Prelude
THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY
Territorial Land Acknowledgement
As we begin this service, we acknowledge that we gather on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people, the traditional territory of the Wendat and Haudenosaunee Confederacy. May we honour the Indigenous stewards of this land, and grow in right relationship with all Indigenous peoples.
We recognize that Creator God moves us forward together in healing, respect, and unity for future generations.
Opening Hymn: 60 – I Come with Joy
Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: 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.
Glory to God
Celebrant: Glory to God in the highest,
All: and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for our glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
First Reading – Deuteronomy 18.15-20
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak – that prophet shall die.”
Psalm 111 (Response: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.)
Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the deeds of the Lord! *
they are studied by all who delight in them.
His work is full of majesty and splendour, *
and his righteousness endures for ever.
He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He gives food to those who fear him; *
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works *
in giving them the lands of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because they are done in truth and equity.
He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever.
Generous and bountiful God, give us grace always to thank you and share your gifts with others, that the world may be filled with the joy of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 9.16-23
Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him. Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth – as in fact there are many gods and many lords – yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.
Gradual Hymn: SNC 196
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to . . .
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel – Mark 1.21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Sermon – The Reverend Kerri Brennan
The Apostles’ Creed
Celebrant Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say,
All
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbours, and for all those who are alone.
For this community, especially those included in our bulletin insert who we name together now:
Kathleen, Garth, Dave, Mark, Ernie, Heather, Neil, Brian, Chloe, Ann, Max, Ken, Linda, Fred, Mary, Madelaine, Henri …, for our country, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble, especially those in Israel-Palestine, Russia and Ukraine; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the gospel, and all who seek the truth.
For we pray for Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate; as well as Staff at Ascension House Christ Church, Bells Corners; the Venerable Monique Stone.
For all who serve God in the Church.
For our own needs and those of others.
Silence.
Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence.
We will exalt you, O God our king; And praise your name for ever and ever.
We pray for all those who have died, especially Marguerite Kirkham, in the peace of Christ, and for those whose faith is known to you alone, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence.
Lord, let your loving kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion, forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Celebrant: Gracious God, you have heard the prayers of your faithful people; you know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Grant our requests as may be best for us. This we ask in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Offertory Hymn: 292 -We Cannot Measure How You Heal
Prayer over the Gifts
The Great Thanksgiving – Eucharistic Prayer #2
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. He is your living Word, through whom you have created all things.
By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh of the Virgin Mary and shared our human nature. He lived and died as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
In fulfilment of your will he stretched out his hands in suffering, to bring release to those who place their hope in you; and so he won for you a holy people. He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows, and to give up his life on the cross, that he might shatter the chains of evil and death, and banish the darkness of sin and despair. By his resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence.
Now with all creation we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant Holy and gracious God, accept our praise, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread and gave you thanks, sayng, “Take, and eat: this is my body which is broken for you.”
In the same way he took the cup, saying, “This is my blood which is shed for you. When you do this, you do it in memory of me.”
Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we offer you this bread and this cup, giving thanks that you have made us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.
We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of your holy Church. Gather into one all who share in these sacred mysteries, filling them with the Holy Spirit and confirming their faith in the truth, that together we may praise you and give you glory through your Servant, Jesus Christ.
All glory and honour are yours, Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Church, now and for ever.
People Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant: And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
All: 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.
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
All God here among us, light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.
The Communion
This is the Lord’s Table, not just an Anglican table.
- The bread/wafer is received in the open palm. Gluten-free wafers are available – just ask the priest.
- We offer the wine by way of the Common Cup. Alternatively, you may receive the wine by crossing your arms on your chest, or gently touching the base of the cup. Please know that we are fully communicated by receiving only the bread.
- If you do not wish to receive the bread and wine, but would like a blessing, please indicate this preference by crossing your arms across your chest.
Communion Hymn: 239 – Jesus Lives! Thy Terrors Now
361 – Surely It Is God Who Saves Me
Prayer after Communion
Doxology
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.
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: 384 – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Dismissal
Postlude
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦