Gather
The Ringing of the Bell
When I went down to the river to pray – Video, Ben Hicks
Opening Sentences
Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
From The New Zealand Prayer Book, The Song of the Women by TS Eliot
We praise thee, O God, for thy glory displayed in all the creatures of the earth,
In the snow, in the rain, in the wind, in the storm; in all of thy creatures, both the hunters and the hunted.
For all things exist only as seen by thee, only as known by thee, all things exist
Only in thy light, and thy glory is declared even in that which denies thee; the darkness declares the glory of light.
Those who deny thee could not deny, if thou didst not exist; and their denial is never complete, for if it were so, they would not exist.
They affirm thee in living; all things affirm thee in living; the bird in the air, both the hawk and the finch; the beast on the earth, both the wolf and the lamb.
Therefore we, whom thou hast made to be conscious of thee, must consciously praise thee, in thought and in word and in deed.
The Lord be with us. Let us pray.
God of delight, your Wisdom sings your Word at the crossroads where humanity and divinity meet. Invite us into your joyful being where you know and are known in each beginning, in all sustenance, in every redemption, that we may manifest your unity in the diverse ministries that you entrust to us, truly reflecting your triune majesty in the faith that acts, in the hope that does not does not disappoint, and in the love that endures. Amen.
The Lessons
First Reading – Genesis 1:1-2:4
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.
So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.
God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 8
Domine, Dominus noster
1 O Lord our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
8 All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10 O Lord our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
A Reading from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Amazing Grace – Helmut Linne von Berg, Violin
Sermon – The Rev. Catherine D. Hicks
Sermon discussion
The Peace
Birthday and Anniversary Blessings, Graduation Blessing
Happy Anniversary – Jim, Elizabeth Heimbach (June 8), Mike, Marilyn Newman (June 12).
Anniversary Prayer
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Continue to send your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Happy Birthday – Odessa Davis (June 7), Tucker Fisher (June 10), Chester Duke (June 12).
Birthday Prayer
Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Congratulations to Talia Feliciano! Talia is a 2020 high school graduate
Graduation Prayer
In every beginning is an ending, O Lord, and in every end something new begins. Our sister, Talia, has graduated from high school, and is ready now for new learning and experiences. Grant that childhood’s innocence and hope may remain alive in her, bringing joy as she continues to mature. Grant that she may hear your still small voice in her heart saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Help her preserve old friendships while creating new ones. Grant that we who love her may help her to find her own voice, her own words and her own work in Christ’s true way, who knows the person she was created to be; we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reopening update and opportunity for questions
Holy, Holy, Holy – Brad Volland, piano
The Prayers
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, forever and ever. Amen.
Holy, holy, holy God, in calling forth creation from the void, revealing yourself in human flesh, and pouring forth your wisdom to guide us, you manifest your concern for your whole universe. You invite us, as your people, to gather the world’s needs into our hearts and to bring them before you.
We pray that the love which passes ceaselessly between the Father and the Son in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit may renew and deepen the life of each Christian and draw us all gathered here into your unending life, we pray:
We pray for the leaders of the Church, for all in the Diocese who are working to help us come back together to worship in safety, and for the Church as it continues to lead through your love toward liberty and justice for all:
We pray for the leaders of the nations, for our elected officials, for our president and for our governor, that they may discern the ways to overcome division and mistrust, and may reflect your unity and encourage our unity in every aspect of our common life, we pray:
We pray that your self-disclosure in Christ and your enduring presence among us as Spirit may help us to understand both you and ourselves, and all people, made in your image and likeness, we pray:
For our families, for our households, for our communities and for our nation, that we may be for one another places of communion and mutual support, which build us up and strengthen us in grace and in truth, we pray:
Thankful for this earth and for the universe which you brought into being through your Word, and renewed in the power of the resurrection, that we may be wise and careful stewards of creation, we pray:
In the power of the Spirit who joins our prayer to Christ’s enduring intercession, we pray for the sick, the suffering and all who stand in need, especially those on our prayer list; for those suffering from COVID, for demonstrators and for all officials, leaders and police who work to keep the demonstrations focused and peaceful, we pray:
For all of us in this nation, as we seek justice for all, we turn to you to help each of us discern how we may best work together for the common good, and bring an end to racism, brutality, violence and hatred toward any person, we pray:
For those who serve in the armed forces of our nation, that they may work for justice and peace and defend us in danger, especially those on our prayer list, Cheyenne, Cliff, Alexis, Scott, Steven, Michael, George and Greg; that in war you would inspire them to serve our country well; in peace hold them ready and alert. In their lives may they bring honor to our country’s name. Bring them safely home when their work is done.
For all who have died, that they may have rest and perpetual peace in your loving presence, and that your will for them may be fulfilled. May we share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom, we pray:
Holy, holy, holy God, you shape our dreams. As we put our trust in you may your hopes and desire be yours, and we your expectant people. Fill us with strength and courage, with discernment and compassion, that we may be your instruments of justice and love in this world, that it may be on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Closing prayer
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we 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.
The Blessing
May God the Father bless us;
May Christ take care of us;
May the Holy Spirit enlighten us all the days of our life.
The Lord be our Defender
And Keeper of body and soul
Both now and for ever,
To the ages of ages. Book of Cerne (10th century)
St Patrick’s Breastplate—A Protective Prayer
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
References
The Book of Common Prayer
The New Zealand Prayer Book (Opening sentences)
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers from The Consultation on Common Texts (Trinity Sunday Collect)
Intercessions for the Christian People, edited by Gail Ramshaw (Prayers of the People)
Changes: Prayers and Services Honoring Rites of Passage