The Anglican Parish of Christ Church

 12116-102 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5N 0L6

 www.christchurchedmonton.org 780.488.1118

 Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost September 24th, 2023

Open our hearts, O Lord, to give heed to what is said by your Son.

 10:00 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST  

Celebrant: The Reverend Armand Mercier

Preacher: The Venerable Susan Oliver

Crucifer: Steve Langton

Readers: David Gay and Charlotte Lingwood

Chalice Administrators: Dan and Linda Domanski and

Steve Langton

Prayer Scribe: Peggy Wilmot

Sidespersons: Kathy Besuyen and Malcolm Palmer Music Director: Tammy-Jo Mortensen

Coffee Hosts: Mercier Family

The flowers in the church today are given today to the glory of God and in loving memory  of our parents Ruth and Hoadley Mitchell from John and Maggie Mitchell.

Prelude: Morning Has Broken - David Lasky

Processional Hymn #3 Morning Has Broken

The Gathering of the Community (Please Stand) Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and  the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Almighty God,

All: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our  hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may  perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name;  through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gloria

Celebrant: Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth, and ourselves in your image. Teach us to discern your hand in  all your works and to serve you with reverence and  thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and  reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for  ever. 

All: Amen.  

Children’s Talk

The Proclamation of the Word 

First Reading: 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." 

Psalm: 105:1-6, 37-45

Refrain: 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon the divine name, 

make known the deeds of the Lord among the peoples. 

Sing to the Lord, sing praises;  

and speak of all the marvellous works of the Lord. 

Glory in the holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. R 

Search for the strength of the Lord; continually seek the face of God. Remember the marvels the Lord has done,  

the wonders and the judgments of the mouth of the Lord, 

O offspring of Abraham the servant of God,  

O children of Jacob, the chosen of the Lord. R 

You led out your people with silver and gold; 

in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled. 

Egypt was glad of their going, because they were afraid of them. You spread out a cloud for a covering,  

and a fire to give light in the night season. 

They asked, and quails appeared,  

and you satisfied them with bread from heaven. R 

You opened the rock, and water flowed; 

so the river ran in dry places. 

For you, O God, remembered your holy word, and Abraham, your servant. So you led forth your people with gladness, your chosen with shouts of joy. R

You gave your people the lands of the nations, 

and they took the fruits of others’ toil, 

that they might keep your statutes and observe your laws. Hallelujah! R Second Reading: 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. 

Gradual: Listen to the Word Which God Has Spoken (John Bell)

Reader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to  St. Matthew (20:1-16).

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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." 

Reader: The Gospel of Christ.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gradual: Listen to the Word Which God Has Spoken (John Bell) Sermon: Archdeacon Susan Oliver  The Apostle’s Creed

All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and  earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was  conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  He 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 and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 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 Prayers of the People  

Celebrant: Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in  mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites them to his table. Let us  confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.

Celebrant: Most merciful God,

All: we confess that 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 heart; we  have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly  sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus  Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your  name. Amen.

Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you  from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness  and keep you in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Amen.

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

The Celebration of the Eucharist 

Offertory Hymn: #606 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

Celebrant: God of power,

All: the glory of your works fills us with wonder and awe. Accept  our offering this day, and help us to live in peace and harmony with all your creation, for the sake of Jesus Christ  our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. BAS, pg. 196 People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant: We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, through your  beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer…Now with  all creation we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.

#735 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full, full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

Celebrant: Holy and gracious God, accept our praise, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ…All glory and honour are yours, Father and  Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Church, now and for ever. People: Amen.

Celebrant: And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, All: 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.

Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. All: We, being many, are one body, for we all share in the one  bread.

Celebrant: The gifts of God for the People of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

#747 Jesus, Lamb of God

Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world,

give us your peace, give us your peace.

The Communion

Those who wish to share in Holy Communion may look to the sidespeople for guidance.

Choir: This Feast of Love Divine - Winnagene Hatch

#85 Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless

Celebrant: Ruler of the universe,

All: all creation yearns for its fulfilment in your Son. May we  who have shared in holy things grow into maturity in him. This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Celebrant: Glory to God,

All: whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we  can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to  generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and  ever. Amen.

Blessing

Announcements  

The Dismissal

Celebrant: Go forth in the name of Christ.  

All: Thanks be to God.  

Recessional Hymn: # 565 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah Postlude: Moderato, Op. 22 - Niels Gade

This week we pray for: Diocese of Ontario: the Rt. Rev. Michael Oulton, Bishop.  Emmanuel, Gibbons and St. Mary, Redwater: Anthony Kwaw (s. Denise), Rector. The  Diocese of Buyé Mothers’ Union: Clotilde Muhimpundu, President; Bibiane  Nsengiyumva, Chaplain; Clementine Ujeneza, Trainer. Cold Lake First Nation.

Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE  with license #A-707445. All rights reserved.

PARISH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Building Bridges: God and the World | This Sunday @ 4pm Dr. Josh Harris, Associate Professor of Philosophy at The King's University,  will kick off our speaker series. The title of his lecture is: “Somewhere within  was a Fire": Faith and the Dignity of Contemplation. Childcare will be provided.

Truth and Reconciliation Day | Sunday, October 1

Please wear your Orange T-shirts to our services on Sunday, October 1 as we  mark Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30).