This Family Day weekend, we’re looking at a gift that’s vital for families. If we were asked, “What’s the most important gift a family can give each other?” all of us would answer, “Love.” But none of us do this very well – and so it’s vital for us to offer one another forgiveness. In fact, Henri Nouwen wrote: “Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among those who love poorly.” In our Hymns, Readings from Holy Scripture, Sermon, and Prayers, we’ll be focussing on this aspect of love we can share with one another in our own families, and all combinations of people large and small in the whole human family. We’re blessed to have Deacon Betty with us in-person to assist; Paul and our Virtual Choir to lead us in our congregational Hymns and Offertory Instrumental; John and Rhonda on video giving the Readings; and Doreen on audio leading us in the Prayers of the People. These Prayers include the Covenant Prayer from the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, a Prayer for Families, and a Prayer in Response to COVID-19 based on a prayer request by our own Jacquie S., RN. After this, we have the amazing privilege of receiving our Lord within, feeding on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving, as we share Communion physically or spiritually together. Last, our Liturgy ends, and the service begins, with a “Sending” forth to help spread the love of the Lord throughout the world, among all members of God’s family, human and non-human, overcoming the darkness as we let our lights shine. It promises to be a precious time of love shared with the Lord and one another!
Today’s Service of Holy Eucharist will be livestreamed on our main Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stpaulscalgary) at 9:30 am. Following the service, the video will be posted on our YouTube Channel, and a link to the service will be added here. To watch this service in full screen mode, please click on the “Watch on YouTube” button in the lower left-hand corner of the video. Please download the Order of Service in the Sermon Notes above if you would like to follow along. If you are sharing this Service online and don’t have Reserved Sacrament, you are invited to say the Prayer for Communion for those receiving Spiritual Communion also available above.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from:
(a) ONE LICENSE with license # A-713985, and/or
(b) CCLI with Streaming License # 20351479.
All rights reserved.