10/2/12

Harvest Thanksgiving 2012


The Holy Eucharist

- Welcome and Thanksgiving cards handed out.
 

Hymn 258: We Plough the Fields and Scatter
 

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.

 
You delight in creation, its colour and diversity; yet we have misused the earth and plundered its resources for our own selfish ends. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You have brought order out of chaos, light in darkness, good out of evil, but we have preferred darkness in words and deeds which dishonour God’s holy name. Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

You have showered us with blessings, but we have been grudging towards others and lacking in generosity in word and deed. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The Collect of the Day
Let us pray.

Creator of the fruitful earth, you made us stewards of all things. Give us grateful hearts for all your goodness, and steadfast wills to use your bounty well, that the whole human family, today and in generations to come, may with us give thanks for the riches of your creation. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.


The Proclamation of the Word

A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to Timothy
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all - this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.   2:1-7
The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Psalm 126
Refrain: The Lord has done great things for us.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. R Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. R Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev. R Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. R

Hymn/Anthem: Come, Ye thankful People, Come
- The Choir sings verses 1 & 2, Choir & Congregation sing verse 3

 

The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." 6:25-33
The Gospel of Christ

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

 
Thanksgiving Offering
- Hymn 405: Alleluia No. 1

 
An Affirmation of Faith
Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?
  We believe and trust in one God.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in one God.

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in one God.

This is the faith of the Church.
This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Prayers of the People
God said, ‘Let there be light.’ Eternal God, we thank you for your light and your truth. We praise you for your gracious care in creating a universe which proclaims your glory. Inspire us to worship you, the creator of all, and let your light shine upon our world. God of life:
hear our prayer.

God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the heavens.’ We thank you for the vastness of the universe and the mysteries of space. We pray for all scientists and astronomers who extend the boundaries of our knowledge. As we contemplate the wonder of the heavens, confirm us in the truth that every human being is known and loved by you. God of life:
hear our prayer.

God said, ‘Let the waters be gathered together, and let dry land appear.’ We thank you for the beauty of the earth, for the diversity of land and sea, for the resources of the earth. Give us the will to cherish this planet and to use its riches for the good and welfare of all. God of life:
hear our prayer.

God said, ‘Let there be lights in the sky to separate the day and the night.’ We thank you for the warmth of the sun, the light of the moon, the glory of the stars.  We praise you for the formations of clouds, the radiance of dawn and sunset. Save us from wasting or abusing the energy on which all life depends. Open our eyes to behold your beauty, and our lips to praise your name. God of life:
hear our prayer.

God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth living creatures, and let birds fly across the sky.’ We thank you for the teeming life of the seas, and the flight of the birds. Help us to protect the environment so that all life may flourish. God of life:
hear our prayer.

God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind.’ We rejoice in the variety of animal life. Grant us grace to treat all animals with respect and care; to protect endangered species, to preserve the variety of habitats, and to honour the delicate balance of nature. God of life:
hear our prayer.

God said, ‘Let us create human beings in our own image.’ We pray for the human family. We exult in its diversity and giftedness; we repent of its sins, divisions and violence. By the power of your Spirit, restore your image within us, through Christ who came to remake us by his death and resurrection. God of life:
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the nearly forty PEI families who over the last fifteen have achieved security and dignity by coming to own an adequate and affordable home through the work of thousands of volunteers of Habitat for Humanity. We pray that other limited-income, working families with inadequate housing find a home though Habitat for Humanity. God of life:
hear our prayer.

In our cycle of prayer we pray for...
In our Diocese we pray for...
We pray for the people of our Companion Parish of St. Michael and All Angels, Pierrefonds, Que. We pray for our bishops (Sue and Ron), and for all the clergy and people. God of life:
hear our prayer.

Merciful and Healing One, hear us as we pray for all who suffer, for those who are ill at home or in the hospital, especially:
-
and others we may name a loud or in our hearts:
-  
We entrust to your never failing care and love those who have died, especially:
-
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty: open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession and Absolution
We confess our sin, and the sins of our society, in the misuse of God’s creation. God our Father, we are sorry for the times when we have used your gifts carelessly, and acted ungratefully. Hear our prayer, and in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.

We enjoy the fruits of the harvest, but sometimes forget that you have given them to us. Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.

We belong to a people who are full and satisfied, but ignore the cry of the hungry. Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.

We are thoughtless, and do not care enough for the world you have made. Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.

We store up goods for ourselves alone, as if there were no God and no heaven. Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.

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.
- The members of the community, ministers and people, may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
- Announcements

The Other Offering
Hymn-at-the-offertory: He Has Made Me Glad
 

The Celebration of the Eucharist

Prayer over the Gifts
Let us pray,
Source of all life, the heaven and earth are yours, yet you have given us dominion over all things. Receive the symbols of our labour and love which we offer you this day, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
The Eucharistic Prayer - from Common Worship, 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.
- Insert our shared Thanksgivings

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.

Christ is the bread of life:
When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.

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
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.

Anthem: Lamb of God
 

Hymns-during-communion:
- 292: We cannot Measure How You Heal
- 259: For the Fruit of All Creation

The Scattering (Mark 4:20)

Hymn 403: Let All things Now Living

Prayer after Communion
Let us pray.
God of our hope, in this eucharist we find the source of all your blessings. Nourished in these holy mysteries may we, with our lives, give you continual thanks and praise. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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
May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all goodness and growth, pour blessing upon all things created, and upon you, that you may use God’s gifts to God’s glory and the welfare of all peoples; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and with you always. Amen

Hymn 416: All things Bright and Beautiful
- refrain, verses, refrain

Dismissal
Tend the earth, care for God’s good creation,
and bring forth the fruits of righteousness.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.