Hybrid Church Second Sunday in Lent, March 5, 2023,The Rev. Deborah van der Goes

 

Hybrid Church

Second Sunday in Lent

March 5, 2023

 

Presider: The Rev. Deborah van der Goes

Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

Presider: The Rev. Deborah van der Goes

Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

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

Welcome & Announcements

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

Gathering

Centering & Stillness (a bell will ring)  

You are invited to follow the sound into silence and set your focus on God 

(silence)

Introit: Come and Find the Quiet Centre (v.1)                          VU #374

Come and find the quiet centre

in the crowded life we lead,

Find the room for hope to enter,

find the frame where we are freed.

Clear the chaos and the clutter,

clear our eyes, that we can see

All the things that really matter,

be at peace, and simply be.

The Christ Candle is Lit 

One:  The grace of Christ Jesus, the love of God, and

          the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:     And also with you

One:  Almighty God,

All:    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.

 

Hymn of Praise: Jesus, Tempted in the Desert                       VU #115

1Jesus, tempted in the desert; 
lonely, hungry, filled with dread:
“Use your power,” the tempter tells him, 
“Turn these barren rocks to bread!”
“Not alone by bread,” he answers, 
“Can the human heart be filled.
Only by the Word that calls us 
is our deepest hunger stilled!”

2Jesus, tempted at the temple, 
high above its ancient wall:
“Throw yourself from lofty turret, 
angels wait to break your fall!”
Jesus shuns such empty marvels, 
feats that fickle crowds request:
“God, whose grace protects, reserves us, 
we must never vainly test.”

3Jesus, tempted on the mountain 
by the lure of vast domain:
“Fall before me! Be my servant! 
Glory, fame, you’re sure to gain!”
Jesus sees the dazzling vision, 
turns his eyes another way:
“God alone deserves our homage! 
God alone will I obey!”

4When we face temptations power, 
lonely, struggling, filled with dread,
Christ, who knew the tempter’s hour, 
come and be our living bread.
By your grace, protect, preserve us 
lest we fall, your trust betray.
Yours, above all other voices, 
be the Word we hear, obey.” 

The Collect

(a prayer which collects the themes of the day)

(silence)

One:  Almighty God, your Son fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, but did not sin, give us grace to discipline ourselves in submission to your Spirit, that as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

All:    Amen.

Service of the Word

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. 

Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7                Reader: Gai Campbell
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Psalm 32                                                                      Reader: Gai Campbell

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,

   whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,

   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away

   through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

          Selah

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,

   and I did not hide my iniquity;

I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,

   and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

          Selah

Therefore let all who are faithful

   offer prayer to you;

at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters

   shall not reach them.

You are a hiding-place for me;

   you preserve me from trouble;

   you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

          Selah

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;

   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

   whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,

   else it will not stay near you.

Many are the torments of the wicked,

   but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,

   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

The Epistle: Romans 5:12-19                                     Reader: Gai Campbell
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous

The Gospel                                                    

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

Deacon: God be with you.  
All: And also with you

Deacon:          The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew

All:  Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 4:1-11                                                            
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ 

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

       Deacon: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

            All:                  Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection:                           “Seeing Jesus”

(silence)

Lenten Theme: Forward in Faith – Step by Step

First Sunday in Lent: “Kin-dom Come”

In the name of the Holy One, our call to ministry is achieved step by step.  Our Lenten journey places us one step after another on a pathway towards the unfolding of God’s “Kin-dom Come.”  Christ Church Gabriola is on the journey.  Our ministries bear witness to our discipleship and following in Jesus’ way.  This First Sunday of Lent we dream forward.  Listen now to the hope and promise to come as the passion and love driving the “Free The Houses Catalyst Project” (Shelagh Huston) and “Good Morning Contact Program” (Rob Brockley) proposals are shared for all to hear.  At the conclusion of their Lenten “story,” a stepping stone representing the vitalness of these ministries will be placed at the front of the church.   

Affirmation of Faith

One:  Do you believe and trust in God the Father,

          source of all being and life,

          the one for whom we exist?

All:    We believe and trust in him.

One:  Do you believe and trust in God the Son,   

          who took our human nature,

          died for us and rose again?

All:    We believe and trust in him.

One:  Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,

          who gives life to the people of God

          and makes Christ known in the world?

All:    We believe and trust in him.

One:  This is the faith of the Church.

All:    This is our faith.

          We believe and trust in one God,

          Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn: Guide My Feet                                                                                                        CP #513

Cantor: 1. Guide my feet

All: While I run this race (yes, my Lord)

Guide my feet while I run this race (yes, my Lord)

     Guide my feet while I run this race, for I 

       Don’t want to run this race in vain (race in vain)

Cantor: 

   2. Hold my hand…

   3. Stand by me…

   4. I’m your child..

   5. Search my heart..

   6. Guide my feet

Prayers of the People                                                         Susan Brockley One:    

  God of Steadfast Love,

All:    Hear our Prayer                                                              

Prayer of Confession

One:  Living God, thank you for the opportunity to reflect on Scripture together. We know that sometimes to doubt is to grow – so,

All:    forgive us when we allow our doubts to diminish us;

One:  Sometimes looking back helps us to advance – so,

All:    forgive us when we allow our memories to cripple us;

One:  Sometimes recognising our tiredness can lead to real rest, so

All:    forgive us when we allow our weariness to demoralise us.

          Forgive us and help us to glimpse your presence in our lives 

(silence is kept)

Absolution

Priest: Living 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.

All:    Amen

The Peace

Please stand as you are able

One: The peace of Christ be with you! 

All:   And also with you!

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

The Celebration of the Eucharist

In which we “Take Bread”, Give Thanks, Break Bread, and Share Communion

Our Offerings are gathered – while music is played

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.

Prayer over the Gifts 

Priest:  God our refuge and our strength, receive all we offer you this day, and through the death and resurrection of your Son transform us to his likeness.  We ask this in his name.

All:    Amen                                      

The Call to Give Thanks (Sursum Corda)

Priest:   God be with you.

People:           And also with you.

Priest:  Let us open our hearts.

People:           We open ourselves to God and to each other.                          

Priest:  Let us give thanks for the gifts of life and faith.

People:           It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The Thanksgiving (Preface)

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise.  Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; you have revealed your eternal plan of salvation, and have shown your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of all peoples.  Therefore with angels and archangels we raise our voices in joyful praise to proclaim the glory of your name.

The Song of Creation (Sanctus-Benedictus)

All together singing (MV #203)                                                                             

O Holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.                
All earth and sea and sky 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

Remembering Jesus at Table (Institution Narrative)

We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people;

in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh,

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.  Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.  Do this for the remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Affirmation of Memory and Hope

All together singing (MV #204)

Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again! 

Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again! 

Prayer of Self-Giving (Anamnesis-Oblation)

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command, his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and the promise of his coming again, we give thanks to you, O Lord God, Creator of all, to accept our praise and thanksgiving, and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us and these your own gifts of bread and wine…. 

Prayer for Transformation (Epiclesis)

…so that we and all who share in the body and blood or Christ may be filled with heavenly blessing and grace, and, receiving the forgiveness of sin, may be formed to live as your holy people and be given our inheritance with all your saints….

Concluding Praise 

…to you, O God, Creator, Redeemer and Holy Spirit be all honour and glory in your holy church now and forever. 

The Amen

All:    Amen. So be it. Make it so. Amen

Prayer of Jesus                                                                          VU #959

And now as Jesus has taught us, let us sing.                              

            Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

            your Kin-dom 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 kin-dom, the power
            and the glory are yours,

            now and forever. 

The Breaking of Bread

Priest: We break this bread,

All:      Communion in Christ’s body once broken

Priest: Let your Church be the wheat

            Which bears its fruit in dying.

All:      If we have died with him, we shall live with him,

            If we hold firm, we shall reign with him.

Invitation to Communion 

Priest: The Gifts of God for the People of God

All:     Thanks be to God

Communion Hymn: Break, Now the Bread of Life                VU #501

1Break now the bread of life, Saviour, to me,

as once you broke the loaves beside the sea.

Beyond the sacred page I seek you, Lord;

my spirit waits for you, O Living Word.

2Bless your own truth, dear Christ, to me, to me,

as when you blessed the bread by Galilee;

then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall,

and I shall find my peace, my all-in-all.

Prayer after Communion

Priest: Source of all goodness, in this Eucharist

          we are nourished by the bread of heaven

          and invigorated with new wine.

          May these gifts renew our lives,

          that we may show your glory to all the world,

          in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

One:  Glory to God,

All:    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.

Hymn: On Eagles Wings                                                     VU #808

1You who dwell in the shelter of our God,

who abide in this shadow for life,

say to the Lord: 'My refuge,

my Rock in whom I trust.'

Refrain 

'And I will raise you up on eagle's wings,

bear you on the breath of dawn,

make you to shine like the sun,

and hold you in the palm of my hand.'

2The snare of the fowler will never capture you,

and famine will bring you no fear:

under God's wings your refuge,

God's faithfulness your shield.   R

3You need not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day;

though thousands fall about you,

near you it shall not come.   R

4For to God's angels is given a command

to guard you in all of your ways;

upon their hands they will bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.   R

Blessing

Priest: Now God keep you in all your days. Christ shield you in all your ways. The Spirit bring you healing and peace. And God the Holy Trinity pour upon you blessing and light. 

All:    Amen.

Deacon:          Let us go now in peace to love and serve The Lord.

All:      Thanks be