Lent 5   April 03, 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:  

All I care for is to know Christ
and the power of his resurrection. 

Philippians 3.10

O come, let us worship.    

 

Opening Hymn:

Let Me Be Your Servant

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

Most merciful God,
by the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ,
you created humanity anew.
May the power of his victorious cross transform
those who turn in faith to him,
who lives and reigns with you, and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.   Amen. 

 

The Proclamation of the Word

1st Reading:

Isaiah 43:16-21

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 

 

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes ofZion,     
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.  

 

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: 

 Philippians 3:4b-14  

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:
John 12:1-8

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’

 “Be Our Provider”
Our Father in heaven, give us this day our daily bread.            

 

A subtitle for this sermon could be: ‘A Great Lesson on Stewardship’.

I will return to this topic later.            

 

Bread: (in whatever form it comes) we cannot live without it.
As is often said, ‘bread is the staff of life’.            

We can live without coffee, or chocolate! We really can. Even television, Facebook, Twitter, or that new pair of shoes we recently bought, we can live without.            

We will recall, from a few weeks ago, hearing these words from Jesus, speaking to the devil saying, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God.” (Mt.4:4)              

Similarly, in a way in which the 10 Commandments make a shift, so too, does The Lord’s Prayer, as we move to the ‘fourth’ petition.
You will note, we are moving from “your”, to “us” and “our”. From your name, your kingdom, your will, to give us our, lead us not, deliver us.            

If we step back into the OT, we have plenty of incidents around bread, of people gathering around the table, of gathering for festivals.            

God called his people out of Egypt, out of bondage and poverty, to a land flowing with milk and honey. Along the way, the people are fed with manna by day. For 40 years, in abundance.            

No wonder then, as we give testimony to Jesus’ ministry, we find Jesus celebrating with people, at meals, of tables laden with food. When Jesus and the disciples find themselves with a group of 5000 men (as well as women and children), Jesus provides: the multiplication of the loaves and fish.            

In Matthew 8:11, we read: “Many will come from the east, and the west, and will take their places at the feast of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”            

The 1st question for us is:
What is it Jesus is teaching us to ask for, in this fourth petition?
The 2nd: “What are the life-style implications of praying this petition?”   

Johnson writes: “What does the prayer mean, and, if we authentically pray it, what will happen to the way we live?” (p.68)            

 

When we pray “daily bread”, we are praying for our immediate needs, for the next 24 hours.  

Johnson outlines two essential questions for us:

• What does the prayer say?

  We first need to understand, it is far more than just the physical substance we call ‘bread’.             These two words, ‘daily bread’, have a wide range of meaning.            

Martin Luther, in the 16th century says, ‘Daily Bread, means everything we need for our well-being.’

This includes: food, drink, clothes, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money and goods, family, employment, government leaders.

The list is endless.            

In the Westminster Shorter Catechism, we are taught, in ‘daily bread’, we are looking for a portion of all the good things of life, and enjoying their blessing in our lives.            

Johnson reminds us, there are 6 layers of meaning:

1.   Physical bread.

2.   Everything necessary for functioning in the world.

   Everything from the planting of the seeds, to the placing of bread on the table.

3. Everything necessary for living the kingdom of God. This includes wisdom, courage, strength, patience, holiness, and vision.

4. Spiritual bread. The Holy Spirit, enabling us to live in faith, hope, and love.

   Thus, Jesus says:

   “People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

5.  Jesus himself: meaning give us this day, Jesus, the bread of life.

   One of those familiar lessons in the funeral service: “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me, will never thirst.

   In considering this 5th layer, I was reminded in my reading, the meaning behind Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. ‘Beth’, means house: ‘lehem’, means bread.

   The retreat center in Nanaimo is called the Bethlehem Retreat Center, and next to it is, ‘The Bread of Life Community’.

   In other words, places to receive the gifts of life.

6. Bread for the coming days.

   The final day, when the kingdom of God comes to us, in fullness:

   the expression of peace, joy, and rest.

   Rest eternal .

• Question 2: If we authentically pray this prayer, what happens to the way we live? ·        

1.  A calling to a life of solidarity.

   To enter into a relationship with the WHOLE family of the kingdom of God.

   Johnson says: Can you imagine how different the world would be, if we prayed the “us” with greater integrity?

   One of the scandals of our time is the huge disparity in basic life-provisions in the Body of Christ.

   What is contained within here?

This takes us back to my subtitle: A Lesson on Stewardship. ·        

2.   Living a lifestyle of radical dependency on God for our daily needs.
Returning to the trip from Egypt to the promised land, the people were instructed to gather only what they needed for the day and, not to hoard it… ·        

3:   a calling to a lifestyle of gratitude.
A story I have shared in the past: When taking a Christmas food hamper to a family, the mother appeared, following behind was an adolescent boy, who looking over his mother’s shoulder exclaimed with a great sense of gratitude; “Look there is bread.”  
When gathering fresh crops, or walking through the aisles of the market, we should have that sense of offering prayers of thanksgiving.            

In our Scriptures today, we open with this sense of being provided for.

The prophet Isaiah opens with: “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters.”

Words of provisions for life. Words, as we are reminded in v.21, ‘the people whom I formed for myself, so that they might declare my praise’.            

Similarly, in Psalm 26:
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
---- Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”            

Pauls’ letter to the Philippian’s tells us of the joy of believing in Christ.
When we fully understand all which is contained in this “daily bread”, we come to understand the real joy of our “daily bread”, the manna of life.
Not in today’s section, but some of the most powerful words of Paul, are those we hear in Ch 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”            

 

Then, in the Gospel, we pick up with Jesus, on the journey to Jerusalem, the journey to the cross.

The location is in the home of Lazarus. Martha and Mary are there. Martha is in the kitchen while Mary takes this expensive perfume, and anoints Jesus’ feet with it.

Obviously, Judas is there also.            

Obviously, Judas has not quite received the message behind this fourth petition, Give us this day our daily bread.

Judas can only think about how he might get his hands on it.            

Jesus reminds Judas it is his responsibility to care for the poor.

As does Johnson, saying our response today, in this petition is to say “thank you”.

Thank you, Father, for so loving the world that you gave us your only-begotten Son, the bread of life, that we should not perish, but have everlasting life. P.78  

Thanks be to God, our provider.  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

The call to share the life of the risen Christ
invites us to fix our full attention on the reign of God.
As we draw closer to Holy Week and Easter,
let us intensify our prayer to share in Christ’s paschal mystery.
Our response:
“Christ, ourSaviour, hear our prayer.” 

That the saving power of Jesus Christ will inspire all believers to
foster communities of compassion, that renew hopes of the poor;
We pray to the Lord:
Christ, our Saviour, hear our prayer.  

That the power of Christ’s presence in the eucharistic meal
will fortify our longing for God’s reign of perfect peace;
We pray to the Lord:
Christ, our Saviour, hear our prayer.  

That the power flowing from Christ’s resurrection will sustain
those who suffer in mind, body and spirit.
In our Parish we pray for:
Roy & Gail; Daryl & Sue; Maureen; Carole; Sheila; Joseph;
and those who may be on our hearts
(a time of silence)

We pray to the Lord:
Christ, our Saviour, hear our prayer.  

That the power of the merciful Christ
will enable us to be more forgiving,
and less ready to judge others.
We pray to the Lord:
Christ, our saviour, hear our prayer.    

We pray for those who hear your voice, and fulfill your will:
Anna our Bishop,
Rev. Alan Naylor-St. Mary, Nanoose Bay;
Territory of the People Anglican Church-Steering Committee and;
our Rector Brian.
We pray to the Lord:
Christ, our Saviour, hear our prayer. 

Jesus, our Redeemer,
by your word save us from death and
fill us with the life you won for us on the cross,
for you live and reign forever and ever. 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:

When I Survey the Wonderous Cross

Public Domain  

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.  

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the Cross of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his Blood.  

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down;
did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?  

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all. 

Prayer over the Gifts  

Eternal God,
your only Son suffered death upon
the cross to bring the world salvation.  
Accept the praise, and thanksgiving 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:

Take My Life and Let It Be

Public Domain.  

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet, and let them be
swift and purposeful for thee.  

Take my lips, and let them be
filled with messages from thee;  
take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.  

Take my will, and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine;
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.  

Take my love my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee. 

 

Prayer After Communion

Merciful God,
you have called us to your table and fed us with the bread of life.
Draw us, and all people, to your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.    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:

Lord Jesus, of You I will Sing

Copyright Protected. Unable to Post Lyrics.

 

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”