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Theme of the Day

In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

The Collect for Sunday

O God,
with all your faithful followers of every age,
we praise you, the rock of our life.
Be our strong foundation
and form us into the body of your Son,
so that we may gladly minister to all the world,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time of global pandemic;
  • for those who are sick and for all medical personnel and caregivers;
  • for research workers and scientists who are working to protect us, provide adequate testing, and to develop a vaccine;
  • for all who have returned to work and those who have been working, that they be kept safe from harm;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus;
  • for those who are isolated;
  • for those who are anxious;
  • for parents and educators making decisions about the possible return of children to school;
  • for our parish family in this time of social isolation;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, and injustice;
  • for all those who experience poverty or homelessness;
  • for those who are threatened by violence, abuse, or injustice;
  • for those who travel or are enjoying the leisure of summer vacation;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for Janice, our deacon; for Rob, our intern; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all set in authority under her; for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council; for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray: especially for Mary and Duncan, that God will bring them healing and wholeness;
  • for those who are dying; and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest.

In our cycles of prayer:

  • In the Worldwide Anglican Com­mun­ion: Pray for the Church of the Province of South East Asia
    The Most Revd Melter Tais - Archbishop of South East Asia & Bishop of Sabah.
  • In the Diocese of Niagara: Church of the Apostles, Guelph; the Reverend Naomi Miller, Rector; Canon Frances Darlington, Honorary Assistant; and the people of that parish.
  • For other faith communities in our neighbourhood, especially, Central Presbyterian Church, The Rev’d Dr. Gregory Davidson, Minister, and the people of that congregation.
  • For one another, in our parish cycle of prayer, for Marion Fair; Stephen Fielding; Michael Fox; Brittany Friesen; Eleanor and Brian Gallaugher.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

First Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6

Just as God had called Abraham and Sarah and given them many descendants, so now God offers comfort to Zion. God’s deliverance will come soon and will never end.

 1Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
  you that seek the Lord.
 Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
  and to the quarry from which you were dug.
 2Look to Abraham your father
  and to Sarah who bore you;
 for he was but one when I called him,
  but I blessed him and made him many.
 3For the Lord will comfort Zion;
  he will comfort all her waste places,
 and will make her wilderness like Eden,
  her desert like the garden of the Lord;
 joy and gladness will be found in her,
  thanksgiving and the voice of song.

 4Listen to me, my people,
  and give heed to me, my nation;
 for a teaching will go out from me,
  and my justice for a light to the peoples.
 5I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,
  my salvation has gone out
  and my arms will rule the peoples;
 the coastlands wait for me,
  and for my arm they hope.
 6Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
  and look at the earth beneath;
 for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
  the earth will wear out like a garment,
  and those who live on it will die like gnats;
 but my salvation will be forever,
  and my deliverance will never be ended.

Psalm: Psalm 138

O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever. (Ps. 138:8)

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-8

In response to God’s merciful activity, we are to worship by living holistic, God-pleasing lives. Our values and viewpoints are not molded by the time in which we live but are transformed by the Spirit’s renewing work. God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians, but all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ.

1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do 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.
  3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

At a climactic point in Jesus’ ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus responds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of Hades.

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And 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. 18And 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. 19I 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.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Prayers of Intercession

The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following example may be adapted or used as appropriate.

Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

Lord our rock, you are our foundation in Jesus Christ, your Son, whom we confess as the living God. Prepare your church for its mission in bearing witness to Christ, both here at home and throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

You call forth praises from the far reaches of the universe to the smallest of creatures. Join our songs to theirs, that a spirit of praise and thanksgiving will arouse us to cherish this wondrous home you give us. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord. Direct the leaders of countries, legislators and magistrates, mayors and councils, to walk in your ways. Help leaders regard those in need with mercy and fulfill your loving purposes in the governance of peoples. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Though we walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve us, deliver us, and fulfill your purpose for us. According to your steadfast love, grant healing and wholeness to those who are bereaved, in trouble or adversity, or sick and in need of care (especially). Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

You call us into this community (name), in which we, though many, are one in Christ. May we recognize in ourselves and in one another the unique gifts you have given us for the building up of the church for the sake of the world. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

You are the everlasting Rock from which we were hewn, and you restore your people to joy and gladness. In blessed memory and hope, we thank you for the lives of our beloved dead (especially). Bring us with them to our heavenly home. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
 

Readings for the Week

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 21] (Green)  |  Sunday, August 23, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 146, 147; Job 4:1-6, 12-21; Rev 4:1-11; Coll 376
  • Holy Eucharist: Propers 375; Ex 1:8-2:10; Ps 124; (or Is 51:1-6; Ps 138); Rom 12:1-8; Mt 16:13-20; Preface of the Lord's Day
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 111, 112, 113; (2 Sam 24:1-2, 10-25); Mk 6:1-6a; Coll 376

St Bartholomew the Apostle - Holy Day (Red)  |  Monday, August 24, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 86; Gen 28:10-17; Jn 1:43-51; Coll 420 or FAS 255
  • Holy Eucharist: Propers 420 or FAS 255; Dt 18:15-18 or 1 Cor 4:9-15; Ps 91; Lk 22:24-30; Preface of Apostles
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 15, 67; Is 66:1-2, 18-23; 1 Pet 5:1-11; Coll 420 or FAS 255

Feria (Green)  |  Tuesday, August 25, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 5, 6; Job 6:1-4, 8-15, 21; Acts 9:32-43; Coll 376
  • Holy Eucharist: As Sunday, except: 2 Th 2:1-17; Ps 96:7-13; Mt 23:23-26; Preface of Weekdays
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 10, 11; (1 Kgs 1:38-2:4); Jn 6:60-71; Coll 376

Feria (Green)  |  Wednesday, August 26, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 119:1-24; Job 6:1, 7:1-21; Acts 10:1-16; Coll 376
  • Holy Eucharist: As Sunday, except: 2 Th 3:6-10, 16-18; Ps 128; Mt 23:27-32; Preface of Weekdays
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 12, 13, 14; (1 Kgs 3:1-15); Jn 7:1-13; Coll 376

Monnica Mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387 - Commemoration (Green)  |  Thursday, August 27, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 18:1-20; Job 8:1-10, 20-22; Acts 10:17-33; Coll 376 (Com: 438/9 or FAS 257)
  • Holy Eucharist: Monnica: Common of a Saint 438/9 or FAS 257; 1 Sam 1:10-11, 20; Ps 115:12-15; Jn 16:20-24; Preface of a Saint  OR  Feria: As Sunday, except: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Ps 145:1-7; Mt 24:42-51; Preface of Weekdays (Com: 438/9 or FAS 257)
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 18:21-50; (1 Kgs 3:16-28); Jn 7:14-36; Coll 376 (Com: 438/9 or FAS 257)

Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Teacher of the Faith, 430 - Memorial (White)  |  Friday, August 28, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 16, 17; Job 9:1-15; 32-35; Acts 10:34-48; Coll 376 (Mem: 436 or FAS 259)
  • Holy Eucharist: Augustine of Hippo: Common of Doctors and Teachers of the Faith 436 or FAS 259; 1 Jn 4:7-16; Ps 102:19-28; Mt 23:8-12; Preface of Trinity Sunday  OR  Feria: As Sunday, except: 1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-11; Mt 25:1-13; Preface of Weekdays (Mem: 436 or FAS 259)
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 22; (1 Kgs 5:1-6:1, 7); Jn 7:37-52; Coll 376 (Mem: 436 or FAS 259)

The Beheading of St John the Baptist - Holy Day (Red)  |  Day of discipline and self-denial  |  Eve of Sunday (Green)  |  Saturday, August 29, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 102; Jer 38:1-6; Rev 7:13-17; Coll 421 or FAS 261
  • Holy Eucharist: Propers 421 or FAS 261; 2 Chr 24:17-21 or Heb 11:32-40; Ps 71:1-6, 15-17; Mk 6:17-29; Preface of a Martyr
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 110:1-5, (6-7), 116, 117; (1 Kgs 7:51-8:21); Jn 8:12-20; Coll 377 (Eve of Pentecost XIII)
  • Eve of Precedence: The first Eve of Sunday takes precedence over the evening of the Beheading of St John the Baptist (If St John the Baptist is the Patron then the Birth of the Baptist is kept as the Patronal Festival).
What We Do
Worship