The Holy Eucharist Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost November 5, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m.

 
The Holy Eucharist
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 5, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul’s Parish
 
Preludes: In Thy Love Let Us Perish J.S. Bach; As the Deer Nystrom/arr. John Carter; Sheep May Safely Graze J.S. Bach. With Frances Gray, piano
 
The Gathering of the Community
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.
 
Almighty God,
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.
 
342 We Praise You, O God
 
The Collect of the Day
Let us pray,
Almighty God, whose chosen servant Abraham obeyed your call, rejoicing in your promise that in him the family of the earth is blessed, give us faith like his, that in us your promises may be fulfilled; 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
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
A Reading From The First Letter Of Paul To The Thessalonians
You remember our labour and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God.
 
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures for ever. Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
 
He gathered them out of the lands; from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes; they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
 
They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits languished within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He put their feet on a straight path to go to a city where they might dwell.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
 
The Lord changed rivers into deserts, and water-springs into thirsty ground, A fruitful land into salt flats, because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
 
He changed deserts into pools of water and dry land into water-springs. He settled the hungry there, and they founded a city to dwell in. They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, and brought in a fruitful harvest.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
 
476 God, You Have Caused to Be Written
 
The Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
"The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
 
No Sermon
 
Anthem: You Are Mine David Haas
 
Affirmation of Faith (cf Ephesians 3):
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
Prayers of the People
In peace, let us join in prayer with God’s faithful people throughout the world, saying “hear our prayer.”
 
For the Church: especially for Linda, our Primate, and Sandra, our bishop, that through our deeds of compassion and faithful witness, we may be a light in times of confusion, despair and turmoil. God of peace.
               Hear our prayer.
For this Parish of St. Paul’s, that we may see and respond to your presence and call each day, that we may be a people of love and justice, working to end poverty here and around the world. God of peace.
               Hear our prayer.
For all those who live daily amidst violence and mass shootings, that they may be strong in the face of oppression, and that together we will work relentlessly to bring about peace and safety for women,  children and all people. God of peace.
               Hear our prayer.
For the gift of hope, that no matter what challenges we face, we may remain confident that with you all things are possible, that we will continue our work to bring about a real chance for truth and reconciliation with Indigenous people. God of peace.
               Hear our prayer.
For your peace and justice in our world, our country, and our community, and that those who are in any need may never be forgotten, that a way forward to peace may be found and pursued in all war-torn places on earth; we pray for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. God of peace:
Hear our prayer.
For all those in any anguish of body, mind, and spirit, remembering especially those we know who are ill at home or in the hospital,
-
And others we may name out loud or in our hearts…
-
… that they may find hope in Christ’s love and forgiveness. God of peace.
               Hear our prayer.
 
For those who have died in your peace, remembering especially,
-
… we pray that all who have died may awaken to everlasting life and we hold before you all who mourn. God of peace.
               Hear our prayer.
 
God of all times and places, hear the prayers we offer this day, and grant us grace to hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, in the assurance of your faithfulness, through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Confession and Absolution
Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
 
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 and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
 
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.
 
Announcements
 
104 Joy Shall Come (repeat as needed)
 
The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Prayer Over the Gifts
Let us pray,
God of freedom, accept all we offer you this day. May we embrace the law of your service and know the glorious liberty of the children of God. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
 
Eucharistic Prayer 4
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
 
It is right to give you thanks and praise, O Lord, our God, sustainer of the universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home; by your will they were created and have their being.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill; you made us the stewards of creation.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
But we turn against you, and betray your trust; and we turn against one another. Again and again you call us to return. Through the prophets and sages you reveal your righteous law. In the fullness of time you sent your Son, born of a woman, to be our Saviour. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. By his death he opened to us the way of freedom and peace.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
Therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
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.
 
Blessed are you, Lord our God, for sending us Jesus, the Christ, who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, gave it to his friends, and said, “Take this, and eat it: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
 
In the same way, after supper, he took the cup of wine; he gave you thanks, 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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
Gracious God, we recall the death of your Son Jesus Christ, we proclaim his resurrection and ascension, and we look with expectation for his coming as Lord of all the nations. We who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring you these gifts. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this offering of your Church, that we who eat and drink at this holy table may share the divine life of Christ our Lord.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
 
Pour out your Spirit upon the whole earth and make it your new creation. Gather your Church together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, where peace and justice are revealed, that we, with all your people, of every language, race, and nation, may share the banquet you have promised;
 
through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, all honour and glory are yours, creator of all.
Glory to you 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
Creator of all, you gave us golden fields of wheat,
whose many grains we have gathered
and made into this one bread.
So may your Church be gathered
from the ends of the earth
into your kingdom.
 
The Communion
The gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God.
 
Lamb of God
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
               have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
               have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
               grant us your peace.
 
Hymns during Communion:
PB 246 As the Deer
 
73 One Bread, One Body
 
The Sending forth of the Community
73 One Bread, One Body
 
Prayer After Communion
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, bring to perfection within us the communion we share in this sacrament. May the unity we know this day live in our community and family. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
 
The doxology
 
Blessing
 
601 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
 
The Scattering
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.