Prelude: Come Thou Fount
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: 577 CP God of Grace and God of Glory
God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power; now fulfil your church's story; bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour. Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, assail his ways. Fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days, for the living of these days. Cure your children's warring madness. Bend our pride to your control. Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in goods and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss your kingdom's goal, lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
Set our feet on lofty places; gird our lives that they may be armoured with all Christ like graces in the fight for liberty. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage lest we fail ourselves and thee, lest we fail ourselves and thee.
Gathering Be present with us Lord and show us the freedom that comes from you Lord, there are so many paths, help us to find our way We have been called out of darkness into light We sing the praises of the One that shows us the way Together we pray: Loving God, you have created opportunity upon opportunity for us to follow you and be faithful and still we struggle. We struggle to hear what you tell us, we struggle to understand the directions and we struggle with the hope that you offer and yet you call us to even greater works than even you were able to accomplish, so great is your faith in us. Be present to us always, show us new ways and fill us with new hope for the work that you call us to be a part of, the building up of the kingdom so that all may know the freedom and hope that you offer. Amen.
Collect of the Day Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another and walk in the way of his commandments, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Children’s Ministry time
Song: MV 104 – Know That God is Good
Know that God is good, know that God is good,
know that God is good, God is good, God is good.
Know that God is good, know that God is good,
know that God is good, God is good, God is good.
C’est vrai: Dieu est bon! C’est vrai: Dieu et bon!
C’est vrai: Dieu est bon! Dieu est bon! Dieu est bon!
Know that God is good, know that God is good,
know that God is good, God is good, God is good.
Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (7:55-60) But filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died. Living word of God live in our lives today Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 Refrain Into your hands I commend my spirit
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit
You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
Into your hands I commend my spirit
My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Into your hands I commend my spirit
A Reading from the first letter of Peter (2:2-10)
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Living word of God live in our lives today
Gradual Hymn: 589 Come My Way, My Truth, My Life
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: such a way as gives us breath,
such a truth as ends all strife, such a life as killeth death.
Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength: such a light as shows a feast,
such a feast as mends in length, such a strength as makes his guest.
Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart, such a joy as none can move,
such a love as none can part, such a heart as joys in love.
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John (14:1-14)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. The Gospel of Christ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ Homily
An Affirmation of Faith (from pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au)
We believe in God, maker of all things, provider of all things, who loves all people. We follow Jesus, in whom salvation has come to us: God sees us for who we are, heals the wounds of our hearts, and makes us new.
In Jesus’ death and resurrection, we see the deepest truth of life. We live by the power of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us for self-giving love. We give thanks for the Church, the Body of Christ, and for the gift of forgiveness, the power of resurrection
and the mystery of eternal life. Amen.
The Prayers of the People (Inspired by ‘New Ways’ in ‘The Pattern of Our Days: Liturgies and Resources for Worship’, Edited by Kathy Galloway, Iona Community and by “World Day of Prayer for Vocations”, accessed online at https://nrvc.net/292/publication/11357/article/15674-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations-april-25-2021) Creator God, You made each of us and blessed us with an abundance of gifts. Guide us to use these gifts to serve others, and to continue the mission of Jesus. Send us out into the world, so that the Gospel is preached, the poor are served with love,
and the suffering are comforted. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Generous God, You have shown us the way that leads to everlasting life. Help us to remember our own baptismal call, and stir within us the passion to respond to this call, with courage and creativity, boundless compassion, abundant generosity, and radical availability. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Merciful God, You sent your beloved Jesus, to be your servant of justice in our broken world. Disrupt our comfortable lives and complacent attitudes. Show us new ways to care, and new ways to touch the hearts of all, and give us a wider vision of the world, a broader view of justice, and dreams of peace that are not defined by boundaries of geography or race or religion, or by the limitations of worldly structures and systems. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Gracious God, we thank you for those who have responded to your call, and who have committed themselves to service in the Church, including those who serve in the priesthood, the diaconate, the religious life, and lay ministry. Bless and strengthen them, and grant them courage and peace as they continue to dedicate themselves to service in the Church. We thank you also for those who are discerning their vocation. Bless and strengthen them, and grant them wisdom and perseverance. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. You know each of us and you call us by name to serve in faith. Help us respond generously to your voice. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
When we are fearful of the unknown, give us courage. When we worry that we are not up to the task, remind us that you would not call us if you did not believe in us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
When we get tired, or feel disappointed with the way things are going, remind us that you can bring change and hope out of the most difficult situations. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Open our eyes and our ears that wherever we go, we may hear your voice calling us by name; calling us to serve, calling us to share, calling us to praise, so that we never give up on the promise of your kingdom, where the world is transformed, and all can enjoy life in all its fullness. Amen.
The Peace
Offertory Hymn: Your Feet Will Not Stumble
Your feet will not stumble, your strength will be renewed;
God’s eagle wings will lift your soul, and love will be your food.
Listen to the ev’ning rains, watch the dew rise with the dawn.
Walk for peace down the crowded streets, and walk when the crowds have gone.
Don’t keep your heart from breaking, there are tides to ev’ry sea,
Find the promises that can keep you, sing the songs that set you free.
REFRAIN:
And your feet will not stumble, your strength will be renewed;
God’s eagle wings will lift your soul, and love will be your food.
Stand beside the beds of sorrow, honour lives that come and go.
Words will come to ease your pain, as the dark nights ebb and flow.
God’s promise is a blessing, whispered low and whispered long,
The sun will bring the morning light, your life is in God’s dawn. REFRAIN
Listen to your laughter, as it mingles with your tears.
Wherever you’re happy, Wherever you have tears.
For God’s own joy is rising, like an ev’ning tide,
lifting off the faded scars, Your years have tried to hide. REFRAIN
Listen to your anger, where justice is denied.
Listen to the cries of those whose hope life overrides.
Remember them in deeds and prayers, In the watches of the night,
Keep creation turning round again, ‘till the world turns out right.
And your feet will not stumble, your strength will be renewed;
God’s eagle wings will lift your soul, and love will be your food.
Your feet will not stumble, your strength will be renewed;
God’s eagle wings will lift your soul, and love will be your food.
Prayer over the Gifts Gracious God, you show us your way and give us your divine life. May everything we do be directed by the knowledge of your truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen The Great Thanksgiving
(Eucharistic Prayer V, Scottish Episcopal Church in “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, Creator, 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 the 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 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 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.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Creator, you never forget us or turn away from us, even when we fail you. You sent your beloved Jesus who gave his life for us.
Jesus healed those who were sick, cared for those who were poor, and cried with those who were sad. Jesus 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 Jesus 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, Jesus took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to them 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 the remembrance of me.”
So, as we do what Jesus told us, we open our hearts to him; we remember how Jesus died and rose again to live in us now. Together with Jesus, we offer you 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 (sung: Cameron) Breaking of the Bread We break this bread Communion in Christ’s body once broken. Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying. If we have died with Christ, we shall live with Christ; if we hold firm, we shall reign with Christ. The gifts of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.
Communion Hymns: Rest in My Wings Jesus is Waiting
Prayer after Communion God of love, in this eucharist we have heard your truth and shared in your life. May we always walk in your way, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen 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. Blessing
Family of faith, as you leave this place, may God grant you the curiosity to counter assumptions, the vulnerability to befriend, the bravery to speak your truth, the wisdom to listen, the strength to ask for help, the resiliency to chose love, even when it’s hard, and the awareness of the Holy Spirit always beside you. In the name of the Great Connector—Love itself, go in peace.
Announcements
Closing Hymn: God Has Spoken
Chorus: God has spoken to the people Alleluia!
And God’s words are words of wisdom, Alleluia!
Open your ears, O Christian people,
Open your ears and hear good news.
Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,
God has come to you. Chorus
Those who have ears to hear God’s message, Those who have ears, then let them hear. Those who would learn the way of wisdom, let them hear God’s word. Chorus Israel comes to greet the Saviour; Judah is glad to see his day. From east to west the peoples travel, God will show the way. God has spoken to the people Alleluia! And God’s words are words of wisdom, Alleluia! God has spoken to the people Alleluia! And God’s words are words of wisdom, Alleluia!
Dismissal Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia
Postlude: I Am
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