O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord: Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Entrance Hymn # 525 The Church’s One Foundation
The Gathering of the Community
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. R/ And also with you.
There is one body and one Spirit, R/ There is one hope in God’s call to us;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, R/ One God and Father of all.
Introduction to the Service
The Collect of the Day
A Reading from the book of Revelation 7: vs.9-17 R. / Thanks be to God.
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the humble hear and rejoice.
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me out of all my terror.
5 Look upon him and be radiant,
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6 I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me
and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him,
and he will deliver them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are they who trust in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
22 The Lord ransoms the life of his servants,
and none will be punished who trust in him.
Epistle: A Reading from 1 John 3: vs.1-3 R. /Thanks be to God.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Gradual: # 439 Blest Are the Pure in Heart
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 5:vs.1-12
R/ Glory be to thee, O Lord
5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
R/ Praise be to Thee, O Christ
Sermon
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates for Baptism
Parents and Sponsors: I present N. to receive the sacrament of baptism.
Celebrant: Parents and sponsors, the Church receives this child with joy. Today we are trusting God for her growth in faith. Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Parents and Sponsors: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
Parents and Sponsors: I will, with God’s help.
This child is too young to profess repentance, faith, and obedience for herself. I therefore ask you, the Parents and Sponsors to answer these questions on her behalf until she is old enough to speak for herself.
The Vows of Baptism
The celebrant asks these questions of the candidates who can speak for themselves, and of the parents/sponsors of infants and children.
In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:
Do you renounce Satan & all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
I renounce them.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
I do.
Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
I do.
Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
I do.
The Celebrant addresses the congregation, saying,
Faith is the gift of God to his people. In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling. Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this child in her life in Christ?
People: We will.
The Prayers for the Candidates
The Celebrant then says to the congregation,
Let us now pray for these persons who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth.
Leader: Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
The Celebrant says,
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
Processional Hymn: # 35 Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
Thanksgiving over the Water
The Celebrant blesses the water.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: We give you thanks, almighty God and Father, for by the gift of water you nourish and sustain all living things.
People: Blessed be God for ever.
Celebrant: We give you thanks that through the waters of the Red Sea, you led your people out of slavery to freedom in the promised land.
People: Blessed be God for ever.
Celebrant: We give you thanks for sending your Son Jesus. For us he was baptized by John in the river Jordan. For us he was anointed as Christ by your Holy Spirit. For us he suffered the baptism of his own death and resurrection, setting us free from the bondage of sin and death, and opening to us the joy and freedom of everlasting life.
People: Blessed be God for ever.
Celebrant: We give you thanks for your Holy Spirit who teaches us and leads us into all truth, filling us with his gifts so that we might proclaim the gospel to all nations and serve you as a royal priesthood.
People: Blessed be God for ever.
Celebrant: We give you thanks for you have called N to new life through the waters of baptism. Now sanctify this water that your servants who are washed in it may be made one with Christ in his death and resurrection, to be cleansed and delivered from all sin. Anoint them with your Holy Spirit and bring them to new birth in the family of your Church, that they may become inheritors of your glorious kingdom. We give you praise and honour and worship through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
People: Blessed are you, our strength and song, and our salvation.
Celebrant: Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church, into which these persons will be baptized.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Baptism
Celebrant: N. I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
The celebrant makes the sign of the cross on the forehead saying,
I sign you with the cross, and mark you as Christ’s own forever. When this action has been completed the Priest, at a place in full sight of the congregation, prays over the newly baptized, saying: Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised her to the new life of grace. Sustain her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give her an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
The Robing and the Giving of the Light
Receive the robe of righteousness to show that you have put on Christ.
Be clothed in Christ’s love that you may stand without fear or shame on the day of his coming.
One of the ministers gives to the newly baptized a lighted candle saying,
Receive the light of Christ, to show that you have passed from darkness to light.
Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
A hymn or anthem is sung while the new Christians withdraw to put on new clothing.
Hymn: #36 Now There Is No Male or Female
Now there is no male or female, now there is no free or slave,
Now there is no Jew or Gentile in the earth Christ died to save.
Christ has set us free for freedom: we no more sing slavery’s creed;
old submissions cannot claim us; Christ has set us free indeed.
Crucified with Christ the Saviour, baptized in his holy death,
and as Christ was raised to glory we have new life on this earth.
Power of water and God’s naming, turning us from dark to light,
joins us to those who, before us, ran the race and fought the fight.
Death has no dominion o’er him, so for us death holds no power;
life’s own waters now have marked us born to God this very hour.
From this moment and forever dead to sin, alive to Christ,
born of water and the Spirit, now in Christ we find our life.
Celebrant: Let us welcome the newly baptized.
We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.
Duties of Parents and God Parents
We have brought this child to baptism knowing that Jesus died and rose again for them and trusting in the promise that God hears and answers prayer. We have prayed that in Jesus Christ they will know the forgiveness of their sins and the new life of the Spirit.
As she grows up, she will need the help and encouragement of the Christian community, so that she may learn to know God in public worship and private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith, serve their neighbour after the example of Christ, and in due course come to confirmation.
As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to support them by prayer, example and teaching. As their parents and godparents, you have the prime responsibility for guiding and helping them in their early years. This is a demanding task for which you will need the help and grace of God . Therefore let us now pray for grace in guiding these children in the way of faith.
Faithful and loving God, bless those who care for this child and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith. Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love, and protect their home from all evil. Fill them with the light of your presence and establish them in the joy of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
In the one Spirit we were all baptized into the one Body. Let us therefore pursue all that makes for peace, and builds up our common life.
The peace of the Lord be always with you All and also with you.
Offertory: # 436 I Bind unto Myself Today
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. R. / And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. R. / We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. / 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, who on this first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
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.
We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “ Take, 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.”
Therefore, Father, according to his command,
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
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, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread and The Communion
We break this bread /Communion in Christ’s Body Once Broken
Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying. / If we have died with him, we shall live with him; if we hold firm. We shall reign with him.
The gifts of God for the People of God. / Thanks be to God.
(All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. If you prefer not to receive, please feel free to remain in your place, alternatively you may come forward for a blessing and indicate this by keeping your arms by your side. If you wish a gluten free wafer, please indicate this at the time of receiving)
(Prayer Ministry is available during the administration of Holy Communion. Please make your way to the back of the church by the north doors, where a prayer team will be waiting for you.)
Post – Communion: # 57 Thou, Who at Thy First Eucharist
Thanksgiving after Communion
Celebrant: All your works praise you, O Lord,
People: and your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we who drink his cup, bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
Announcements
Dismissal
Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hymn # 320 Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
* Please observe a moment for silent prayer*
Baptism Lunch and Fellowship
Following the service, you’re invited to join us for lunch to celebrate with Jane and family and friends on her Baptism Day. Thank you to Jane’s parents Oleksandra and Ben for bringing pulled pork, buns and veggies for the lunch and to families who brought salads. Coffee Hosts: Yvonne and Christian
Today we are also celebrating November Birthdays.
This week at St. Mary’s
- Wednesday 10:30 am Mom and Tots Group
- Thursday 9:30 am Woman’s Time Out Bible Study
- Saturday 1:30 pm Bread Making Group
- Next Sunday 10.00 a.m. Morning Prayer and 10:30 am Holy Communion+ Act of Remembrance
Readings for next Sunday are as follows:
Parish Life Notes
- Claude will be blessing Sharon B’s “new” home at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 19 and, following the blessing, Sharon will host a potluck supper. Please plan to join us for the blessing and/or the meal! Please call Sharon if you have any questions or to confirm your attendance.
- Join us to pray for parish needs, Wed., November 8 at 2:00 in the sanctuary. “Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for.” Matthew 7:7
- Mission opportunity – we are again feeding the hungry at Souls Harbour soup kitchen by helping to serve and clean up after the evening meal on Thursday, Nov 9 between 4:30 and 7 p.m. Please join us! Souls Harbour soup kitchen is located on the 1800 block of Halifax street. Parking is on the street or behind the building in the alley. If you can help out, please advise Sandra D.
- Worship Service at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre – will take place this Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 pm. in the chapel. A team from St. Mary’s leads the service and porters residents to the chapel. We invite you to share in this outreach. Please call Rem for more information.
- Beth C is moving to a new apartment on Nov. 18th. Do you have any good-sized cardboard boxes she could borrow? She promises to return them in good condition!