Prelude Courante, from Suite in e minor, by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Welcome - The Rev. John Burton
Hymn - 214 –
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia! The Officiant begins the service with a sentence of Scripture: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
2 Corinthians 5:17, NRSV Confession of Sin Officiant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor:
(
Silence) Officiant and People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen. Officiant: O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise.
People: And your glory all the day long. Officiant and People: Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia! Officiant: Alleluia. Christ the Lord has ascended into heaven:
People: Come let us adore him. Alleluia Psalm 63:1-8 (Unison) O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; * my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water. Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, * that I might behold your power and your glory. For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; * my lips shall give you praise. So will I bless you as long as I live * and lift up my hands in your Name. My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth praises you with joyful lips, When I remember you upon my bed, * and meditate on you in the night watches. For you have been my helper, * and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul clings to you; * your right hand holds me fast. Officiant: Alleluia. Christ the Lord has ascended into heaven:
People: Come let us adore him. Alleluia Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 (Ted and Joan Bromage) 1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate him flee before him.
2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire,
so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *
let them also be merry and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;
exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *
YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!
5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, *
God in his holy habitation!
6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7 O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10 Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.
34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *
he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
35 Ascribe power to God; *
his majesty is over Israel;
his strength is in the skies.
36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! *
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen. Lesson: Acts 1:6-14 (Linda Foster) When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. Canticle S - A Song of Our True Nature, Julian of Norwich
(KC Burton) (
From Enriching Our worship 1) Officiant and People: Christ revealed our frailty and our falling,
* our trespasses and our humiliations. Christ also revealed his blessed power,
* his blessed wisdom and love. He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need;
* he raises us in spirit and turns everything to glory and joy without ending. God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature;
* God is the true father and mother of natures. We are all bound to God by nature,
* and we are all bound to God by grace. And this grace is for all the world,
* because it is our precious mother, Christ. For this fair nature was prepared by Christ for the honor and nobility of all,
* and for the joy and bliss of salvation. 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 (Michael DaCosta) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. Hymn – 182 –
Christ is alive! Gospel - John 17:1-11 (Maude March)
Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. Sermon – The Rev. John Burton
Affirmation of Faith – (New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 481) Unison: You, O God, are supreme and holy.
You create our world and give us life.
Your purpose overarches everything we do.
You have always been with us.
You are God. You, O God, are infinitely generous,
good beyond all measure.
You came to us before we came to you.
You have revealed and proved
your love for us in Jesus Christ,
who lived and died and rose again.
You are with us now.
You are God. You, O God, are Holy Spirit.
You empower us to be your gospel in the world.
You reconcile and heal; you overcome death. You are our God. We worship you. The Prayers Officiant: Hear our cry, O God.
People:
And listen to our prayer. Officiant: Let us pray
The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, And the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. Suffrages (From Enriching Our Worship 1) Officiant and People: V. Help us, O God our Savior;
R. Deliver us and forgive us our sins. V. Look upon your congregation;
R. Give to your people the blessing of peace. V. Declare your glory among the nations;
R. And your wonders among all peoples. V. Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away;
R. Never forget the lives of your poor. V. Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you;
R. And your favor to those who are true of heart. V. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning;
R. So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. Collect for the Day Unison: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. A Collect for Sundays Officiant: O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. Prayers of the People (Betty Tiedmann) The Altar Flowers at St. Saviour's Church are given to the Glory of God and in Memory of Gerald and Suzanne Allen and Warren and Eva Davis by Amy Allen Sussman The Leader and People pray responsively Father, we pray for the congregations of St. Margaret in Belfast and St. Andrew in Newcastle; for Memorial Day as we remember all who have died in the service of their country.
we pray for your holy Catholic Church.
That we all may be one. Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people. We pray for all members of the Anglican Communion around the world; for the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, and all primates and bishops; for members of the Anglican Consultative Council; for the Secretary General, The Most Rev. Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon; for the staff at the Anglican Communion Office in London and the UN offices in Geneva and New York; for Justin, Michael, Thomas and all bishops; for all priests and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments. We pray for our armed forces serving overseas, and for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth. Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight. We pray for all who suffer, including Doris, Gail, Jeremy, Michael, Joyce and Jim, Loretta, Susannah, Theresa, David, George, Fred and Dollis, Sara, Dorothea, Ray and Susan, Richard, Cassandra, Beth, Dorothy and Jim, Bill and Barbara.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress. Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them. We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom. Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence Please add your own thanksgivings and intercessions. In this time of pandemic, we pray:
For all who have contracted coronavirus,
We pray for care and healing. For those who are particularly vulnerable,
We pray for safety and protection.
For all who experience fear or anxiety,
We pray for peace of mind and spirit. For affected families who are facing difficult decisions
between food on the table or public safety,
We pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance,
We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status,
We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all. For our brothers and sisters around the world,
We pray for shared solidarity. For public officials and decisionmakers,
We pray for wisdom and guidance. Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope,
comfort and love to all.
Grant peace.
Grant comfort.
Grant healing.
Be with us, Lord. Amen. General Thanksgiving –
Officiant and People: Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to 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 honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. Officiant: Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.
Amen. Ephesians 3:20, 21 Blessing Dismissal Closing Hymn – 460 –
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! Suggested Prayer Activity Postlude Sarabande, from French Suite in G major, by J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
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CELEBRANT
The Rev. John Burton
MUSIC
Stephen Sampson (Prelude and Postlude)
Daniel Pyle (Hymns)
READINGS and PRAYERS
Ted and Joan Bromage
Linda Foster
KC Burton
Michael DaCosta
Maude March
Betty Tiedmann
VIDEO EDITING
Jayne Ashworth