Ken Rue is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Opening Hymn: CH6 “Immortal, invisible, God only wise” Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice, like mountains high soaring above, thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see ’tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.
W. Chalmers Smith (1824-1908) based on 1 Timothy 1: 17; Psalm 36: 6
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith, that we may evermore be defended from all adversities; for you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Ministry of the Word
The First Reading: Isaiah 40: 12-17, 27-31 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
RESPONSORY Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!
The Psalm: Psalm 8 1 O Lord our Governor : how excellent is thy Name in all the world! 2 Thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens : out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, 3 Because of thine enemies : that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 4 When I consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers : the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 5 What is man, that thou art mindful of him : and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 6 Thou madest him lower than the angels : to crown him with glory and worship. 7 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands : and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet; 8 All sheep and oxen : yea, and the beasts of the field; 9 The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea : and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas. 10 O Lord our Governor : how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
RESPONSORY Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!
Hymn before the Gospel: CH321 “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty” Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty, early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty; God in Three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, God everlasting through eternity.
Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee, though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty! all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty; God in Three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
The Gospel: Matthew 28: 16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
COLLECT OF THE WORD God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the triune God: author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us. Glory and praise to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
SERMON
Responding
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Let us make a statement of faith: We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is love.
We praise God the Father: who created the universe and keeps it in being. He has made us his sons and daughters to share his joy, living together in justice and peace, caring for his world and for each other.
We proclaim Jesus Christ, God the Son: born of Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became one of us, sharing our life and our death. He has made known God’s compassion and mercy, giving hope and declaring forgiveness of sin, offering healing and wholeness to all. By his death on the cross and by his resurrection, he has triumphed over evil. Jesus is Lord of life and all creation.
We trust God the Holy Spirit: who unites us to Christ, and gives life to the Church; who brings us to repentance and assures us of forgiveness. The Spirit guides us in our understanding of the bible, renews us in the sacraments, and calls us to serve God in the world. Amen.
Hymn of Faith: Thanks and Praise 173 “You who dwell in the shadow of the Lord” You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in His shadow for life, say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust.”
And he 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 His Hand.
Snares of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear; under His Wings your refuge, with faithfulness your shield.
For to His angels he’s 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.
Michael Joncas (b. 1951) based on Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40: 31
PRAYERS Let us pray:
We come boldly to the throne of grace, praying to the almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for mercy and grace. We plead before your throne in heaven.
Father of heaven, whose love profound A ransom for our souls has found: We pray for the world, created by your love, for its nations and governments … Extend to them your peace, pardoning love, mercy and grace. We plead before your throne in heaven.
Almighty Son, incarnate Word, our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord: We pray for the Church, created for your glory, for its ministry to reflect those works of yours … Extend to us your salvation, growth, mercy and grace. We plead before your throne in heaven.
Eternal Spirit, by whose breath the soul is raised from sin and death: We pray for families and individuals, created in your image, for the lonely, the bereaved, the sick and the dying … Breathe on them the breath of life and bring them to your mercy and grace. We plead before your throne in heaven.
Thrice holy! Father, Spirit, Son, Mysterious Godhead, Three in One: We pray for ourselves, for your Church, for all whom we remember before you … Bring us all to bow before your throne in heaven, to receive life and pardon, mercy and grace for all eternity, as we worship you, saying,
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Amen.
GENERAL COLLECT Almighty God, May we worship you with lips and lives Proclaiming your majesty And finally see you in your eternal glory: Holy and Eternal Trinity, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER Let us sum up all our prayers and praises in the words our Saviour Christ has taught us, saying: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn: CH173 “God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name”(vs. 1 and 2) God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name; I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name, and in Jesus’ name I come to you to share His love as He told me to
He said: ‘Freely, freely, you have received, freely, freely give; go in My name, and because you believe, others will know that I live.’
All power is given in Jesus’ name in earth and heaven in Jesus’ name and in Jesus’ name I come to you to share His power as He told me to.
Carol Owens
Going out as God’s People
PRAYER Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
BLESSING God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace: and the blessing of God almighty the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always. Amen.