11am Eucharist, Sunday, July 29th

ACNA Ancient Text, 10^th Sunday after Pentecost

Themes from the Readings: Illustration of slaves to idols vs those who are free in Christ; Non-believers have neither wisdom nor good works; the Lord wants our hearts, not empty promises.

Sermon on: Galatians

Prelude: “Allegretto”, from Sonata No 9, Opus 14, No 1 By: Ludwig Van Beethoven

Processional Hymn: 707 Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee (Hollingside)

Gloria: S280, Powell

First Reading: Galatians 4:21-31

Psalm: Psalm 14 (Read aloud, not sung)

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”*

All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;

there is none who does any good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all,*

to see if there is any who is wise,

if there is one who seeks after God.

3 Every one has proved faithless;

all alike have turned bad;*

there is none who does good; no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers*

who eat up my people like bread

and do not call upon the LORD?

5 See how they tremble with fear,*

because God is in the company of the righteous.

6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted*

but the LORD is their refuge.

7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion!*

when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,

Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

Gospel Hymn: 644 How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds (St. Peter)

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-33

Offertory Anthem: “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”, Arranged by: Stella Acton-Greene

Doxology: Hymn 380, Stanza 3

Holy: S125, Proulx

Communion Meditation: Be Thou My Vision, Arranged by the Smith Family

Recessional Hymn: 551 Rise up, ye saints of God! (Festal Song)

Postlude: “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name”, Arranged by: Stella Acton-Greene

Music Notes, By: Ashley Sosis

Frances R. Havergal (b. Astley, Worcestershire, England, 1836; d. Oystermouth, Glamorganshire, Wales, 1879) originally composed the text of our opening hymn (707, Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee) in eleven couplets as a hymn of "self-consecration to Christ" on February 4, 1874. She told the following story about writing this hymn:

“I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley House, Worcestershire, in December 1873]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. [God] gave me the prayer, "Lord, give me all this house." And He just did! Before I left the house, everyone had got a blessing. The last night of my visit. . . I was too happy to sleep and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart, one after another, till they finished with "Ever, only, all, for Thee."

I am struck by her use of the phrase, “converted, but not rejoicing”. If you fall into this category, take a thoughtful look at the beautiful prayer that Havergal’s original hymn text suggests. I included “treasure-hunt” list of scripture references for fun. If you have a better fit for each verse, e-mail it to me!

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. (Psalm 51:17)

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in endless praise. (1 Thess 5:16-18)

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. (Isaiah 52:7)

Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King. (Psalm 89:1)

Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold. (1 Chronicles 29:5)

Take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose. (Luke 10:27)

Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine. (1 Peter 4:2)

Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store. (Ephesians 5:2)

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee. (Phillipians 3:7-8)