Hybrid Sunday Service, July 9, 2023, Rev Sally Bullus

Hybrid Sunday Service, July 9, 2023, Rev. Sally Bullas

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 & Announcements

Whether 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. 

Centering & Stillness    (Hafiz, adapted)

“God, disguised as a myriad things, and playing a game of tag, has kissed you and said, ‘You’re it—I mean, you’re Really IT!’  Now it does not matter what you belive or feel, for something wonderful, major-league Wonderful is someday going to happen.”

                                                (invitation to sit in silence)

Introit: God of Still Waiting vs. 2      MV #20

Spirit of promise, Spirit of purpose,

Spirit of ceaseless prayer:

bathe us in life full and free,
kindle our wonder and hope.

Lighting of the Christ Candle  

One:  Christ is our Light.

All:    Thanks be to God!

(the Christ Candle is lit)

Greeting
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

Opening Words   (William Stephenson, worshipwords.co.uk, adapted)

One:  We come to feel flowing from others the same hunger and thirst:
All:    For hope
          For Faith
          For peace
          For joy

One:  We come to acknowledge what we know:
All:    That You are the ultimate Source of all we long for
          That You are the Creator of all those we care for
          That Your Holy Spirit pulsates in our beings
          That Your sacred Love never gives up on us
          That Your Hope will pull us into tomorrow

One:  We come now:
All:    For worship

Hymn: All Creatures of Our God and King      VU #217

1All creatures of our God and King,

lift up your voice and with us sing:

hallelujah, hallelujah!

Bright burning sun with golden beam,

soft shining moon with silver gleam,

sing praises, sing praises,

hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

2O rushing winds and breezes soft,

O clouds that ride the winds aloft,

sing praises, hallelujah!

O rising morn, in praise rejoice;

O lights of evening, find a voice:

sing praises, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

3Earth, ever fertile, day by day

brings forth rich blessings on our way:

sing praises, hallelujah!

The flowers and fruits that verdant grow,

let them God’s glory also show:

sing praises, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

4And everyone of tender heart,

forgiving others, take your part:

sing praises, hallelujah!

All who long pain and sorrow bear,

praise God and yield up all your care:

sing praises, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

5Let all things their Creator bless,

and worship God in humbleness:

sing praises, hallelujah!

Praise God eternal, praise the Son,

and praise the Spirit, three in one:

sing praises, hallelujah,

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Opening Prayer          (Sam Goodman, worshipwords.co.uk, adapted)
One:  Be with us…
All:    in ways that wrap us in communion.
One:  Unite us…
All:    to be your church once more.
One:  While we are apart…
All:    bring us closer together in ways that your justice and                  mercy restore.

One:  Be always beside us…
All:    may your word speak to guide us.
One:  Your comfort to shield us…
All:    a strange warmth inside us;
          a church built up firmly and safe on the rock.

One:  Be present in prayers and our longing to witness…
All:    the awe and wonder you have in store.
One:  Lead us to show love in diverse ways and richness…
All:    to friends and the allies your gospel calls for.

One:  Be here to unite us…

All:     uplift and excite us.
One:  Let passion still make your church rejoice.
All:    Enfold us and remould us in ways that delight you.
One:  Be here in our silence…
All:    let us know your voice.

(pause for silent prayer)                                   

Passing of the Peace

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.

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

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 (NRSV)      Reader: Pat Armstrong

So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying,

“You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.”

‘I came today to the spring, and said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,’ and who will say to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.”

‘Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water-jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, “Please let me drink.” She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, “Drink, and I will also water your camels.” So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.” So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.’ And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ She said, ‘I will.’ So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, ‘May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.’ Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, ‘Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?’ The servant said, ‘It is my master.’ So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Gospel Reading:      Reader: Pat Armstrong

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 the Christ according to Matthew

All: Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

          Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

          All: Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection:     “One Thing Leads to Another” (homily attached)

 

Hymn: When Hands Reach Out and Fingers Trace MV #136 

1When hands reach out and fingers trace    (Tune: O Waly Waly)

The beauty of a loved one’s face,

We thank you, God, that love relies

On gifts of grace not seen with eyes.

2When fingers spell and signs express

Our prayer and praise and thankfulness,

We thank you, God, that hands can sing;

You bless the silent songs we bring.

3When broken bodies will not mend,

We thank you, God, for Christ our Friend.

In him, our healing can begin:

He welcomes all the wounded in.

4And when the ways we learn and grow

Are not the ways that others know,

We thank you, God, that we have learned

Your love’s a gift, and never earned.

5Your Spirit gives us differing ways

To serve you well and offer praise.

When all are joined as one, we’ll be

Your able, strong community.

Offering                                                                                                    

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   (Ana Gobledale, worshipwords.co.uk)     

One:  Pray with me:
All:    God of joy, thank you for all that we have. Receive these gifts, given with joy and thanksgiving.  May they support the work of the faithful to bring justice and joy to all people.

One:  Amen.

Prayers of the People     Susan Brockley   attached)                                                                                               

One:  Loving God,

All:    Hear Our Prayer

Communion Hymn: All Who Hunger  VU #460

1All who hunger gather gladly;

holy manna is our bread.

Come from wilderness and wandering.

Here, in truth, we will be fed.

You that yearn for days of fullness,

all around us is our food.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

2All who hunger, never strangers;

seeker, be a welcome guest.

Come from restlessness and roaming.

Here, in joy, we keep the feast.

We that once were lost and scattered

in communion’s love have stood.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

3All who hunger, sing together;

Jesus Christ is living bread.

Come from loneliness and longing.

Here, in peace, we have been led.

Blest are those who from this table

live their days in gratitude.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.            

A Statement of Faith : “A New Creed”   VU #918

We are not alone,

    we live in God’s world.

 We believe in God:

    who has created and is creating,

    who has come in Jesus,

       the Word made flesh,

       to reconcile and make new,

    who works in us and others

       by the Spirit.

We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church:

    to celebrate God’s presence,

    to live with respect in Creation,

    to love and serve others,

    to seek justice and resist evil,

    to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,

       our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

    God is with us.

We are not alone.

    Thanks be to God.

We Celebrate at the Table

One:  God be with you…

All:    and also with you.

One:  Open your hearts...

All:    we open them to the One who calls… 

One:  God calls us to the table to find a new way: a new grace, a new             hope, a new faith, a new life
All:    God calls; we come. 
One:  Come to the table and let go of the worn out: 
          worn out habits, worn out pains, 
          worn out angers, worn out burdens. 
All:    God calls; we come. 
One:  Come to the table and receive blessing, freedom, mercy, love. 
All:    God calls; we praise. 

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.

One:  And the table will be wide.
          And the welcome will be wide.
          And the arms will open wide to gather us in.
          And our hearts will open wide to receive.
All:    And we will come as children who trust there is enough.
          And we will come unhindered and free.
          And our aching will be met with bread.
          And our sorrow will be met with wine.
One:  And we will open our hands to the feast without shame.
          And we will turn toward each other without fear.
          And we will give up our appetite for despair.
          And we will taste and know of delight.
All:    And we will become bread for a hungering world.
And we will become drink for those who thirst.
One:  And the blessed will become the blessing.
            And everywhere will be the feast.
                                                                           (Jan Richardson, “And The Table Will be Wide”)

One:  Christ Jesus, you have invited us to come to this table.
All:    We have come from many places and experiences; 
          we have come with all our differences; 
          We have come to the place where journeys meet. 
One:  You have called us into the heart of God. 

Memorial Acclamation     MV #204

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

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

One:  On the night he was betrayed, while his disciples were eating,  Jesus took a piece of bread in his hands, like this, and he  blessed it: 
All:    Blessed are you God of all creation; through your goodness, we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made.  It will become for us the bread of life. 
One:  And then he said to them:  This is my body broken for you                 (bread is broken), do this is in remembrance of me. 

One:  And then Jesus took a cup of wine, like this, and gave  thanks: 
All:    Blessed are you God of all creation, through your goodness 

          we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human 

          hands.  It will become for us the cup of salvation. 
                                                                                                                                                         

One:  And then he said to them:  Drink this, all of you, this is the cup  of the new covenant (wine is poured).  Do this in remembrance of me. 

One:  Breathe your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and wine
          that they may become in us heaven’s food:  renewing, transforming, sustaining, and making us whole, 
All:    so that we may be your body on earth, loving and caring for your creation, where all are welcome and the poorest are fed. 

The Prayer of Jesus        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.

One:  The gifts of God for the people of God. 
All:    The bread of life!

          The cup of blessing!

 

(Communion is served)

Post Communion Prayer

One:  God of hope, in bread and wine, you have restored us to relationship with you. 

All:    Show us how to be a people that live your reconciling love in the world, so that we may recognise your presence in those we meet.  Amen.

Hymn: To Abraham and Sarah     VU #634

1To Abraham and Sarah

the call of God was clear,

“Go forth and I will show you

a country rich and fair.

You need not fear the journey

for I have pledged my word,

that you shall be my people

and I will be your God.”

 2From Abraham and Sarah

arose a pilgrim race,

dependent for their journey

on God’s abundant grace;

and in their heart was written

by God this saving word:

“that you shall be my people

and I will be your God.”

3We of this generation

on whom God’s hand is laid,

can journey to the future

secure and unafraid,

rejoicing in God’s goodness

and trusting in this word:

“that you shall be my people

and I will be your God.”

Thank You

Blessing   (Stephen Best, worshipwords.co.uk, adapted)

One:  And now, know that this God who is within, around and beyond,
All:    delights in our probing, wriggles with joy at our exploring,
One:  and hugs and holds us as we search for understanding.
All:    So let’s always enjoy our journeys into the wonder of God,
One:  and until we meet again:
All:    God bless us, each and every one.

 

(The liturgy for today’s Communion service was drawn from a selection of resources found at worshipwords.co.uk)