WEBVTT 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:09.359 Holy Spirit, and blessed be God's family now and forever. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:10.320 Amen. 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:12.400 Let's pray together. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:20.399 Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. 00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:32.560 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. 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:33.520 Amen. 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:34.960 The Lord be with you. 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:37.759 Let us pray. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:56.560 Grant, O merciful God, that your church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples to the glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 00:00:57.200 --> 00:00:57.840 Amen. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:42.960 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:46.800 She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:49.199 When she opened it, she saw the child. 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:51.680 He was crying, and she took pity on him. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:55.439 This must be one of the Hebrews' children, she said. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:04:02.639 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and get a nurse from the Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you? 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:05.360 Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Yes. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:08.080 So the girl went and called the child's mother. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:14.080 Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:16.639 So the woman took the child and nursed it. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:22.160 When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and she took him as her son. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:27.439 She named him Moses, because she said, I drew him out of the water. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:29.360 The word of the Lord. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:35.439 We will read responsibly by the half-verse of Psalm 124. 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:49.120 If the Lord had not been on our side, if the Lord had not been on our side, then they would have swallowed us up alive. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:51.519 In their fierce anger towards us. 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:54.079 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:56.160 And the torrent gone over us. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:00.240 Then would the raging waters have gone right over us. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.839 Blessed be the Lord. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.800 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:14.720 Our help is in the name of the Lord. 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:18.639 The word of the Lord. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:21.439 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:33.519 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you, not to think of yourselves more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:38.480 For as in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:45.279 So we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:07:06.160 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us prophecy in proportion to faith, ministry in ministering, the teacher in teaching, the exhorter and exhortation, the giver in generosity, the leader in diligence, the compassionate in cheerfulness, the word of the Lord. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:48.240 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:52.399 Jesus said to them, But who do you say that I am? 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:57.199 Simon Peter answered, Well, you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:08:04.720 And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:11.600 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:20.000 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:24.959 And then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.439 The gospel of the Lord. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.360 Please be seated. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:49.360 There's a couple of ways I think we can hear this gospel story today, and one of the most traditional ones is this this is establishing what's called the primacy of Peter. 00:08:49.440 --> 00:09:02.399 So if you know your church history, this is the incident in which Peter says the right thing, and as a result, is going to end up becoming the first bishop, the bishop of Rome, and exerting power all the way throughout. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:11.039 So in that way it's it's descriptive, probably not much life application for you, but it describes something that's happened. 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:36.000 He gets the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:49.120 And in imagination, what that means is that heaven is a city you go to after you die, and it's surrounded with a barbed wire fence to get people out, and it has a gate. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:51.919 And Peter has the keys to the gate. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:58.399 And if you're good enough, Peter will let you in, but if not, you're locked out of heaven. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:09:58.960 Right? 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:01.039 And you've seen this in Renaissance art. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:04.240 Peter's got the keys, that's the symbol of the papal flag. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:13.840 Supposedly the Pope, the Bishop of Rome's successor, has the keys to heaven and hell, can excommunicate you on earth and keep you out. 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:18.080 This is all very strong kingdom language. 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:28.480 And I want to suggest it results in a practice that I have complained to you about before, which is people coming to my house trying to convert me to believe what they believe. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:34.159 Because if I believe the right thing, then Peter will open the door for me. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:42.799 But if I do not, Peter will keep the door locked, and of course, there's barbed wire around heaven that will not let me in. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:45.200 This is the popular imagination. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:50.000 But it misses a few things, this way of thinking. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:57.360 Number one, it misses that Peter, even though he says the right thing here, betrays Jesus later. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:11:02.320 So we can say the right thing and do the wrong thing. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:04.480 And I think that's really, really important. 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:15.600 I think there's another problem that we've kind of come down to do, which is that, again, we say that belief is something we do cognitively. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:23.360 And if we hold on to the story too tightly, if you don't have the right beliefs, you don't get in. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:27.600 But what about behavior? 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:35.200 And then I think the real question we have to ask is does God have locks on doors? 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:36.799 Or do we? 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:48.480 Now, one of the most helpful words I've heard came from a feminist theologian I read in seminary who said, you know, this whole idea about kingdom is really bolstering the way we think. 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:56.240 So a kingdom is pyramid-shaped, and God's on the top, and here's Peter underneath, and here's, of course, the clergy next, right? 00:11:56.480 --> 00:12:00.159 Uh important priests, you know, of parishes next to Nash. 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:02.799 And then, you know, other priests, like St. 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:03.759 Martin's or St. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.720 John's, something like that. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:06.879 And then down here were like other lay people, right? 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:10.159 So it's a pyramid scheme, and you want to get yourself in there. 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:13.759 But this person said, you know, um, that actually is kind of foreign to God. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:15.039 That's who we are. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:22.559 Um, what if instead uh God is, as the scriptures present over and over and over again, the parent of all humanity? 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:27.919 Um so instead of a kingdom model, what if it is a kingdom model? 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:38.240 That is, what if this is really all about living as a family of God instead of living as petty viceroys who wield authority over one another? 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:53.840 I have to admit it's not a way I like to live, because I'm very often very happy to have the right beliefs and to be able to lock people out because they don't have my beliefs. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:57.279 But that's the gospel of Mike. 00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:59.600 That's not the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:06.320 And I think this is really important to consider which doors are actually locked. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:08.720 Are they God's doors? 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:15.039 Are they the doors to my heart on behalf of other people? 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:20.240 Are they the doors socially that lock people out of their fundamental dignity? 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:23.039 So I think you'll hear me say this. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:27.120 I became very convinced that God is not interested in a kingdom. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:31.039 God is interested in a kingdom and in a family. 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:39.200 And I want to offer you one other suggestion here that all throughout the Psalms, the king of Israel is called the Son of God. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:43.279 And that was not meant to be a literal understanding, of course. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:48.000 That was meant to say the king of Israel sat in a privileged position. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:57.120 And Peter, I don't know if you know this, um, his name, Shimon, Simon, this is uh one of Jacob's children. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.399 It means listens. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:09.679 And I wonder if Jesus isn't trying to say, instead of Peter's the one, I wonder if he isn't trying to say the foundation of the church is based on people who listen. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:14.720 On the Shimons, the people who listen to God. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:17.519 When God reveals something to them, that's what Jesus says. 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:19.039 You didn't come to this on your own. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.559 God revealed it to you. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:30.320 And upon listening, take keys that could have locked doors and unlock them instead. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:46.879 I wonder if that isn't the foundation of the family of God, that we take the keys we have and use them to unlock ourselves, use them to unlock shackles that hold other people down. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:57.200 As Paul says, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices instead of sacrificing other people in the name of our principles. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:01.919 That plays out in the Exodus story today. 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:06.720 Notice there's two shiroes who thwart the power of the Pharaoh. 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:09.440 We even get their names, which is remarkable. 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.879 They're midwives. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.799 These are nameless people. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.240 And they're given names. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.759 They're Shifra and Pua. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:19.759 They resist Pharaoh on behalf of life. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:24.080 They refuse to sacrifice these boy babies. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:36.399 They resist a kingdom model and say, no, these boys that you're afraid of, imagine that being afraid of boys of a different race. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:44.720 And we will not act against them. 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:47.759 We will not sacrifice them to keep our jobs. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:56.480 This is, to be fair, uh, this is social resistance, these women do. 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:58.399 It's extremely social. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.320 Pharaoh's own daughter does it. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.200 Do you notice? 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.919 Pharaoh's own daughter adopts Moses. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.519 There's no doubt she knows that this is a Hebrew child. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.720 There's no doubt. 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.639 Her brother is the Pharaoh. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:19.360 Pharaoh's own sister believes in a family model, not a kingdom model. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:23.440 She draws Moses out of the river, and that's his name. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:26.080 Moshe means to draw out. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:44.879 And I would suggest if we're to really join Peter, if we're really to follow this gospel story, our job is not to lock people out of God's kingdom, but to unlock whatever holds them back from being a full member. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:53.759 And to unlock those parts of ourselves, quite honestly, that are all too happy to lock people out for the wrong answer. 00:16:54.559 --> 00:17:02.639 And I want to say, especially, because of the political climate we're in, this is essential discipleship for us. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:08.640 To not lock people out because their political sign doesn't match ours. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:14.400 But to somehow find a way to open our hearts. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:25.279 Even if that means we have to sustain judgment, if we have to suspend disbelief, that's the word. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:35.279 Even if we have to suspend disbelief to look at somebody's personhood instead of locking them out for their apparent politics. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.160 Otherwise, don't you see? 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:47.279 In a winner-take-all strategy, we sacrifice the brothers and sisters we're invited to live in in the kingdom of God. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:59.920 We sacrifice them instead of doing what Paul asks us to do, which is to recognize God witness us all together into one body. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:07.839 If your body's like mine, the older it gets, the more it resists being one body. 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:10.079 Like arthritis. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:13.039 Sore muscles. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:16.480 Used to not be such a hard thing to do. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:21.039 But in order to run, we've got to work together, my body and I. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:26.160 And I want to suggest that's not the challenge before us, that's the opportunity. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:36.720 And it will decide, I think, whether or not we enter the family of God fully and joyfully together or not. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:49.279 Please join me as we pray our faith in the words of an I seen creed. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:58.480 We believe in one God, the Father of the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:05.680 We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only child of God, eternally begotten of the Father. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:14.240 God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begot and not made, of one being with the Father. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.480 Through him all things were made. 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:20.559 For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven. 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:27.440 By the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made human. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:31.039 For our sake he was crucified and just finded it. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:33.279 He suffered death and the spirit. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:37.920 On the third day he rose again in the Christmas scriptures. 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:42.079 He ascended heaven and saved the right hand of the Father. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:46.240 He only glorious believed in death. 00:19:49.200 --> 00:20:05.839 In the name of the Holy Spirit, glory in our life, the rest of our son, when our Jesus worship, in the past, we have only as our church. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.519 Amen. 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:29.599 Let us pray for the church and the world. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:36.799 We thank you, O God, for your universal church and its mission, and for calling us to serve you and among your people. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:43.440 Continue, we pray, to equip us with all we need to tell others of you and glorify your name and all we do. 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:52.640 We pray for the leaders of all nations that they may seek to do your will for the welfare of the people. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:54.319 They lead and serve. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:21:00.880 We pray for those holding public offices in our nation, that they may be guided by your gifts of wisdom and charity. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:12.640 We thank you, Creator God, for the beauty, majesty, and abundance of your creation, especially for its manifestation around Clear Lake. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:21.680 Keep us mindful of the holiness and fragility of our earthly home, and all the creatures who dwell therein, that we may rejoice in being stewards and peacemakers. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:31.119 O God, giver of all things, we thank you for the abundance of grace poured out upon us. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:45.440 May we, with grateful hearts, show compassion through our thoughts, words, and deeds for those who are hungry, homeless, neglected, abused, exploited, or any other need. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:57.039 Lord Jesus, healer of bodies and spirits, may your healing hand touch all who suffer in mind, body, or soul. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:59.680 May those who attend to them use their God given. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.960 Skill, wisdom, and compassion to restore them. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:17.759 We pray especially for Chris, Jerry, Sean, Jerome, Chris, Susie, Ted, Andrea, Kevin, Ron, Joe, and Nancy. 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:27.279 The congregation is invited to name their own celebrations or petitions, silently or aloud. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:36.240 Trusting that you are able to do more than we can ask or imagine. 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:53.519 We give you thanks, Lord Jesus, for graciously restoring those who have battled and survived serious illness and near-death situations, that by your help and the help of those sent to them, they may continue to serve you in this life according to your will. 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.839 We are especially grateful for. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:39.519 So that literally came through on Thursday, and you saw an email to that effect. 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:43.680 They're asking us once again if we can help with school supplies and backpacks. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:46.319 The backpacks will be here this week. 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:49.759 They're also asking if we can help with masks. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:54.559 And so there's a link to their school supply list. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:57.839 These can be ordered online or they can be piecemealed together. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:02.400 We're still working on some strategies on how to make that as cost-effective as possible. 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:07.920 A number of people have asked if I don't want to go shopping, can I support this effort financially? 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:12.720 And the answer is absolutely yes, and we'll have we have some power shoppers at St. 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.359 Thomas. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:17.519 And also then the opportunity to buy in bulk and to try to meet these needs. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:36.400 I mean, within two or three miles, and so parents are constantly having to pick between food, rent, and school supplies. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:41.519 And so we we want to try to make that choice really, really easy on what they can do for their kids. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.200 Same with masks. 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:47.839 Homemade masks are okay, and in fact, reusable ones are great for them. 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:51.279 So if you know mask makers, whether they go to St. 00:26:51.359 --> 00:27:00.559 Thomas or not, I think it would be really all-inspiring to show up with the 900 masks that they need and say, our community came together, here you are. 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:05.279 Really happy to say on the other side that we had our first week here at St. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:07.119 Thomas of school. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:18.240 And even though, of course, these are strange times, it was really delightful to have our students here, physically here, and to see them and to hear their voices all throughout the week. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:20.559 So thank you for making that possible. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:24.640 And it really is a wonderful thing, even though chapels are now done on Zoom. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.839 We are having them. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:34.799 Another service opportunity I want to uphold to you is because Galveston County Food Bank is closed on Labor Day, our next fresh food distribution is this coming Saturday. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:48.559 You can show up to help if you'd like at around 7.45, and we're always finished by 10.30, and we serve around 450 people, each with about 40 to 50 pounds of fresh produce at no cost to them. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:51.119 They gave us a receipt last time. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:28:03.200 During normal conditions, we pay$200 a month for about$15,000 worth of groceries, to put that in perspective, and that's sort of the power of working with the food bank to serve these families. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:09.759 And it's powerful, and we've been doing it for months, and so this is an ongiving opportunity to volunteer. 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:11.920 One last thing I want to hold up to you. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.960 Well, two more things. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:19.839 Um this week we were able to pay down thanks to the capital funds drive and your generosity. 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:25.599 Our loan balance two years ago was$540,000 and it is now under$100,000. 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:37.039 So huge thank you for helping us get to this point of uh you know sustainability over our facilities and our financials, and the the end is in sight. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:41.279 So thank you for staying up with your contributions and being generous. 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:50.079 Um the last is that starting Labor Day weekend, that's the first weekend in September, we're going to start an adult forum that starts at 9 a.m. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:52.079 and ends at 10 each week. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:29:02.559 It'll be several weeks long and involves professionals from all around who are going to speak to racism, sexism, etc. 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:08.319 And so this is a really great opportunity to have a widespread conversation. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:15.279 Our choir director, for example, Garmin Ashby, served, had to do mandated military service during apartheid in South Africa. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:20.400 He'll be one of our presenters among some professors from U of H and U of H C A L C. 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:30.319 We really do have experts doing this series, and I think the conversation and learning and opportunities for us to continue to grow in ministry will be Myriad. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.839 So I just want to hold this up to you. 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:34.319 Last word is instruction about communion. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:39.519 We'll be taking communion of bread only and reminder, I'll come to the aisle that is to your right. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:42.319 So when I come down the middle, that'll be David only. 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:45.599 When I come to this one, that'll be you five. 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:48.079 When I come over here, that'll be Miss Vicky only. 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:52.079 I'll serve you the bread and then please just consume it on the way back to your seat. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:57.759 For now, we're doing bread only as a way of as being as safe as we can. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.680 Continue to walk in love. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:04.720 As Christ first loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:28.000 This is the table not of the church, but of Jesus Christ. 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:31.680 It is made ready for those who love him and those who want to love him more. 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.640 Subcumb. 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:39.920 You who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before. 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:43.359 You who have tried to follow and you who have failed, come. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:46.160 Not because the church invites you, it is Christ. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:48.400 It invites you to meet him here. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.039 The Lord be with you. 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.680 Lift up your hearts. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:57.519 Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:08.000 It is right and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:17.279 Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever say this hand to proclaim the glory of your name. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:24.640 Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:31.680 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna and the highest. 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:36.079 Holy and gracious Father, you're in your infinite love, you made us for yourself. 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:50.160 And when we've fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you in your mercy sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:57.680 He stretched out his arms upon the cross and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:07.920 On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he'd given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples and said, Take, eat. 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:10.480 This is my body which is given for you. 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.799 Do this for the remembrance of me. 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:15.920 After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine. 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:20.319 And when he'd given thanks, he gave it to them and said, Drink this, all of you. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:25.440 This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:28.880 Whenever you drink it, do this from remembrance of me. 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:32.319 Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith. 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:37.359 Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:42.720 We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:47.359 Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:55.759 Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people, the body and blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in Him. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:33:04.319 And sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy sacrament and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace. 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:08.960 And at the last day bring us with all your sanctions the joy of your eternal kingdom. 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:20.400 All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ, by Him and with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.359 Amen. 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:35.519 And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:48.319 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. 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:53.599 For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.640 Amen. 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:59.759 Hallelujah, Christ, our Passover is sacrificed for us. 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:02.240 Therefore, let us keep the feast. 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.200 Hallelujah. 00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:06.480 These are the gifts of God for you, the people of God. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:10.480 Feed on them in your hearts by faith and with thanksgiving. 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:28.880 Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the sacrament of Christ's body and blood. 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:40.400 Now send us for the people, forgiven, healed, renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.360 Amen. 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:53.280 May God, who by the Holy Spirit cause those of many languages and world views to proclaim Jesus as Lord, strengthen your faith, and send you out to bear witness to God in word and deed. 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:59.840 And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you this day and remain with you forever. 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:00.800 Amen.