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 Thy Word is a Lamp
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn 645 CP Come Down, O Love Divine
Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardor glowing; O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn to dust and ashes in its heat consuming; and let thy glorious light shine ever on my sight, and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
Let holy charity
Mine outward vesture be,
and lowliness become mine inner clothing;
true lowliness of heart,
which takes the humbler part,
and o’er its own short comings weeps with loathing.
And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far out-pass the power of human telling; for none can guess its grace, till they become the place wherein the Holy Spirit finds a dwelling.
Gathering (based on Psalm 75)
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks
People tell of your wonderous deeds
At a set time God will judge all equally
The earth may struggle, people may disappoint but God will stand firm
Together we pray: God most high, slow to anger but great in power: your judgements are strong and sure. Amid fear and chaos, refine our focus and steady our hearts with the assurance of Christ's unfailing love; in whose name we pray. Amen
Collect: Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we find peace in your service, and in the world to come, see you face to face; 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 25.19–34
These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, ‘If it is to be this way, why do I live?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.’ When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterwards his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
When the boys grew up, Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!’ (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ Esau said, ‘I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Psalm 119.105–112 Refrain: Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind.
Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path. I have sworn and am determined to keep your righteous judgements. I am deeply troubled; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, and teach me your judgements.
Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind.
My life is always in my hand, yet I do not forget your law. The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments. Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; truly, they are the joy of my heart. I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes for ever and to the end.
Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind.
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 8.1–11
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Gradual Hymn MV 174 Soil of God
Soil of God, you and I stand ready to bear
seeds of faith nourished by God's tender care.
Growing in everyone for here God is found.
All stand together, we are...Holy Ground
Soil of God, you and I, now ready to be
part of God's promise, for others to see.
Open to everyone for here God is found
All stand together, we are...Holy Ground
Soil of God, you and I, now called to rebirth,
joining as partners with all of the earth.
Living in harmony for here God is found.
All stand together, this is ...Holy Ground
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 13.1–9, 18–23
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’
‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith (from Rex Hunt Liturgies)
We celebrate that where people are gathered together in love God is present and good things happen and life is full.
We celebrate that we are immersed in mystery that our lives are more than they seem that we belong to each other and to a universe of great creative energies, whose source and destiny is God.
We celebrate that the spirit of God beat in the heart of Jesus of Nazareth and God's good news was heard by the broken and wounded.
We are glad that the spirit of peace is present with us, the church, as we gather to celebrate our common existence, and the fidelity of God.
And most deeply we believe that in our struggle to love, we incarnate God in the world.
And so aware of mystery and wonder, caught in friendship and laughter, we become speechless before the joy in our hearts as we celebrate the sacredness of life. Amen
Prayers of the People
(In peace let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”)
For peace from on high and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our Primate, Linda, our metropolitan Greg, our bishop Geoff and for all bishops, clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For Charles our King, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this city (town, village, etc.), for every city and community, and for those who live in them in faith, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For good weather, and for abundant harvests for all to share, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel by land, water, or air, for the sick and the suffering (especially . . . ), for prisoners and captives, and for their safety, health, and salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the absolution and remission of our sins and offences, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died (especially . . . ), let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Remembering ( . . . and) all the saints, we commit ourselves, one another, and our whole life to Christ our God. To you, O Lord.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you, and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together you will hear their requests. Fulfil now our desires and petitions, as may be best for us, granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come eternal life; for you, Father, are good and loving, and we glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, in the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
The Peace
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offertory Hymn Until All Are Fed
How long will we sing? How long will we pray?
How long will we write and send?
How long will we bring? How long will we stay?
How long will we make amends?
REFRAIN
Until all are fed we cry out.
Until all on earth have bread.
Like the One who loves us each & every one...
We serve until all are fed.
How long will we talk? How long will we prod?
How long must we fret and hoard?
How long will we walk to tear down this facade?
How long? How long, O Lord? REFRAIN
How can we stand by and fail to be aghast?
How long 'til we do what's right?
How could we stand by and choose a lesser fast?
How long 'til we see the light? REFRAIN
On the green, green grass they gathered long ago.
To hear what the Master said.
What they had they shared - some fishes and some loaves.
And they served until all were fed. REFRAIN
Prayer over the gifts
God our Creator, your word creates in us a yearning for your kingdom. Receive all we offer you this day, and keep us in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
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 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, 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 (sung: Cameron)
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: Instrumental Jesus It's a Beautiful Day
Prayer after Communion
Living God, in this sacrament we have shared in your eternal kingdom. May we who taste this mystery forever serve you in faith, hope, and love. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the 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 502 You Are Salt for the Earth
You are salt for the earth, O people: Salt for the kingdom of God! Share the flavour of life, O people: Life in the kingdom of God! Chorus Bring forth the kingdom of mercy,
Bring forth the kingdom of peace; Bring forth the kingdom of justice, Bring forth the city of God! You are a light on the hill, O people: Light for the city of God! Shine so holy and bright, O people: Shine for the kingdom of God! Chorus You are a seed of the Word, O people: Bring forth the kingdom of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice Grow in the kingdom of God! Chorus We are a blest and a pilgrim people Bound for the kingdom of God! Love our journey and love our homeland: Love is the kingdom of God! Chorus
The Dismissal
Let us take on this week’s life
with renewed hope and imagination...
In our lives, may we know the holy meaning, the mystery that breaks into it every moment. May we live at peace with our world and at peace with ourselves.
Thanks be to God. Amen. Alleluia
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