A morning service during the Covid-19 restrictions
Third Sunday after Pentecost - June 21, 2020

   #303 Where cross the crowded ways of life

Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan,		
above the noise of selfish strife, we hear thy voice, O Son of Man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need, on shadowed thresholds, dark with fears,
from paths where hide the lures of greed, we catch the vision of thy tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness, from woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,
from famished souls, from sorrow’s stress, thy heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for thee still holds the freshness of thy grace;
yet long these multitudes to see the strong compassion of thy face.

O Master, from the mountain side, make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
among these restless throngs abide, O tread the city’s streets again.

Till sons of men shall learn thy love and follow where thy feet have trod,
till glorious from thy heaven above shall come the city of our God.
Frank Mason North 1850-1935

The Lord is in his holy temple: O come, let us worship.

Venite   Psalm 95.1–7
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
	let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * 
	and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, *
	and a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
	and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his for he made it, *
	and his hands have moulded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
	and kneel before the Lord our maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
	Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

The Psalm for the day  Psalm 86:1-10,16-17
The Readings for the day: Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1-11, Matthew 10:24-39
A reflection on the readings (see attached)

# 176 Take up your cross, the Saviour said

Take up your cross, the Saviour said, if you would my disciple be;					
deny yourself, the world forsake, and humbly follow after me.
Take up your cross; let not its weight fill your weak soul with vain alarm;
his strength shall bear your spirit up, and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross, nor heed the shame, and let your foolish pride be still;
your Lord for you endured to die upon a cross, on Calvary’s hill.

Take up your cross, then, in his strength, and calmly every danger brave:
‘twill guide you to a better home and lead to victory o’er the grave.

Take up your cross, and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down;
for only he who bears the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown.
Charles William Everest 1814-1877

Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, 
with all your mind, and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment, the second is like it:
Love your neighbour as you love yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

Prayers (see litany below)
Please remember Karen, Geri, Doe, Thelma, the Anzil household, nursing homes coping with a Covid-19 outbreak, our Indigenous Sisters and Brothers on this National Indigenous Day of Prayer.

The Collect for the day
O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

The Lord’s Prayer										
#254 Nearer, my God, to thee
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! Even though it be a cross that raiseth me.		
Still all my song shall be ‘Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Though, like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone,
yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

There let thy way appear steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me in mercy given;
angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee, nearer my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Then with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise,
so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee, nearer my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Or if on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and star forgot, upwards I fly,
still all my song shall be, ‘Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Sarah Flower Adams 1805-1848 based on Genesis 28:10-22
    
Dismissal
Then may be said or sung,
Officiant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God!

18 A Responsive Intercession The penitential section may be omitted.
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, 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;
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 N our bishop, and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For our own needs and those of others.
Silence. The people may add their own petitions.
Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.
General Thanksgiving Prayers
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
We pray for all those who have died 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. The people may add their own petitions.
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.
The celebrant concludes with an absolution, or the following (or other suitable) collect.
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 text above is taken from the Book of Alternative Service published by the Anglican Church of Canada and used with permission. The words of the Hymns are all in public domain unless otherwise noted.