September 30, 2018 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Welcome! We bid you a very warm welcome to our worship. As we gather in this sacred space, silent prayer and reflection helps us to prepare for the service. We acknowledge our presence is on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired during the service; please contact one of our greeters. Prelude Words of welcome Meditation on Bunessan Please rise as you are able to sing our opening Hymn No. 440, in Common Praise. 1 For all your blessings, Jesus, we praise you, gracious in mercy, strong in console. You to our need bring comfort and healing, love and forgiveness, making us whole. 2 Daily around us, pain and confusion crumble our feeble faith into dust. Yet still we find your love in the darkness, changing our anxious thoughts into trust. 3 We carry with us into your presence prisoners of sickness, sadness and fear; grant them to know your peace in their sufferings and new life flowing, for you are near. 2
+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. Let us pray. 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. Please rise as you are able to sing Hymn No 365 in Common Praise 1 Glory to God on high, and peace to all on earth. We worship you, we give you thanks, our heavenly King. We give you praise, almighty God and Father blessed in glory bright. 2 Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Father s only Son, the sacrificial Lamb, who saves the world from sin, have mercy Lord. Beside the Father s hand enthroned, now hear our prayer. 3 You only are the Lord. You only are most high. You only are the Holy one, Lord Jesus Christ. And now you reign with Father and with Spirit one in glorious light. Let us pray. O God, pour out your Spirit over all the world and inspire every heart with knowledge and love of you. May we who confess Jesus as Lord set aside whatever obscures this faith, so that our witness to 3
your love may shine clearly in all our days, for with him you live and reign in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Children s focus Please remain seated for a reading from the Book of Esther (Ch 7.1-6, 9-10; 9.20-22) So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled. Then Queen Esther answered, If I have won your favour, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me that is my petition and the lives of my people that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king. Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this? Esther said, A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman! Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman s house, fifty cubits high. And the king said, Hang him on that. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the anger of the king abated. Mordecai recorded these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year, as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness 4
Reader and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s people. Thanks be to God. Please remain seated to chant Psalm 124 Cantor sings Refrain sing Refrain Choir only 1 If the Lord had not been on our side, * let Is-ra- el now say; 2 if the Lord had not been on our side, * when enemies rose up against us; 3 then would they have swallowed us up a- live * in their fierce anger toward us; 4 then would the waters have over-whelmed us * and the torrent gone over us; 5 then would the raging waters * have gone right over us. sing Refrain Choir only 6 Blessed be the Lord * who has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; * the snare is broken, and we have es- caped. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, * the maker of heav- en and earth. sing Refrain 5
Please remain seated for a reading from the Letter of James (Ch 5.13-20) Reader Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s people. Thanks be to God. Please rise as you are able to sing our Gradual Hymn No 615 in Common Praise 1 Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 2 Just as I am, poor wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need, I thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 3 Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 6
4 Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. We remain standing and turn to face the Deacon Deacon Deacon Deacon Deacon eluia, alleluia, alleluia. eluia, alleluia, alleluia. Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life. eluia, alleluia, alleluia. The Lord be with you. And also with you. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to St Mark. (Chapter 9.38-50) Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. John said to him, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us. But Jesus said, Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is 7
Deacon Sermon Silence for reflection Please rise as you are able better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. The Gospel of Christ. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 5 Just as I am - thy love unknown has broken every barrier down - now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. The Venerable John Stephens Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say, 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 to 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. 8
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. Please remain standing or kneel for our prayers At the conclusion of the Prayers of the People Intercessor Confession and Absolution Silence is kept Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mary the mother of Jesus, and St John the Beloved, our patron and all the saints we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love. Merciful God: Accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; God welcomes sinners and invites us to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God s forgiveness. Most merciful God, 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, 9
and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen. 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. Please rise as you are able for the Peace Please exchange a sign of peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. During the singing of Hymn No 502 in Common Praise, a collection will be taken. Refrain: 1 You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the kingdom of God! Share the flavor of life, O people: life in the kingdom of God! Bring forth the kingdom of mercy, bring forth the kingdom of peace; bring forth the kingdom of justice, bring forth the city of God! 2 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! Refrain 3 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! Refrain 10
Prayer over the gifts 4 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! Refrain Eternal God, in Jesus Christ we behold your glory. Receive the offering of your people gathered before you, and open our hearts and mouths to praise your great salvation, the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. In fulfilment of your promise you pour forth your Spirit upon us, filling us with gifts and leading us into all truth. You give us power to proclaim your gospel to all nations and to serve you as a royal priesthood. Therefore we join our voices with angels and archangels, and with all those in whom the Spirit dwells, to proclaim the glory of your name. 11
We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, 12
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. Therefore, according to his command, we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory; and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; 13
through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen. And now as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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. I am the bread which has come down from heaven, says the Lord. Give us this bread for ever. I am the vine, you are the branches. May we dwell in him, as he lives in us. The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. 14
We invite all baptized Christians to receive Communion at our altar. If you wish to receive a blessing please come at the same time. Intinction is not permitted as it contaminates the wine. It is acceptable to receive either bread or wine only. If you are unable to make your way to the altar please ask a sidesperson to have Communion brought to you. Gluten free wafers are available. The sacrament of healing is available in the side chapel during Communion. Anthem Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring J. S. Bach Please rise as you are able We sit for the notices O God, strengthen the unity of your Church, so that we who have been fed with holy things may fulfil your will in the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen. 15
Please rise as you are able for the Blessing The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. We sing our final Hymn No 645 in Common Praise 1 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. 2 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. 3 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 shortcomings weeps with loathing. 4 And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far outpass the power of human telling; for none can guess its grace, till they become the place wherein the Holy Spirit finds a dwelling. 16
Dismissal Deacon Postlude Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God. Voluntary on Saints The organ postlude is to uplift us as we go out into the world. Please refrain from applauding. Please join us in the Trendell Lounge for refreshments. 17
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St John s Shaughnessy Anglican Church 1490 Nanton Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2E2 Telephone (604) 731-4966 (ex 11 for office) email: church@sjs.net web: www.sjs.net Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 3:00pm CCLI License # 143069. Copyright 2004 by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. rights reserved. Reproduced under license from ABC Publishing, Anglican Book Centre, a ministry of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, from Anglican Liturgical Library. Rector The Venerable John Stephens john.stephens@sjs.net (on sabbatical) Assistant The Reverend Liz Hamel liz.hamel@sjs.net Deacon The Reverend Dr. Pitman Potter pbpotter@live.ca Pastoral Care Team Coordinator Helen Kline Rector s Warden Judith Downes People s Warden Maggie Sanders Treasurer Donald Wood Property Trustee Peter Kidd Vestry Clerk The Reverend Karin Fulcher Music Director Michael Dirk organist@sjs.net Choir Director Ann Chen Children s Ministry Vacant Parish Administrator Janet Hamilton PWRDF Rep Doug Symons Sacristan and MC Paul Bunnell (on sick leave) Verger/caretaker Amy Thorogood Sunday services 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10:00am Sung Eucharist Wednesday service 9:30am Holy Communion Cover: Photo of the SJS organ by Michael Dirk. 19
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