Welcome to our ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE, created by Faith leaders from the Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic and United Church Faith tradition...in our beloved ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS
To listen to recordings or view the videos please click the "play" arrow. Be mindful of the fact that it may take a few seconds until you hear or see something. We hope you enjoy this service and will share it widely.
Gathering for Worship
Normally we know worship begins when we enter the sacred space of a church building. When we pray at home, we may find it hard to concentrate on worship. So spend a moment in preparation for worship.
Create a little “sacred space”:
If you are inside, you may want to light a candle or tealight. If you are outside, set up a small table, some flowers perhaps, and a bible or cross.Take time to notice your breath. If you are agitated calm your breath gently.
Then when you are ready, press the play button and as you listen,
dedicate this time to God.
Create a little “sacred space”:
If you are inside, you may want to light a candle or tealight. If you are outside, set up a small table, some flowers perhaps, and a bible or cross.Take time to notice your breath. If you are agitated calm your breath gently.
Then when you are ready, press the play button and as you listen,
dedicate this time to God.
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Organ Prelude: "Cornet Voluntary" by H. Heron,
organist: Deirdre Morell-Ormerod |
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Greeting The Rev. Elisabeth Bachem-Jennings
In years past, our community has celebrated Natal Day with parades, crowds and fireworks. This year, in a time of pandemic, we must remember our province’s history in a more private fashion. We, the people of the Ecumenical church Council of the churches in Annapolis Royal, welcome you to a spiritual celebration. Inspired by recent events we chose to celebrate and honor the diversity of people who live here and express our belief that no matter what color our skin is, what age or gender we are, what physical ability or sexual orientation we have, what ethnicity and religion we belong to-- we are all equally worthy of respect and we are equally made in the image of Creator God. |
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Land Acknowledgement and Call to worship
Leanne Hudson, drum |
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The Rev. Juanita Barteaux
Long before the Europeans landed on the shores of the Annapolis basin, for thousands of years people of the Wabenaki Confederation were the only inhabitants of the land. The Mi’kmaq took seriously the Creator’s call to be stewards of earth and water, land and creatures. We humbly pray our thanks for their conservancy and we commit to being attentive to the lessons they continue to teach. We are called together by the One who created the heavens and the earth, the universe and our tender planet. So let us seek wisdom and guidance as we sing, pray and listen. |
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Hymn of Praise: “All creatures of our God and King” You are invited to sing along to the recorded music ; the organist is Elsie Hepburn.
All creatures of our God and King Life up your voice and with us sing Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Thou burning sun with golden beam Thou silver moon with softer gleam Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Thou rushing wind that art so strong, ye clouds that sail in heav'n along, O praise him, alleluia! Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, ye lights of evening, find a voice, O praise him, O praise him, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! And all ye men of tender heart, forgiving others, take your part, O sing ye, alleluia! Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, praise God and on him cast your care, O praise him, O praise him, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Let all things their Creator bless And worship God in humbleness Alleluia Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son And praise the Spirit, three in one… Alleluia Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia |
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Opening Prayer: Linda Bailey
Lord of history, how many boats has this bay seen! And how many footsteps have trod these shores! On this piece of mother earth humans hunted and fished, farmed and traded for a very long time. Some of our leaders signed peace treaties and some leaders broke them. Europeans came as explorers and conquerors, missionaries and soldiers. Farmers, sailors and tradesmen came from the Africa and the United States. Came as free people and also as slaves. Brown and black people were essential to the settlers; acting as interpreters, guides soldiers and specializing in trades. Yet they were often treated unfairly and even abused by the very people who called on your Holy Name. As people we humbly confess before you our intolerance for people who are different from ourselves. We affirm our dignity and equal rights as people- all made in Your beautiful image. Together we can build a better future. Help us make a new start, we pray. |
LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD
A reading from the book of Genesis, the first chapter. The readers are Jim and Jean McGinis
Translation: The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. 
In the Beginning....It happened just as God said. 25 God
made earth-creatures in a vast variety of species: wild animals, domesticated animals of all sizes, and small creeping creatures, each able to reproduce its own kind. God saw that His new creation was beautiful and good. And God paused. 26 Now let Us conceive a new creation—humanity--made in Our image, fashioned according to Our likeness. And let Us grant them authority over all the earth—the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, the domesticated animals and the small creeping creatures on the earth. 27 So God did just that. He created humanity in His image, created them male and female. 28 Then God blessed them and gave them this directive: “Be fruitful and multiply. Populate the earth. I make you trustees of My estate, so care for My creation and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that roams across the earth.” 29 Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows on the earth and every fruit-bearing tree. They will be your food and nourishment. 30 As for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and every small creeping creature—everything that breathes the breath of life—I have given them every green plant for food. And it happened just as God said. 31 Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness. Evening gave way to morning. That was day six. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God. |
Reflection on the Genesis reading: Ginny Hurlburt
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Genesis chapter 1 expresses how much our Great God loves us. Each verse explains a new gift. We need to beware of the wealth of our nation. This is to add and give us a wonderful life. Will or do we appreciate these gifts? Are we satisfied? I think about these verses the beginning of spring. Those of us who are privileged to live in this beautiful place. Each week there is a new splendour .Do we notice as we drive in-our countryside? As a m ikmaq woman I feel a great connection to the land. Itis time we take stock of our s.lives. We need to see how we have treated our earth. What is our call to fame. We live in huge nation. How do we see ourselves acting as God’s people. We need to beware of wealth of our nation. Can we keep ourselves from becoming greedy and uncaring people. Not allowing our human nature to take over. If we believe the Heavenly Father made this land,we need to keep Him in the for front of our daily lives! When I was doing research on my family tree ,I came across a census which had added notes on my family. They were marked as a poor, hungry people. The world God had provided for us supplied all our needs. But people from different lands had different styles and customers. Gave them a wrong idea. Do we do that to others. Centuries has gone by God has provided for us. God has given us this land and has made it great for us in heaven, Helping other people to have a better life would be the kind of things we do. May we work on our abilities and not allow our greed and the wanting to take power of others. Take us as a caring people no matter the race, colour, creed. God is pure love, We will have no earthly supplies in heaven! Corrie Ten Bloom said Never be afraid to trust a unknown future to a known God, Amen.
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Please join in the Hymn "O God, we bear the imprint of your face"
sung by David Holborn, accompanied by Deirdre Morell -Ormerod 1 O God, we bear the imprint of your face: the colors of our skin are your design, and what we have of beauty in our race as man or woman, you alone define, who stretched a living fabric on our frame and gave to each a language and a name. 2 Where we are torn and pulled apart by hate because our race, our skin is not the same,while we are judged unequal by the state and victims made because we own our name,humanity reduced to little worth, dishonored is your living face on earth. 3 O God, we share the image of your Son whose flesh and blood are ours, whatever skin, in humanity we find our own, and in his family our proper kin: Christ is the brother we still crucify, his love the language we must learn, or die. Text by Sheila Murray, Tune: Finlandia |
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A reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, chapter 3: 23-28 Translation: NIV (New International Version) The reader is the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Legassie 23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Herin is wisdom. Thanks be to God. |
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Reflection on the Galatians reading by Linda Bailey--
"This passage talks about the law that governed mankind before Christ. Some followed the law, some didn't. With the coming of Christ, a new law was put into place, making us all equal in our faith. Love thy neighbor as thyself and live by the Golden Rule Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Amen" |
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
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Please join us in singing: "They will know we are Christians by our love". The organist is Elsie Hepburn
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord And we pray that our unity will one day be restored And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love We will work with each other, we will work side by side We will work with each other, we will work side by side And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love. Songwriter: Peter Scholtes |
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Offering of our Time :
presented by the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Legassie Today, instead of asking for a financial offering, we encourage you to make an offering of a different kind. We suggest that you make time for an act of learning and/or of friendship. For example, as an act of learning choose to read books about people whose cultural background and life experiences are different than yours. Read books by authors whose ethnicity is different from yours. Go online and search for information about Canadian Residential Schools, especially look for information about the Shubenacadie Residential school. If possible, even plan a trip to visit one of the three highly interesting Black History museums in NS. There’s the Black Loyalist Museum in Birchtown, Shelburne Co, the Africville Museum in Halifax and the Black Cultural Centre, just outside Dartmouth. An act of friendship can be to simply make a point of being friendly and neighborly to all you encounter, regardless of their appearance, age, skin color, sexual orientation, or whatever. Be intentional about being kind, helpful and finding ways to connect with others. Slow down and take a few extra moments to chat. Assist people who need assistance, make a point of checking in with and visiting Seniors and others who live alone. Make a point of having conversation with someone you do not already know. You could bake a treat and take or share it with someone who is new to the community or someone you would not normally connect with. Practice the grace of hospitality. As your offering, set a task or two for yourself - something that will be a meaningful reminder that we are all created in the image of God. |
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Prayers for our Province
The Rev. Juanita Barteaux Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession O Living God, we pray for your holy family of all races and of all nations who are your Church here in this place. We remember the generations of the peoples who have lived on this land before the arrival of the explorers and settlers. We give thanks to them for they cared for your creation of land, flowing waters, and of the creatures entrusted to them. We do confess the wrongdoing of our ancestors who claimed land, and tidal waters, and creatures that were not there’s to claim. We seek forgiveness of their actions. We remember all who have recognized, that to be a person of faith is to be a person who responds in action, to right the wrongs that have happened, to uphold justice where needed, and to live in peace, and in the love of Christ. All: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. O God of All, we give thanks: for all those dared to step forward to come to a new land seeking a new home and with them the spirit of hope for a better life. For the pioneers of our past, and the new immigrants of today. Many people were made unwilling participants in the plans of settlement, those who were enslaved because of race and colour. We give thanks, that despite the wrongful acts of ancestors of the past, the enslaved became free and despite the hardships that they faced, they are a people richly filled with your grace. May all of us today take the lessons of the past and apply them in making right and honourable decisions. We give thanks to the leaders who through their lives and actions hallenged the stereotypes of society . . . we especially remember today Rose Fortune, Daureen Lewis, Henri Membertou, and Louis Jeremy for their strength of character. All: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. O God of the Past and of our Future, these past five months have been hard months to endure, the loss of the many lives by the hand of the Portapique shooter, and those who are traumatized by this experience. There has been a sense of renewed strength in our province. Help us to use this strength to use our voices to fight against injustices and prejudice that exist in our communities. Help us to be forward moving actions that will support the Black Lives Matter movement. The tragic accident of the armed forces helicopter crash and the Snowbird disaster has pulled us together in humble thanksgiving for the lives of those who have committed to protect us being prepared to risk their own lives. Guard all of us as we practise the safe precautions to protect young and old in this time of pandemic. We give thanks that your own love and self sacrifice comes shining through in these difficult times, you are our inspiration and source of strength and courage that will move us forward each day. All: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. O God of restoration, make us mindful that with the coming of new peoples there is also the coming of a new way of being and doing, that none of us should reject that which is good because it’s unfamiliar, nor that we should accept all the ways of the past because it has always been done that way. Help us to see clearly your ways and to remember those who have struggled to reform our history and to help us to see you in all people. They sought in their time to minister to the needs of those who were harmed by attitudes of ageism, gender bias, and sexual orientation. We give thanks for the generations before us because they did not give up, but faced these painful challenges and they crossed over the rough waters of change and we ask for your help and guidance as we continue their journey toward total acceptance in all these issues. All: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. O holy and sustaining God, make us worthy to inherit the valour and vision of those we have brought forward. Those who have brought forward success in meeting these difficulties. Challenge us as always lest we wither and perish, by holding to the familiar when it has lost its favour. As your daughters and sons, may we be brought nearer to a new vision of your love, through the grace of the Holy Spirit in our communities that we call home. Amen. |
Please join us in singing "For the healing of the nations" by Fred Kaan.
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Commissioning and Blessing :
The Rev. Elisabeth Bachem-Jennings Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;help the afflicted; honour everyone. Stand by those affected by hatred Go in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, stand by those who are dispirited and discouraged Go in the Love of the Holy Spirit, Stand with all good people Go celebrate the beauty of God in all you meet. Stand by her, by him, by them. |
As Postlude, listen to this amazing recording of "Stand by me" "I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me... Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me."
Recorded around the world by "Playing for change".
Thank you for "staying and praying" with us! Happy Natal Day!
Recorded around the world by "Playing for change".
Thank you for "staying and praying" with us! Happy Natal Day!