The Anglican Parish of Christ Church

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

 www.christchurchedmonton.org 780.488.1118

 Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost November 19th, 2023

I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord.  

Those who abide in me, and in them, bear much fruit. John 15.5

 10:00 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST  

Celebrant: The Venerable Susan Oliver

Preacher: The Reverend Armand Mercier

Crucifer: Keith Spencer

Reader: Andrea Van Damme

Chalice Administrators: Dan and Linda Domanski, and

Steve Martin

Prayer Scribe: Peggy Wilmot

Sidespersons: Helen Ward and Greg Heaton

Music Director: Tammy-Jo Mortensen

Sunday School: Matthew Herd, Karianne Rillera,

Anne Smith, Jamie Hurlburt,  

and Jimmy Ronald

Nursery: Helen Ward and Jessica Nattrass

Coffee Hosts: Anne Smith and David Gay

The flowers in the church today are given today to the glory of God

and in loving memory of my husband Fred from Sylvia Roach and family.

Prelude: Variations on "God of Grace and God of Glory" - Gerhard Krapf Processional Hymn: #577 God of Grace and God of Glory 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

Choir: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! All: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! Choir: To God be the glory forever!

All: To God be the glory forever!

Choir: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen! Choir: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen! Choir: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen! Choir: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!

Celebrant: Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light  of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of  him 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 

Psalm 123

Refrain:

To you I lift up my eyes, to you who are enthroned in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to their master’s hands,

as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to you, O God, as we wait till you show us your favour. R

We have had more than enough of contempt.

Too long we have suffered the scorn of the wealthy,

and the contempt of the arrogant. R

New Testament Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not  need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that  the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There  is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as  labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But  you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for  you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or  of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake  and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get  drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the  breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God  has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord  Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may  live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as  indeed you are doing. 

Gospel Gradual: #480 Lord, Be Thy Word My Guide

Lord, be thy word my guide; in it may I rejoice: thy glory be my aim, they holy will my choice, thy promises my hope,

thy providence my guard, thine arm my strong support,

thyself my great reward.

Reader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (25:14-30).

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.  

Jesus said, "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his servants  and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another  two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The  one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them,  and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two  talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent  went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a

long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five  more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have  made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and  trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you  in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with  the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me  two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well  done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few  things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your  master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward,  saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not  sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went  and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his  master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! You knew, did you, that I reap  where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to  have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have  received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and  give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be  given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing,  even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless servant, throw  him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of  teeth.'" 

Reader: The Gospel of Christ.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Gradual: #480 Lord, Be Thy Word My Guide

Lord, be thy word my guide; in it may I rejoice: thy glory be my aim, they holy will my choice, thy promises my hope,

thy providence my guard, thine arm my strong support,

thyself my great reward.

Sermon: The Reverend Armand Mercier  

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: #601 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

Celebrant: Holy God,

All: in this eucharist we renew our baptismal covenant. Help us,  through our offering this day, to renounce all things that draw us from your love. This we ask in the name 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.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord

Holy, holy, holy God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna, hosanna, 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.

Lamb of God

The Communion

Those who wish to share in Holy Communion may look to the sidespeople for guidance. Choir - God of Mercy, God of Grace - Carl F. Schalk

Communion Hymn with Congregation: #70 Jesus, the Joy of Loving Hearts

Celebrant: Gracious God,

All: in this sacrament we have shared the body and blood of  Christ. May we who have been nourished by holy things bear witness to his light, and share in his eternal  priesthood; for he is Lord for ever and ever. 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: # 598 Go to the World

Postlude: O Worship the King - Alec Rowley

This week we pray for: Diocese of Toronto: the Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop, the  Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw, the Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson, Suffragan Bishops. St.  Thomas, Sherwood Park: Chelsy Bouwman (s. Jordan), Rector; Judy Purkis, Deacon;  Michael Rolph (s. Cora), Honorary Assistant; Shawna Stirman, Administrative  Assistant. Buyé Diocese, Giteranyi Parish: Jean Pierre Nsabimana, Rector. Saddle  Lake Cree Nation.

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

The Anglican Parish of Christ Church, Edmonton, Alberta

Bishop | The Right Reverend Stephen London

Parish Clergy

The Venerable Susan Oliver | sue@christchurchedm.ca

The Reverend Armand Mercier | armand@christchurchedm.ca

The Reverend Dr. Arlene Young| arlene@christchurchedm.ca

The Reverend Sheila Moorey | sheila@christchurchedm.ca

Music Director: Tammy-Jo Mortensen | music@christchurchedm.ca

Lay Readers | Jamie Hurlburt and Willie King

Office Manager: Ronald Laginski | admin@christchurchedm.ca

Honorary Clergy Assistants

The Reverend Pastor Martin Garber-Conrad

The Reverend Canon Maureen Crerar

Rector’s Warden: Barb Norton 780.452.5531 | Barbara.norton@ualberta.ca People’s Warden: Trish Manns | pjmanns07@gmail.com

Associate Warden: Jessica Nattrass | jessicaemilymurray@gmail.com

Treasurer: Roger Thomson | 780.488.1118

PARISH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 

What Is God Calling Our Parish To Do? Join the Conversation  Sign-up sheets for Sunday, November 26 at 11:45am, and Tuesday, November 28 at 1pm are on the bulletin board in the church hall or email:  admin@christchurchedm.ca These conversations will be led by Anne Smith  and will help vestry shape our 2024-2026 Mission Action Plan.

Diocese of Edmonton Children’s Choir| December 3 and December 17 The children will sing at both the Lessons and Carols at All Saints Anglican  Cathedral on December 3 and at Christ Church on December 17. More details to follow.

“Whence Gaza mourns"

Bridging Past and Present through Poetry | Sunday, November 19 @4pm "Whence Gaza mourns" is a line from John Milton's tragic poem Samson  Agonistes published in 1671. A Chorus of Israelites speaks this line after Samson,  their imprisoned champion, destroys the Philistine Temple of Dagon in Gaza, a  story told in the Bible in Judges 13-16 As we witness ongoing conflict in our  time, we can ask how poets in the past used biblical texts to reflect on the  conflicts they lived through. Please see Ron Laginski after the Sunday service if  you would like a printed copy of the handout to read before this presentation.

Messy Church | Friday, November 24 @ 5pm

Join us for a meal, learning, and all age activities. Our theme for the year is  The Way of Love: Spiritual Practices for Discipleship by Michael Curry (presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church). New families are welcome!

Newcomers Gathering | Sunday November 26 @ 4pm  Join the parish leadership and others from the congregation for a time of  conversation and refreshments. This is an informal opportunity to get to  know one another and to learn a bit more about Christ Church. Children are,  of course, welcome!  

Men’s Group Christmas Breakfast| December 2 @ 8:30am Please join us for our annual get together at Jay Bees Diner (12707 – 140 Ave  NW Edmonton) for a morning of good conversation and food. Everyone is  responsible for their own food, beverage, and gratuity tab. Please email Ken  Singleton (kjsing@telusplanet.net) by November 22 if you would like to  participate.

Emmanuel Christmas Gifts 2023

Inner City Pastoral Ministry is requesting mitts, gloves, and socks in neutral  colors and sizes M, L, or XL. To make a monetary donation, please make out  to Christ Church and label cheque ICPM Emmanuel Gifts and place in  collection or mail to church. For e-transfers, please label ICPM Emmanuel  Gifts and use: donations@christchurchedm.ca

Please make donations to Christ Church noting ICPM gifts by December 15.

Parish Christmas Potluck Dinner| December 8 @ 5:30pm Bring your favourite dish and come out for an all ages evening of fun and  fellowship for our Christmas Dinner Potluck. There is a sign up sheet in the  parish hall. We will supply the turkey and if you could bring a dessert,  appetizer, or salad that would be appropriated.

The Bethlehem Market (December 10 and December 17) after church The Bethlehem Market will be running again this year! This market is a  wonderful opportunity for kids to 'shop' after church for their parents. Everything is priced at a loonie or toonie and volunteers will help the children  pick out an item and wrap it.  

We are looking for very gently used or NEW items you might have to donate to the  market. Please drop them off by December 3rd in the box at the back of the  church or to the office. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to  help with shopping or wrapping please speak with Ronald Laginski.

Stitches Group | Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @ 1pm For those interested in knitting, needlepoint, crocheting, quilting, and all  stitching arts, you are invited to attend the Stitches Group for coffee and tea in the Lounge of Christ Church. Newcomers are welcome.

Growing Together: Stewardship 2024

Please reflect on your giving to Christ Church for 2024 and complete your  form and email/mail/or drop it into the collection plate. If you would like a  Stewardship package mailed to you, please email: admin@christchurchedm.ca Thank you for your continuing support!