The Church of St. John the Divine
The 21st Sunday after Pentecost – October 25, 2020
As people of God, we celebrate Christ in the heart of Victoria through joyful worship, building inclusive community, and putting faith into action.
St. John’s acknowledges these ancestral lands of the Lekwungen speaking people.
We are an inclusive and affirming parish; the sacraments of the church (baptism, communion and marriage) are available to all people on equal terms. Christ welcomes you, and so do we.
Welcome to the Parish Church of St. John the Divine, Victoria. We are a community of faith in the Anglican Tradition, seeking to live lives of faith, hope and love as part of this community of Downtown Victoria. We are on a journey of learning to be a welcoming, inviting, inclusive and serving community which is open to all.
Our worship reflects our rootedness in the Anglican tradition, whilst drawing on liturgies that reflect the long history and heritage of our Christian faith. Please join in as you feel able, and enjoy the words, music and opportunity for prayer and to be a part of our community.
Worship in a time of COVID-19 : In these times when we must be careful in any gathering we have careful protocols in place for our limited gatherings on a Sunday – the plans are available to download on the Website, and for those unable to attend in person our services are also livestreamed there: https://www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca/
We will continue to meet on Sundays at 10am for our Parish Eucharist, and at 5:30 pm for a service of Evensong, please check details on the website as to how to book for each service and the information needed to comply with Provincial requirements.
We continue to share daily prayer online with a link on our website daily.
Contacting Us: We are all learning ways to build community "at a distance." We are checking phone messages and answering emails. The main email for contact is: admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca. If you wish to receive prayer for yourself or for another, there will be members of our Healing Prayer group who will offer their prayers. Please contact: the church office at the above email address.
You are very welcome here. We don’t always get it right; please let us know when we do, and when we don’t. Please stay and be a part of our family, for however long you would like.
10:00 am Parish Eucharist
The congregation is invited to join in the responses and prayers marked in bold print.
Presider: The Venerable Alastair McCollum
Reader: John McLaren
Gospel: Stephanie Wood
Sermon: Stephanie Wood
Intercessor: Karen Coverett
(Today’s Prayers were written by Peggy Wilmot.)
Sacristan: Iris Elsdon
Greeters: Louise Langman, Beryl Roundhill
Safety Officer: Judith Reid
Verger: Chuck Neilson
Streaming Technician: Karen Coverett
Pianist: Emily Markwart (Sutton Organ Scholar)
Cantor: Dahliea Adamson (MacRae Choral Scholar)
Setting: Philip Ledger
The Gathering of the Community
Prelude
Please stand as the clergy enter.
Welcome to all those gathered here and those gathering online.
Gathering
Presider: From wherever we are, near or far, we gather in the name of God. We gather in God’s love. There is no distance greater than God, there is no separation possible from the love of God. We gather with God our Loving Creator. We gather with Jesus our brother and redeemer. We gather with God, the Spirit of Love.
All: Amen.
The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
be with you all.
All: And also with you.
Collect for Purity
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.
Lighting of the Family Candle
The Church Family Prayer
Loving God,
All: you have called us to be your family and to celebrate our life together in worship. We pray now, for all members of our family as we gather in our church buildings, our homes, and online. Through your spirit keep us united in love. Bless each of us with your beloved friendship. Teach us, gracious God, how to be your church in these times. Help us to know that we are your people, that we are your Family, always. Amen.
Gloria (sung by the Cantor)
Glory to God in the
highest, 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
your 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.
The Collect of the Day
Silence is kept.
God beyond our knowing, we make you into an idol to serve our own needs. Humble our arrogance by the strangeness of your coming and the wonder of your mercy; through Jesus Christ, the friend of Pharisees and tax collectors.
All: Amen. Prayers for an Inclusive Church (2009) alt.
Please be seated.
The Proclamation of the Word
Let us listen for the Word of God in Holy Scripture.
All: Amen.
The First Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Hear what the Spirit is saying.
All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born, from age to age you are God. You turn us back to the dust and say, “Go back, O child of earth.” For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past and like a watch in the night. You sweep us away like a dream; we fade away suddenly like the grass. In the morning it is green and flourishes; in the evening it is dried up and withered. Return, O Lord; how long will you tarry? Be gracious to your servants. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us and the years in which we suffered adversity. Show your servants your works and your splendour to their children. May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; proper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.
Please stand.
The Gospel Matthew 22:34-46
Cantor: Alleluia. Open our hearts, O Lord, to accept the words of your son. Alleluia.
God is with you.
All: And also with you.
Here the Good news of Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
All: Glory to you, O Christ.
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’”? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
The Gospel of Christ.
All: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
Sermon
Following the sermon there will be a pause for silence.
Please stand.
Affirmation of Faith
With the whole church,
All: we affirm that we are made in God’s image,
befriended by Christ, empowered by the Spirit.
With people everywhere,
All: we affirm God’s goodness at the heart of
humanity
planted more deeply than all that is wrong.
With all creation,
All: we celebrate the miracle and wonder of life;
the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work in ourselves and the world.
Iona Abbey Worship Book
Prayers of the People
Please
sit, stand or kneel as is your custom.
Please note that those who have asked for our prayers are listed at
the end of the leaflet.
The Peace
Please stand.
The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
All may offer their neighbour a sign of peace.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offertory Anthem Gaelic Blessing - John Rutter (b. 1949)
Deep peace of the
running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining starts to you,
Deep peace of the gentle night to you, Moon and stars pour their healing light on
you,
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
The Prayer over the Gifts
In the name of all of us gathered, near and far, we present these our gifts to God. Let us pray:
God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, so that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord.
All: Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) alt.
As we prepare to celebrate this Eucharist, we remember that we are the people of God. Near or far we are gathered together by the love of Christ. We remember that we are incorporated into the body of Christ. We join together in this celebration of our union in Christ.
Let us pray.
Thanks be to you,
All: Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given us, and all that you have borne for us. In our sharing in this Eucharist, in Church or at home, we ask you to come spiritually into our hearts. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving Supplementary Eucharistic Prayer 2
The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and
earth;
we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord,
because in the fellowship of your saints you have given us a glorious pledge
of the hope of our calling.
Therefore we join our voices with theirs
as earth and heaven unite
to proclaim the glory of your name.
Sanctus (sung by the cantor)
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, O Holy One:
when Hagar was driven into the wilderness you followed her and gave her hope.
When Joseph was sold into bondage, you turned malice to your people’s good.
When you called Israel out of slavery,
you brought them through the wilderness into the promised land.
When your people were taken into exile
you wept with them by the river of Babylon and carried them home.
All: Restore us, O God, let your face shine!
At the right time you sent your Anointed One to stand with the poor,
the outcast, and the oppressed.
Jesus touched lepers, and the sick, and healed them.
He accepted water from a woman of Samaria and offered her the water of new life.
Christ knew the desolation of the cross
and opened the way for all humanity into the redemption of your reconciling love.
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus, at supper with his friends,
took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, gave it to them, and said,
“Take and eat: this is my body which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine,
and when he had given thanks, he 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.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Loving and Holy One,
recalling Christ’s death and resurrection, we offer you these gifts,
longing for the bread of tomorrow and the wine of the age to come.
Therefore we proclaim our hope.
All: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Pour out your Spirit on these gifts that through them you may sustain us in our
hunger for your peace. We hold before you all whose lives are marked by suffering,
our sisters and brothers.
When we are broken and cast aside, embrace us in your love.
All: Restore us, O God, let your face shine!
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O Source of all life, now and for ever.
All: Amen.
The Disciple’s Prayer
As Christ taught his friends, and longing for the new life of God’s reign,
let us pray:
All: 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 forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Creator of all, who summons the salmon from the depths of the seas
to yearn for the place of their origin.
All: So may your Spirit stir in our hearts to
return and find our home in you.
Liturgy
of the Islands, 2018, Diocese of Islands and Inlets
The Communion
The gifts of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Agnus Dei (sung by the cantor)
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 peace, grant us peace.
All are invited to receive communion. Please follow the Greeters’ instructions. Receiving bread is considered full communion. Any not receiving communion are invited to receive a blessing, and to indicate that by holding their arms crossed on their chest.
If you are unable to come forward for communion please make this known to the Greeters and we will bring communion to you.
Gluten free wafers for communion are available. Please request them from the person who is distributing the bread.
Hymn during communion: (CP 645)
In line with current Covid regulations the
congregation in the church building is asked not to sing. Words are provided
for meditation on the text as the cantor and those joining in the service via
livestream from their homes sing the hymn.
1.
Come down, O Love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardour glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
2. O
let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
3. Let
holy charity
mine outward vesture be,
and lowliness become mine inner clothing;
true lowliness of heart,
which takes the humbler part,
and o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.
4. And
so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till they become the place
wherein the Holy Spirit finds a dwelling.
Text: Bianco da Siena (1350?-1434?); tr. Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890), alt.
Following the Communion there will be a pause for silence.
Please stand to pray.
The Commissioning of the Community
One body are we.
All: For, though we are in many places, we spiritually share one bread.
Prayer after Communion
O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son. By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen. Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006)
Dismissal
Let us go in peace to love and serve our loving God.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.
Postlude
Our coffee hour will take place on Zoom at 11:00 am.
Readings for November 1st – All Saints
Revelation 7:9-17 A celebratory vision focuses on those who have died for the faith and whose cause is finally vindicated in the heavenly court. Psalm 34:1-10 The blessed estate of the saints of God is announced. 1 John 3:1-3 As children of God we enjoy the lavishness of God’s love, both present reality and future hope. Matthew 5:1-12 Life under the reign of God turns the world upside down.
Readings for November 1st – All Souls – 5:30 pm
Evensong & Commemoration of the Faithful Departed
Psalm 121
Wisdom 3:1-9
1 Peter 1:3-9 or John 11:21-27
Flowers
Ian Hay, husband, father, grandfather, remembered with love, from Anne and all the family.
EVENSONG
Every Sunday at 5:30pm - sung by a small ensemble of Choral Scholars
Evensong is a contemplative, musical and prayerful liturgy, ideally suited to the end of the week and the close of day, and to this current time when we have been asked to avoid congregational singing, but still long for the depth and beauty of a choral liturgy.
Register
to attend at stjohnthedivine.eventbrite.com
Registration for each service opens Monday morning, and closes just before the service
starts, so please do register to come. Walk-ins are also very welcome, as
long as attendance doesn’t exceed 30 people.
Usual safety protocols apply: please don't attend if symptomatic. See stjohnthedivine.bc.ca for more information on church safety during the pandemic.
Full-sized choirs are unable to participate in services at the moment due to attendance limitations and physical distancing guidelines - we will expand to our full choirs as soon as it is safe and permitted to do so! In the meanwhile, watch for extra-liturgical projects from both choirs over the course of the Autumn.
Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls') – Next Sunday, November 1st.
The names of the faithful departed will be read aloud at this service, while candles are lit in their memory.
If you wish to have someone remembered, please submit their name by email to Carol-Ann in the office (admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca) by Sat., October 31st.
Attendance at the service is limited to 30 (register via St John's Eventbrite page at stjohnthedivine.eventbrite.ca), but the service will also be livestreamed on the church's Facebook pages and website.
The following people have asked for our
prayers.
Please keep them in mind as you go through your week.
· Coumba, Mady, Idriss
· Hagos, Tsigay & family
· Sohaila & Fawad
· Anne
· Harriet
· Philip & Lisa
· Rhoda
· Silvana Carr
· Carolyn
· Nicholas
· Patrick
· Virginia
· Alan
· Derek
· John
· Linda
· Helen
· David & Pat
· Kyla
· Gary
· Marlene
R.I.P. Joyce Caldwell, Elizabeth Hyde
The Anglican Church of St. John the Divine
Stewards
People’s Warden: Joan Huzar
Associate Warden: Lorraine Gates
Envelope Secretary: Jim Harlick
Rector’s Warden: vacant
Associate Warden: Karen Coverett
Treasurer: David Buckman
Parish Council
Susan Bansgrove,
Carol Denton, Marguerite Heppell,
Penny Holt, Erin Kelly
Synod Delegates
Karen Coverett, Joel Hefty, Bill Huzar, Joan Huzar
Staff Supporting the Ministry of St. John’s
Rector: The Ven. Alastair McCollum
Associate Priest: The Rev’d Canon Kevin Arndt
Associate Priest: The Rev’d Bill Tarter
Deacon: The Rev’d Patrick Sibley
Curate: Stephanie Wood
Director of Music: David
Stratkauskas
Family Ministry Coordinator: Ruth MacIntosh
Parish Administrator: Carol-Ann Zenger
Honorary Assistants
The Rev’d Derek Dunwoody / The
Rev’d Canon Andrew Gates
The Rev’d Jane Reid
1611 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2L5
Tel. 250-383-7169 / Fax 250-381-3573
pastoral@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca
for urgent calls only, use 778-678-6873
e-mail: admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca