Join us in person or live-streamed at 10AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Details on our Worship page. Service words are below.
Prelude Instrumental
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Song Let All Things Now Living 403 CP
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the creator triumphantly raise, who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, who still guides us on to the end of our days. Love's banners are o'er us God’s light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining forth in the night, till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished as forward we travel from light into light. God’s law still enforces, the stars in their courses and causes the sun in its splendour to shine; the hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains, the deeps of the ocean in praises combine. We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing; with glad adoration a song let us raise till all things now living unite in thanksgiving: "To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!"
The Gathering (from the Season of Creation resources)
We meet in the name of God
who calls us to remember and rejoice, to listen, learn and grow.
Let us bless God’s name together.
We meet in the name of God
who calls us to hear and take heed, to consider, speak and act.
Let us learn from God together
We meet in the name of God
who calls us to notice and challenge, to comfort, nurture and restore.
Let us walk God’s way together
Triune God we give thanks for the different communities which hold and shape our lives: for those which help us to remember and mark the joys and sorrows which pattern human living; for those which help us to hear and respond to the challenges and warnings we need to address; for those which help us to give and receive the nourishment and nurture all things need in order to thrive. May our lives in community be ones which serve and support the whole community of creation and always reflect and honour You, whose life is true community. Amen.
The Collect
Almighty God, you call your Church to witness that in Christ we are reconciled to you. Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you; 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, Exodus 14.19–31
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.’ So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Psalm114 Refrain: The words of the Lord are spirit and life.
Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech, Judah became the sanctuary of the Lord and Israel the dominion of God.
The words of the Lord are spirit and life.
The sea beheld it and fled; Jordan turned and went back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like young sheep. What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? You mountains, that you skipped like rams? You little hills like young sheep?
The words of the Lord are spirit and life.
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a flowing spring.
The words of the Lord are spirit and life.
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 14.1–12
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Gradual Hymn Eternal Lord of Love 174 CP
Eternal Lord of love, behold your church walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent, led by your cloud by day, by night your fire, moved by your love and toward your presence bent; far off yet here- the goal of all desire.
So daily dying to the way of self, so daily living to your way of love, we walk the road, Lord Jesus, that you trod, knowing ourselves baptized into your death; so we are dead and live with you in God.
If dead in you, so in you we arise, you the firstborn of all the faithful dead; and as through stony ground the green shoots break, glorious in springtime dress of leaf and flower, so in Creator’s glory shall we wake.
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew 18.21–35
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
An Affirmation of Faith (Norman Habel for Seasons of Creation)
God creates all things,
renews all things, and celebrates all
things.
Earth is a sanctuary,
a sacred planet filled with God’s
presence, a home for us to share
with all creatures.
God became incarnate,
a part of Earth, like Adam,
a human being called Jesus Christ,
who lived and breathed and spoke
among us, suffered and died on a
cross for all human beings and for
all creation.
The Risen Jesus
is the Christ at the center of
creation, reconciling all things to
God, renewing all creation, and
filling the cosmos.
The Spirit renews life in creation,
groans in empathy with a suffering
creation, and waits with us for the
rebirth of all creation.
This we believe.
We believe that with Christ we will rise
and with Christ we will celebrate a new creation. Amen
Prayers of Intercession (from the season of Creation resources)
O Creator God, in this month of creation time, teach us to see your footprints in the beauty of creation. Help us to listen to the voice of creation, inspire us to respect the rights of all people, and all living species to share in your gifts today and to be always mindful of those who come after us. Lord hear us
God of all life, we give thanks for the gift of the earth, our common home. At this time, many people, the oceans, and the eco-systems of the earth are struggling to survive. Help us to change our ways, to join this river of justice and guide us to live a life which is not centred exclusively on ourselves but on the needs of others and the worship of you as our ultimate concern. Lord hear us
At this time in human history, we are mindful that the survival of our planet and the well-being of humanity is threatened. Let us pray that UN Agreements to reduce global warming and to care for the poor will be honoured by governments throughout the world. Give courage to world leaders as they make crucial decisions for our common home. Lord hear us
Let us pray for each other at this time that we may live the vision and values of Care for our Common Home. In particular we pray for greater attention to social justice, climate justice, and intergenerational justice. Lord hear us
Lord, we pray that we may gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty and diversity of all that you have created. As we journey help us to also listen to the voice of creation, to acknowledge how deeply interconnected we are with each other and with the natural world. Lord hear us
Lord, in the spirit of the call of your Son, Jesus, to follow Him by renouncing ourselves, may we resolve to curb all selfish individual actions that conflict with our interrelationship with each other and with the natural world. Lord hear us
Lord, on this Sunday – day of rest and recreation - we give thanks for the faith we celebrate in your Son, the Risen Jesus Christ, who has inspired us to gather in thanksgiving and praise. Lord hear us
Lord, may we have the courage to give expression to our faith with practical actions for the betterment of each other and of your creation to ensure the rejuvenation of our common home. Lord hear us
Confession and Assurance
God of challenge and change you call us to be willing to move forward into new things… we confess that all too often we have let our attachment to the past prevent us from following you in the present.
God of challenge and change you call us to continue to study and learn from your word and your world…
We confess that all too often we have let pride or indolence keep us from looking, listening and growing.
God of challenge and change you call us to the risk of standing against what is wrong… we confess that all too often we have let fear or embarrassment keep us from speaking out.
Forgive us for those times when we have dragged our feet stopped-up our minds or looked the other way, and for the damage we have caused in the world by doing so. Help us in the days ahead to make those better choices which honour our responsibilities to the life of your kingdom, and to the earth which is its home. Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
God whose name and law is Love and whose mercy knows no end grant us the assurance of their forgiveness where we have failed, the grace to begin afresh, the humility to keep learning and the wisdom to make better choices in the cause of caring for one another and the world. Amen.
Offering Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus 619 CP
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou the Godhead’s human son: Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring: Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer who makes the troubled heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast.
All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly, wondrously Jesus is found in thee;
none can be nearer,
fairer or dearer
than thou my Saviour, art to me
Prayer over the Gifts
Holy God, accept all we offer you this day. May we who are reconciled at this table bring wholeness to our broken world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer (Anglican Eucharistic Liturgies pg. 304)
God is here
We praise God together
Let us say thank you to God
Who has done so much for us
God, you made us, and the world and everything in it.
All the good we see comes from you.
You have always loved us but people have not always loved you.
You sent Jesus to show us how to live and to bring us back to you again.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Jesus died for us on the cross so that through your Spirit we can all be your people.
And so with thanks we praise you singing
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might Heaven and Earth are full of your glory Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is one that comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the Highest.
We are here because on the night before he died Jesus shared a meal with his friends.
There he took some bread and gave thanks to you, God.
He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them.
“This is my body”, he said.
“Do this and know that I am with you.”
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Later Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you.
Jesus shared it with them, and said
“This is my blood, which brings new life.
Do this and know that I am with you.”
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
And so, remembering Jesus, who died, was raised to new life by you,
and is alive forever, we are glad to share that life and live in him.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and wine
can be for us the body and blood of Jesus,
and through this food give us strength to live as your people.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Help us to care for your world and for each other
in the way that Jesus showed us.
Until he comes again with all your people
in every time and every land we worship you and say:
We praise you.
We thank you.
We bless you. Amen
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. 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 These are the gifts of God for the People of God.
Communion Music/Hymn Instrumental
Peace Is Flowing like a River
Prayer after Communion
God of peace, in this eucharist we have been reconciled to you and to our neighbours. May we who have been nourished by holy things always have the courage to forgive. We ask this 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.
Blessing
May the blessings of the God of Community be with you the blessings of remembrance and celebration, the blessings of hearing and heeding, the blessings of learning and growing, the blessings of nurture and support. And may these blessings flow out through you to bless the creation of which we are a part. Amen
Announcements
Sending Hymn How Firm a Foundation 527 CP
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you who to Jesus for refuge have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply:
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The Dismissal Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God. Alleluia
Postlude Instrumental