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.
How to join online: This service will be live streamed from to St. Paul’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/St-Pauls-Fort-Garry-Anglican-Church-163274787036804/ ). The video will open in your internet browser (no need to have a Facebook account). The video can also be viewed on the same Facebook page at any time after the live stream. The worship video will also be uploaded to St. Paul’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1PjLywZrpISPEHLiyTEiVQ) later in the afternoon, where the video can be viewed at any time.
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Song: 390 CP Womb of Life and Source of Being
Womb of life, and source of being,
home of every restless heart,
in your arms the worlds awakened;
you have loved us from the start.
We, your children, gather 'round you,
at the table you prepare.
Sharing stories tears and laughter,
we are nurtured by your care.
Word in flesh, our brother Jesus,
born to bring us second birth,
you have come to stand beside us,
knowing weakness, knowing earth.
Priest who shares our human struggles,
Life of Life, and Death of Death,
risen Christ, come stand among us,
send the Spirit by your breath.
Brooding Spirit, move among us;
be our partner, be our friend.
When our memory fails, remind us
whose we are, what we intend.
Labor with us, aid the birthing
of the new world yet to be,
free of servant, lord and master
free for love and unity.
Mother, Brother, holy Partner;
Father, Spirit, Only Son:
we would praise your name forever,
One-in-Three, and Three-in-One.
We would share your life, your passion,
share your word of world made new,
ever singing, ever praising,
one with all, and one with you.
Gathering (loosely based on the hymn “People are God’s language”)
Those who listen, those who seek can hear God speak
It is in the beauty around us, the whisper of compassion
God can also work through people
Those who help bring calm in the midst of misery, comfort in the face of misery, kindness instead of more cruelty
With the help of God we can plead
For peace, mercy, justice and liberty for those who are in need
Acts of gentleness and thoughtful words
Ensure the message of God’s love is heard and lived
Lord of every new day when the road ahead is totally scary or far too comfortable, reveal your life-giving waymarks, so that having made them our own, we travel on with risk, vulnerability, vision, awareness, passion, struggle, energy, and compassion as our constant companions. 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.
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom. Renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread, 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, Ecclesiastes (1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23)
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me —and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labours under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
Listen for the Leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 49:1-12 Refrain: Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world, you of high degree and low, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and my heart shall meditate on understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
Why should I be afraid in evil days, when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me, the wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, and boast of their great riches? We can never ransom ourselves, or deliver to God the price of our life; for the ransom of our life is so great, that we should never have enough to pay it, in order to live for ever and ever, and never see the grave.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish and leave their wealth to those who come after them. Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their dwelling places from generation to generation, though they call the lands after their own names. Even though honoured, they cannot live for ever; they are like the beasts that perish.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians (3:1-11)
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Listen for the Leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn: 113 CP Come, O Lord, and Set Us Free
Refrain
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Maranatha.
Desert and dry land will grow green in praise;
clay will rejoice with full bloom:
showers of flowers given birth in dead earth;
in colours they echo Love’s song.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Maranatha.
Strengthen the hearts of the fearful and weak;
be strong; fear not, God is near,
coming in power and loosing our bonds,
setting the captives free.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Maranatha.
We have been waiting and longing for light,
watching for signs of the Lord.
“Promised of ages,” “Messiah to come,”
hear us, we beg you: “Come save!”
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Maranatha.
Give us a star in the sky day and night,
sign of your promise to save.
Over the mountains we follow its light,
hoping for sign of your life.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Maranatha.
The Lord be with you R: And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke (12: 13-21)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
An Affirmation of Faith (Rex Hunt Liturgies)
In response to the word reflected on, let us share an affirmation of faith.
I believe in God's World, In beauty of earth and sky and sea; In sunbeams playing on rippling water; In moon and stars milking the midnight sky;
I believe in God's World, In green life pulsing through brown earth, In miracle of bud and flower and fruit; In great trees raising gnarled arms against rain and wind;
I believe in God's World, In cry of new born seeking the lifegiving breast; In gnarled old age dozing in the sun; In sweating backs bent over unyielding soil;
I believe in God's World, In Jesus hung between earth and sky, In the giving of one's life in the service of humanity, I believe in God's World. Amen
Prayers of Intercession (www.lutherancore.website)
May we have courage in uncertain times, Let it all happen. No mood is final. May we recognise new beginnings in what seem to be endings, Let it all happen. No feeling is final.
And so we take this flame and light our pascal candle as we bring our prayers and concerns to God...
For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.
A brief silence
God our loving parent, thank you for giving us the bread we need for body and soul, even when we are estranged from you and from one another. Thank you for Jesus, our Life, our Bread, our source of unity with you and with each other.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your Church is the body of Christ. Give it unity with him and unity in him. Let your Holy Spirit fashion the Church into the likeness of Jesus, so that when it speaks and acts, people hear and see their Savior.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make us mindful of our union with those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Let them know they are not forgotten by you or by the rest of the Church. May their faithful witness feed their enemies with the bread of repentance and faith. And where it is the church that has persecuted people, we pray for their healing
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Feed the people of this congregation with the living Bread of Heaven. Nourish us with the Cup of Blessing from Christ’s hand. Help us to know the depth, height, and breadth of your love. Fill us with your Spirit, so we can share your love with others.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you for those who maintain food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens. Thank you for everyone who feed the hungry and help them feed themselves. Grant that, as bodies are nourished, minds, hearts, and spirits are also fed with the living Bread from Heaven.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Guide the deliberations and actions of our government leaders. Let your will be done, so your people receive all they need to live in safety. Teach us to feed one another, not only with food that perishes, but also with your imperishable and holy Word; and establish your peace in our midst.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You open your hand and fulfil the desire of every living creature. Please open your hand to bestow health, hope, strength, and guidance upon all whose need is great, including: …… Feed them with faith and fill them with the refreshing waters of your grace and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With reverence and affection, we remember before you all our loved ones who have died and are at rest in you. Strengthen bonds of affection with our fellow pilgrims along life’s journey. Bring us all, with all whom you have redeemed, into the joy and life you share in union with your Son and the Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For ourselves, for those named or remembered, and in solidarity with those who have not the freedom to express their concern or celebration for fear of discrimination or condemnation. In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful of the presentness of the sacred among us, and to see new possibilities of the now. Amen
The Peace
Offering Hymn: 484 CP In Christ There is No East or West
In Christ there is no east or west, In Christ no south or north, But one great fellowship of love Throughout the whole wide earth. In Christ shall true hearts everywhere Their high communion find, Whose service is the golden cord Close binding humankind. Join hands, disciples of the faith, Whate’er your race may be; Who serves my God in truth and love is surely kin to me. In Christ now meet both east and west, In Christ meet south and north; All faithful souls are joined in one Throughout the whole wide earth.
Prayer over the gifts
God our sustainer, accept all we offer you this day, and feed us continually with that bread which satisfies all hunger, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Eucharistic prayer (Anglican Eucharistic Liturgies p. 61)
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.
Worship and praise belong to you, God,
in every place and at all times.
You made us, all the people of the world and everything that is.
You give us the daylight.
Your Word lights up our minds.
Jesus was born among us to be light in our darkness.
Your spirit lives in us
so that we can look at the world with your eyes.
One day we will be with you in heaven,
but already we laugh with the saints and the angels
and sing their joyful song
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 that comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is one that come 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, you never forget us or turn away from us,
even when we fail you.
You sent your son Jesus who gave his life for us.
He healed those who were sick, cared for those who were poor,
and cried with those who were sad.
He forgave sinners and taught us to forgive.
For all your love we give you thanks
in the way that Jesus showed us.
On the night before he died
while he was having supper with his friends,
he took bread and offered you thanks.
He broke the bread and gave it to them saying
‘Take, eat. This is my body: it is broken for you.’
After supper he took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to the saying:
‘Drink this all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant;
It is poured out for you, and for all, that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in remembrance of me.’
So as we do what he told us, we open our hearts to him;
we remember how he died and rose again to live now in us.
Together with him we offer God these gifts:
in them we give you ourselves.
Send your Holy Spirit on us and on this bread and this wine,
that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ,
and that sharing your life,
we may travel in your company to our journey’s end.
With all your people we give you thanks and praise
through the Son and in the Spirit now and forever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer (You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, or your preferred translation) (Rex Hunt Liturgies)
Our Mother, whose body is the Earth, Sacred is your being. Your gardens grow. Your will be done in our cities,as it is in nature.
Thanks, be this day for food, and air, and water.
Forgive us our sins against Earth, as we are learning to forgive one another. And surrender us not unto extinction, but deliver us from our folly.
For Yours is the beauty, and the power, and all life, from birth to death, from beginning to end. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
Creator of all, you gave us golden fields of wheat, whose many grains we have gathered and made into this one bread.
So may your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
These are the Gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God
The Communion
Prayer After Communion
All your works praise you, O Lord.
And your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, ring life to others; we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing (Written by Bruce Prewer)
If you have found some of the good bread of Christ here this day,
then don’t hesitate to share it with others.
For this is the bread that increases the more it is given away,
and nourishes us best in the presence of goodwill and laughter.
Go on your way in good spirits, for the best is yet to come.
The grace of our Saviour,
the love of our Creator,
and the friendship of our Enabler,
will be with us
this day and evermore.
Amen!
Announcements
Closing Hymn: 399 CP Now Thank We All Our God
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, and nourish us with grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God eternal now be given, to Spirit and to Word, who reign in highest heaven our ever faithful God, whom heaven and earth adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
The Dismissal
We are the ambassadors of a faith that can shift mountainous obstacles and of a love which increases the more it is given away.
The world awaits us. Let’s get on with it. With God’s help, we will. Alleluia!!