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 Instrumental
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn 86 CP More Than We Can Ask or Imagine
More than we can ask or imagine, more than we can ever dare to dream, we are the children of heaven’s creation, God’s own beloved, each called by name. And we cry, Glory! Glory! Glory to God who calls us by name! Glory! Glory! Glory to God! Glory we sing! More than we will ever imagine, more than we will ever understand; we are sent to walk with compassion, to live out God’s love by heart and by hand. And we cry, Glory! Glory! Glory to God who presses us on! Glory! Glory! Glory to God! Glory our song! More than we can ask or imagine, more than we could ever desire; out of the dust God’s building a kingdom,
like wine from the press, like bread from the fire. And we cry, Glory! Glory! Glory to God! Glory we cry! Glory! Glory! Glory on Earth, Glory on high! Glory! Glory! Glory to God! Glory we cry! Glory! Glory! Glory on earth! Glory on high! Glory on earth! Glory on high!
Gathering sentences
God calls to us, leaping over obstacles, reaching out to each of us
As swift as the young in our midst God looks on, reaching out and calling us
God reminds us to arise and rejoice in the beauty of summer
Stop and enjoy the beauty all around us
God reminds us in summer to dance and sing
To hear the voices of nature in the rustle of the leaves, in the song of the birds, in the laughter and merriment of those who gather for celebrations
God calls to us in the beauty of nature and the blooms that open and unfold
We stop, listen, breathe and smell the fragrance of God in our very midst.
God calls to us to arise and to rejoice in God’s presence all around us
Loving God, we give you thanks for all that you have entrusted to us. Help us to remember the beauty of each season, to work, rest, play and in all things, we offer worship to you.
Holy God, we know that you are always speaking— through strangers and friends, through sunrise and sunset, through random acts of kindness and feelings that stir hope awake in us. We know that you speak through dreams and prayer, through a still, small voice and bursts of overwhelming joy. We know that you are always speaking, but we also know that we are inclined to miss it. Settle our spirits now to hear your word fully. We want to be part of the conversation. Gratefully we pray, Amen.
Collect
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has taught us that what we do for the least of your children we do also for him. Give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, who gave up his life and died for us, but 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 24.34–38, 42–49, 58–67
So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, “You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.”
‘I came today to the spring, and said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,’ and who will say to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.”
‘Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water-jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, “Please let me drink.” She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, “Drink, and I will also water your camels.” So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.” So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.’ And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ She said, ‘I will.’ So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, ‘May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads;
may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.’ Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, ‘Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?’ The servant said, ‘It is my master.’ So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Living word of God live in our hearts today
Psalm 45.11–18 Refrain Our help is in the name of the Lord.
The king will have pleasure in your beauty; he is your master; therefore do him honour. The people of Tyre are here with a gift; the rich among the people seek your favour.”
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold. In embroidered apparel she is brought to her sovereign; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession. With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the royal palace.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
“In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; you shall make them princes over all the earth. I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.”
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 7.15–25a
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.
Living Word of God live in our lives today
Gradual Hymn 508 CP I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, so weary and worn and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light; look unto me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun; and in that light of life I’ll walk, till travelling days are done.
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 11.16–19, 25–30
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’
At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith (from a Sanctified Art, …I’ve been meaning to ask)
We believe that God is a conversationalist,
drawing close to us and asking,
“What do you need?
Where does it hurt?
Who do you long to be?”
We see this conversational God in Jesus Christ,
God’s own flesh,
who walked the earth
speaking with the poor,
the hungry, the lonely,
and the outcast.
Therefore, we believe that our call
as people of faith
is to continue this holy conversation
with those who look and think like us,
as well as with those who share little in common with us.
We believe that through these conversations,
we are able to catch a glimpse
of the Kin-dom of God,
so we continue the conversation in hope. Amen.
Prayers of the People (from Rev. Gal Blogs)
Holy and Gracious God, we give thanks for all the blessings of this life. For, the degree to which we know freedom and justice, for the leaders of our nations for the those who strive to bring peace into the world, may we know your mercy and act with compassion.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We give thanks for family, friends, and those care for us. May we know your love in them, through them. May those we know and love, be safe this day, protected from all trials, comforted in strife, healed in illness of mind, body, or spirit.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We give thanks for this earth, the various lands we live in and on, for water, that it may be clean for those who need water, for those struggling with drought, wildfires, forest fires, or an over abundance of water, may they know balance and relief.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We give thanks for food, that all may be well fed, that those who are in need, will be satisfied, that those who have plenty will share, that all will be filled and nourished.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We give thanks for our health, and ask your blessing on those who suffer for any cause. May they be comforted.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We give thanks for the gift of Jesus, your love in the world, who comes to share our burdens, that they may be light. Amen.
The Peace
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offering Hymn 430 CP Will You Come and Follow Me
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known? Will you let my life be grown in you, and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare, should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen? And admit to what I mean in you, and you in me?
Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell that fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around through my sight and touch and sound in you, and you in me?
Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I'll go, where your love and footsteps show, thus I'll move and live and grow in you, and you in me.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of heaven and earth, receive our sacrifice of praise, and strengthen us for the perfect freedom of your service, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Church of Nigeria page 134 Anglican Eucharistic Liturgies
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.
It is indeed right; it is our duty and joy
at all times and in all places
to give You thanks and praise
Holy Father, heavenly king,
Almighty and eternal God
through Jesus Christ Your only Son our Lord,
for he is your living Word;
through him you have created all things
from the beginning,
and formed us in Your own image.
Through Jesus you have freed us
from the slavery of sin,
giving Jesus to be born as a human
and to die upon the cross;
You raised him from the dead
and exalted him to your right hand on high,
through him you have sent upon us
Your holy and life-giving Spirit,
and made us a people for Your own possession.
And now because today
You have gathered us together as this eucharistic feast
so that we may be renewed in love joy and peace.
Therefore, with angels and archangels
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim Your great and glorious name,
forever praising you and saying
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.
Accept our praises heavenly Father, through
Your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;
and as we follow his example
and obey his command,
grant that by the power of Your Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us His body and blood;
who in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
He broke it and gave it to his disciples saying:
“Take eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me,”
in the same way, after supper,
he took the cup and gave You thanks,
he gave it to them, saying:
“Drink this all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Therefore, heavenly Father,
we remember his offering of Himself
made once for all upon the cross;
and proclaim his mighty resurrection
and glorious ascension.
As we look for his coming in glory,
we celebrate with this bread and this cup
his one perfect sacrifice.
Accept through him, our great high Priest,
this our sacrifice of thanks and praise:
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by Your Spirit,
inspire us with Your love,
and unite us in the body of Your son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through Him and with Him and in Him,
by the power of the Holy Spirit
with all who stand before you
on earth and in heaven,
we worship You, Father Almighty,
in songs of everlasting praise.
Blessing and honour and glory and power be Yours for ever and ever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Passionate God
Come Unto Me, All Who are Weary
Prayer after Communion
O God, may we who have shared in holy things never fail to serve you in your world, and so come to the fullness of joy, in the name of Jesus Christ our 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 710 VU Shall We Gather at the River
Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod; with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
Ere we reach the shining river, lay we ev'ry burden down; grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]
Soon we'll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease; soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. [Refrain]
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God. Amen. Alleluia!
Postlude: Invitation - Tune In
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