Taize

The Rev. Canon Bahman Kalantari

Every Tuesday, at 3 p.m. we are holding an alternate worship opportunity.

which consists of Taize music and includes the Holy Eucharist as

well as prayers for healing. This is a beautiful opportunity for

those who feel more comfortable gathering in a smaller,

more intimate setting to experience the love and power of Jesus.

At the beginning of the service, you are invited to light a candle – to affirm a personal vow, to pray for someone or a particular situation, to invite the light of Christ to shed light on your path, and to receive illumination.

The Invitatory

God of the sunrise,

ground me and root me in love today.

As I move through all the different roles I play—

parent, child, student, worker, church member, supervisor, volunteer—

be my companion and strengthen my inner being

where I live with you. Amen.

We will now sing The Lord is my light.

Gloria

Glory to God on high, and peace to all on earth. We worship you, we give you thanks, our heavenly King. We give you praise, almighty God and Father blessed in glory bright. Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Father’s only Son, the sacrificial Lamb, who saves the world from sin, have mercy Lord. Beside the Father’s hand enthroned, now hear our prayer. You only are the Lord. You only are most high. You only are the holy one, Lord Jesus Christ. And now you reign with Father and with Spirit one in glorious light.

Prayer for Illumination

Sing into our ears, O Spirit, the holy word of life.

Tell us who we are and to whom we belong

so that we may live with gratitude for all that

you have done. Amen.

Let us now sing Nothing between us.

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, thank you for the gift of this new day.

Please help me to stay mindful of your creation

and your teachings as I travel through it.

Empower me to see and spread

the good news of your grace for all people. Amen.

We will now sing Our Soul is Waiting.

The Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.

His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Word of the Lord

We will now sing In the Lord:

Prayer for Illumination

Holy God, source of all goodness, you gave your Son

for the life of the world

and sent your Spirit that your love might abide within us.

Teach us how to love each other this day,

that we may have life, and have it abundantly,

with you, in Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us now sing Stay With Me:

Statement of faith (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

We will now sing God is Forgiveness:

Venite

O come, let us sing unto the Lord;
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the corners of the earth,
and the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it,
and his hands prepared the dry land.

O come, let us worship and fall down,
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is the Lord our God,
and we are the people of his pasture
and the sheep of his hand.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth,
and with righteousness to judge the world
and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Let us now sing O Lord Hear My Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Let us not cease to give thanks to God

who has seated the resurrected
and ascended Christ

at the right hand of the Holy One in power
and great glory.

We give thanks to you, O God,

in this and every age,

for the healing power at work in Christ

to fill our world with grace.

O risen God, fill us with your power.

We pray for our world, for all leaders, people,
and nations,

that they we may exercise a spirit of wisdom
as we serve the common good.

Shield all who suffer from the terrors of violence and war;

bring them to safety and new life in you.

Make us one family gathered up in your love

and clothed in the power of your peace.

O risen God, fill us with your power.

We pray for all who long to experience the
immeasurable power of your love.

Open our hearts to sing your praises and to share
the story of your blessing,

that all may come to know our living and ascended Christ.

O risen God, fill us with your power.

Bless your people everywhere with food, shelter, healthcare,

and employment sufficient for our flourishing,

that all may thrive together by the riches of your grace,

and fill us with a joy for justice

that inspires us to do our part for the prosperity of all.

O risen God, fill us with your power.

We pray for all in sickness or in need, that they may know your healing love

and the power of Christ to bring life in the most difficult times.

Keep us mindful of the hope and great power that we have in you as we offer your healing to others.

O risen God, fill us with your power.

We pray for all who have died,

that, together, you will bring us to our glorious inheritance of Christ,

the one who fills all in all.

O risen God, fill us with your power.

All this we pray in the name of him who was raised

to live and reign in power for us,

our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We will now sing Bless the Lord my Soul.

The Lord's Prayer

And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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.

Let us now sing Jesus, Remember me:

Closing Prayer

All glory and honor are yours,

eternal God,

through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

now and forever. Amen.

Alleluia: