During the Covid Lockdown South Grey Bruce Lutheran Parish will worship together through Zoom on line or through phone in. The link is the same every Sunday – Here are the details:
Topic: Sunday Worship Time: May 16, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Sun, until May 30, 2021, 7 occurrence(s)
May 16, 2021 10:00 AM May 23, 2021 10:00 AM May 30, 2021 10:00 AM
Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and he world was changed forever.cTeach us to keep faith with them, that our witness may be as bold, our love as deep, and our faith as true. Amen.
First reading: Acts 4:32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Word of God; Word of Life. R/ Thanks be to God.
Psalm 133: The Blessedness of Unity; A Song of Ascents.
1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.
Second Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2
1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Word of God; Word of Life. R/ Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel according to John. R/ Glory to you O Lord
John 20:19-31
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.
The congregation is invited to offer silent prayers in each area. If words are difficult, you are invited to sit and breathe, knowing that God does not need words to know our deepest desires.
Let us pray for the unity of the Whole church on earth: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer
Let us pray for the care of this earth and all creation: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer
Let us pray for nations and those in authority: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer
Let us pray for the power of a generous spirit within our heart: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer
Let us pray for our community to live together in love: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer
Let us pray for the gift of eternal life: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the hope of New life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Wehave been blessed with many gifts.
Take this time to offer gratitude through our gifts and tithes.
And now receive this blessing:
The God of life, Father + Son and Holy Spirit
Bless you now and forever. Amen.
GO IN PEACE, SHARE THE GOOD NEWS
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Hymns and liturgy used with permission through OneLicense #A736624. All Rights reserved. Special thanks to Tim McNabb of Halifax Lutheran Church of the Resurrection for his musical contribution of Psalm 133.
Easter worship will be limited in person gathering. .. maximum 40 people, Zoom participation is also an option. Join thru the link below for real time worship, and communion. In The privacy of your home, you can sing as loud as your neighbours can stand! Easter blessings to you.
Let us pray together: We praise you, O God,for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ.Today he entered the holy city in triumphand was proclaimed messiah and kingby those who spread garments and branches along his way.Bless these branches and those who carry them.Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross,so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
PROCESSIONAL Hymn: Ride On, Ride On In Majesty
V1: Ride on ride on in majesty! Hear all the tribes hosanna cry: O Saviour meek, your road pursue, With palms and scattered garments strewed.
V2: Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, your triumphs now begin O’er captive death and conquered sin.
V3: Ride on, ride on in majesty! The hosts of angels in the sky Look down with sad and wond’ring eyes To see the-approaching sacrificed.
V4: Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die, Bow your meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O Christ, your pow’r and reign!
Pastor: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Psalm 31: 9-16
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
Hymn of the day: Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Beneath the cross of Jesus I long to take my stand; The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land, A home within a wilderness, a rest upon the way From the burning of the noontide hear and burdens of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus my eye at times can see The very dying form of one who suffered there for me And from my contrite heart, with tears, two wonders I confess: The wonder of his glorious love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, your shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face; Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, my glory all, the cross
Presentation of gifts:
Offertory prayer: O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
Hymn:
Jesus I will ponder now, On your holy passion. Let your Spirit now endow me for meditation Grant that I in love and faith May the image cherish Of your suff’ring, pain, and death, That I may not perish
Make me see your great distress, anguish and affliction Bonds and stripes and wretchedness and your crucifixion Make me see how scourge and rod, spear and nails did wound you, How you died for those, O God, who with thorns had crowned you.
Yet, O Lord, not thus alone make me see your passion But its cause to me make known and its termination For I also and my sin Wrought your deep affliction; This the shameful cause has been of your crucifixion.
Let me view your pain and loss With repentant grieving, Nor prepare again your cross By unholy living. May I give you love for love! Hear me, O my Saviour, That I may in heaven above Sing your praise for ever.
Thankyou for participating in worship this day. May your Holy Week Journey be blessed. Serving today: Presiding Pastor – Rev. Pam McNeil; Musician – Linda Yenssen; Hymn leader – David Dietz; Usher – John Polfuss; Greeter- Shirley and William Luedke;
Augsburg Fortress Hymns and liturgy used with permission OneLicense #A736624 all rights reserved.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another:
Most Merciful God: We confessThat we are captive to sinAnd cannot free ourselves.We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed,By what we have done and by what we have left undone.We have not loved you with our whole hearts;We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ have mercy on us.Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,So that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,To the glory of your holy name. AMEN
Gathering Hymn: LBW 479
My Faith looks up to thee, Thou lamb of Calvary, Saviour Divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, Oh let me from this day be wholly thine!
May thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire; As thou hast died for me, Oh may my love to thee Pure, warm and changless be, A living fire!
Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some were sick through their sinful ways,and because of their iniquities endured affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; 20 he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. 21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. 22 And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
God loved the world so that he gave His only son the lost to save, That all who would in him believe Should everlasting life receive.
Hymn of the Day: (hymn tune: when I survey)
All glory to the father, Son, And Holy Spirit, three in one! To you, O blessed trinity, Be praise now and eternally!
Offertory:
Create in me a clean heart O lord and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your free spirit.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our LordHe was conceived by the power of the Holy SpiritAnd born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,Was crucified, died and was buried.He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven.And is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,The holy catholic Church,The communion of saints,The forgiveness of sinsThe resurrection of the bodyAnd the life everlasting. Amen
Sending hymn: LBW 97Christ the life of all the living, Christ the death of death, our foe, Christ yourself for me once giving To the darkest depths of woe; Through your suffering, death and merit, Life eternal I inherit Thousand, thousand thanks are due Dearest Jesus unto you.
Then for all that bought me pardon, For the sorrows deep and sore, For the anguish in the garden, I will thank you ever more; Thank you for the groaning, sighing, For the bleeding and the dying, For that last triumphant cry, Praise you ever more on high.
Go in peace; Share the good news R/ Thanks be to God
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another:
Most Merciful God:
We confess: That we are captive to sinAnd cannot free ourselves.We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed,By what we have done and by what we have left undone.We have not loved you with our whole hearts;We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ have mercy on us.Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,So that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,To the glory of your holy name. AMEN
Lord Take my hand and lead me upon life’s way. Direct, protect and feed me from day to day; Without your grace and favour I go astray; So take my hand O Saviour, and lead the way.
Lord, when the shadows lengthen and night has come I know that you will strengthen my steps toward home; And nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend! So take my hand and lead me unto the end.
Psalm 19: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure,making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear,enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are trueand righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey,and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless,and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Send me Jesus, Send me Jesus. Send me Jesus, Send me Lord
Lead me Jesus, lead me Jesus, Lead me Jesus, lead me Lord.
Fill me Jesus, fill me Jesus, Fill me Jesus Fill me Lord
Thank you for being part of worship today. This worship service was recorded during in person worship at St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt.
For those who have the means please continue to support the ministries and expenses of the South Grey Bruce Lutheran Parish: St Paul Neustadt; St Matthew Mildmay and St Paul’s Normanby.
Serving today: Presiding pastor – Rev. Pam McNeil; Worship Assistant – Rob Rekopf; Musician – Marlene Dietz, Hymn leader – Dave Dietz; Caretaker – Eriz Zimmerman
SOUTH GREY BRUCE LUTHERANPARISH OF MILDMAY, NEUSTADT and MORMANBY
Order for Confession and Forgiveness provided by the ELCIC Synod for Lent.
We are unfinished. Our universe is unfinished. We confess the ways in which we attempt to limit God’s creative power working in and through us. <Silence>
Creating God, shape us into fruitful co-creators and faithful stewards of your design, liberated by your covenant to bless and be a blessing.
In Jesus we have met the one who, with his very life, showed us the power of love to transform the lives of all who are vulnerable. We confess the ways in which we steadfastly cling to our rights and entitlements, refusing to be changed, or even touched, by the world’s pain. <Silence>
Transforming Christ, move us from comfort to courage, from empathy to engagement, from prayer to policy change.
All things belong together; we are many, and we are one. We confess the ways in which we have allowed separation-from God-within-me, from God-within-you, from God-within-creation- to define us. <Silence>
Enlivening Spirit, breathe into us the breath of your grace that we may release our hold on the fear and arrogance that keeps us from knowing wholeness. <Silence>
Beloved, God’s forgiveness is fulfilled in Christ. Because we are unfinished, we are ever being recreated. Because we have met Jesus, we are ever being transformed. Because we are both many and one, we are ever being enlivened with the Spirit’s power – the grace of God, in whom we live and move and have our being. Forgiveness, grace, and love are yours to have ☩ and yours to share, now and always. Amen
23You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.
29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
This prayer chant written by Mark Miller was referred to during the sermon. Here it is sung by the Inshallah community from Waterloo.
This song by Mark Miller is referred to in the sermon. Here it is sung by Inshallah from Waterloo.,
Thankyou for being part of worship. Serving today: Rev Pam McNeil, presiding pastor; Marlene Dietz, musician; Dave Dietz, hymn leader; Liturgy contributions were prepared by Rev. Jennifer Hoover, Rev. John Polacok, Rev Martin Malina. The Inshallah video was edited by Rev Ronnie Smith.
Invite you to join in the order for confession & Forgiveness (Rev. Brooklynn Lane)
Three in one God, Creator, Child, and Holy Spirit, ☩ We give thanks for your mercy and ask for forgiveness. Amen.
Loving God, Forgive us. We have neglected to see the face of Christ in our neighbour. We have walked past our neighbour and failed to recognize their humanity. We have forgotten that the web of life connects us all. Forgive us.
We are quick to anger, and to cast judgement. Our words pierce like swords when we speak from these places. We let fear, doubt, and lack of understanding guide our actions. Forgive us.
We confess our self-centeredness, and consumer driven thinking has turned us from you and your call for justice and love and care for creation. Forgive us.
God who meets us in the face of each person we meet, Who paints the sky with colours that calm the soul, Who creates a soundscape of rushing rivers, Who gives grace to the world through the winds of the Holy Spirit, Open our hearts to be transformed and changed.
You are forgiven. Through the love of God, in the name of God, ☩ your sins are forgiven. Baptism remains forever. God’s love is here!
Inspiring God, guide us to be agents of change, knowing that our decisions, our actions and inactions affect all people. Help us to have the courage and strength to move forward, to let our hearts and minds be overflowing with love, grace, and a deep awareness that you are with us, guiding us on the journey. Compassionate God, Three in one. – ☩ Amen
thank you for joining in worship. Serving today: presiding pastor Rev.Pam McNeil; Musician Linda Yenssen; custodian Eric Zimmerman. Liturgy was provided by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and contributed by Rev Brooklynn Lane, Rev Dr Allen Jorgenson, Rev Martin Malina, and Rev. John Polacok.
Worship leaders today: Rev. Pamela McNeil; Musician- Marlene Dietz; Hymn Leader – Dave Dietz; Custodian – Dave Dietz
Worship Ordo for thanksgiving for Baptism is from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book; Prayers were inspired by the Revised Common Lectionary resource and Sundays and Seasons resource.
The work of God is carried out by the people of God.
