2/15/18

February 18, 2016 - World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice
The Holy Eucharist

The Gathering of the Community
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord be with you
      and also with you.
The Spirit of God
hovered over the water
      and brought life to all creation.
Come, Holy Spirit
      and renew the face of the earth. 

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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 631: The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy

The Collect of the Day
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose 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 we may 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. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading From The Book of Genesis
God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth." 9:8-17
Hear what the Spirit
is saying to the Church
      Thanks be to God.

Psalm 25:1-9
Refrain: The paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame; let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. R Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. R Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. R Gracious and upright is the Lord; therefore he teaches sinners in his way. He guides the humble in doing right and teaches his way to the lowly. All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. R

A Reading From The First Letter of Peter
Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you -not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. 3:18-22
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
      Thanks be to God.

Hymn 434: The Love of Jesus Calls Us

The Holy Gospel
The Lord be with you.
      And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
      Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." 1:9-15
The Gospel of Christ.
      Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.



Sermon: Mary Boyd

Affirmation of Faith


We say together in faith
      Holy, holy, holy
      is the Lord God almighty,
      who was, and is, and is to come.

We believe in God the Father,
who created all things:
      for by his will they were created
      and have their being.

We believe in God the Son,
who was slain:
      for with his blood,
      he purchased us for God,
      from every tribe and language,
      from every people and nation.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit:
      the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’
      Even so come, Lord Jesus! Amen.



The Prayer of the Community
The Prayers of the People – Episcopal Litany for Social Justice (edited)


Brothers and Sisters: God commands us through Jesus Christ to love one another. In baptism, we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being.” Let us now honor those vows and pray for the needs of others throughout our country and the world.

We pray for continued blessings on all peacemakers, on leaders who value peace, and on everyone who promotes nonviolent solutions to conflict. We pray for a speedy end to all violence and warfare around the world. God of peace and gentleness,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for the strength of heart and mind to look beyond ourselves and address the needs of our brothers and sisters throughout the world; for the rural and urban poor; for the rebuilding of our communities; and for an end to the cycles of violence that threaten our future. God of generosity and compassion,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for all nations, that they may live in unity, peace, and concord; and that all people may know justice and enjoy the perfect freedom that only God can give. God of liberty and freedom,
      Hear our prayer.
We pray that the Holy Spirit may embrace the most vulnerable members of our society; we pray also for an end to the growing disparity between the rich and poor; and for the grace and courage to strive for economic justice. God of all gifts and blessings,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for an end to prejudice throughout our country and the world; that we will respect all people as precious children of God; and that all forms of discrimination will be forever banished from our hearts, our society, and our laws. God of fellowship and equality,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for a reverence of creation; that we will have the tools and the will to conserve it; that we will use its bountiful resources in the service of others; and that we will become better stewards of all that has been entrusted to us. God of nature and the universe,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for all immigrants, refugees, and pilgrims from around the world, that they may be welcomed in our midst and be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. God of outcasts and wanderers,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick, the aged and the infirm; for those with physical or mental disabilities; that all may have access to care; and that God’s loving embrace may be felt by all who suffer. God of comfort and healing,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for all prisoners and captives; that a spirit of forgiveness may replace vengeance and retribution; and that we, with all the destitute, lonely, and oppressed, may be restored to the fullness of God’s grace. God of absolution and mercy,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for all children and families, and particularly for the orphaned, neglected, abused, and those who live in fear of violence or disease; that they may be relieved and protected. God of children and families,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for the reconciliation of all people, and for the Church throughout the world, that it may be an instrument of your healing love. God of outreach and restoration,
      Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died as a result of violence, war, disease or famine, especially those who died because of human blindness, neglect, or hardness of heart. God of eternal life and resurrecting love,
      Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, you have promised to hear what we ask in the name of your Son. Watch over us in the days ahead, guide us in all knowledge and truth and make your ways known among all people. Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession and Absolution
Human sin disfigures the whole creation, which groans with eager longing for God’s redemption. We confess our sin in penitence and faith.

We confess to you our lack of care for the world you have given us. Lord have mercy.
      Lord have mercy.

We confess to you our selfishness in not sharing the earth’s bounty fairly. Christ have mercy.
      Christ have mercy.

We confess to you our failure to protect resources for others. Lord have mercy.
      Lord have mercy.

The president declares God’s forgiveness.
Almighty 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. Amen.

The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
      And also with you.



Hymn 397: Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness

The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist



The Prayer over the Gifts
Let us pray,
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. Amen.

Prayer E  (from Common Worship, the Church of England)
The Lord is here.
      His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
      We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
      It is right to give thanks and praise.
Father, you made the world and love your creation. You gave your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. His dying and rising have set us free from sin and death. And so we gladly thank you, with saints and angels praising you, and saying:
      Holy, holy, holy Lord,
      God of power and might,
      heaven and earth are full of your glory.
      Hosanna in the highest.
      Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
      Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory. Great is the mystery of faith:
      Christ has died:
      Christ is risen:
      Christ will come again.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with all the saints to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
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. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
      Though we are many,
      we are one body,
      because we all share in one bread.
The gifts of God,
for the people of God.
      Thanks be to God.

Lamb of God



Hymns-during-communion
-       572: Let there Be Light (V 1-3, 6)
-       575: Let Streams of Living Justice
-       Make Me a Servant (P177)

Here at St. Paul’s Church, we extend the hospitality of the Lord’s Table to all. You are welcome to receive communion with us this evening.

The Sending Forth of the Community

Hymn 179: Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery (v 1, 6b)



Prayer after Communion
Let us pray,
Faithful God, in this holy bread you increase our faith and hope and love. Lead us in the path of Christ who is your Word of life. We ask this in his name. Amen.

The 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
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, creator of light and giver of life, to you be glory and praise for ever. In Jesus your light has shone out; and you have given your Holy Spirit as a mighty stream of life-giving water to refresh and renew the face of the earth. Let your light shine in us that we may be beacons of justice and bearers of hope.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
      Blessed be God for ever.

Hymn 484: In Christ There Is No East or West

The Scattering (Mark 4:20)
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
      Thanks be to God.