Worship Bulletin for Sunday morning, the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. We hope you find this helpful in following along with the service. You are encouraged to respond in the appropriate places. The service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer. If you do not have a copy, you can access it at either https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/BCP.pdf  or    http://prayerbook.ca/resources/bcponline/.

 

 

St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish    

9:00 am Saint George’s, East River

     10:30 am St. Stephen’s Comm. Ctr, Chester

     7:00 All Saints Church, Canaan

 

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

     20 September 2020

 

 

Our mission is to worship God and care for

God’s people in the spirit of Christ.

The  Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

The Lord’s Prayer & Collect for Purity – page 67

The Summary of the Law – page 69

“Kyrie” and Mutual Salutation – page 70

 

Collect of the Day:

O God, from your providing hand even the dissatisfied and grumbling receive what they need for their lives. Teach us your ways of justice and lead us to practise your generosity, so that we may live a life worthy of the gospel made known through your Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

 

Reader: A Reading from Exodus 16:2-15

 

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days." So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?" And Moses said, "When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him - what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord." Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, 'Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.'" And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, "I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'" In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat."

 

Reader: The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God

 

Psalm:           105:1-6, 37-45 – p. 464 & p. 467

 

Reader: A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Philippians 1:21-30

 

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well - since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

 

Reader: The Word of the Lord

 

All: Thanks be to God

 

Presider : The Lord be with you.

 

All: And with thy spirit.

 

Presider: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew 20:1-16

 

All: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

 

Jesus said, "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Presider: The Gospel of Christ.

 

All: Praise be to thee, O Christ".

 

The Nicene Creed - p. 71

 

The Homily – The Rector

 

Offertory Sentence & Preparation of the Altar

 

Prayer over the Gifts – p. 74

 

Biddings & Intercessory Prayer – p. 75

 

Invitation, Confession, Absolution, and Comfortable Words – p. 76-78

 

Thanksgiving & Consecration, with Preface for Ascension – p. 78-83

 

Please respond in the appropriate places, as indicated in the Book of Common Prayer. The Celebrant gives voice to the prayer alone, on behalf of the congregation. However, the “responses” at the appropriate moments, and especially the “Amen” at the end of the Prayer of Consecration are vital for the people to offer.

The reason the responses, and especially the “Amen”, is important, is to assist in receiving what is called “Spiritual Communion”.

Those who, in respect to personal safety, do not wish to physically receive, may make their Communion spiritually.

Regarding “Spiritual Communion”, according to the Book of Common Prayer, anyone who believes the Prayer of Consecration, and that the bread is truly the Body of Christ, and that the wine is truly the Blood of Christ receives all the benefits of Holy Communion, without actually physically receiving the elements themselves. This belief is signified by the worshipper saying “Amen” to the Prayer, and when the bread and wine are received by the Priest.  In this respect, the Priest receives Communion on behalf of the people. “Spiritual Communion” is to be used in extenuating circumstances only – which this time of pandemic certainly is.

 

The Peace & Prayer of Humble Access – p. 83

 

“Agnus Dei” - p. 84

 

Presider: The gifts of God for the people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

 

Again, at the receiving of bread and wine, the people respond “Amen.”

 

The Lord’s Prayer, Prayer after Communion, “Gloria”, & Blessing – p. 85-86

 

Announcements

 

Advanced Care Planning and Personal Directives Workshops

 

A free workshop offered by the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), is available, and will be running for the coming months.  Learn about how to write your personal directive for healthcare. They will be offered every month until March, and are free!  For anyone thinking about their health, wellness and getting their personal affairs in order, this is a wonderful tool.

Advance Care Planning and Personal Directives – INSPIRED Program, NSHA

Explore what advance care planning is and what to include when creating a personal directive. To register, please call Andrew Comstock at (902) 483-8943
• Tuesday, September 22nd  from 1:00 – 3:00 pm (online via Zoom for Healthcare)
• Tuesday, October 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm (online via Zoom for Healthcare)
• Tuesday, November 24th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm (online via Zoom for Healthcare)
• Tuesday, December 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm (online via Zoom for Healthcare)

 

 

Flu Shots: Just a reminder as we approach flu season to plan on getting your flu shot as a way of advancing the public health of our families, friends, and community.

 

PWRDF Pledges $25,000 to Beirut  Explosion Response

PWRDF stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, and we pray for all who are responding to this disaster. Many people are still missing and tens of thousands have lost their properties. Hospitals, schools, universities and clinics have been badly damaged. The explosion has added to the already present trauma of economic and political challenges, and the impact of COVID-19. PWRDF has been in contact with partner the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) to express our sorrow, solidarity and prayers. PWRDF is pledging $25,000 to the ACT Alliance appeal for Beirut. ACT is in contact with

their implementing members on the ground in Lebanon to determine how best to respond. 

 

Please support PWRDF’s response to the Beirut Crisis!

 

 Donations can be made in the following ways:

Online
Please visit our online donation page at https://pwrdf.org/give-today/and make your gift in Emergency Response, indicating Beirut Explosion in the message box.​

By Phone
Call 1-866-308-7973 toll-free (please leave a message and we will return your call), or 416-822-9083 to speak immediately with someone who can process your donation over the phone. Please do not send your credit card number by email or fax.

By Mail
Please make cheques payable to PWRDF,

Beirut Explosion and send to:

 

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario  M4Y 3G2

PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator 
Naba Gurung
416-924-9192 ext. 321
ngurung@pwrdf.org

Anglicans in Canada are praying, acting and giving

 to those affected by the Beirut crisis.

Please watch for updates on PWRDF’s response to the

situation at www.pwrdf.org.