Welcome to St. Paul's Anglican Church, Fort Garry
Here you'll find the order of service for Sunday, May 9, 2021
The service will be on our YouTube page by Sunday morning
Steel Drums- Prelude
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today BB 203 Jesus Christ is risen today, alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, alleluia!
Unto Christ our heavenly King, alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s king, alleluia!
Where the angles ever sing. Alleluia!
Acknowledgement For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked in this land, on their own country. Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives. We acknowledge the Indigenous People of Canada, past, present, emerging, and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages where we have been welcomed.
Welcome A warm welcome is extended to all who are gathering St. Paul’s this morning for our time of worship together. Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Gathering Hymn Let's Sing Unto the Lord 417 BB
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.
Refrain 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.
Refrain
After final refrain;
Let’s sing unto the Lord. Alleluia!
Gathering
Earth, stars, planets sing to the Lord
God has done marvelous things, let us sing our praise loudly
Wind, Rain, snow and sunshine, beauty of the seasons
Show us the marvelous works of God, for which we shout our praise
Instruments and voices join in the song
Telling of the marvelous works of God
Workers, inquiring minds and loud happy people
Show the beauty of God in all they do, see and show
God is ever present in our prayers for all creation
Let us continue to see the beauty through knowledge, truth and love as we sing to the Lord
God, you have done marvelous things, whenever we feel lost, alone, weak, struggle, seek forgiveness, seek hope we know Your presence is always with us and for that we give you thanks
Anthem Gentle Woman Refrain Gentle women, quiet light Morning star, so strong and bright
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom; teach us love
You were chosen by Creator You were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women
And for women, shining one.
Blessed you are among women
Blest in turn all women, too
Blessed they with peaceful spirits
Blessed the with gentle hearts
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Listen for the Leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 98
Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvellous things, * whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory. O Lord, you have made known the victory; * you have openly shown your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God. Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice and sing.
Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before our sovereign, the Lord.
Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, who is coming to judge the earth. In righteousness shall God judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
Psalm
Sing a New Song to the Lord
The Gathering Hymnal
Sing a new song to the Lord He to whom wonders belong! Rejoice in God’s triumph and tell of God’s power
O sing to the Lord a new song!
Now to the ends of the earth See the salvation is shown And still we remember God’s mercy and truth
Unchanging in love to God’s own.
Sing a new song and rejoice Publish God’s praises abroad! Let voices in chorus with trumpet and horn
Resound for the joy of the Lord!
Join with the hills and the sea Thunders of praise to prolong! In judgement and justice, he comes to the Earth,
O sing to the Lord a new song!
A Reading from the first letter of John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
Listen for the Leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn Like a Healing Stream
More Voices 144
Like a healing stream in a barren desert
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth
God is trickling through our lives As in a dream unfolding Promising revival and rebirth like a healing stream.
Like a gentle rain on thirsty garden Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation
Yearning for an end to want and need
Like a gentle rain.
Like a river strong with a restless current
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore, God is carving out a channel in a new direction
Calling for an end to hate and war
Like a river string
Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons, Spirit water with a love both deep and wide, God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow God will always challenge and provide Like a mighty sea, like a river strong like a gentle rain, like a healing stream.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John 15:9-17 Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The Homily
An Affirmation of Faith (written by Stephen Garnass-Holmes)
We believe in God, who is love,
whose love is manifest in all creation, in our lives and in all people.
We follow Christ, who embodied God’s love.
In his life and ministry, his death and resurrection
he filled us with that love as well.
We live by the Spirit, the presence of God’s love in us. In that love we participate in the church, Body of Christ, in loving God, by loving our neighbours through our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service.
Love is our faith and it is a gift from God.
We thank God and ask God’s blessings
that we may love in the name of Christ
and the power of the Spirit to God’s Glory. Amen
Offering Hymn
Mary Laid Her Baby Down
Gordon Light
All the stars like sparkling stones,
All the brightest angel songs
Circled round a bed in simple shed
Where she laid her baby down
And she laid her baby down Mary laid her baby down With a lullaby for his new born cry
She laid her baby down
To the city temple grounds Mary came with infant son And she tendered there all her warmest prayer
as she laid her baby down And she laid her baby down Mary laid her baby down And her songs of praise filled the holy place
As she laid her baby down
See the child now tall and strong Leave behind his boyhood home As he left that day, Mary’s heart gave way
And she laid her baby down And she laid her baby down Mary laid her baby down Though it grieved her so Still she let him go And she laid her baby down
Came a day her boy was bound to a tree
With nail and thorn None can ever tell all the pain she felt
As she laid her baby down When at last the day was gone And his final breath was drawn As in Bethlehem she held him close again
And then she laid her baby down
And she laid her baby down
Mary laid her baby down In that bleakest night when there was no light
She just laid her baby down
But a glorious morning dawned
All the joys of heaven returned
And her little one rose up from the tomb Where she laid him gently down
God had raised him like the sun
When Mary laid her baby down
With a lullaby for his third day cry
She gladly laid her baby down
Prayer over the Gifts
God of glory, accept all we offer you this day, and bring us to that eternal city of love and light, where Christ is King. We ask this in his name. Amen
Candle-lighting Litany for Mother’s Day
Creation thrums with Being and peals the Word - 'I am’.
We sometimes remember to whisper the antiphon, 'We are'.
And so, we take this flame and light our special candles as we honour mothers every where today...
The first candle is lit.
Nurturing God, we light this candle in recognition of the great care and love you have for each one of us.
Nurturing God, we praise and thank you.
The second candle is lit.
Nurturing God, we light this candle in thanksgiving for all mothers, for all they do, for all they give, and for all they mean and will always mean.
Nurturing God, we praise and thank you.
The third candle is lit.
Nurturing God, we light this candle for all families throughout the world.
Nurturing God, we praise and thank you.
The fourth candle is lit.
Nurturing God, we light this candle for the family of the Church, here and everywhere.
Nurturing God, we praise and thank you.
The fifth candle is lit. Nurturing God, we light this candle for all who nurture and encourage others. Nurturing God, we praise and thank you. ~ from the website of St. Cyprian’s Scottish Episcopal Church
The Collect of the Day
Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you riches beyond imagination. Pour into our hearts such love toward you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
Draw the Circle Wide BB 418
Refrain 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 circle,
‘round whom all creation turns;
Nothing lost, but held forever,
In God’s gracious arms.
Refrain
Let our hearts touch far horizons,
So encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders,
Faithful to God’s call.
Refrain
Let the dreams we dream be larger,
Than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us,
Open every door Refrain
Dismissal We have sung, we have prayed, we have worshiped together. Now we go back out into the world. We came together to build relationships, relationships with each other, and our relationship with Jesus. We go out as people who are strengthened by our connections Ready to love and to serve. Ready to carry God's love to the world.
As you journey through the ups and the downs of the coming week,
let us remember that God, who has invited us into relationship, is always with us.
Go with God, as the people of God.
So be it! Amen Alleluia
~ posted by Rev. Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/
Postlude
Photo by Derek Story on Unsplash