Lent 4 March 27, 2022  

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.  

 

Call to Worship:  

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

Luke 15.18  

O come, let us worship.    

 

Opening Hymn:

The Love of Jesus Calls Us

Copyright Protected. Unable to Post Lyrics. 

Gathering:

In this time and place
We gather on the ancestral lands of Kwakwake’wakw; Nuu-chah-nulth;
Coast Salish peoples, and
the Cowichan Tribes.  

From many places and peoples,
we come to this house in prayer.  

In this time and place,
We are not alone
For we meet in the presence of the living God.            

For we meet in the presence of the living God.  

In this time and place,
We are not alone
For the Risen Jesus stands in our midst  

The Risen Jesus stands in our midst.  

In this time and space,
We are not alone
For the wind of the Spirit moves in and through us.  

The wind of the Spirit moves in and through us.  

In this time and in this space,
We are not alone for we gather with the whole company of heaven,
In this time and in this space, heaven and earth are one.  

In this time and in this space, heaven and earth are one.          

In this time and place,
Together, one people, in Jesus Christ.  

In the name of God,
Creator, Saviour, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.    

 

Collect of the Day

Gracious Father,
whose blessed Son, Jesus Christ,
came from heaven to be the true bread which gives
life to the world, evermore give us this bread,
that he may live in us, and we in him;
who lives and reigns with you, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. 

 

The Proclamation of the Word

1st Reading:

Joshua 5. 9-12

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 

 

Psalm 32

Blessed is the one     
whose transgressions are forgiven,     
whose sins are covered.  

Blessed is the one     
whose sin the Lord does not count against them     
and in whose spirit is no deceit.  

When I kept silent,     
my bones wasted away    
 through my groaning all day long.

For day and night     
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped     
as in the heat of summer.  

Then I acknowledged my sin to you     
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess     
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.  

Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you     
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters     
will not reach them.

You are my hiding place;     
you will protect me from trouble     
and surround me with songs of deliverance.  

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;     
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule,     
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle     
or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked,     
but the Lord’s unfailing love     
surrounds the one who trusts in him.  

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;     
sing, all you who are upright in heart!     

Watch over us, loving God,
and when we fall into sin, teach us to acknowledge our guilt.
May we forgive and be forgiven;
for the sake of the one who was wounded for our transgressions,
Jesus Christ, your Son, our Saviour. Amen.    

 

2nd Reading: 

 2 Corinthians 5.16-21   

The Word of the Lord.  

Thanks be to God.    

 

Gradual Hymn:

Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery

Copyright Protected. Unable to Post Lyrics.  

 

The Lord be with you.          

And also, with you.  

The Good News of Jesus according To:
Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32

Glory to you, Lord 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.  

‘Fifty-Seven Words That Change the World’

 “Fulfill All Your Good Pleasures”
Our Father in heaven, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

 

Darrell Johnson writes this, in his book, at the opening of his reflection on this petition:
“The older I get the more I want to pray this third petition of the Lord’s Prayer.”          

I would say, I certainly agree; even more so, in this past month.

One could also say this same prayer in relation to COVID-19.          

For I am sure, neither of these events were of the will of God on earth.          

These are only 2 situations in a world, which at times, appears more complex.          

The flip-side of this coin would be, “what was the ‘will of my father/parents on earth’” and, just how great his knowledge was, in my after-thoughts.          

In both aspects, my Father in heaven, and my father on earth, how good their will has been in my life—a greatness which continues to this day.          

A tell-tale of this greatness of God comes to us in some of the first recorded words of Jesus.  

Jesus had gone to Jerusalem with his family, for Passover. On the way home, his parents notice: he is not among the throng of people.

They head back, looking for him, and find him in the Temple with the elders. Jesus can’t understand why they were so anxious. Jesus’ response to his parents is: “Didn’t you know I would be about my Father’s business?”          

There are many accounts of Jesus “being about the business of our Father in heaven”:

• When questioned about not eating, he responds, “I have food which you have no experience of”;
• When his mother and brothers are standing and waiting to talk to him, his response is to point to his disciples and say, “here are my mother and brothers”;
• Then, in the Garden of Gethsemane, with the agony of the cross on his mind, he says (twice), “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt. 26:39-42)           

 When we survey the life of Jesus, we quickly understand: Jesus lives his whole life in fulfillment of our God in Heaven.          

“Your will be done” means,
“Your purpose and pleasure be done”;
“Your design and delight be done.”          

This is a good point to stop and remind ourselves, when we began this journey through the Lord’s Prayer: we are asking God to do what only God can do.  

The prayer is not, “let us do your will on earth, as it is in heaven.”
Not that this is bad prayer, at the same time, it is not what Jesus teaches.

The prayer is not:

• “Give us power, O God, so we can do your will.”
• “Do a miracle in our fearful and rebellious hearts, so that we will want to do your will.”
• The prayer is, “Father, you do your will”.  

We need to be reminded, what we are to ask of God, is what only God can do.   The question needs to be, for us to ask or discern, what is the Father’s will?          

Johnson outlines for us some of the Father’s will:

• To be as creative, as he is;
• That we be blessed, and then bless;
• To set us free from all that keeps us from being blessed, so that we can be a blessing;
• To grow into the freedom, which is outlined for us, if we live the 10 Commandments.
  The Law is not to surround us with controls; rather it is to free us.
  (When teaching Confirmation Classes, I always emphasize this purpose in the 10 Commandments.)
• The Father’s will is that we live 'the kingdom life'.
• The Father’s will is, therefore, that we live Jesus’ ‘Sermon on the Mount’
  as a people ‘alive’ in his kingdom;
• We are to know Jesus.    

This week, in our book study on the Post Pandemic Church, our focus was on Prayer:
Personal Prayer, Parish Prayer, Corporate Prayer, communal prayer.          

 At the same time, this day, we are considering this 3rd petition in the Lord’s Prayer, the 57 words which saved the world, according to Darrell Johnson.          

Along with that, we have 4 Scripture readings today which, I believe, highlight for us the power of knowing Jesus, and the understanding of what it means for us to be guided with these words of petition, “your will be done on earth”.          

• In the OT, Joshua 5:9-12, we have this encounter between God and Joshua.
  Reading these texts, with discussion between God and the Prophet Joshua, I always wish I had the rest of the encounter.
  I am sure there was more than this short sentence with God saying:
  “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.”          
  In response, with thanks to God, for gifts received, the people restored 2 of their religious practices, that of circumcision, and Passover.          

In some ways, could be their acknowledgement of God’s will be accomplished in their midst?    

• This is followed by the Psalmist (Psalm 32)  sharing how God wants to be part of our lives.
  God desires to share with us his will.   
         
• Then Paul, (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) motivated by the love of Christ,
  gives us a look into a life in which ‘it is not about us, but about God’.
  Paul’s approach is not to promote himself, by an outward appearance, but rather to our conscience.

We recall, on Ash Wednesday, we approached the beginning of Lent with that reminder of proper approach to fasting:   Matthew 6:16  

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast,  anoint  your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father, who is in secret.   And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.   

Then, we sum it all up with one of the familiar parables of Jesus: ‘The Prodigal Son’, or as modern theologians have retitled it: ‘The Parable of the Lost Son’.          

This Parable is a true example for us, of the list of what the Father’s Prayer is not about.

The parable is about the work of God, here, now, in the present; in this community.          

We are to be a godly people, who will the share the kingdom of God with all people, sinners and saints alike, as contained in these familiar words:

‘Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.’          

Charles Wesley’s words, from 5 centuries ago, continue to empower us, in the meaning of prayer, of how we might see, God’s will, being lived out here on earth.  

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

In Christ, God continues to welcome sinners with unlimited mercy.
With a confident faith, let us call upon the Divine Goodness to refresh us.
We respond today:
“Renew your Spirit in us, O God.”  

We call upon God’s reconciling love
to deliver us from sin and strengthen
those preparing for baptism;
We pray to our God:
Renew your Spirit in us, O God.  

We entrust to the Spirit’s care,
the leadership of the church as
it appeals to heads of nations ,
on behalf of peace ,and nonviolent solutions to conflicts.
We pray to our God:
Renew your Spirit in us, O God.  

We invoke the Spirit of Consolation
to bring refreshment in body, mind, and spirit
to all who are recovering from illness;   
In our Parish we pray for:
Roy & Gail; Daryl & Sue; Jay; Maureen;
Carole; Sheila; Joseph; Mark; and
those who may be on our hearts 
(a time of silence).
We pray to our God:
Renew your Spirit in us, O God.  

We ask God for peace in the world,
that a spirit of respect and reconciliation
may grow among nations and peoples.
We pray to our God:
Renew your Spirit in us, O God.  

We call down the Spirit of unity and peace,
to strengthen this community of faith as
it prepares to celebrate the Passover of Jesus.
We pray to our God:
Renew your Spirit in us, O God.  

We pray for those who hear your voice,
and fulfill your will:
Anna our Bishop;
Rev. Daniel Fournier-St. Luke, Victoria;
Bishop Lesley Wheeler-Dame-Diocese of Yukon;
and our Rector, Brian.
We pray to our God:
Renew your Spirit in us, O God.  

Loving God, nourish our faith with the Word of Life;
sustain us by your mercy,  and renew us by your Spirit.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.  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.  

(SILENCE)   

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.    

 

Distance-Sharing of The Peace    

The Celebration of the Eucharist.  

Offertory Hymn:

Jesus Shall Reign

Public Domain  

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
doth it’s successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.                                              

People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.  

Blessings abound where’er he reigns;
the prisoners leap to lose their chains;
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.  

Let every creature rise and bring
peculiar honours to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen.   

 

Prayer over the Gifts  

God of mercy and compassion,
your Word calls us home to faith and love.
Accept all we offer you this day,
in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord.  Amen. 

 

Eucharistic Prayer #3 (New Island Liturgy)  

The Lord is here.

God’s Spirit is with us.  

Open your hearts.

We open to the fullness of God.  

Feast at the banquet, prepared from the foundations of the world.

We come, O Christ, in thanks and praise.  

Holy and eternal One,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
our origin and our fulfilment,
we praise and thank you for drawing us to this sacred meal.  

From the ocean of your primal love,
you fashioned the marvel of creation, and beauty of human life.  

From this land of towering forests, mist laden coastlines,
the rhythms of the tidal seas, storm and stillness,
you humble us to affirm the sacred gift of all creation,
and our stewardship for everything given, and received.  

Glory to you, source of all life!  

From the earliest days,
the peoples of these islands learned
their dependence on your provision:
salmon and whale, elk and bear,
and through song and ceremony,
dance and painted cedar,
hallowed these sacred relationships with all life.  

Glory to you, source of all life!  

In Jesus Christ, you came into our world to reveal your glory,
reconcile all peoples to yourself and make all things new in him.  
Now, gathered from many places, in faith, that is known to you alone,
with a heart set on the pilgrim way,
we bring this bread and wine.
yearning for the nourishment of your Spirit,
and the fullness you promise in Jesus.  

Glory to you, source of all life!  

Joining, then, with the saints of every time and place,
from these islands shaped by surging tides, wind and salt,
we raise our thankful voices in songs of unending praise.  

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.  

Blessed are you, most holy One, in Jesus:
who on that night before he died,
took bread and gave you thanks.
Jesus broke it, gave it to all gathered, and said:

“Take this and eat it, this is my body, which is given for you.”
Do this, and know I am with you to the end of age.  

After supper, he took the cup,
gave you thanks, and gave it to them saying:

“Drink this all of you.
This is my blood of the new covenant.”
Do this, and know I am with you to the end of age.  

Therefore, God of all creation,
we lift this Bread of Life,
and this Cup of Salvation.

Send your Holy Spirit on these gifts,
and upon us, that we may know Jesus
in the breaking of the bread,
and follow him in lives of selfless service and courageous love.  

Glory to you, source of all life!  

In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ,
and bring us to that heavenly table, where
we will feast anew, and every tear will be wiped away.  

Blessing, praise and thanksgiving be to you,
O Holy and Eternal One, Creator,
Redeemer, and Holy Spirit,
One God, now, and forever.    

Glory to you, source of all life!   Amen.    

 

The Lord’s Prayer:  

Let us pray as our Saviour taught us:

Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive
those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours, now and for ever.  Amen.  

 

The Breaking of the Bread:  

We break this bread,

Communion in Christ’s body once broken.  

Let your Church be the wheat
which bears its fruit in dying.  

If we have died with him,
we shall live with him;
if we hold firm,
we shall reign with him.  

 

The Administration of Communion

Communion Hymn:

Just as I Am

Public Domain.  

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidst me come to thee
O, Lamb of God, I come.  

Just as I am, waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O, Lamb of God, I come.  

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O, Lamb of God, I come.  

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find.
O, Lamb of God, I come.  

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve:
Because thy promise, I believe,
O, Lamb of God, I come.  

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.  

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O, Lamb of God, I come. 

 

Prayer After Communion

Giver of life,
you enlighten all who come into the world.
Fill our hearts with the splendour of your grace,
that we may perfectly love you, and
worthily praise your holy name, through Jesus Christ, the 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, forever and ever.  Amen.  

The Blessing  

Announcements    

Closing Hymn:

Now Thank We All, Our God

Public Domain

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things hath done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mother’s arms
hath blessed us on our way,
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.  

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be hear us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
and nourish us with grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world and the next.  

All praise and thanks to God
eternal now be given,
to Spirit and to Word,
who reign in highest heaven:
our ever faithful God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be ever more.   

Dismissal  

Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.

Thanks be to God.                        

 

The recording ends.

Song/Hymns words used by permission CCLI License #27505         

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine.    

         

 “Our Father in Heaven, Your Kingdom Come, on Earth As In Heaven”