Fifth Sunday After Pentecost June 19, 2016 St. John s Anglican Church Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Celebrating 263 years of faith Rector: Archdeacon Michael H. Mitchell To all who mourn or need comfort, To all who are weary and need rest, To all who seek friendship, To all who desire to grow in relationship with God To all who yearn to pray, To all who need a Saviour, And to all whoever will worship, This Church of St. John s opens wide its doors and in the name of Christ our Lord, says - WELCOME. Rector s Message Welcome to St. John s on this beautiful weekend, as we also celebrate Father s Day. We wish all Father s and those who love with a father s love a very happy and relaxing day. In the old Testament, the great prophet Elijah is discouraged and feels abandoned by God. Although he has done great things in God s name, and has restored the faith of the people in God s power, he himself is depleted and depressed. Oft times, as we do the Lord s work and give to family, work and the community, we can find ourselves depleted and discouraged. God s question to Elijah is poignant: What are you doing here? We might find ourselves asking, What are we doing here in our lives? Are we loving and serving others for God s sake or for another motive? God tells Elijah that he will come to him along come a great storm, a great wind, earthquake and fire pass by, but God is not found in them. Then there is a calm at first a frightening calm and God is found there, in the still calm. Elijah is strengthened and renewed and God sends him on his way to continue to work on his behalf. Friends, we gather today to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. In the midst of the storms and fires of life, we come together as God s people to worship and praise, to hear and listen, to sing and take bread and wine, to share confession and absolution and the gift of the peace of the Lord. Psalm 46 sums it up: Be still and know that I am God. Michael+ Several have asked for the wording of the Poster which I referred to in last Sunday s Sermon. Here it is. The first to apologize is the BRAVEST. The first to Forgive is the STRONGEST. The first to forget is the HAPPIEST. Flowers placed in church today for Father s Day are In Loving Memory of Alex Green from wife Sharon and children Jamie, Jeff, Denise and families. 2
Prelude: The Holy Eucharist Please stand for Processional Hymn Processional Hymn #7 New Every Morning is the Love The Gathering of the Community All All The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And also with you. Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Glory To God Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen! The Collect of the Day Celebrant Let us pray. The celebrant then sings or says the collect. O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen. 3 The Proclamation of the Word A READING FROM THE BOOK OF KINGS Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus." The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 1 KINGS 19:1-4 (5-7), 8-15A PSALM 42 REFRAIN When shall I come to appear before the presence of God? As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long they say to me, "Where now is your God!" R I pour out my soul when I think on these things: how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God, With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, among those who keep holy-day. R 4
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God; for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. R My soul is heavy within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon. One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; all your rapids and floods have gone over me. R The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I will say to the God of my strength, "Why have you forgotten me? and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?" R While my bones are being broken, my enemies mock me to my face; All day long they mock me and say to me, "Where now is your God?" R Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God; for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. R A READING FROM THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham s offspring, heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:23-29 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Hymn #542 Out of the Depths THE GOSPEL Reader The Lord be with you. People And also with you. THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE People Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds. Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; 5 and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him. LUKE 8:26-39 The Gospel of Christ. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Sermon The Apostles Creed Archdeacon Michael I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended t o the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The Prayers of the People Please kneel or sit as you are able. Response: Lord, hear our prayer. A Prayer for Orlando Compassionate God and Father of all, We are horrified at violence In so many parts of the world. It seems that none are safe, And some are terrified. Hold back the hands that kill and maim, Turn around the hearts that hate. Grant instead your strong Spirit of Peace Peace that passes our understanding But changes lives, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 6
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: We pray for The Church of North India (United) The Most Revd Pradeep Samantaroy, Moderator of CNI & Bishop of Amritsar. Diocesan Cycle: We pray for St. Paul s, Halifax, Rev Dr. Paul Friesen and Janet Rev Canon Gordon Redden, Hon. Assistant, and Mary Lu Rev Neale Bennet, Hon. Assistant, and Sharon; Rev Debra Burleson, Hon. Assistant, and Chris; Trinity, Halifax, Rev Leonard Bednar; Emmanuel, Spryfield, Rev Rev Gloria McClure Fraser, Priest-in-Charge, and Carl; St. Peter s, Birch Cove, Rev David Dellapinna, and Beverley. Local Ministerial: We pray for the congregation of St. Norbert s Roman Catholic Church and Father James MacDonald, OMI. Fisheries: Adams & Knickle - Maude Adams; Clearwater - Atlantic Preserver; Lunar Fisheries - Dual Venture Confession and Absolution Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; God welcomes sinners and invites them to the table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God s forgiveness. Silence is kept. Most merciful God, All we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen. Celebrant Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon + and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Peace All All stand, and the celebrant addresses the people. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. We greet one another in the name of the Lord. The Celebration of the Eucharist Offertory Hymn #540 Just As the Deer 7 Representatives of the parish present the gifts of bread and wine for the Eucharist. Each one as they are able, makes an offering to the Lord for the needs and responsibilities of the Church to be placed on the altar. The Prayer Over The Gifts Read by celebrant Eternal God, you have made our Saviour Jesus Christ the head of all creation. Receive all we offer you this day and renew us in his risen life, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving - Eucharistic Prayer #1 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 that we should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things. You formed us in your own image: male and female you created us. When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us, but opened a path of salvation for all people. You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom; through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation. Therefore, with all your saints who have served you in every age, we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name. # 689 Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need. In all things he fulfilled your gracious will. On the night he freely gave himself to death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, 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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. 8
Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death; by raising him to life you give us life for evermore. Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection, and looking for his coming again in glory, we offer you, Father, this bread and this cup. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be one body and one holy people, a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. People Amen. The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Breaking of the Bread The celebrant breaks the consecrated bread for distribution, and says: Creator of all, you gave us golden fields of wheat, whose many grains we have gathered and made into this one bread. All So may your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. The celebrant invites the people to share in communion and may say, The gifts of God for the People of God. All Thanks be to God. The Communion #690 Jesus Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace; grant us peace. The sacrament is given with the following words. The body of Christ (given for you). The blood of Christ (shed for you). The communicant responds each time, Amen. This community of faith, welcomes to the Lord s table all who wish to be nourished with the Body and Blood of Christ. 9 Communion Hymn #73 One Bread, One Body Announcements Prayer After Communion All your works praise you, O Lord. And your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, bring life to others; we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Blessing & Dismissal May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father + the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Recessional Hymn #441 Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FATHERS John Black and Frederick Hyson from daughter and son Heather & Oran Hyson and family Wecelebratehismemoryandrejoiceintheknowledgethat heisatpeacewiththelord,yeteverclosetous. LAY MINISTERS TODAY Lay Readers: 8:30 am Barbara Eisenhauer 10:30 am Sharon Green, Roger Demone, Charlene Demone Lectors: 8:30 am Laura Roblee, Maureen Moffatt 10:30am Holly Mitchell, Robert MacMillan Sidespersons: Velvet & Les Eliuk; Server: Aisling Curtin Hostesses: Betty Lou Olivier, Lillian Keeping NEXT SUNDAY JUNE 26 TH Lay Readers: 8:30 am Barbara Eisenhauer 10:30 am Sharon Green, Roger Demone, Charlene Demone Lectors: 8:30 am Roxie & Ben Smith 10:30am Hazel Oliver, Kevin Skinner Sidespersons & Hosts: Velvet & Les Eliuk; Server: Aisling Curtin 10
FATHER S DAY MEMORIALS IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Samuel Savory from daughter, Carolyn Tanner Oliver Francis, Loving father from Barbara, Raymond and Hubert Jack Mitchell and William Kulyk from Michael and Holly Mitchell Stuart Demone and Murray Stoddard from Brian, Karen and family Murray Stoddard from daughter, Betty, Bob and family William Cluett from Beverly, Richard, Rachel Jane and grandchildren Our Fathers and Grandfathers from Jane, Wilfred and family Harold Demone from Charlotte, Suzanne and Rick Fred Oliver from Hazel and family My Father Owen B. Smith from Ben Smith Basil Brownless from wife Mary Arthur Skinner and Loved Ones from Carrie and family Newman May from the family John A.G. (Jack) Saunders, D. Andrew Eisenhauer and John W. Oxner from their family Our dear father, Charles Buckmaster from daughters, Joyce and Sylvia John Osmond from Gill and family Edward Hansen from David, Selina and grandchildren Stanley Skinner from Rose, Terry, Jeffrey and family NOTICES The Annual Service for Residents of Harbour View Haven, hosted by the Ladies Guild takes place at St. John s Church on Wednesday, June 22 nd at 2pm. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend. Music Announcement: All are invited to attend a new series of musical events at St. John s called Wednesdays at Noon. This series is an outgrowth of our Music and Meditation Series which has been enjoyed by many people over the past several years. Our Wednesdays at Noon series features friends of St. John s music program - half hour presentations every Wednesday at noon through the summer months. CNIB VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Are you interested in lending a hand and eyes for a couple of hours a week to help a person living with vision loss? Email jeff.deviller@cnib.ca for more information! 11 Parish Contacts RECTOR: Archdeacon Michael H. Mitchell email: rectorlunenburg@eastlink.ca 902-634-8477 SECRETARY: Mary Wagner PARISH OFFICE: 902-634-4994 email: stjohnslunenburg@bellaliant.com; WEB: www.stjohnslunenburg.org PRIEST ASSISTANT: (on leave) Rev. Louis Quennelle 902-527-0122 louisq@eastlink.ca HONORARY ASSOCIATES: Rev. Linda Macdonald 634-9473, Rev. Oliver Osmond 634-8589, Rev. Alvin Westgate 640-2484 PARISH WARDENS Heather Eisenhauer 902-634-4713 Duncan Crowdis 902-521-9724 CHAIR OF PARISH COUNCIL Heather Eisenhauer 902-634-4713 ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR Barbara Butler 902-624-0506 HAND BELLS Sharon Hill 902-634-8781 HONORARY ORGANIST James Aulenbach CHIMER Peter Allen 902-634-4668 TREASURER Cammy Tibbo 902-530-6034 ALTAR GUILD Maureen Moffatt, Ann Grandy, Barbara Simonds PASTORAL VISITATION PRAYER & HEALING MINISTRY Holly Mitchell 902-634-8477 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT HERITAGE Roger Demone 902-543-5753 MUSIC Jane Ritcey Moore 902-275-4834 PROPERTY Wayne Dodge 902-634-4885 LADIES GUILD Susan MacMillan 902-634-3019 ACW Barbara Nowe 902-634-4473 ACW CATERING Patty Tanner 543-3474 LAY READERS Roger Demone 543-5753 SERVERS Sheila Morris 902-634-3713 HAPPY FATHER S DAY To all the fathers in our parish, we extend our good wishes for a wonderful day. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! 12 SUNDAY SCHOOL & NURSERY Rena Demone 902-634-9644 TOURS Peter Allen 902-634-4668 CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Mary Meisner 902-634-8429 FOOD BANK Laura Roblee 902-521-4823 MEALS ON WHEELS Laura Roblee 902-521-4823, Barbara Simonds 902-634-3319 PLANNED GIVING Jim Eisenhauer 902-634-4713 PWRDF Velvet Eliuk 902-640-2332 REGIONAL COUNCIL Mary Meisner, Velvet Eliuk, Betty Lou Olivier SAFER CHURCH Duncan Crowdis 902-640-2214 SYNOD DELEGATES Holly Mitchell, Mary Wagner CUSTODIAN Paul Woodley 902-212-1890 SEXTON Paul Woodley 212-1890 NEWSLETTER Janice & Brian Kenefick 902-764-2145 WEBSITE Grant Dixon 902-640-2897