Note:  Pg #s refer to the BAS

The Father brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. -James 1:18

Processional Hymn: # 384. Praise the Lord, the Almighty

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,
the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, 
for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
brothers and sisters draw near;
praise him in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, 
who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings,
yea, so gently sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen
how thy entreaties have been
granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, 
who doth prosper thy work and defend thee!
surely His goodness and mercy 
here daily attend thee;
ponder anew 
what the Almighty can do
if with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, 
who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
who, when the elements madly 
around thee are raging,
biddeth them cease, 
turneth their fury to peace,
whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, 
who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
who, when the godless do triumph, 
all virtue confounding,
sheddeth His light, 
chaseth the horrors of night,
saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, 
O let all that is in me adore Him!
all that hath life and breath, 
come now with praises before Him!
let the Amen
sound from His people again;
gladly for aye we adore Him.

Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land

Call to Worship: 
Give life to the grass
By sending us rain.
Give life to our earth
By sending us rain.    
Give life to our crops
By sending us rain.    
Give life to our children
By sending us rain. Amen   (Dinka Prayer) 

The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185) 

Glory to God p.186

Kyrie Eleison p. 186 

Collect: Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us in all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word   (Led by Kathleen Bell)
First Reading:    SONG OF SOLOMON 2:8-13
PSALM 45:1-2, 7-10    R:  God has blessed you for ever.
Second Reading:    JAMES 1:17-27

Gradual Hymn:     # 171.   What does the Lord Require (vs 1 & 2)

What does the Lord require
for praise and offering?
What sacrifice desire,
or tribute bid you bring?
Do justly; love mercy;
walk humbly with your God.

Rulers of earth, give ear!
Should you not justice know?
Will God your pleading hear,
while crime and cruelty grow?
Do justly; love mercy;
walk humbly with your God.

The Gospel:    MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Gradual Hymn:     # 171.   What does the Lord Require (vs 3 & 4)

All who gain wealth by trade,

for whom the worker toils,

thnk not to win god's aid,

if greed you commerce soils.

Do justly; love mercy;

walk humbly with your God.

How shall your life fulfil

God's law so hard and high?

Let Christ endue our will

with grace to fortify.

Then justly, in mercy

we'll humbly walk with God.

Homily:  “The Perfect Gift: Reflections on James 1”

Affirmation of Faith: (Apostles Creed p. 189)

Prayers of the People    (Led by Rev. Marion)

Confession and Absolution p. 191

The Peace    p. 192

Offertory Hymn:  # 466. How Clear Is Our Vocation

How clear is our vocation, Lord,
When once we heed your call:
To live according to your word,
And daily learn, refreshed, restored,
That you are Lord of all,
and will not let us fall.

But if, forgetful, we should find
Your yoke is hard to bear;
If worldly pressures fray the mind,
and love itself cannot unwind
Its tangled skein of care:
Our inward life repair.

We mark your saints how they became
In hindrances more sure;
Whose joyful virtues put to shame
The casual way we wear your name,
And by our faults obscure
Your power to cleanse and cure.

In what you give us, Lord, to do,
Together or alone,
In old routines and ventures new,
May we not cease to look to you, 
The cross you hung upon -
All you endeavored done.

Prayer over the Gifts: Merciful God, receive all we offer you this day. Give us grace to love one another that your love may be made perfect in us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Celebration of the Eucharist (Eucharistic Prayer #4, p. 201)

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)        p. 211

The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 2)     p. 212

Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us… Grant us Thy peace.

¬The Communion  (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)

Communion Hymn: # 610  Before I Take the Body of the Lord 

Before I take the body of my Lord
Before I share His life in bread and wine
I recognise the sorry things within
These I lay down

The words of hope I often failed to give
The prayers of kindness buried by my pride
The signs of care I argued out of sight
These I lay down

The narrowness of vision and of mind
The need for other folk to serve my will
And every word and silence meant to hurt
These I lay down

Of those around in whom I meet my Lord
I ask their pardon and I grant them mine
That every contradiction to Christ's peace
Might be laid down

Lord Jesus Christ companion at this feast
I empty now my heart and stretch my hands
And ask to meet You here in bread and wine
Which You lay down

Prayer after Communion:  Almighty God, you renew us at your table with the bread of life. May your holy food strengthen us in love and help us to serve you in each other. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Poetry Reading: “Amendment” by Thomas Traherne

Doxology (Old 100th) Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen

The Blessing

Closing Hymn:  # MV 144  Like A Healing Stream 
“Like a healing stream in a barren desert,
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth,
God is trickling through our lives as in a dream unfolding,
Promising revival and rebirth…
Like a healing stream.

Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,
Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed,
God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation,
Yearning for an end to want and need…
Like a gentle rain.

Like a river strong with a restless current,
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore,
God is carving out a channel in a new direction,
Calling for an end to hate and war…
Like a river strong.

Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons, living-water-
Spirit water with a love both deep and wide,
God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow;
God will always challenge and provide!
Like a mighty sea,
Like a river strong,
Like a gentle rain,
Like a healing stream.”

The Dismissal    p. 215