.
I will praise You, I will praise You to the end of the earth.
I will tell of Your love; I will tell of Your deeds.
Mighty God, my sustainer, who meets all my needs.
You let me see trouble, the evil of all.
Yet from sorrow’s depth, You lift me again.
You bring hope, You bring comfort, a peace that is true.
In my joy, O my Lord, hear me sing unto You. REFRAIN
A Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 12.18–29
You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’ Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn 615 CP Just as I am
Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou biddest me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fighting and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am-thy love unknown has broken every barrier down-
now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke 13.10–17
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith (www.bettergatherings.com)
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.
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.
Prayer of Recognition (Dancers and Wayfarers)
We recognize before God the times
when we feel anxious about how much we have,
when we worry about getting our fair share,
when we resent what others have got. Silence
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison
We recognize before God the times
when we take thinks for granted,
when we feel entitled,
when we don’t feel thankful for what we have. Silence
Christe eleison, Christe eleison, Christe eleison
when we see only the limitations,
when we find it hard to trust,
when we struggle to share or be generous Silence
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison
Assurance of God’s Generous Love
God who gives everything,
holds nothing back,
loving us completely,
with all our faults and failings,
with all our limitations;
God, forgive us now,
and help us learn to give and forgive,
to love and to give thanks,
as Jesus did. Amen
The Peace
Offertory Hymn 612 CP Healer of our Every Ill
Healer of our every ill, light of each tomorrow;
Give us peace beyond our fear, and hope beyond our sorrow. You who know our fears and sadness, Grace us with your peace and gladness. Spirit of all comfort: fill our hearts. Chorus In the pain and joy beholding How your grace is still unfolding, Give us all your vision: God of love. Chorus Give us strength to love each other, Every sister, every brother. Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. Chorus You who know each thought and feeling, Teach us all your way of healing. Spirit of compassion: fill each heart. Chorus
Prayer over the Gifts
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.
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
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 and 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 forever. Amen.
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
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.
Blessing
Announcements
Closing Hymn 432CP Jesus Calls us O’er the Tumult
Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying "Christian, follow me." As, of old, apostles heard it by the Galilean lake, turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for his dear sake. Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying "Christian, love me more." In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these." Jesus calls us; by thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.
The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord
Thanks be to God, Alleluia
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen