O, Come! Let Us Worship!

Scriptures for Today:

Joel 2.21-27

Psalm 126

1Timothy 2.1-7

Matthew 6.25-33

 

 As we gather, we recognize that we live, work and play in the traditional 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.  

Welcome.  

Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.   

Psalm 126.6

O come let us worship.    

 

Opening Hymn:

For the Fruit of All Creation

Copyright Protected.  Unable to post lyrics.    

 

Gathering:

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 Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

 

Collect of the Day:

Creator of the fruitful earth, you made us stewards of all things.

Give us grateful hearts for all your goodness, and steadfast wills to use your bounty well, that the whole human family, today, and in generations to come, may, with us, give thanks for the riches of your creations.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord.   Amen      

 

The Proclamation of the Word

1st Reading: Joel 2:21-27  

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.    

 

Psalm 126    

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,     

we were like those who dreamed.

 

Our mouths were filled with laughter,     

our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,   “The Lord has done great things for them.”    

 

The Lord has done great things for us,     and we are filled with joy.    

 

Restore our fortunes, Lord,     like streams in the Negev.

 

Those who sow with tears     will reap with songs of joy.

 

Those who go out weeping,     carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,     carrying sheaves with them.  

 

Almighty God,

Praise to you, God of our salvation.

Your generous gifts surpass all that we can ask or imagine. You have delivered us from the exile of sin, and restored us to new life in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Glory and honour and praise to you forever and ever.  Amen    

2nd Reading: 

1 Timothy 2:1-7  

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.  

 

Gospel Processional:

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

(Public Domain)  

Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away;

giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.  

 

All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect thy rays;

stars and angels sing around thee, centre of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,

chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee.  

 

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,

well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou, our Father, and our Mother, all who live in love are thine;

teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.    

 

The Lord be with you.  

The Good News of Jesus according

To Matthew 6:25-33

Glory to you, Jesus Christ.    

The Gospel of Christ,

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.  

 

Sermon: 

The Venerable Brian Evans

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

Thanks be to God.  Amen.    

The Apostles Creed:

 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.  

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             

Let us give thanks to God our Father, always and for everything, saying,

“We thank you, Lord.”  

 

For the beauty and wonder of all creation;

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ; 

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For our daily food, for our homes and families and friends;

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For minds to think and hearts to love;

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For health, strength, and skill to work, and for leisure to rest and play;

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For those who are brave and courageous, patient in suffering and faithful in adversity. 

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For all who pursue peace, justice and truth. 

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For our Church Leaders: Anna, our Bishop; Rev. Jeremy Carr, St. Dunstan, Gordon Head; Our Clergy-Rev. Brian and Rev. Ted;

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For continued healing and comfort to those in need. In our parish: Roy & Gail; John; Steve; Daryl & Sue, Maureen; and Michelle;

We thank you, Lord.  

 

For all the saints whose lives have reflected the light of Christ.

We thank you, Lord.    Amen.  

 

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.  

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, 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  

The Celebration of the Eucharist. The recording ends.      [kk1]  [kk2]