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St Paul’s Anglican Church
October 15, 2023 Pentecost 20
We Gather as God’s People
Prelude - Shalom Chaverim
Land 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 the Community (Prayers to Share)
You invite us to worship, O God, and we rejoice!
We are able to leave the anxieties of our daily lives behind.
You invite us to worship, O God and we give thanks!
We realize the full extent of your wonderful gifts.
You invite us to worship, O God, and we remember!
We are aware of your love, so graciously shown in Jesus Christ.
You invite us to worship, O God, and we respond!
We are ready to act compassionately and justly, in Christ’s name.
O God, your steadfast love is always there for us;
there in times of joy, there when the testing times come,
there when apathy grips, there when enthusiasm is ours,
there in our solitary moments, there when we share in faith community,
there as we stay in familiar territory, there as we venture and risk.
Your love never leaves us. Amen
Shema “Hear O Israel” © 2006 The Paulinians
Traditional, alt. G. Woodcroft
Hear O Israel! God is one.
Love God with heart, mind, soul and strength.
Hear O Israel! God is one.
Love God with heart, mind, soul and strength.
As ourselves, let us love one another;
Nothing’s greater than this.
Hear O Israel! God is one.
Love God with heart, mind, soul and strength.
Hear O Israel! God is one.
Love God with heart, mind, soul and strength.
The Collect
Almighty God, in our baptism you adopted us for your own. Quicken, we pray, your Spirit within us, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Children’s Ministry Time
Song: Hallellu, Hallelu
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the book, Exodus (32.1–14)
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron and said to him, ‘Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ Aaron said to them, ‘Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.’ So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mould, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, ‘Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.’ They rose early the next day, and offered burnt-offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.
The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” ’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.’
But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ’ And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.
Living Word of God Live in our hearts today
Psalm 106.1–6, 19–23 (Refrain: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good)
Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose mercy endures for ever. Who can declare your mighty acts, O Lord, or show forth all your praise? Happy are those who act with justice and always do what is right!
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
Remember me, O Lord, with the favour you have for your people, and visit me with your saving help; that I may see the prosperity of your elect and be glad with the gladness of your people, that I may glory with your inheritance.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
We have sinned as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and dealt wickedly. Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb and worshipped a molten image; and so, they exchanged their Glory for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
They forgot you, their saviour, who had done great things in Egypt, wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, and fearful things at the Red Sea. So, you would have destroyed them, had not Moses your chosen stood before you in the breach, to turn away your wrath from consuming them.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians 4.1–9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Living Word of God Live in our hearts today
Gradual Hymn: 349 All People That On Earth Do Dwell
1. All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice him serve with mirth; his praise forth tell; come ye before him and rejoice. 2. Know that the Lord is God indeed; without our aid he did us make; we are his flock, he doth us feed, and for his sheep he doth us take. 3. Oh enter then his gates with praise; approach with joy his courts unto; praise, laud and bless his name always, for it is seemly so to do. 4. For why, the Lord our God is good; his mercy is forever sure; his truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.
Gospel reading:
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (22.1–14)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The Homily
An Affirmation of Faith (bettergatherings.com)
With all Christians everywhere, we believe in one God, who made everything. God sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross. Jesus rose again as Lord of all, that we might live forever with him. God sent his Holy Spirit to live in us, that we might grow more like Jesus. Amen.
Prayers of the People (by Bruce Pewter)
It is a good and necessary that we turn the eyes outwards to the world around us.
Let us pray for some of those people.
Holy Friend please give us a measure of the Spirit of Christ, that we may exhibit more of his courage and compassion for all who share this small planet with us.
May your new world come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray for the church: our own denomination, and the many others spread across the world. Strengthen those that are tested by persecution, embolden those who are tolerated but ignored, humble those that wield considerable power, shake up those that have become apathetic, and encourage those that retain the optimism of the Spirit even though their numbers are few.
May your new world come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray for our nation, for its internal well being and its international relations. Bless our parliaments, Premiers and Prime Minister. Give them insight, wisdom, courage and compassion, that is much larger than their natural capacity, so that guided and overruled by your Spirit, this land may become a place of justice, mercy and peace.
May your new world come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray for the many places and people around the world where there is disaster and suffering. We long for the end of injustice and false imprisonment, terrorism and torture, hatred and warfare, hunger and homelessness, disease and despair. May the U.N. be revitalised, and the aid programmes be applied to those who need them most.
May your new world come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray for friends, neighbours and fellows church members who are going through hard times. For the unemployed and their families, the sick and their nurses, the disabled and their helpers, the bereaved and their comforters, the terminally ill and their loved ones, the addicts and those who pray each day for their recovery.
May your new world come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God our merciful Friend, please encircle us all with your saving love, that no person may be seen as useless and no situation irredeemable. Fill us with the quiet optimism of Christ Jesus, that in all things and at all times we may trust your providence and play our small part in supplying the signs of your love to those whose fears outweigh their hope.
May your new world come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen!
Confession (Prayers to share)
So many things are obstacles to our faithfulness, O God:
We are locked into comfortable and routine existence; it is hard to change. So much keeps us in the familiar rut that we turn down invitations to come try our new skills and risk faithfully. So much distracts us from committing to the faith community; the needs of family and friends, the obligation to social groups, take up our time. So many values conflict with our Christian values, the subtle pressure to go with the latest trend, to ignore the pain of humankind’s global family.
Assurance
The call has come for you to leave your comfortable distractions, and to focus on the values of God’s realm;
We will carefully consider our priorities and values; we will seek out the way of Christ and follow it.
When your commitment is strong there is nothing, you can not achieve. You will experience God’s peace as you venture out.
Thanks be to God. Amen
The Peace
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offertory Hymn: 381 CP Praise My Soul (italicized words)
Praise my soul, the God of heaven;
glad of heart your carols raise;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me should sing God’s praise?
Alleluia, alleluia,
praise the Maker all your days.
Praise God for the grace and favour
shown our forebears in distress.
God is still the same forever,
slow to chide and swift to bless;
alleluia, alleluia,
sing our Maker’s faithfulness.
Like a loving parent caring,
God knows well our feeble frame;
gladly all our burdens bearing,
still to countless years the same.
Alleluia, alleluia,
all within me, praise God’s name.
Frail as summer’s flower we flourish;
blows the wind and it is gone;
but, while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on:
alleluia, alleluia,
praise the high eternal one.
Angels, teach us adoration;
you behold God face to face;
sun and moon and all creation,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia,
praise with us the God of grace.
Prayer over the gifts
God of constant love, in this eucharist you renew the covenant made once with us in baptism. As you are faithful in all things may we, in our offering, be faithful to our calling. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer (Scottish Episcopal Church Prayer V pg. 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 our creator, in every place and at all times. You made us, all the people of the world and everything that is.
You gave us the daylight. Your word lights up our minds. Jesus was born among us to be light in our darkness.
Your Spirit loves 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 are full of your glory Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the Highest.
God, our loving parent, 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 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 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 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 Spirt now and forever. 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.
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 for ever. 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.
The Communion These are the gifts of God for the People of God.
Songs During Communion: We Are Gathered
My Life Flows On
Prayer after Communion
Faithful God, in baptism and eucharist we are made one with you. May we who have shared in holy things always bear witness to your covenant, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
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 (by Bruce Pewter)
No matter what kind of a week you are facing,
be it heavy with onerous duties,
or light with pleasures and joys,
or tough with difficult decisions,
your God is more than sufficient for you;
With this faith I bless you!
Amen!
The love of Christ makes the load lighter,
the love of God makes the joy sweeter,
the peace Spirit makes the decision bolder;
With this creed I bless you!
Amen!
In the Triune Name of the Living God you are blessed.
Announcements
Sending Hymn: Draw the Circle Wide 418 CP 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 the circle, ‘round whom all creation turns; nothing lost, but held forever, In God’s gracious arms.
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.
Let our hearts touch far horizons, so encompass great and small; let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call.
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. Let the dreams we dream be larger, than we’ve ever dreamed before;
let the dream of Christ be in us,
open every door.
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. (X2) The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God Amen! Alleluia!!
Postlude: The Wedding Banquet
