Welcome to St. Paul’s Anglican, Fort Garry! Here you’ll find the order of service for Sunday, June 13, 2021. The service will be on our YouTube page by Sunday morning.
Prelude
Variations on Puer Nobis Nascitur – Organ Solo
Acknowledgement (An act towards reconciliation)
For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.
We acknowledge the Indigenous People of Canada, past, present, emerging, and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
Welcome
Welcome home to St. Paul’s as we gather together on this day, at this time, in this place may we recognise and affirm:
the pieces of possibility,
the bits of good, we bring,
allowing our individual gifts to weave a patchwork of celebration and justice.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Gathering Hymn
He Plants Me Like A Seed (Dottie Rambo, David Huntsinger)
He plants me like a seed and watches as I grow
He waters me with love and shields me from the cold
My tender leaves may bend beneath the storms and wind
But comes the morning sun I’m growing strong again.
He plants me like a seed beneath the fertile land
My roots grow strong and deep while tended by God’s hand
And soon the branch will bear the harvest sweet and fair
The creator smiles to see the fruit from one small seed.
Gathering Sentences (loosely based on the hymn: Go-between God)
Go between God, spirit of Jesus who reaches and welcomes everyone across all that we believe would divide us
Help us to be bridge builders and those who make connections where prejudice tries to take hold
Let us look around and see the value in the colours and cultures that are new to our landscape of habit and thought
Let us find the treasure of the new traditions and be open to new insights and ways of thinking
Let us find truths from others and share wisdom wherever it shines
Let us understand that we may have different pathways of worship but God is not limited by the human mind
Let us accept the revelations of science so that it enhances life but does not destroy the beauty of God’s creation
Let us be artists, living love without labels and willing to stand in places where Jesus would go.
Together We pray:
Calling God, you have gathered us into this community. A place has been made for each of us. Let what we say and do here be real for us and honest to your creativity, and prepare us for the life of the world. May it be so.
The Proclamation of the Word
PSALM 20
Refrain: We will call on the name of the Lord our God.
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble, the name of the God of Jacob defend you; send you help from the holy place of the Lord and strengthen you out of Zion; remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice; grant you your heart’s desire and prosper all your plans.
We will call on the name of the Lord our God.
We will shout for joy at your victory and triumph in the name of our God; may the Lord grant all your requests. Now I know that you, O Lord, give victory to your anointed, whom you will answer out of the heavenly realms with the victorious strength of your mighty hand.
We will call on the name of the Lord our God.
Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall down, but we will arise and stand upright. O Lord, give victory to your anointed and answer us when we call.
We will call on the name of the Lord our God.
A READING FROM THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS (5:1-17)
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn
We Walk By Faith (CP 244)
We walk by faith and not by sight;
No gracious words we hear
Of Him who as none e'er spoke;
Yet we believe Him near.
We may not touch His hands and side,
nor follow where He trod;
Yet in His promise we rejoice
And cry "My Lord and God"!
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
And our faith abound,
To call on you when you are near,
And seek where you are found:
That when our life of faith is done,
In realms of clearer light
We may behold you as you are,
In full and endless sight.
THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MARK (4:26-34)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
The Homily
An Affirmation of Faith
We are not alone (Uniting in Worship 2)
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God
The Offering Hymn
Soil of God (MV 174)
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.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of reconciliation and forgiveness, the saving work of Christ has made our peace with you. May that work grow toward its perfection in all we offer you this day. We ask this in his name. Amen
The Prayers of Intercession (lutherancore.com)
As we gather our thoughts and focus our prayers, we offer this time and this space to all to bring their
joys and concerns.
Remembering that in joy and in sorrow we do not walk alone. (we take this flame and light our candle...)
For ourselves, for those that we will name or remember, 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 presence of the sacred among us, and to see new possibilities of the now.
Thank you, dear Lord, for making your Kingdom begin so humbly in our midst! Thank you for making it a place of welcome and shelter for all, even for nesting birds. Make our faith and love grow like cedar sprigs and mustard seeds, to your glory and for the good of our neighbor.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Clothe your Church with the beauty, holiness, and righteousness of Christ. Make it a lovely dwelling- place for all people. Grant that its words and deeds may bear the fruit which you desire, and which last unto eternity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift before you the plight of Christians around the world who are persecuted for your Name’s sake. Let their suffering yield a rich harvest of faith, love, and forgiveness. Shield and defend your missionaries, especially when they are met with hostility and rejection.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Plant this congregation firmly in Christ, our living water. May we abide in his love, share his forgiveness, teach his commandments, and share in his righteousness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless those who graduated from college and university and those who will graduate from high school with wisdom and uprightness of heart. Fulfil in them the Psalmist’s words, and make them like trees planted beside streams of living water.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give to all who suffer the refreshing waters of your compassion and healing. We remember especially our first nations people who carry the burden of the residential schools and the grim reminder of all that was lost with the revelation of 215 graves of children, the first of many devastations to be revealed. Help all who suffer to dwell in the safety of your care even in the midst of all that troubles them. We take this time to especially remember those who have asked us to pray for them and we pray for ourselves and our country as we grapple with our history that is being slowly revealed. Help us to speak words of encouragement and offer deeds of kindness to all who are in need. Bring us, with them, into the unending joy of your Kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you for gathering into the spacious branches of your heavenly Kingdom all the redeemed who have gone before us, especially those we love and miss the most. Grant that we may always find refreshment in your Word, blessing in your Sacraments, guidance in your Spirit, and forgiveness in Jesus, so that, with all your people, we may be gathered into the welcoming shelter of your embrace and may abide there in joy forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer Sung
The Collect
Almighty God, without you we are not able to please you. Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Blessing (Rex Hunt Liturgies)
Go boldly into the future which has been claimed by God.
Know that the God who holds all things will be there,
that Christ who calls us friend will walk beside us,
and the Spirit who makes all things new
will mark our way with light and hope.
Amen. May it be so.
Closing Hymn
One More Step Around the World (VU 639)
One more step along the world I go.
One more step along the world I go.
From the old things to the new
keep me traveling along with you.
And it's from the old I travel to the new.
Keep me traveling along with you.
Round the corners of the world I turn.
More and more about the world I learn.
All the new things that I see
you'll be looking at along with me.
And it's from the old I travel to the new.
Keep me traveling along with you.
As I travel through the bad and good
keep me traveling the way I should.
Where I see no way to go,
you'll be telling me the way, I know.
And it's from the old I travel to the new.
Keep me traveling along with you.
Give me courage when the world is rough.
Keep me loving though the world is tough.
Leap and sing in all I do.
Keep me traveling along with you.
And it's from the old I travel to the new.
Keep me traveling along with you.
You are older than the world can be.
You are younger than the life in me.
Ever old and ever new,
keep me traveling along with you.
And it's from the old I travel to the new.
Keep me traveling along with you.
The Dismissal
Let us go in faith to ponder in our hearts
the mystery and the wonder of this season...
There is hope.
Our God is a God of life, and the power of the Holy Spirit permeates all creation.
To live according to the Spirit is to embrace its presence in all creation. Thanks be to God. Alleluia
Postlude
Dreams and Visions (SS5)
As a dream receive your history
From the martyrs and the saints.
Let their story be your story,
Yours the laughter, yours the pain.
Chorus
We will rise, we will rise,
We will rise up on wings like eagles,
Run and not be tired.
Show us your dreams and visions,
Warm our hearts with tongues of fire,
Tongues of fire.
God, we stumble in the darkness,
We cry for visions in these days.
Pour on us your living spirit,
In all ways, always.
Chorus
Jesus, save your nomad people,
Bring us face to face with you.
Start in us a new creation,
Christ be with us as we go.
Chorus