The presiding minister was the Reverend Phil Heinz
Assistant to Bishop Michael Pryse
Read Rev. Heinz's
Sermon
: To the Glory of God: In Spite of Everything
Visitors
- Special Music!
- St. Ansgar's Handbell Ringers, under the direction of Julia Shantz, both open and closed the service
- St. Ansgar's Choir, also under Julia's direction, sang Cantate Domino and Dona Nobis Pacem during the service.
- St. Ansgar's Sunday School children performed two delightful tunes, under the direction of Linda Tae
- Ms. Maren Nelson-Miller, daughter of former pastor Sid Nelson, returned to give a solo performance in honour of the 75th Anniversary
- And of course, as always, we were treated to the wonderful musical selections of our organist Julia Shantz, who had to improvise on this morning on the piano for there was no electricity until halfway through the service!
- Our Opening Hymn:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity...
- We acknowledge our sins...
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness
- Hymn of Praise:
Beautiful Saviour, King of Creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I'd love thee, Truly I'd serve thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown...
- The First Lesson: 1 Kings 8:22-30
It is the dedication of Solomon's Temple, and the great king, son of David, implores God to "Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.
- The Psalm: Psalm 84
...Happy are they who dwell in your house!
...For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room,
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked...
- The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:1-9
Rid yourselves... of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals, yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood......and to the closing words of this passage, "... Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light", the electricity returned almost as if on cue!
- The Gospel Lesson: John 10:22-30
...My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of my hand. The Father and I are one.
- Hymn of the Day:
The Church of Christ, in every age,
Beset my change, but Spirit led,
Must claim and test in heritage.
And keep on rising from the dead...Then let the servant Church arise,
A caring Church that longs to be
A partner in Christ's sacrifice,
And clothed in Christ's humanity...We have no mission but to serve,
In full obedience to our Lord;
To care for all, without reserve,
And spread his liberating Word.
- The Apostle's Creed
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 into hell. 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 live everlasting. Amen.
- Holy Communion
Was celebrated by Rev. Heinz, and was served in two separate lines, to the multitude which had gathered, filling St. Ansgar's in honour of the 75th Anniversary.
- Closing Hymn:
Lord, you give the great commission: "Heal the sick and preach the Word"...
Lord, you call us to your service: "In my name baptize adn teach."...
Lord, you make the common holy: "This my body, this my blood."...
Lord, you show us love's true measure: "Father, what they do, forgive"...
Lord, you bless with words assuring: "I am with you to the end"...
With the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.
- Let us go in peace and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!