The Church of St. John the Divine

All Saints Sunday

November 1, 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.

 

Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls') – this Sunday, November 1st – 5:30 pm.

The names of the faithful departed will be read aloud at this service, while candles are lit in their memory.

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.

10:00 am Parish Eucharist

The congregation is invited to join in the responses and prayers marked in bold print.

Presider: The Reverend Canon Kevin Arndt

Reader: Judith Reid

Gospel: The Reverend Patrick Sibley

Address: The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls

Intercessor: Lorraine Gates

Sacristan: Terry Needham

Greeters: Sarah Kell, Betty Miller

Safety Officer: Judith Reid

Verger: Douwe Bosma

Streaming Technician: Karen Coverett

Musician: David Stratkaukas (music director)

Cantor: Anne van der Sloot (MacRae Choral Scholar)

Setting: Mass in C - R. Terry (1865-1938)

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

Presider:          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

Presider:          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)

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.
Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.
Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.
Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe.
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
miserere nobis.
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
suscipe deprecationem nostram.
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris,
 miserere nobis.
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus.
 Tu solus Dominus.
Tu solus Altissimus,
 Iesu Christe.
Cum Sancto Spiritu,
in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

 

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
who takes away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us
;
you who takes away the sin of the world:
receive our prayer;
you
who are seated at the right hand of the Father: have mercy on us.
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.

Presider:          Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the mystical Body of your Son, grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

All:                   Amen.

                                

Please be seated.

The Proclamation of the Word

Presider:          Let us listen for the Word of God in Holy Scripture.

All:                   Amen.

The First Reading - Revelation 7:9-17

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

           

Hear what the Spirit is saying.

 

All:                   Thanks be to God.

Psalm - 34:1-10; 22

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth. I will glory in the Lord; let the humble hear and rejoice. Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me out of all my terror. Look upon him and be radiant and let not your faces be ashamed. I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles. The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in him! Fear the Lord, you that are his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good. The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be punished who trust in him.

 

Please stand.

 

The Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12

Cantor:            Alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.

Reader:           God is with you.

All:                   And also with you.

Reader:           Here the Good news of Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

All:                   Glory to you, O Christ.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you.

The Gospel of Christ.

All:                   Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Please be seated.

Address

Following the address there will be a pause for silence.

Please stand.

Affirmation of Faith

Presider:          With the whole church,

All:                   we affirm that we are made in God’s image, befriended by Christ, empowered by the Spirit.

Presider:          With people everywhere,

All:                   we affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity planted more deeply than all that is wrong.

Presider:          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.

Presider:          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 - Give us the wings of faith  -  Matthew Larkin (b. 1963)

Give us the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above, how great their joy, how bright their glories be. Once they were mourning here below, and wet their couch with tears; they wrestled hard with sin and doubt and fear. We ask them whence their victory came: they with one united breath ascribe their conquest of the Lamb – their victory to His death. Give us the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above!

The Prayer over the Gift

Presider:          In the name of all of us gathered, near and far, we present these our gifts to God.  Let us pray:

Holy and mighty God, we give you thanks for the triumph of Christ in the lives of all his saints. Receive all we offer you this day, and help us, like them, to run our course with faith, that we may come to your eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  

All:                   Amen.

 

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.

 

Presider:          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

Presider:          The Lord be with you.

All:                   And also with you.

Presider:          Lift up your hearts.

All:                   We lift them to the Lord.

Presider:          Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All:                   It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Presider:          Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; in the multitude of your saints you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us,
and together with them receive the crown of glory that never fades away.
Therefore with angels and archangels and with all who have served you in every age, we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.

 

Sanctus (sung by the cantor)                                         

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domini.
Osanna in excelsis.

 

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.

                  

 

 

Presider:          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                                                  

Presider:          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

Presider:          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

Presider:          The gifts of God for the people of God.

All:                   Thanks be to God.

 

 

Agnus Dei (sung by the cantor)

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, 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 278)

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.  Jerusalem the golden,
       with milk and honey blessed,
beneath thy contemplation
       sink heart and voice oppressed.
I know not, O I know not
       what social joys are there,
what radiancy of glory,
       what bliss beyond compare.

2.  They stand, those halls of Sion,
       conjubilant with song,
and bright with many an angel
       and all the martyr throng.
The Prince is ever in them,
       the daylight is serene,
the pastures of the blessèd
       are decked in glorious sheen.

3.  There is the throne of David,
       and there, from care released,
the shout of them that triumph,
       the song of them that feast;
and they who with their leader
       have conquered in the fight,
forever and forever
       are clad in robes of white.

4.  O sweet and blessèd country,
       the home of God’s elect;
O dear and future vision,
       that eager hearts expect:
even now by faith we see thee,
       even here thy walls discern;
to thee our thoughts are kindled;
       for thee our spirits yearn.

                                                                 Text: Bernard of Cluny (12th cent.); tr. John Mason Neale (1818-1866).
                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Following the Communion there will be a pause for silence.

Please stand to pray.

The Commissioning of the Community

Presider:          One body are we.

All:                   For, though we are in many places, we spiritually share one bread.

Prayer after Communion

Presider:          Lord of hosts, we praise your glory reflected in your saints. May we who share at this table be filled with the joy of your eternal kingdom, where Jesus is Lord, now and for ever.

All:                   Amen.

Dismissal

Presider:          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 8th – Remembrance Sunday

Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25 A covenant between God and God’s people is made at Shechem under the leadership of Joshua.   
Psalm 78:1-7 The story of God’s great deeds is to be passed on from one generation to another without fail.   
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul responds to a troubling issue for his time: What happens to those who die in the faith before Christ’s return?  
Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus speaks of preparedness for the reign of God as a way of life.  (A bridesmaid’s purpose was to welcome the bridegroom when he brought his bride from her parents’ home to his). 

Flowers

To the Glory of God and in thanksgiving and loving remembrance of our parents, from Andrew and Lorraine Gates.

 

 

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.

 

 

The following people have asked for our prayers.
Please keep them in mind as you go through your week.


 

 

 

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 or for urgent calls only, use 778-678-6873

www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca    facebook.com/St.JohnVicBC

twitter.com/StJohnVicBC     e-mail:  admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca