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: 60 CP I Come with Joy
I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved, and free, the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me. I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, the new community of love in Christ’s communion bread. As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us makes us one, and strangers now are friends. The spirit of the risen Christ, unseen, but ever near, is in such friendship better known, alive among us here. Together met, together bound, by all that God has done, we’ll go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one.
Gathering of the Community
We have come to worship God, who loves us!
Be happy and shout to God!
Friends old and new, strangers and outsiders: all are welcome in God’s house.
Be happy and shout to God!
God’s love for us has no limits; God’s arms are open wide to receive us all.
Be happy and shout to God!
Prayer of the Day (together)
O God, we gather in Your presence to praise Your Holy Name, with songs on our lips and love in our hearts. We gather here, because we find joy and love, peace and understanding, among Your people. We seek to serve You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Deliver us from slavery to all sins. Save us from those who would deceive us. Teach us the way that we should go each day. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we might have the comfort of Your presence within us day and night. Amen
The Collect (together)
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
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the prophet, Jeremiah 2:4–13
Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me,
and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?
They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?’
I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things.
But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.
Therefore once more I accuse you, says the Lord, and I accuse your children’s children. Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate,
says the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit
Thanks be to God
SING OUT IN JOY (PSALM 81) (CCLI 4434533)
© 1995-2005 Stephen J. Pearson
Sing out in joy to our God of salvation, for our God is there! Sound the ram's horn in our Lord's celebration, and feast in God's care.
If we but listen, follow God's will, God will sustain us, our lives will be filled. Refrain
When we don't listen, go our own way, trouble soon finds us, and fills up our day. Refrain
Fullness in living is our reward if we but listen, and follow our Lord! Refrain
A Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 13:1–8, 15–16
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit
Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn: Don’t Be Afraid (MV 90)
Don't be afraid.
My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.
Don't be afraid.
My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near.
N'ayez pas peur, mon amour est plus fort,
il est plus fort que votre peur.
N'ayez pas peur, mon amour est plus fort;
je vous ai promis, promis d'etre toujours la.
Don't be afraid.
My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.
Don't be afraid.
My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near.
The Lord be with you and also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 14:1, 7–14
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’
He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The Homily
Affirmation of Faith (Reaching for Rainbows, Ann Weems)
We believe in God, in Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit and in you and in me.
We believe the Holy Spirit has freed us to worship as a community.
We believe the Holy Spirit works through
balloons and ministers
daisies and wiggly children
clanging symbols and silence
drama and the unexpected
choirs and banners
touching and praying
spontaneity and planning
faith and doubt
tears and laughter
leading and supporting
hugging and kneeling
dancing and stillness
applauding and giving
creativity and plodding
words and listening
holding and letting go
thank you and help me
Scripture and alleluias
agonizing and celebrating
accepting and caring
through you and through me
through Love.
We believe God’s Holy Spirit lives in this community of dancing
hand-holding people where lines of age and politics and
life-styles are crossed.
We believe in praising God for Life.
We believe in responding to God’s grace and love and justice for all people.
We believe in the poetry within each of us.
We believe in dreams and visions.
We believe in old people running and children leading.
We believe in the Kingdom of God within us.
We believe in Love.
Prayer of Intercession
Gracious God, you are a God of hospitality, there is none like you that invites all to come to you. You have invited all to your home, to your table, and to your arms. Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
Lord help us to remember that no one is better than anyone else in your Kingdom. Help us to then to treat each other the way you treat people Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
Generous God, because you treat us with your tender love, we take time to pray for our friends, family members and others who need you more than ever. Praying today for……
Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
Pour out your healing on all who need it, be generous with your transforming love for those who need it in their lives.
Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
Bring forth your reconciliation in families and in places where it is needed.
Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
Gifting God, you give us the gifts of the spirit to use to further your Kingdom and to be the body of Christ in the world.
Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
We take time to remember people who have been devastated by natural disasters, by hatred because of ethnic background and we pray that you empower us to continue to be your hands and feet, to work in the places where much work needs to be done.
Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
There is none like you God in your love, generosity, gifting and hospitality. We thank you that you are in our lives, working in us and through us to let people know that your Kingdom is open to all.
Lord that all would hear and receive this good news
All this we pray in the name of your Son, our Saviour who opened the doors for all and broke down barriers that kept people from you. Amen
The Peace
The Offering Hymn: 61 CP As We Gather at Your Table
As we gather at your table,
as we listen to your word,
help us know, O God, your presence;
let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet
how to make Love's victory known.
Turn our worship into witness
in the sacrament of life;
send us forth to love and serve you,
bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion
to forgive as you forgave;
may we still behold your image
in the world you died to save.
Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least. There no more will envy blind us, nor will pride our peace destroy, as we join with saints and angels to repeat the sounding joy.
Prayer over the gifts together
Merciful God, receive all we offer you this day. Give us grace to love one another that your love may be made perfect in us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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.
Together we pray: 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. 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. We pray in the name of Jesus who we seek to follow day by day. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer 5
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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 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
Almighty God, you renew us at your table with the bread of life. May your holy food strengthen us in love and help us to serve you in each other. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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
Go now and walk in all God’s ways. Keep your lives free from the love of money but let love between people continue and be honoured. Show hospitality to strangers. Pray for those who suffer torture and imprisonment and do not neglect to do good.
And may God be our strength; May Christ Jesus be for us a fountain of living water; And may the Holy Spirit raise us to life ...with all God’s righteous ones.
Announcements
Closing Hymn: Invitation
God has laid a feasting table,
all her guests are gathered ‘round
From the highways and the byways,
all the lost have now been found
When we hear the invitation
will we lay our burdens down? (repeat)
At this table all are welcome,
no-one need be left behind
God is greater than our difference,
Christ can see where we are blind
When we hear the invitation
will we love all humankind? (repeat)
God is crying out for justice,
Christ is weeping in the street
When will be the time for laughter?
When will all have food to eat?
When we hear the invitation
will we make God’s will complete? (repeat)
The Dismissal
We respond to God as we leave the church.
Having heard your word, O God, encourage us to reflect and act
Having see the signs, give us confidence to follow
Having sensed the truth, help us to be faithful.
Having encountered Jesus, lead us to discipleship
Amen. Alleluia