CCG 5th Anniversary June 26, 2022 Rev. Karen Hollis Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

Christ Church Gabriola

A Collaborative Anglican – United Church

Open to All

CCG 5th Anniversary

June 26, 2022

Rev. Karen Hollis

Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Prelude, Announcements, Centering & Stillness

Greeting
One:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 

          and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:     And also with you

Call to Worship                                                                                     enfleshed, adapted

One:  The Love that Never Ceases joins us in celebration!

All:    Where righteousness flows, God is the current.

One:  Where cries for justice ring out, God is the belltower.

All:    Where healing blooms, God is the sunlight.

One:  Come, let us worship God, our Advocate and our Guide.

Opening Prayer                                                         

Loving God, you call us each by name . . .  call us now from our place of celebration and look to the future. Give us the courage to be forthright about who we are, clear in our call, and honest about what we fear. And give us the perseverance to stay present to this labor of examination, that we might be free to follow you with clear and full hearts. Amen.

Hymn: Come In, Come In and Sit Down                                                  VU #395

1You know the reason why you came,

yet no reason can explain;

so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,

for we are a part of the family. 

[Refrain]

Come in, come in and sit down,

you are a part of the family.

We are lost and we are found,

and we are a part of the family.

2God is with us in this place,

like a mother's warm embrace.

We're all forgiven by God's grace,

for we are a part of the family. [Refrain]

3There's life to be shared in the bread and the wine;

we are the branches, Christ is the vine.

This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine,

but we are a part of the family. [Refrain]

4There's rest for the weary and health for us all;

there's a yoke that is easy, and a burden that's small.

So come in and worship and answer the call,

for we are a part of the family. [Refrain]

 

Prayer of Confession                                                                    enfleshed, adapted

In this place there is rest for the weary . . . and God is here. 

Let us bring our burdens to God.

God of Justice,

God of Compassion,

God of Sacred and Scandalous ways,

We have so much still to learn.

By your grace, we have come to know love more deeply than once before – 

its mess, its complexity, its stubborn and tender truths transform us more each day.

Through fires that refine and valleys of death, you have guided us.

You draw us into the heart of Wisdom,

Saving us from the lies of destruction.

Turning us towards hope that liberates.

Still, O God, we struggle to trust in you.

And so, when we are afraid. Or hurt. Or weary…

We betray the very One who brought us thus far.

Search our hearts, O God, and see if there is any fear within us.

Meet us there with your good news that sets the captives free.

Forgive us from the harm we have done as we seek to harm no more.

Silent Confession

Assurance of Grace 

Hear the Good News. God works wonders in us and in the world. God redeems God’s people . . . as God has done for generations past . . . God’s faithfulness continues . . . thanks be to God!

Passing of the Peace

The Peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding binds us together in this worship space. Let us share this peace with one another:

One:    The peace of Christ be with you! 

All:      And also with you!

You're invited to turn to those directly around you and share Christ’s peace. Those on zoom, please unmute and share with one another.

Reader: By the gift of your Spirit, calm and quiet our souls that we may hear your Word today and be lifted up to walk with you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 (NRSV)                 Reader: George Westarp

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing, yet if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water. He said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? Where is he?” He struck the water again, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha crossed over.

Psalm 77 (VU p.791)                                                                               Reader: George Westarp                

I cry aloud to God, 

I cry that God may hear me.

In my time of distress I have turned to God;

with hands uplifted I have prayed all night,

but my soul refuses all comfort. R

Then I recall your deeds, O God!

I remember your wonders of old.

I recount all your works and ponder the things you have done.

O God, your ways are holy. 

What god is as great as you!

You are the one who works wonders;

you have shown your strength among nations.

By your arm you redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph. R

The waters saw you, O God,

the waters saw you and churned in fear;

the seas trembled to their depths.

Clouds streamed water, the heavens rumbled;

your arrows bolted on every side.

The voice of your thunder was heard in the whirlwind;

lightning lit up the world, the earth quaked and shuddered.

Your way was through the sea;

your path, through mighty waters;

your footprints could not be seen;

but by the hand of Moses and Aaron,

you led your people like a flock. R

Gospel Reading                                                                              Reader: Owen McCooey

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel. 

Reader:           God be with you.         

All:    And also with you

Reader:           The Good News of Jesus Christ according to Luke

All:     Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Luke 9:51-62 (NIV) 

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village. As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

       Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

       All:        Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection        

Silent Reflection

 

Hymn: I Heard the Voice of Jesus                                                                VU #626

1 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Come unto me and rest;

lay down, O weary one, lay down

your head upon my breast."

I came to Jesus as I was,

weary and worn and sad;

I found in him a resting-place,

and he has made me glad.

 

2 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Behold, I freely give

the living water; thirsty one,

stoop down, and drink, and live."

I came to Jesus, and I drank

of that life-giving stream;

my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

and now I live in him.

3 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"I am this dark world's light;

look unto me, your morn shall rise;

and all your day be bright."

I looked to Jesus, and I found

in him my star, my sun;

and in that light of life I'll walk

till travelling days are done.

New Zealand Creed 

Let us affirm our faith . . . 

You, O God, are supreme and holy.

You create our world and give us life.

Your purpose overarches everything we do.

You have always been with us.

You are God.

You, O God, are infinitely generous,

good beyond all measure.

You came to us before we came to you.

You have revealed and proved

your love for us in Jesus Christ,

who lived and died and rose again.

You are with us now.

You are God.

You, O God, are Holy Spirit.

You empower us to be your gospel in the world.

You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you.

Prayers of the People                                                                                    Mona Smart    

One:  Triune God of Love,

All:    Hear Our Prayers

Lord’s Prayer (sung)                                                                   VU #959

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

Invitation for Offering                                                                            

As we celebrate 5 years today, let us recognize all of the people, all of the time, all of the stories of faith, and all of the resources that brought us here. Let us celebrate our gifts and offer our praise to God!

Doxology                                                                                     CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who cam to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Offering Prayer                                                                                                  enfleshed

Creative One, thank you for accompanying us and leading us on our journey as community. Thank you for every member of our community, all who have been with us, who have yet to come, and everything we offer 

and share. Thank you for your gifts of imagination, wisdom, and love needed to birth new ways of being together. For these gifts, and for all the ways you nourish us that we might nourish one another, we give you thanks. Amen.

Hymn: Closing: We Are Pilgrims v. 1,2,4,6                                                  VU #595

1Brother, sister, let me serve you;

let me be as Christ to you;

pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant too.

2We are pilgrims on a journey,

and companions on the road;

we are here to help each other

walk the mile and bear the load.

4I will weep when you are weeping;

when you laugh I'll laugh with you;

I will share your joy and sorrow,

till we've seen this journey through.

6Brother, sister, let me serve you;

let me be as Christ to you;

pray that l may have the grace to

let you be my servant too.

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                                                                                                          Iona Community

If you are with another person, you’re invited to bless each other, taking every other line.

One:  The Creator’s blessing be yours on your road, on your journey,           guiding you, cherishing you.

Zoom:   

          The Son’s blessing be yours, wine and water, bread and stories,

          feeding you, challenging you.

Sanctuary:

          The Spirit’s blessing be yours, wind and fire, joy and wisdom,           comforting you, disturbing you.

All:    The Angel’s blessing be yours, on your house, on your living,  guarding you, encouraging you. Let us walk together, a           community on a journey, sustained in God’s blessing. Amen!

One:  Let us go now in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All:    Thanks be to God! Alleluia!