**Please note this service is based on the format of the Anglican Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) and the hymns from the Book of Common Praise (BCP). Other hymns and prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.
**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.
**This is for personal use at home as the church is unable to gather in our houses of worship but together we can worship in our own homes.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Through the
storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your
Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his
presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living
for ever and ever. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary Prayers)
Opening Hymn – Praise to the Lord
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.
Collect for Purity
The Gloria
Collect of the Day
Let us pray.
Almighty God,
you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church. Open our
hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the
Spirit in love, joy, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Readings
A reading from
the Book of Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Jacob
settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan.
This is the story of the family of Jacob.
Joseph,
being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was
a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph
brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than
any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had
made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father
loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak
peaceably to him.
Now
his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said
to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will
send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if
it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.”
So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.
He
came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked
him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me,
please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone
away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his
brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he
came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here
comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the
pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see
what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out
of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed
no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on
him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father.
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long
robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The
pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Then
they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming
from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to
carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if
we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the
Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own
flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they
drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for
twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be the God.
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22
O give thanks
to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his
wonderful works.
Glory in his
holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord
rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence
continually.
Remember the
wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he has
uttered,
O offspring of his servant Abraham,
children of
Jacob, his chosen ones.
When he
summoned famine against the land,
and broke every staff of bread,
he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was
sold as a slave.
His feet were
hurt with fetters,
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the
Lord kept testing him.
The king sent
and released him;
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house,
and ruler of all
his possessions,
to instruct
his officials at his pleasure,
and to teach his elders wisdom.
God of our salvation, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you have fulfilled your promise to our ancestors in the faith to redeem the world from slavery and to lead us into the Promised Land. Grant us living water from the rock and bread from heaven, that we may survive our desert pilgrimage and praise you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans 10:5-15
Moses
writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person
who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from
faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that
is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to
bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?
“The
word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart”
(that
is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips
that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one
confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who
believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew
and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
But
how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to
believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without
someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?
As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymn – Welcome into this Place
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. 14:22-33
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Immediately
he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went
up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but
by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the
wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on
the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were
terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately
Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter
answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He
said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and
came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened,
and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached
out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you
doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat
worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon
Today is a lesson in self-care.
Always, but especially in these trying times, self-care is
utterly important for one’s mental and physical health, and their spiritual
health.
In today’s reading, Jesus shows that even he needs a little
self-care.
It’s been a long few days for Jesus – feeding and caring for
thousands of people, having to keep explaining himself to his disciples….he
just wants a little time for himself.
So Jesus sends off the disciples and the crowds, goes up
into the mountain, and prays.
In that brief mention is a reminder of how important our
self-care is, how important our prayer life with God is: to spend time in
prayer, away from the rigours of the day; to sit in the presence of God; to be
refreshed and renewed.
Earlier in the chapter, Jesus tries to retreat into an
isolated place, perhaps needing space to grieve the murder of John the Baptist;
however, he is drawn back into the crowd and their needs.
Unable to escape the crowds, Jesus is so starving for
self-care that he sends his disciples away in a boat, alone cross the lake
before nightfall, taking the risk of being stranded without a boat so that he
can get some time alone.
Like Moses on Mount Sinai, Jesus went up the mountain by
himself to pray. He was on his own, praying to God all through the night to the
early hours of the morning.
Jesus knows he needs his rest, to commune with God in order
to strengthen his faith in what is happening around him, and what is coming up
in the near future.
Jesus dismissed the crowds and sought a solitary place up in
the mountain where he talked to God and rested. After Jesus’ spirit, mind, and
body were rejuvenated, Jesus arose early in the morning, refreshed.
We all need these types of breaks. We all need a moment to
sit in conversation with God, to reset our thoughts, our emotions, and to have
our faith restored.
By taking time to sit with God in the silence, we are able
to reinforce to ourselves the truth that God will be heard the most clearly in the
chaos of our lives.
How often have you overlooked God’s presence in the peaceful
and pleasant portions of your life yet called out in earnest when things took a
difficult turn?
We spend a fair amount of our time and energy trying to
establish a stable, safe, and secure life, both for us and those we love. From
the beginning, God desires that we flourish, and stability promotes growth.
But all too often we note our modest success and assume we
no longer need God, or at least forget how much a part of our lives God is and
desires to be.
Or perhaps we confuse safety and stability with abundant
life. Either way, we sometimes forget how much we depend on God.
Until tragedy strikes in the form of illness or job loss or
the end of a relationship or some grave mistake we’ve made, and suddenly our
ongoing need for God becomes painfully clear.
No matter what it is that reminds us of our need for God,
still God responds. Just as Jesus reassures the disciples and reaches out to
grab hold of Peter, so also God responds to us with compassion and support.
Notice that Jesus commands the disciples to cross the sea to
go ahead of him, trusting them to navigate both sea and storm?
God desires that we trust that God is with us and for us and
thereby live with courage and hope, taking chances, risking ourselves in
relationship, seeking the welfare of the individuals and community around us,
all the while remembering that even when we overlook God’s
presence, God is always there,
sometimes to encourage us to overcome our fears,
sometimes sending us out ahead,
and sometimes reaching out to grab hold of us in
forgiveness, mercy, comfort, and grace.
God is with us in the difficult part of our lives,
responding to our fears and cries for help with the promise of God’s presence
and comfort.
God is eager to respond to our deepest needs and God invites
us to more adventuresome lives of faith.
God calls us to stretch, grown, and live into the abundant
life God has promised us, trusting that God is always with us.
God is encouraging us to cross rough waters and even to step
out of the boat in faith, trusting that God is there to grab hold of us in
need.
The winds of chaos have kept our boats rocking this year.
Waves of Covid-19, economic instability, and new awareness of systemic
injustice have destabilized our comfort and security.
As we watch the stormy reality of chaos, it can be hard to
see the God who has promised to be with us every day. Looking into the storm is
frightful!
Still we believe that God listens and responds to those
cries. We trust in the God who promises to be with us even during chaotic times,
and we keep trusting that God will provide more help than we can ask or
imagine.
Song of the Day – Lord is my Shepherd
Affirmation of Faith
The Prayers of the People
We are the ark
of the church, at times storm-tossed and frightened. Let us cry out in faith
for our own needs and the needs of the world, saying: Lord, save us.
For those churches who are resisting oppression and enduring persecution in the name of the gospel.
Let us cry out
to the Lord.
Lord, save us.
For the leaders of nations, communities, and households who are faced with terrible choices and whose decisions affect the lives of many.
Let us cry out
to the Lord.
Lord, save us.
For those caught in addictions of mind or body, for those who feel powerless and sink ever deeper into despair.
Let us cry out
to the Lord.
Lord, save us.
For those who rely on themselves, for those who struggle to trust in God’s beckoning word, for those who know fear before the actions of grace.
Let us cry out
to the Lord.
Lord, save us.
For all of us who gather in person or online, weak in faith, faltering in our response to God.
Let us cry out
to the Lord.
Lord, save us.
Please take time to offer your own intercessions or to pray in silence.
O true and faithful God, you are the hope of those who cry out to you. Hear our petitions. Where there is no faith, awaken it; where there is little faith, enlarge it, that one day we may all come to acknowledge Jesus as your Son and the saviour of the world. We ask this in his name, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
(Intercessions
for the Christian People)
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.
(Silence)
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
neighbour 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 might
delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
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 of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Prayer over the Gifts
**Although not physically at our church buildings to share
our offering together I would encourage you to set your offering of money aside
so that it can be dropped off or placed in the church once services resume, to
mail your offering to the church, or to make donations online. Please remember
ministry is still taking place.
Let us pray.
God, receive
all we offer you this day, and grant that in this Eucharist we may be enriched
by the gifts of the Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer 1
The Lord be
with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we should praise you, Gracious God, for you created all things. You formed us in your own image: all living creatures, you created us.
When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us, but opened a path of salvation for all people. You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom; through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation.
Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age, we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed are they who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God Father of all.
He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need. In all things he fulfilled your gracious will.
On the night he freely gave himself to death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “ Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “ Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death; by raising him to life you give us life for evermore. Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection, and looking for his coming again in glory, we offer you, God, this bread and this cup.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be one body and one holy people, a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever. Amen.
And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
And deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
We, being many, are one body, for we all share in the one
bread.
This is the table of Christ. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who want to love him more. Come, whether you have much faith or little, have tried to follow, or are afraid that you have failed. Come. Because it is Christ's will that those who want to meet him, might meet him here.
These are the gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.
Eternal God,
grant to your Church the unity and peace that we have tasted in this Eucharist,
the fruit of your life-giving Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ
the Lord. Amen.
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, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing
The blessing
of almighty God, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you now and always. Amen.
Closing Hymn – Wings of an Eagle
Dismissal
Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the
power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
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