WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE
November 21st, 2021
Welcome
Sentence of the Day:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Mark 11.9, 10
Prelude Hymn: Piano Solo by Kaylene Blackwood
Acknowledgment
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: O Love How Deep CP628
O love, how deep, how broad, how high! It fills the heart with ecstasy, that God, the Son of God, should take our mortal form for mortals’ sake.
God sent no angel to our race,
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame
for us, and to this lost world came.
For us he was baptized, and bore his holy fast, and hungered sore; for us temptation sharp he knew; for us the tempter overthrew.
For us he prayed, for us he taught, for us his daily works he wrought; by words and signs and actions, thus still seeking not himself but us.
For us by wickedness betrayed, scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed, he bore the shameful cross and death; for us at length gave up his breath.
For us he rose from death again,
For us he went on high to reign,
For us he sent his Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
To God whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through the Son,
To God, Creator, glory be
Both now and through eternity.
Gathering of the Community
Like leaves skipping over the carpet of grass,
God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come.
Like the first glimpses of the sun peeking over the horizon:
God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come.
Like the moon lighting our way on a cloudless, autumn night:
God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come.
We have chosen to be here, where God remembers us.
God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come.
Opening prayer
Almighty God, from the beginning of time to the end of eternity, you have chosen to use your power and majesty to love us, to redeem us, to shape us as your people.
Your reign is in our midst, God of all people.
Spirit of God, resting upon us: may your power enflame us with your peace; may your peace touch us with your grace; may your grace fill us with your hope; may your hope lead us always in your path.
Spirit of gentleness, you are in our very midst. Amen.
Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, our Lord and King, grant that the peoples of the earth, now divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his gentle and loving rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Children’s Ministry Time. Song: My God Is So Big
My God Is So Big, So Strong And So Mighty, There’s Nothing That God Cannot Do. My God Is So Big, So Strong And So Mighty,
There’s Nothing that God Cannot Do.
The Rivers Are God’s,
The Mountains as well,
The Stars Are God’s Handiwork Too.
My God Is So Big, So Strong And So Mighty, There’s Nothing That God Cannot Do.
My God Is So Big, So Strong And So Mighty, There’s Nothing That God Cannot Do.
My God Is So Big, So Strong And So Mighty, There’s Nothing that God Cannot Do.
The Rivers Are God’s,
The Mountains as well,
The Stars Are God’s Handiwork Too. My God Is So Big, So Strong And So Mighty, There’s Nothing That God Cannot Do.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from The Second Book of Samuel (23:1-7)
Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the favourite of the Strong One of Israel:
The spirit of the Lord speaks through me, his word is upon my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.
Is not my house like this with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire? But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand; to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.
Listen to the leading of the Spirit. Thanks be to God
Psalm 132 Refrain: Arise, O Lord, into your resting place.
O Lord, remember in David’s favour all the hardships he endured; how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, ‘I will not enter my house or get into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling-place for the Mighty One of Jacob.’
Arise, O Lord, into your resting place.
We heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. ‘Let us go to his dwelling-place; let us worship at his footstool.’
Rise up, O Lord, and go to your resting-place, you and the ark of
your might. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy. For your servant David’s sake do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
Arise, O Lord, into your resting place.
The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and my decrees that I shall teach them, their sons also, for evermore, shall sit on your throne.’
For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: ‘This is my resting-place for ever; here I will reside, for I have desired it.
Arise, O Lord, into your resting place.
I will abundantly bless its provisions; I will satisfy its poor with bread. Its priests I will clothe with salvation, and its faithful will shout for joy. There I will cause a horn to sprout up for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed one. His enemies I will clothe with disgrace, but on him, his crown will gleam.’
Arise, O Lord, into your resting place.
A Reading from The Revelation to John 1:4b-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Listen for the leading of the Spirit. Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn : All Hail the Power of Jesus Name. CP322
All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem and crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
Hail him, the heir of David’s line,
whom David Lord did call,
the God incarnate, life divine,
And crown him, crown him, crown him,
Crown him Lord of all.
Crown him, you martyrs of your God,
who from his altar call;
praise him whose burning path you trod,
and crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go, spread your trophies at his feet,
and crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
Let every tongue and every tribe, delivered from the fall, to Christ all majesty ascribe,
and crown him, crown him, crown him crown him Lord of all.
O that, with heaven’s sacred throng,
We at his feet may fall,
Lift high the universal song,
And crown him, crown him, crown him,
Crown him Lord of all.
The Gospel
The Lord be with you. And also with you The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (18:33-37)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ The Gospel of Christ. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
An Affirmation (Ann Weems Soul Weavings)
Hurting, they came to him.
Healed, they followed him.
Grateful, they gave him what they had and what they were.
Blessed, they became a blessing
And went out to all the world in his name.
Those who are hurt
and healed
grateful
and blessed
still move among us
in his name. Amen
The Prayers of the People
Almighty One, the source and giver of life, the Alpha and Omega, who is and who was and who is to come: You have poured out your divine life into humanity through Christ who reigns in the glory of the power that is love; let our prayers come into your holy presence with reconciling and healing power, as we pray: To Christ who loves us and freed us; to Christ be glory and reverence forever.
You have united us to your Son Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth: Let your priests be clothed with righteousness and your faithful people sing with joy, that your Church may belong to the truth and listen to Christ's voice. To Christ who loves us and freed us; to Christ be glory and reverence forever.
You reign in transcendent splendor, O God, over all rulers and authorities, all powers and principalities: Let your dream and hope for your creation give vision to our nation, its leaders, and to all who hold authority in the world, that all the earth may be reconciled under your reign of love. To Christ who loves us and freed us; to Christ be glory and reverence forever.
The kingdom of our Christ is without boundary or limitation: We pray for everyone throughout the world who looks for help from the creator, relief from suffering, liberation from oppression, and hope for the future. To Christ who loves us and free us; to Christ be glory and reverence forever.
Your reign, O God, is like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land: Bless this community with your grace and peace, that we may be a kingdom of priests who serve each other in your name. To Christ who loves us and freed us; to Christ be glory and reverence forever.
The spirit of the Lord speaks is our hope: Be present in the lives of those who need you, as we intercede on their behalf. We praise and thank you for the manifestation of your presence and power among us. Bring all humanity into your divine life; and welcome those who come to you. To Christ who loves us and freed us; to Christ be glory and reverence forever.
Almighty and transcendent God, your glory fills all creation and your authority extends beyond time: Let your Spirit open our lives to your grace and truth, that we may always see Christ at his coming, who reigns in the glory of the power that is love forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, you alone are the Alpha and the Omega; the one who is, and who was and who is to come.
We confess that we too often do not listen to your voice. Instead, we allow ourselves to be seduced by the easy and vicious lies of this world. O Lord, forgive us our sins.
Merciful God, love us. Free us from our sins. Make us to be your kingdom. Turn us toward your truth that we might testify to it forevermore. Amen.
Invite the people to share the peace of Christ with one another.
Offertory Hymn: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. CP508
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water; thirsty one, stoop down and drink and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light; look unto me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun; and in that light of life I’ll walk till travelling days are done.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Eternal God, by your grace you have raised us up and enthroned us with Christ in the heavenly realms. Receive all we offer you this day, and lead us in those good works for which you have created us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer 2
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 your thanks and praise.
We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, through your
beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. He is your
living Word, through whom you have created all things. By the
power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh of the women Mary and
shared our human nature. He lived and died as one of us, to
reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
In fulfilment of your will he stretched out his hands in suffering, to
bring release to those who place their hope in you; and so he won
for you a holy people. He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows,
and to give up his life on the cross, that he might shatter the
chains of evil and death, and banish the darkness of sin and
despair. By his resurrection he brings us into the light of your
presence. Now with all creation we raise our voices to proclaim
the glory of your name.
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 the one, who comes in the name of the Lord.
Blessed is the 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.
Holy and gracious God, accept our praise, through your Son our
Saviour Jesus Christ; who on the night he was handed over to
suffering and death, took bread and gave you thanks, saying,
“Take, and eat: this is my body which is broken for you.” In the
same way he took the cup, saying, “This is my blood which is shed
for you. When you do this, you do it in memory of me.”
Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we offer you
this bread and this cup, giving thanks that you have made us
worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. We ask you to
send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of your holy Church.
Gather into one all who share in these sacred mysteries, filling
them with the Holy Spirit and confirming their faith in the truth,
that together we may praise you and give you glory through your
Servant, Jesus Christ. All glory and honour are yours, Father and
Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Church, 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 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.
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
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn During Communion: The Gift of Love by Hal Hopson
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
and have the gift to all inspire,
and have not love my words are vain,
as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess,
and striving so my love profess,
but not be giv'n by love within,
the profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
by this we worship, and are freed.
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty God, you have made us a royal priesthood in the kingdom of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Make known his victory through us, we pray, that all the world may see his light. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
The Doxology
Glory to God,
All 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: Let's Sing unto the Lord. CP417
Let's sing unto the Lord a hymn of glad rejoicing. Let's sing a hymn of love, joining hearts and happy voices.
God made the sky above, the stars, the sun, the oceans. Their goodness does proclaim
The glory of God’s name.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Let's sing unto the Lord. Alleluia!
Let's sing unto the Lord a hymn of adoration,
express unto the Lord
our songs of faith and hope.
Creation’s broad display
proclaims the work of grandeur,
the boundless love of one
Who blesses us with beauty.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Let's sing unto the Lord. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Let's sing unto the Lord. Alleluia!
Let’s sing unto the Lord. Alleluia!
The Dismissal
One: As you leave this place, go with God.
All: We will go into world discovering God is waiting for us.
One: As you depart to serve, go with Christ.
All: We will not turn back from following Jesus into every corner of the world.
One: As you live the coming days, go with the Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God, Alleluia.
Postlude: O Mary Don't You Weep. Arrangement by Bruce Springsteen
Well if I could I surely would stand on the rock where Moses stood. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep.
O Mary, don't you weep, don't mourn. O Mary don't you weep, don't mourn. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep.
Well Mary wore three links of chain, on every link was Jesus' name. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep.
O Mary don't you weep, don't mourn. O Mary don't weep, don't mourn. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary don't weep.
Well, one of these nights at twelve o'clock, this old world is gonna rock. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary don't weep.
Well Moses stood on the Red Sea shore, smote' the water with a two by four. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep.
Oh! O Mary don't weep, don't mourn. O Mary don't weep, don't mourn. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep.
Well old Mr. Satan he got mad, missed that soul that he thought he had. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep.
Brothers and sisters don't you cry, They'll be good times by and by. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary don't weep.
O Mary, don't weep, don't mourn. O Mary, don't weep, don't mourn. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary don't weep.
O Mary don't you weep, don't mourn. O Mary don't you weep, don't mourn. Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary don't you weep.
God gave Noah the rainbow sign,
said, "No more water but fire next time"
Pharaoh's army got drownded,
O Mary, don't weep.
O Mary, don't you weep, don't mourn. O Mary, don't you weep, don't mourn Pharaoh's army got drownded, O Mary, don't you weep. X5