Peace: A Word for the Parish of St. Faith's (17 September 2017)

Sermon by the Venerable John Stephens

70^th Anniversary at St. Faith’s, Vancouver

September 17, 2017

1 Kings 8: 22-30; Psalm 122; 1 Peter 2: 1-5, 9-10; and John 20: 19-21

Click here to listen to the Sermon.

It is so great to be with you this morning.  I thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to share in this wonderful occasion for St. Faith’s, but also for this neighbourhood, our Deanery, Archdeaconry and Diocese.  It is inspiring to consider that St. Faith’s has opened its doors for 70 years sharing faith in Jesus Christ in prayer, praise and action.  You are all to be congratulated and commended for your response of living out God’s call for you here in this place.

            Now if you were talking to your next door neighbour or family members or friends over the past few weeks, perhaps you told them that you were coming to the 70^th Anniversary of your church, your home parish.  Maybe you were reminiscing with them  about your own memories of this parish… what did you say about St. Faith’s?  How would you describe this beautiful church and this parish community to someone else?  What impact has it had on you?  How has it shaped your life and your thinking and understanding of how this world works and God’s presence within it?  This church has been here for great celebrations, joys, new beginnings, beautiful moments in so many people’s lives.  There has been much laughter, lots of smiles, great stories and probably lots of cake.  And, of course, this church has also been here for those more difficult times, tragedies, deaths, grief, sadness, worries, doubts, terrible transition.  Times of tears, confusion questioning and fear of the unknown.  In all of this, the joys and the sadnesses and so much more, of course, St. Faith’s has been here and touched you, touched me, touched all of us in our pilgrimage.  This is of course part of what St. Faith’s is all about.  Relationships.  Relationship with God and relationship with others.

            According to your website, you have described St Faith’s as a small, dynamic community, open to diversity, passionate and compassionate,
rooted in the Anglican tradition of worship, prayer and music. You say, “We enjoy laughter and are not afraid of tears. We hope you will join us as you journey through all the seasons of the year and of your life.”

And that to me seems a good description.  But when I thought about it a little more I thought that it might be good to look at this for a moment.  Now I realize that it is a little dangerous for a guest preacher to tell you, the clergy and people of the parish who have invited me, a little more about yourselves and so I hope that you will be open to my thoughts about you.  If not, well just sit tight, I will be finished soon. 

St. Faith’s is about all of those things that I have mentioned, and what is on your website, that is true, but perhaps if it is to be summed up in one word, St. Faith’s is about Peace.  It is hard to summarize 70 years of ministry in one word or even the day to day operations of a parish in one word or the impact that St. Faith’s has had on people’s lives and this neighbourhood and the world in one word but if there was but one to choose Peace is a good one.

The gospel reading for this day was a great one to hear and consider on this day I must say.  It was a passage that is out of the usual context in which we hear it in the liturgical life of an Anglican church.  Usually we hear this on the Sunday after Easter.  For if I set the scene a little bit, this is the same day that the tomb was found empty.  The same day that in John’s gospel, Jesus had spoken to Mary Magdalene and told her to go and tell the other disciples: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”  He has said that to her and she rushes off to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord,” the words central to our Christian faith and that we focus upon on Easter Day with brass bands, lilies and chocolate eggs.  As I said when we hear it now at this time of year it feels strangely out of sync with the timing we usually expect.  And this is a good thing, for it stirs us to think upon it with fresh eyes and ears.  Back to the passage we heard this morning… it is still that same day, and clearly not long after Mary has burst into the room with those life-changing and soul-stirring words, “I have seen the Lord.” We were told that it is that context that Jesus came and stood among those faithful first followers and said to them: “Peace be with you.”  This phrase is so significant from that moment long, long ago in that dusty and ancient room and also for us today, perhaps even especially for us here today.  For it is because of these words that we continue to gather in Jesus’ name and live the gospel. 

As I picture it, and I could be wrong but I have a hunch that I am right, the followers of Jesus were all gathered together, much as we are, in the same upper room that they had celebrated the Passover, where Jesus had washed their feet, where Jesus had given them a new commandment to love one another.  They were there huddled together and somewhat puzzled over all that was happening.  They had just heard Mary’s description and it was pretty hard to believe but they were hearing other stories and witness accounts that the tomb of Jesus was empty and that he had been seen alive.  But they had seen him die and seen his body lain in the tomb.  Some believed, some did not.  It was hard to know what was really going on.

They locked the door as they remembered how the crowd had turned on Jesus and were pretty sure they were next.  It is not in the gospel but I can’t help but wonder if they pulled the table out into the centre of the room and they all crowded around it.  A silence descended upon them.  Someone produced some wine.  Someone else some bread and they prayed together.  They broke the bread in silence knowing the significance of it all.  The last time they had done this was in this very room. 

And it was then that Jesus was known in their midst.  Jesus, the one for whom they had given up their livelihood, their commitments, their dreams and aspirations was suddenly with them.  The doors were locked but somehow he was amongst them.  There was no doubting it.  He was there they all saw him and knew him.  He offered few words but simply “Peace be with you.”  They saw his hands and side.  Jesus breathed on them and invited them to receive the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you were his first words to them.  Peace.  Peace be in your soul, in your heart, in your mind.  Peace, calm, holiness, wonder, joy, be amongst you.  Stillness, freedom from confusion, frustration, unease, grief, sorrow, just peace to ease and comfort you.  I am intrigued that these were Jesus first words to them.  Peace be with you.  Surely this was his desperate prayer for them, the ones he deeply loved… and for us ever since.  Whenever we too gather in his name and break bread to discover and know this peace, a peace that the world cannot give, he is known amongst us.  It is a peace that is not based on status, wealth, possessions, intellect or ability but a peace that starts in your toes and grows to fill you absolutely and completely with God’s abundance and wholeness.

It is a peace that every human being craves.  A peace that names our encounter with God. A peace that is not really about an absence of war, but includes that, but rather is about touching the very soul, the very centre, the very essence of who we are.  Touching the very presence, the very being of God.  Not some God hidden from us, distant from us on some cloud in a place called heaven a billion miles away.  No the peace that Jesus was talking about and praying for his followers comes from encountering God here with us, amongst us, in the person of Jesus, in the gathering in his name, in the holiness of this moment we discover that indeed God is here.  This kind of peace that goes beyond simple and pat descriptors of God but awakens us to a whole new dimension, a whole other way to be, a whole existence where we know God amongst us… amongst us. 

Some have tried to define it with words…  like this Celtic blessing often used in the Iona Community:

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you

But I always find that words never suffice.  Instead we are best to encounter it as we soon will… not with words alone but our hearts, our souls, our true selves as we gather around a table and invite Jesus to be amongst once more.  To come amongst us and say to each one of us individually and to this community of St. Faith’s and to all those who have been in this community in the past and into the future: Peace be with you. 

They are not idle words but words that form us, transform us, guide us and bless us.  They are words for this parish of St. Faith’s that you have lived in so many ways.  Invite that peace, invite that Christ, invite that hope, invite that presence to grace us once again to lead us forward in the power of that same Sprit.  To continue to lead and direct this beautiful parish to continue to live the gospel in this place, this neighbourhood and beyond.   Peace be with you.

An Ordo for Founders' Day 2017

On Sunday, the 17th of September, the Parish of St. Faith's will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Parish.  Seeded by a small but dedicated group of people from the Parish of St. Augustine's in Marpole, the Parish of St. Faith's came into being on 14 September 1947.

Our celebrations will begin with continental breakfast at 8.00 a.m. for early risers.  Then at 9.30 a.m. we will celebrate the eucharist with the Ven. Andrew Pike, sometime Rector of St. Faith's, as our Presider and the Ven. John Stephens, Archdeacon of Vancouver, as our Preacher.  During the 9.30 a.m. eucharist there will be activities for the children.

At 11.00 a.m. the celebration continues with a reception downstairs in the Hall with face-painting for any who wish and 'decorate your own' cupcakes.

At 6.00 p.m. the St. Hildegard's Sanctuary community will celebrate the Feast of St. Hildegard, rounding out a full day for all the worshipping communities of our Parish.

Here's the Ordo for the 9.30 a.m. celebration of the eucharist.

Founders’ Day

17 September 2017

The 70^th Anniversary of the Founding of the Parish of St. Faith’s

The Gathering of the Community

Gathering Music

Processional Hymn

‘All Are Welcome’  Evangelical Lutheran Worship #641

Greeting

Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God,

the fountain of living water,

the rock who gave us birth,

our light and our salvation.  Amen.

The children gather around the Font with the Presider.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism

and to all the faithful who have come before us,

we give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Water is poured into the Font.

We thank you, almighty God, for the gift of water.

Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.

Through water you led the children of Israel

out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise.

In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John

and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ,

to lead us, through his death and resurrection,

from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Creator of all, for the water of baptism.

In it we are buried with Christ in his death.

By it we share in his resurrection.

Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore in joyful obedience to Jesus, your Beloved,

we celebrate our fellowship in him in faith.

We pray that all who here pass through the water of baptism

may continue for ever in the risen life of Christ.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory,

now and for ever.  Amen.

Hymn of Praise

During the Hymn of Praise the Presider and the children will asperge the Congregation.

‘Laudate Dominum’  Common Praise #313 (three times in English)

Collect of the Day

Let us pray.

Holy and compassionate God,

watchful and caring, our source and our end,

all that we are and all that we have are yours.

Accept us now,

as we give thanks to you for this place

where we have come to praise your name,

to ask your forgiveness,

to know your healing power,

to hear your word,

and to be nourished by the body and blood of Christ.

Be present always to guide and to judge,

to illumine and to bless your people.

This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The children go to the Narthex for their programme.

The Proclamation of the Word

The First Reading

A reading from the First Book of Kings (8.22-30)

            ^8.22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven.  ²³ He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, ²⁴ the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand.  ²⁵ Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’  ²⁶ Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

            ²⁷ “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built!  ²⁸ Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; ²⁹ that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place.  ³⁰ 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.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 122 from Songs for the Holy One

Refrain (sung twice):  We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

I was delighted when people said to me, “Let us go to the temple of the Holy One!”

Now our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

Refrain:  We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

Jerusalem!  Built as a perfect city where pilgrims gather in unity.

Whither the tribes ascend, tribes of the Holy One, as ordained for Israel,

“Give thanks to the Holy One’s Name!”

Thrones of judgement are there, thrones for David’s heirs.

Refrain:  We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

Pray for Jerusalem’s peace and well-being:

“May there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.”

For the sake of my family and friends I say, “Peace be with you!”

For the sake of the temple of our might God, I pray for your well-being.

Refrain:  We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

The Second Reading

A reading from the First Letter of Peter (2.1-5, 9-10)

            ^2.1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.  ² Like new-born infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

            ⁴ Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and ⁵ like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

            ⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.  ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

The Hymn before the Gospel

‘Alleluia’  Common Praise #715 (Refrain only, twice)

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (20.19-21)

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            ^20.19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the [Jewish authorities], Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

The Gospel of Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Hymn after the Gospel

‘Alleluia’  Common Praise #715 (Refrain only, twice)

The Sermon

The Ven. John Stephens, Archdeacon of Vancouver

The Apostles’ Creed

The Deacon invites the Community to confess its faith.

Let us confess the faith of our baptism.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

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,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.  Amen.

The Prayers of the Community

The Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings of the Community

The appointed person leads the Community in intercession, petition and thanksgiving.

The Exchange of the Peace

The Presider greets the Community in the peace of the Lord.

The peace of the Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Offertory Hymn

‘Draw the Circle Wide’  Common Praise #418

The Prayer over the Gifts

The Deacon leads the Congregation in the Prayer over the Gifts.

Let us pray.

God of earth and altar,

hear the prayers of your faithful people.

Grant that all who celebrate this eucharist

may please you by the offering of themselves

and the fulfilling of your will.

this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen.

The Thanksgiving at the Table

The Presider leads the Community in the Thanksgiving at the Table.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks and praise, almighty God,

through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. 

He is your living Word, through whom you have created all things.

By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh from the Virgin Mary

and shared our human nature. 

He lived and died as one of us,

to reconcile us to you, the God and Creator of all.

In fulfilment of your will he stretched out his hands in suffering,

to bring release to those who place their hope in you;

and so he won for you a holy people.

He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows,

and to give us his life on the cross,

so that he might shatter the chains of evil and death,

and banish the darkness of sin and despair. 

By his resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence.

Now with all creation we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.

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

heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest.

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

Hosanna in the highest. [i]

Holy and gracious God,

accept our praise, through your Beloved, Jesus the Christ;

who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death,

took bread and gave you thanks, saying,

“Take, and eat:  this is my body which is broken for you.” 

In the same way he took the cup, saying,

“This is my blood which is shed for you. 

When you do this, you do it in memory of me.”

Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection,

we offer you this bread and this cup,

giving thanks that you have made us worthy

to stand in your presence and serve you.

We ask you to send your Holy Spirit

upon the offering of your holy Church. 

Gather into one

all who share in these sacred mysteries,

filling them with the Holy Spirit

and confirming their faith in the truth,

so that together we may praise you

and give you glory through your Servant, Jesus Christ.

All glory and honour are yours,

Author of creation and Word of redemption,

with the Holy Spirit of wisdom

 in the holy Church, now and for ever.  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Presider invites the Community to pray as follows,

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever.  Amen. [ii]

The Breaking of the Bread

The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread and says,

The disciples knew the Lord Jesus

in the breaking of the bread.

The disciples knew the Lord Jesus

in the breaking of the bread.

The bread which we break, alleluia,

is the communion of the body of Christ.

The disciples knew the Lord Jesus

in the breaking of the bread.

One body are we, alleluia,

for though many we share one bread.

The disciples knew the Lord Jesus

in the breaking of the bread.

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

The Communion of the Community

We gather around the Table for Communion.  All Christians, regardless of age or denomination, are welcome to receive.

If you wish a wafer, please hold out one hand.  If you wish loaf bread, please hold out two hands.  Gluten-free bread is available for those who ask.

The Hymn after Communion

‘One Bread, One Body, One Lord of All’  Common Praise #73

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Prayer after Communion

The Presider leads the Community in the Prayer after Communion.

All your works praise you, O Lord.

And your faithful servants bless you.

Gracious God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

May we, who share his body, live his risen life;

we, who drink his cup, bring life to others;

we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so that we and all your children shall be freed,

and the whole earth live to praise your name;

through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Blessing

The Presider blesses the Community.

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement

grant you to live in harmony with one another,

in accordance with Christ Jesus.  Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

+ May the God of all grace bless you now and for ever.  Amen.

The Closing Hymn

‘Sing a New Song unto the Lord’  Common Praise #312

The Dismissal

The Deacon sends the Community forth with an appropriate Dismissal.

Sending Music

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[i] Common Praise #732

[ii] David Haas setting from Voices United