HYBRID WORSHIP, PENTECOST XI, 7 AUGUST 2026, Rev Mona Smart

 HYBRID WORSHIP

PENTECOST XI

7 AUGUST 2026

Minister: Mona Smart

Music: Frances Armstrong

We acknowledge that 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!

Words for Worship

Words of response are in bold

Prelude

Gathering Words

The gospel reading from Matthew is about the sustaining love and power of God, and of not being afraid as we rely on God’s love to carry out our purpose, our mission in life. The idea of “not being afraid” is expressed more than 100 times across the entire Bible.

Acknowledgement of the Land

We prayerfully acknowledge with thanksgiving that we gather on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw people. Gracious God, help us to seek a new relationship with the first peoples here, one based in honour and respect. Amen.

Call to Worship or The Collect                                                            

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.

Lighting of Candle                                                                        Episcopal Church

Creator God,

you call us to love and serve you with body, mind, and spirit
through loving your creation and our sisters and brothers.
Open our hearts in compassion that we may bring your love and light into the world.

(Lighting of candle)

May we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world.

Opening Hymn: O Come and Let Us Sing (sung x3)              MV #9

O come and let us sing to God, our hope,

God’s mercy is for ever.

Prayer of Forgiveness         Adapted: BAS, ACC & Celebrate God’s Presence, UCC

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 neighbours as ourselves.

We are truly sorry.

Prayer for Illumination and Grace                 Celebrate God’s Presence, UCC

We are assured that even those things that are hidden from memory, or are too deep for our words, are not beyond God’s forgiving love. We ask that you amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways. Amen

Affirmation of Faith

The Lord our God is One.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.

Peace of Christ                                                                         John 14:27

Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you;” my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

The Peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.

Prayer Before the Reading of Scripture                                ACC & UCC

O God, your Word is a lamp to our feet, and light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love.

Amen

Psalm 85: 8-13

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people.

To his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who respect him,

That his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,

and righteousness will look down from the sky.

God will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before God and will make a path for his steps.

 

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)              Reader: Nancy Hetherington Peirce

At that place he came to a cave and spent the night 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. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill, and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

This is the Word of God

            Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading                                         Reader: Nancy Hetherington Peirce

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

God be with you.

And also with you.

The Good News according to Matthew.

Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV) 

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately he made the disciples get into a 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.”

 

This is the Gospel of Christ.

Thanks be to God

 

Word: A Reflection on the Gospel

 

Hymn of Response: God Be in My Head (sung x3)             VU #430

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at mine end, and at my departing.

 

Life & Work of the Church

 

Prayers of the People                                                         Lynette Jackson                                                                                                     

Loving God,

            Hear our Prayers.

 

The 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 forever. Amen.

 

5

Offering (offering now to be collected)

 

Offering Prayer                                                Celebrate God’s Presence, UCC

Ever-present God,

With this offering, we present also ourselves: all that we have been all that we are, and all that we shall become, and our resolve to walk in your way. Amen

 

Closing Hymn: In Christ There is No East or West             VU #606

 

Blessing & Sending

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

 

Postlude

 

 

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