CCG Hybrid Service, 2nd after Pentecost, June 18, 2022

Christ Church Gabriola

A Collaborative Anglican – United Church

Open to All

Minister: 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!

Welcome! 

If you are gathering in person, on zoom or worshipping at home with the bulletin, welcome! We are one community, one in the body of Christ. 

Preparing for Worship 

You’re invited to enter into this time of worship. You’re invited to sit quietly, perhaps with feet on the floor, taking a couple of deep breaths and bring yourself into this moment. Open yourself to the presence of God who is with us and within us . . . as you intentionally open yourself to God, open yourself also to what you need from this time of worship.

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:  Come let us worship, for God is in our midst!

All:    The artists, the outcasts, the children,

One:  the workers, the water protectors, the mourners,

All:    the outraged, the caregivers, the organizers – 

          each, a glimpse of God.

One:  Amidst a world groaning with destruction,

All:    the Living God is our comfort and our hope.

One:  Not at a distance, but dwelling right here among us.

All:    The Spirit is poured out among the people.

Opening Prayer                                 

Holy Spirit, sometimes our hope diminishes like forests, like clean water supplies, like access to human rights. Sometimes our fears rise like ocean levels, like temperatures, like voices shouting. How we yearn for compassion to infuse our waking days and our systems. How we dream of the demons of domination and violence to be forever banished. Bolster our hopes and comfort our fears, Oh God, that we might connect with our interdependent courage. Amen.

Hymn: Let Us Build a House v. 1,3,4,5                                            MV #1

1Let us build a house where love can dwell

and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell

how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,

rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

3Let us build a house where love is found

in water, wine and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground,

where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,

is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

4Let us build a house where hands will reach

beyond the wood and stone

to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,

and live the Word they’ve known.

Here the outcast and the stranger

bear the image of God’s face;

let us bring an end to fear and danger:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

5Let us build a house where all are named,

their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed

as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter,

prayers of faith and songs of grace;

let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.  

Prayer of Confession                                   

One:  Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love, infinite in mercy, and is inclusive of all. Let us bring our whole selves before God, confident in God’s grace.

One:  Most Merciful God,

All:     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.

Silent Confession

Assurance of Grace

Rejoice in the One who makes a way for us today, who breaks our chains and offers us grace in the places we need it most. 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!

I invite you 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: 1 Kings 19:1-4, 8-15a (NRSV)                     Reader: Don Moser

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram.

Psalm 42 (Christine Robinson)                                                        Reader: Don Moser

As a deer longs for flowing streams

   so my soul longs for you, O God

My soul thirsts for you. When will I feel

  that I can stand before you again?

Once I came before you easily and often.

   Now-now I feel disquieted and lost.

I remember being glad to worship.

I remember leading others into your house 

with praise and thanksgiving.

But now my soul is heavy within me.

  I say to God, “Have you forgotten me?

I feel like a mockery of myself. Are you there?”

  Why are you so disquieted, O my soul?

Deep calls to deep in the heart of the world.

The creative energy of the universe

  throbs to those who listen. 

Put your trust there. You will not be forsaken.

Gospel Reading                            Reader: Angela Nutter

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 8:26-39 (NRSV) 

Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me’— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Legion’; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

       Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

       All:        Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection        

Silent Reflection

Hymn: Healer of Our Every Ill                                                                                     VU #61 Refrain:

Healer of our every ill,

light of each tomorrow,

give us peace beyond our fear,

and hope beyond our sorrow.

1You who know our fears and sadness,

grace us with your peace and gladness;

Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts. [Refrain]

2In the pain and joy beholding

how your grace is still unfolding,

give us all your vision, God of love. [Refrain]

3Give us strength to love each other,

every sister, every brother;

Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. [Refrain]

4You who know each thought and feeling,

teach us all your way of healing;

Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. [Refrain]

Apostle’s Creed 

Let us affirm our faith . . . 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

          creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

          who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

          born of the Virgin Mary,

          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,

          he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

          and he will come 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.

Prayers of the People                                                 Paddy Waymark

One:  God of Stillness,

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.

Invitation for Offering                                                                            enfleshed

Poet, Khaled Mattawa, asks: “Now that we’ve come out of hiding, why would we live again in the tombs we’d made out of our souls?” May our souls be resurrected from any tombs we have made. May we co-create a world so safe and loving, that there be no reason to hide in fear. We acknowledge our shared resources this day, that it may be so. 

Doxology                                                                                     CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Offering Prayer                                                                                                  enfleshed

Living Christ, free our spirits of any kernel of revenge and cruelty. Direct us, instead, toward collective repair and right action. When we feel ourselves slipping into apathy and despair, place your hands on either side of our face and gaze upon us with your Connecting Love. Bless our offerings to our hard-earned hope toward everyday resurrection. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

As we come to this table we remember that this is not our table or the table of any particular denomination. This is the table of Jesus Christ, the family feast of the whole people of God. All who feel called to be nourished and sustained here along the journey are welcome. Come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.

The Great Thanksgiving                                                        Islands Liturgy, edited

One: God be with you                         

All:    And also with you

One:  Lift up your hearts               

All:    We lift them to God

One:  Let us give thanks to God most high           

All:    It is right to give God thanks and praise

Great Creator, with wit and wisdom you formed the universe. In expectation, your Spirit brooded over all: the midwife of transformation. At your Word, the skies, the seas, the lands and all life came to be. In you, all created things shared life with one another and turned to you in praise. Here and around your world, creation worshipped you in unity and harmony. 

When we turned from you, connections were broken and creation suffered. Still, you continued to bring light from night, freedom from 

oppression, and life from death; you send your Spirit to make all things new. Therefore, together with our ancestors in faith and with your beloved creation we sing:

Sanctus                                                                                                    MV#203

O Holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace

Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

We praise you, Source of all, for Jesus, the living word. Born in poverty; a child refugee, a worker with his hands. He gathered disciples and taught and healed the people. He freely shared our sorrow, joy, and pain. In vulnerability, he showed power over sin and triumphed over death.

On the night before Jesus died, he feasted with his companions. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, 

“Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you, do this to remember me.” 

After supper, he took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to his companions saying, 

“Drink this, all of you; this is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and the world for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this to remember me.” 

Entering into the mystery of faith we call:

Acclamation                                                                                CP #720

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. 

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.                    

With his sacred presence unbounded by space and time, we offer to you this bread and cup. Send your Breath of Life, like wind, blowing where it will, north, east, south and west. May your Spirit rest on these gifts and all who feast at this table offering a foretaste of the eternal feast to come. 

May all who share your abundant gifts be incorporated as one body and one holy people, joined in the offering of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection for the reconciliation of all things. Reveal the unity of your Church and the mystery of our communion with our holy forebears and those yet to be born, that we may be guided in faith and walk gently on the earth. 

Glory and honour to you Triune God, dynamic of love, complete and perfect unity, now, and always.

Amen

Breaking the Bread

One:  “I am the bread of life,” Jesus says. “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry; whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

All:    Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in him!

Lay Assistant please come forward

One: These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

All:    Thanks be to God.

Those in the sanctuary are invited to also receive a wafer by following these instructions.

Those on the socially distanced side of the sanctuary, please remain seated to be served in the pew. Those on the non-socially distanced side, please keep to your right as you process up behind the communion table to receive and continue around, back to your seat.

Communion Hymn: Bread of Life                                                  MV #194

1Bread of life, feed my soul,

as the presence of the Spirit makes me whole.

Bread of life, fill my heart

with the grace and mercy you impart.

2I have heard your voice calling,

‘Come, my friend, and share

in the feast that is laid out for you

to show how much I care.’

3Bread of life, help me live

a life as pure and true as Jesus did.

Bread of life, help me see

the boundless love of Christ for you and me.

4I have heard your voice calling,

‘Come, my friend, and share

in the feast that is laid out for you

to show how much I care.’

5Bread of life, feed my soul,

as the presence of the Spirit makes me whole.

Bread of life, fill my heart

with the grace and mercy you impart

Prayer After Communion                                                                          BAS

Almighty God, guide and protect your people who share in this sacred mystery, and keep us always in your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hymn: Sent Out in Jesus' Name                                                           MV #212

Sent out in Jesus’ name,

Our hands are ready now

To make the world the place

In which the kingdom comes.

The angels cannot change

A world of hurt and pain

into a world of love,

Of justice and of peace.

The task is ours to do,

To set it really free.

O help us to obey,

And carry out your will.

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.

Sanctuary:     

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

          feeding you, challenging you.

Zoom:

          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!

 

Thank You