As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, 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.     

Call to Worship:  

 Blessed is our Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
who has revealed these things to the simple.

Matthew 11.25~

O Come, Let Us Worship 

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
Almighty and everliving God,
whose Son Jesus Christ healed the sick and restored them to wholeness of life,
look with compassion on the anguish of the world,
and by your power, make whole, all peoples and nations;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen. 

The Proclamation of the Word:

Sirach 15. 15-20
Psalm 119.1-8
1 Corinthians 3.1-9 

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Matthew 5. 21-37

Sermon:  The Rev. Trish Vollmann-Stock

CLICK on:        “Choices” 

Thanks be to God.  Amen. 

Let Us Pray

Called together to follow Jesus, we pray for the church,
the world, and all in need.  

Inspire your church,
that it may be a sign of life throughout the world.
From the exploration of faith with children and new believers,
to missionaries and bishops, shape lives of faithfulness,
so that all find abundant life in your ways. 

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer. 

Nourish your creation.
Accompany all who plant and water.
Bless the work of farmers;
provide for the famers facing drought, and climate change.
Guide the work of agricultural scientists toward sustainable ways to feed the world. 

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

Give growth where there seems to be no hope for life.
In nations and regions where reconciliation seems impossible,
empower peacemakers with your Spirit.
Where death holds sway through violence, disease, and hunger,
equip relief workers to bring hope.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

Nurture all in need.
Bring healing to all who experience trauma caused by systems
of injustice and destructive relationships.
Give courage to those struggling to repent
and those seeking reconciliation.
Sustain all who work for restoration. 

We continue to pray for those in need, particularly in our parish:
Peter; Roy & Gail; Les; Daryl & Sue; Roy; John; Gary & Sarah; Sheila; Carolyn;
Catherine; and those on our hearts. 

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

Encourage this congregation.
Call us to a common purpose, and keep us from quarrelling.
Turn our hearts toward you and guide our leaders,
so that our choices may be life-giving for all.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

Thanks be to you
for the lives of all who have died in Christ!
Teach us to follow them in your ways,
and gather us with them into the promise of eternal life with you.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

We bring to you our needs and hopes, O God,
trusting your wisdom and power,
revealed in Christ crucified.   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.

God of tender care,
in this worship we celebrate your love for us and for all people.
May we show your love in our lives, and know its fulfilment in your presence.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord. 
Amen.

The Blessing

May 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.