ST. JOHN'S
ANGLICAN CHURCH
Worship at Home Service for Deliverance from the Coronavirus
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 8, 2023
Welcome
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them"
MATTHEW 18: 31-46
We continue to be in extraordinary times, but St. John’s is committed to acting with care for each other. Our online worship provides music and prayers which are up-dated weekly. We hope our online worship inspires you and helps you to feel united in spirit as we seek God.
Opening Sentence
I chose you and appointed you, says the Lord, that you should go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.
John 15:16
Gathering the Community
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi
Opening Hymn
'For the Fruits of All Creation'
Collect for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Almighty God, you have built your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Join us together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may become a holy temple, acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn
'We Plough the Fields and Scatter'
The Word of God
Homily
Silence for Reflections
Prayers of the People
Let us give thanks to God our Father, always and for everything, saying, “We thank you, Lord”.
For the beauty and wonder of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.
R- We thank you, Lord
For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ; for those who care for the sick and the vulnerable; for those who make sacrifices to keep us safe.
R- We thank you, Lord
For our daily food, for our homes and families and friends; for challenges and tasks which demand our best efforts.
R- We thank you, Lord
For health, strength, and skill to work, and for leisure to rest and play,
R- We thank you, Lord
We give thanks for all who pursue peace, justice and truth. We give thanks for St. John and for all the saints whose lives have reflected the light of Christ.
R- We thank you, Lord
Today we give thanks that you are with those facing challenges, especially remembering, Audra, Gerry, Sandy & Paul, Steve and Jeanette, Laurie, Bill, Kay, Ruth, Enid, Larry D., Mary, Tom, Mattagan and Carol.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, for his dying, through which he overcame death, for his rising to life, which gives us hope.
R- We Thank you, Lord
Closing Prayer: Loving God, we turn our hearts to you on this Sunday for giving thanks, mindful of your many gifts. For each one, we are grateful. For each one, we are blessed. For each one we are opened to the abundance of your love. May this Thanksgiving Sunday offer a reminder to us to be generous with others, as you are generous with us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Diocese of Niagara Prayer (Corona Virus)
Loving God, whose peace passes all our understanding; as we face this present pandemic, and experience fear and anxiety, may we hear your voice, bringing calm to the storms of our time.
Strengthen those who work to limit the spread of infection, and those who seek to care for the sick, and keep us mindful of those most vulnerable.
May we shape our living to protect one another, and may our changing habits, practices and sacrifices, be for the greater love of our community and all your people. Amen
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
Blessing
May Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we redeemed: guide us and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you.
Go in peace as a sign of hope for all people by showing forth the living presence of God in this world and may the blessing of God almighty the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen.