As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

John 14.13  

 I will do whatever
you ask in my name, says the Lord,
so that the
Father may be glorified in the Son.  

Gathering

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. 

Collect for Today
O God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that great shepherd of the sheep;
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
make us perfect in every good work to do your will,
and work in us that which is well-pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.    Amen.

Collect for St. Philip & St. James             
Almighty God,
you gave to your apostles, Philip and James,
grace and strength to bear witness to the truth.
Grant that we, mindful of their victory of faith,
may glorify in life and death the name of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen. 

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

John 16. 6-14 

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of
our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord.  Amen.

       “Servanthood"

Two choices for Scripture readings today.

• Those for the 4th Sunday after Easter, more commonly known in our liturgy as 'Good Shepherd Sunday'.                

• The second, reflects my ordination as "Deacon in the Church of God" 34 years ago today, the Eve of the Feast of St. Philp and St. James, apostles.

The event took place in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in the Cathedral Church of St. Alban.

It is not difficult to join the dots from 'the Good Shepherd' theme to that of 'the apostles'.

Certainly, ordination, not to be presumptuous, has a direct connection to that of shepherding, and that of apostleship.          

The reason, I suggested this date to Bishop Morgan was: my home parish, in my adult life was St. Philip’s, Medstead, a small parish in rural Saskatchewan, north of North Battleford.

This gives you a geographical setting.

It was my way of honouring that community in their identification of, and affirming, my call to a vocation in ordained ministry.          

Only after my choosing of the day, and the assigned research of the significance of the apostles Philip and James, did I begin to identify more with them, in the road being laid out in front of me.

With this came the challenge to, in some manner, honour their lives in my life.

Like, what does it mean to be an apostle?          

A little about Philip:

• The 3rd person singled out by Jesus for apostleship.

• One of his first works, in being an apostle, was to bring his friend Nathanael into the fold.

• Philip was not the one to sit back in silence with the burning questions.

• Like how, Jesus, are you going to feed all these people, even with our help?

• Even at Jesus’ 'Farewell Discourse', Philip has these questions which prompt Jesus, to once again, take a moment to teach.

• Then in the Gospel today we have this dialogue:

• Jesus says: I am the way, the truth, and the life.

  Philip, in Philip’s way, says, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

  To which Jesus responds: 'You mean I’ve been with you all this time, and you still have your doubts about me?' (My words).

The Gospel ends with these words today:

'Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works I do, and in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If, in my name, you ask me for anything, I will do it.          

I am not sure how I heard those words 34 years ago. For today, I have two reflections:

1. I trust I have been faithful in fulfilling my apostolic ministry: in living out the words of our Lord, which, I hope, have been reflected in my life.

2. I know I have been able to do far more than I could have ever imagined.

   Jesus--people-- the parish-- have taken me to far more places, and experiences, than I could have ever imagined.  

The prophet Isaiah speaks of God 'waiting to be gracious to us'.  

I am reminded of the 16 years which God spent waiting on me, to make the move to begin a journey to ordained ministry. A journey which, I now recognize, really began at my baptism.  

At the same time, I now understand each one of us on this same journey: a journey which began at our baptism. 

In all those intervening years, between first being 'identified as a possible route to ordination', how gracious God has been in my life!   

Indeed, how gracious God is in all of our lives, even in the midst of our times of doubt!

God never lets go of us!

Our human problem, in all of this, is a small word called 'patience', or the lack of it.

How often, we desire for God to work more quickly.  

This brings us to the concept of Mercy.

'God be merciful to us'; how often have we heard this lament!

For it is by God’s mercy we are engaged in ministry.

Ministry in the total inclusiveness of ministry.

Every parish is filled with ministers. You are all ministers of the gospel. Many lay, and only a few ordained.

I believe, we are all set aside into our special ministry, not just the ordained.  

One of the greatest understandings of ministry is 'our baptismal work', whatever the task-- preaching, setting up chairs, working in the kitchen, altar guild, men’s breakfast, women’s ministry, -- each is engaging in 'the proclamation of Jesus Christ'.  

Yes, our light, is the constant light of Christ shining out of darkness.  

If I was asked to describe myself, it would be 'one who has a romance' with the sustaining power of our history. And the sustaining power of Christ, when he says if you ask me to anything in my name, I will do.  All of history, the good and the bad.'

One of my 'soap boxes in ministry' continues to be 'to celebrate, by giving thanks for all the support we have in the affirming work of the prophets’ and apostles’ teachings.'   

In our Collect for today, we asked God to make us 'mindful of the victory' of faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Make us faithful in being the good shepherds of our community.  

A few years ago, I did a preaching series on The Good Shepherd Psalm – Psalm 23.  

The opening words compel us to reflect on our faith: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Do we truly live that out in the way that we live our lives? Believing that the Lord has provided?  That the Lord is with us?  

In two months, this parish will reflect on our Patron Saint, St. John the Baptist.

Today, we are reflecting on the ministry of Philip and James.

Today, I have invited you to journey with me, and Flo, as she took up this journey with me, only one month later, 34 years ago.  

For this parish-- and for that small rural church in Saskatchewan -- and for our lives-- the words of the Psalmist have proven their prophetic value.

In each, we truly have not been in want. 

Thanks be to God. Amen. 

Let Us Pray

United in the hope of joy and resurrection,
let us pray for the Church, the world, and all in need.

You are the shepherd
who gathers us in your mighty and loving arms.
Help your church to listen for your voice,
especially when the voices of sin,
idolatry, and oppression threaten to overpower us. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

The green pastures, still waters, and dark valleys
of this earth all belong to you, O Lord.
Sustain your creation with a love
that is both mighty and just.
Where there is destruction, bring healing.
Where there is desolation, bring abundance. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

You proclaim shepherding love, comfort,
and protection for all people, and all of creation.
Direct leaders in our own time to learn from
your example and instruction.
Give them servant hearts,
that they generously seek the good of all. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

You journey with us
wherever our paths may lead.
We pray for those feeling overwhelmed by anxiety,
or depression or suffering in any way.
We continue to pray for those in need, particularly in our parish:
Roy & Gail; Daryl & Sue; Roy; Jay;  Sheila; Elaina ;
Carole & Sharlene; Terry; and those on our hearts. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

You are the sheepgate
that gives safety to your beloved flock.
Provide protection for refugees,
victims of domestic violence,
those who are imprisoned,
and all people who are vulnerable to violence and mistreatment. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

You call your sheep by name,
and lead them through the valley of death.
We give you thanks for those who have died
and now dwell in your house forever.
Be with those who mourn,
and give them hope in the promise of resurrection. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection,
we lift our prayers and praise to you,
almighty and eternal God;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. 

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who tresspass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

Holy God,
in Jesus Christ we find the way to you. 
May we, who have met together in this celebration of your love,
know that  unending love, that you provide for us:
That love which we see, as you work in us,
as you did through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
 

Let us go forth into the world,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.