A Joint Worship Service between St. Paul’s Anglican and Fort Garry UC. Join us in person at St. Paul's or live-streamed at 10:15AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Additional details on our Worship page.
Prelude: Precious Lord (Instrumental)
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: 465 CP Here in This Place New Light Is Streaming
Here in this place new light is streaming; now is the darkness vanished away. See in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in—the lost and forsaken; gather us in—the blind and the lame; call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name. We are the young—our lives are a mystery; we are the old—who yearn for your face. We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in—the rich and the haughty; gather us in—the proud and the strong; give us a heart so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song. Here we will take the wine and the water; here we will take the bread of new birth. Here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth. Give us to drink the wine of compassion; give us to eat the bread that is you; nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. Not in the dark of buildings confining, Not in some heaven, light years away, but here in this place the new light is shining; Now is the kingdom, now is the day. Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own; gather us in—all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
Gathering: Jesus says, “I am the Way for you.” And so we come to follow Christ. Jesus says, “I am the Truth for you.” And so we come to dwell in the light. Jesus says, “I am the Life for you.” And so we come, leaving behind all else to which we cling. Together we pray: Loving God, You have led us to this place, not to shield us from heartache and the pain of human life, but to heal us and inspire us, to gently redirect us, till we see the world as you do and love it with your love. Amen
Collect: Almighty God, your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us pure hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; 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 book, Genesis 28.10–19a
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Psalm 139.1–11, 22–23 Refrain: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Lord, you have searched me out and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me and your mighty hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night.”
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
I hate them with a perfect hatred; they have become my own enemies. Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 8.12–25
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Gradual Hymn: 474 CP Jesus Where’er Thy People Meet
Jesus, where’er thy people meet,
there they behold thy mercy seat;
where’er they seek thee, thou art found,
and every place is hallowed ground.
For thou, within no walls confined,
inhabitest the humble mind;
such ever bring thee where they come,
and going, take thee to their home.
Here may we prove the power of prayer
to strengthen faith and sweeten care,
to teach our faint desires to rise,
and bring all heaven before our eyes.
Lord, we are few, but thou art near;
nor short thine arm, no deaf thine ear;
O rend the heavens, come quickly down,
and make a thousand hearts thine own!
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 13.24–30, 36–43
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith: We believe in God whose love is the source of all life and the desire of our lives, whose love was given a human face in Jesus of Nazareth, whose love was crucified by the evil that waits to enslave us all and whose love, defeating even death, is our glorious promise of freedom. Therefore, though we are sometimes fearful and full of doubt, in God we trust; and, in the name of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves, in the service of others, to seek justice and to live in peace,
to care for the earth and to share the commonwealth of God’s goodness,
to live in the freedom of forgiveness and the power of the spirit of love,
and in the company of the faithful so to be the Church, for the glory of God. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession We are your people, God, in this time and place, you have called us to pray for those in need. We pray for the people whose names the world knows, whose stories are told daily in the news. . . Silence God in your mercy Hear our prayer. We pray for people in places of suffering, whose names only you and their friends and families know, and whose lives you cherish. . . Silence God in your mercy Hear our prayer. We pray for the people whose names and lives we know, those who today are in pain or distress or trouble, those who are happy, those who are sad. . . Silence God in your mercy Hear our prayer. We pray for ourselves, God. You know each one of us by name. Make us into the people you want us to be. And when that hurts, reassure us how much you love us. God, we bring you ourselves and our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Peace
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offertory Hymn: You Are Near
Chorus: Yahweh, I know you are near, standing always at my side. You guard me from the foe, and you lead me in ways everlasting. Lord, you have searched my heart And you know when I sit and when I stand. Your hand is upon me, protecting me from death, Keeping me from harm. Chorus Where can I run from your love? If I climb to the heavens you are there; If I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea, Still I’d find you there. Chorus You know my heart and its ways, You who formed me before I was born, In the secret of darkness before I saw the sun, In my mother’s womb. Chorus Marvelous to me are your works; How profound are your thoughts, my Lord. Even if I could count them, they number as the stars, You would still be there. Chorus
Prayer over the Gifts
O God, accept our praise and thanksgiving. Help us in all we do to offer ourselves as a true and living sacrifice; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer (Anglican Eucharistic Liturgies p. 249 church of Korea)
**notes- The introductory sentences are from the Church of Kenya p. 149 of the same book
Is the Creator with us? God is!
Is Christ among us? Christ is!
Is the Spirit here? The Spirit is!
This is our God.
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer
We are God’s people.
We are redeemed
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.
Almighty God, it is right and our joy at all times and in all places to give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ, our Lord
**Seasonal preface from the New Zealand prayer book
You raised Jesus to life triumphant over death; you exalted him in glory.
By his victory over death, the reign of sin is ended,
a new age has dawned, a broken world is restored and we are made whole once more.
In Jesus, you have made us a holy people by sending upon us you holy and lifegiving Spirit.
And so, with all the angels and saints in heaven
we lift our voices to praise your holy and glorious 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 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.
God of love by your word you created this world
and from your love for all your creatures
you sent your only Son Jesus Christ to this earth;
by his death on the cross and his resurrection you opened up for us the way of salvation.
We follow the word of the Lord and offer this sacrifice of thanks and praise,
send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine,
and grant that it may become the sacrament
of the new covenant of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
On the night he was arrested, Christ took bread and
after offering a prayer of thanksgiving, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you;
Do this in remembrance of me.”
He also took the cup, and after offering a prayer of thanksgiving,
gave it to the disciples saying,
“Drink this, 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 in remembrance of me.”
Therefore Lord, we offer before you this bread of life and cup of salvation;
we remember Jesus Christ’s offering of himself made once for all upon the cross;
and until he comes again in glory we proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus.
By the death of Christ, death is no more;
By the resurrection of Christ, new life is won;
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Lord of life, assist us we beseech you,
to gather the strength to practise justice and mercy in this world
until the coming of the kingdom of God.
Look again with grace upon your people
and gather us in your love so that
we can all come together with all your saints in the heavenly feast.
Through Christ, with whom and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty God, forever and ever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
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: Lone Wild Bird Unto Thee O Lord
Prayer after Communion
O God, as we are strengthened in these holy mysteries, may our lives be a continual offering, holy and acceptable in your sight; 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: VU 481 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended, O now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, God’s love shall unite us
to work for the kingdom and answer its call.
With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living,
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.
With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
give honour to Christ and the name that we bear.
The Dismissal
Look at your hands, see the touch and the tenderness, God’s own for the world. Look at your feet, see the path and the direction, God’s own for the world. Look at your heart, see the fire and the love, God’s own for the world. Look at the cross, see God’s Son and our Saviour. God’s own for the world. This is God’s world, and we will serve God in it. Amen! Alleluia!
Postlude: Jacob’s Ladder