(piano)
Welcome to the catholic community of Saint Thomas Beckett as we gather to celebrate the 23rd Sunday in ordinary time.
My name is Jim Homan.
Also proclaiming God's word today is psalmist. Jackie Graham.
Our presider is our pastor Father Tim Wozniack.
All of our hymns and acclamations are found in the worship aid that is attached to this video.
You can also turn on the closed captioning icon if you find that helpful.
The spiritual communion prayer is in your worship aid and on your screen.
You can make a sunday offering on our website or on the link to this video.
You can also go to our website to post a prayer on the prayer wall.
These prayers will be included in the prayers of the faithful.
(Opening song)  "All Are Welcome"
Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
(piano)
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
(Fr Tim) Truly we are all welcomed wherever we might be this day.
Welcome into your homes, your apartments, this community of Saint Thomas Beckett
and it's the God who welcomes us together
and so we pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
For the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the friendship of the spirit is with all of you. (all) and with your spirit.
(Fr Tim) Thank you
It is God who reminds us that we are responsible for and to each other.
It's Jesus that reminds us sometimes in life
it is that we are not connected to each other and we
may need to reach out and
ask forgiveness and heal.
It's also on this Labor Day weekend that we are reminded that we
work together to build the kingdom of God, whatever it is. That is our work.
We pause now to be mindful. Where do we need healing forgiveness? Where do we need to reach out?
Lord Jesus you are the rock of our salvation. Lord have mercy
(all) Lord have mercy.
(Fr Tim) Christ Jesus, you are the shepherd who cares for his flock. Christ have mercy. (all) Christ have mercy.
(Fr Tim) Lord Jesus, you are the way to salvation.
Lord have mercy. (all)  Lord have mercy. (Fr Tim) Almighty God has mercy on us, forgives us our sins and brings all of us to everlasting life.
Amen
So we pause and on this Labor Day weekend,
praying for those in need of employment,
underemployed and in gratitude for our own ability to work.
Let us pause and share our prayer and quiet with god. Let us pray.
God we gather in the name of Jesus.
We are His church, called to be his disciples,
a sign of His presence in the world.
May we strengthen each other and be moved by the spirit,
to be reconciled with each other
and to praise You in His name,
through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives forever and ever.
(All) Amen.
Let's be seated for our scripture.
Ezekiel has probably come to the end of his rope and trying to get people to
realize that God is the one
that they are to be attentive to and guiding them
because he tells the people that those in exile Jerusalem has been ruined
and he does not see much hope
and yet tries to encourage people listen to God.
Paul, in the second reading is reminding us that Moses was given the great commandments
and it is the people who are called, as you and I are,
to live that great commandment, which will be found in that reading today.
(John Homan) A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
Thus says the Lord,
you son of man, I have appointed watchmen for the house of Israel
When you hear me say anything,
you shall warn them for me.
If I tell the wicked,  oh wicked people, you shall surely die
and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from their ways,
the wicked shall die for their guilt,
but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.
But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn them from their ways, and they refuse to turn from their ways,
they shall die for their guilt, but you shall save yourself.
The word of the Lord. (all) Thanks be to God.
(piano) “If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart.”
(Jackie) If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart
If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart.
(all) If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart.
If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart.
To the tiny wind and the voice of the hurricane, open up my heart
to the child at play or the cry of another's pain
Open up my heart
If today you hear the voice of God,
harden not your heart.
If today you hear the voice of God,
harden not your heart.
In my silent prayer, to the earth and her mysteries,
Open up my heart
To the call to share to the face of my enemies
Open up my heart
If today you hear the voice of God
harden not your heart.
If today you hear the voice of God
harden not your heart.
(Jim Homan) A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Brothers and sisters, owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.
For the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The commandments:
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not kill
You shall not steal
You shall not covet
And whatever other commandment there may be
are summed up in this saying.
Namely,
you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love does no evil to the neighbor. Hence love is the fulfillment of the law.
The word of the Lord (all) Thanks be to God
(piano) Allelulia
(singers) Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord
God was reconciling
the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord
(Fr Tim) My friends, the Lord is with all of you. (all) And with your spirit. (Fr Tim)  A reading is from the holy gospel according to Matthew glory to you
(Fr Tim)  A reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. (all) glory to you oh Lord.
(Fr Tim) Jesus said to his disciples,
another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.
If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.
But if you are not listened to,
take one or two others along with you
so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
If the member refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
If the offender refuses to listen even to the church,
let such a one,
be to you a gentile or a tax collector.
Amen I say to you. Whatever you bind in earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again amen I say to you.
If two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted them by God.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
The gospel of the Lord.
(piano)
(singers) Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord.
(Fr Tim) Loyola Spirituality Center is a
spiritual direction center in Saint Aaul and I have gone there for many, many years for spiritual direction,
and they, on a monthly basis, send out a newsletter
and in it, they have a blog that is written by one of their staff.
In a recent blog, they invited people
to use certain things for spiritual direction during this Covid time
and one of them was to listen to music.
And in the particular article,
they invited people to listen to the recording of the hymn,
Be Not Afraid. It's a song that we have sung many, many times here.
And they simply invited you to go to youtube,
and it is recorded by singers calling themselves
Catholic Artists at Home.
And this type of recording is what's called a virtual concert.
It's a song that is arranged for vocalists and accompanist.
The instrumental is recorded on a track
and then each individual singer,
from home,
records his or her own vocal part.
Then the conductor or the producer
spends hours editing them
into one
single performance piece.
I have listened to
this youtube of Be Not Afraid numbers and numbers of times
and it is truly lifted my heart and my spirit.
All of these artists in their own home,
different places, different parts, of the country.
Separate from one another.
Yet as Jesus says where two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I in their midst.
Yes.
They were gathered.
Yes, Christ was present though they were not in one place.
We come together.
No different than those people did.
I'm here.
You're there
in your home, in your apartment.
You might be
one. You might be two or three.
Yet wherever we are,
we are church.
We are the Community of Saint Thomas Beckett.
We come together to be Christ present,
to live as community,
and to live as Christ asks us to live.
The gospel says,
live this way,
talk through your differences,
talk face to face,
speak directly,
speak honestly, listen,
yes, listen.
Jesus also says,
Realize that we need each other.
Jesus asks us to live the values of the Gospel,
to live the values of scripture.
We as the Community of Saint Thomas Beckett
live the values of the gospel and live the values of scripture.
Over the last couple of years we have put together
five values based on scripture.
The ones that we choose to live and live together in.
It is the value of welcome,
and the scripture says love one another as I have loved you.
The value of service.
Jesus reminds us that He did not come to be served but to serve.
We live the value of hope.
Jesus challenges us.
You are the light of the world.
We live the value of worship.
Jesus says where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.
And we live the value of learning.
Jesus said the seed that falls on good ground will produce much fruit.
We are guided by the words of the gospel and the second reading.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The gospel tells us
that when we come together as individuals, as disciples of christ,
we can accomplish
great works of reconciliation, healing, and justice.
These past five months have moved us to realize
that it's not about me.
It's about us.
How much we depend on each other.
We need each other.
We pick each other up.
We help each other out.
We can be the person
who removes that small bit of hostility from the world.
If two or three of us do that,
and follow Jesus's commands,
hearts and spirits can be lifted.
And so my invitation.
Are there two or three of you
that can come together this week safely, you know, whatever way you can
and pray for someone or some need.
And then I'd invite you to go to youtube.
Put in the song Be Not Afraid
performed by Catholic Artists at Home
and listen to it as your prayer.
And maybe right now,
put a pause,
take a moment.
Was there a word or something that struck you?
Or maybe you take the moment to pray for that someone or that need
or maybe you hit pause and say let's listen to that Be Not Afraid youtube.
See how this might be a good moment of prayer for you and for each other.
I invite us to stand as we join together and proclaiming the Apostles Creed.
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth
And in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.
On the third day, He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
communion of saints,
forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.  (all) Amen
Trusting in God's care, we bring our needs and the needs of our neighbors before the Lord.
(Jim) For the church,
that we may reach out and assist our neighbors in reconciling with God
and each other.
Let us pray to the Lord.
(all) Lord hear our prayer.
(Jim) For leaders of nations that they may grow in wisdom,
seeking peaceful ways to resolve differences with others as they serve the people entrusted to them
Let us pray to the Lord. (all)  Lord hear our prayer.
(Jim) For those given authority to uphold and enforce the law,
that they may respect those they serve and apply the law with justice and compassion.
Let us pray to the Lord. (all) Lord hear our prayer.
(Jim) For all workers, that they may receive a just wage for their labors,
and for those who are unemployed or underemployed,
that they may not lose heart.
Let us pray to the Lord.  (all) Lord hear our prayer.
(Jim) For those who are sick,
especially Dale O'Brien,
those who are suffering from the effects of the Covid virus,
and those on our prayer line.
That they may know the healing presence of Christ.
Let us pray to the Lord.  (all) Lord hear our prayer.
(Jim) For those who have died, may they be gathered at the banquet banquet feast of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.
(all) Lord hear our prayer.
(Jim) For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts and for those placed on our prayer wall.
Let us pray to the Lord (all) Lord hear our prayer.
(Fr Tim) Good and gracious God,
we thank you for your presence in our life.
Thank you for your attentiveness to us.
We lift up all of this in prayer with confidence in the name of Jesus, your son, who lives forever and ever. Amen. (all) Amen
Please be seated as I prepare the altar.
(piano) “Come to the Water”
(singers) O let all who thirst,
let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord:
Without money, without price.
Why should you pay the price,
except for the Lord.
(piano)
And let all who seek,
let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord:
Without money, without strife.
Why should you spend your life,
except for the Lord.
(Fr Tim) Pray my friends that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God the Almighty Father.
(all) May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of God's name. For our good and the good of God's Holy Church.
(Fr Tim) Oh God
who gives us the gift of true prayer and peace,
graciously grant that through this offering,
we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty,
and by partaking of the sacred mystery,
we may be faithfully united in mind and heart.
We pray this through Christ our Lord.
(all) Amen
(Fr Tim) The Lord is with all of you. (all)  and with your spirit. (Fr Tim)  lift up your hearts. (all) We lift them up to the Lord.
(Fr Tim) Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. (all) It is right and just
(Fr Tim)  It is truly right and just that we give you thanks Lord,
that you have sent Jesus among us and He became the reason for our hope.
You've called us to be people of the light,
no longer to walk in darkness, not even to fear the night of death.
You call us to live by your commandment of love, to recognize our neighbor as part of ourselves,
to see all things, in all people, as part of Your creation.
In the earth itself is the home of your people.
For this we give thanks and pledge our faithful love
as we join our voices with angels, saints, all your people in heaven is together we sing.
(piano) "Holy"
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
(Fr Tim) You are indeed holy, loving God, the fountain of all holiness.
Make holy therefore these gifts we pray by sending down Your spirit upon them like the dewfall
so that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The time He was betrayed and entered willingly into His passion,
He took bread and giving thanks
broke, it gave it to His disciples saying,
take this all of you and eat it,
for this is my body, which will be given up for you.
Similar way when supper was ended, He took the chalice and once more giving things gave it to His disciples saying
take this all of you and drink from it,
for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant
which we've poured out for you and for the many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
(piano)
(singers) When we eat this bread and drink this cup
We proclaim your death Oh Lord
Until you come again
Until you come again
(Fr Tim) Therefore as we celebrate the memorial of His death and resurrection,
we offer you Lord the bread of life, the chalice of salvation.
Giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in our presence and minister to
You, we pray that by partaking of the body and blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember your church spread throughout the world
and bring her to the fullness of charity together with Francis, our pope,
Bernard our bishop,
and all the clergy and all who minister in Your name.
Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection
and all who have died in your mercy
Welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on all of us
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her spouse,
with the blessed apostles and all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages.
We may merit to be coheirs to eternal life and may praise and glorify you through Your son. Jesus Christ.
Through Him and with Him and in Him, oh God Almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
All glory and honor is Yours forever and ever.
(piano)
(singers) Amen, Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen
(Fr Tim) Faith and trust and confidence in the God who is in our midst, we pray as Jesus invites us.
Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us Lord we pray from every evil.
Graciously grant peace in our days that by the help of your mercy
we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, Peace I leave you. My peace of gift to you,
Look not on our sins, but upon the faith of your church
and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with you will who live and reign for ever and ever. (all) Amen
(Fr Tim) Peace of the Lord is with you always. (all)  and with your spirit.
(Fr Tim) Take a moment with those among us to share our peace.  For those alone, here's the high five peace from me to you.
Peace
(piano) "Lamb of God"
(singers) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
Have mercy on us,
have mercy on us
Word made flesh,
You take away the sins of the world.
Have mercy on us
Have mercy on us
(piano)
Lamb of God,
You take away the sins of the world.
Grant us peace
Grant us peace
(piano)
(Fr Tim) My friends, behold the Lamb of God,
Jesus Christ who was in our midst.
Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb.
(all) Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
(piano) Communion song: :One Bread, One Body”
One bread, one body,
one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
(piano)
Gentile or Jew
servant or free
woman or man no more.
One bread, one body,
one Lord of all
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
(piano)
Many the gifts,
many the works,
one in the Lord of all
One bread, one body
one Lord of all
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many,
Throughout the earth
we are one body in this one Lord.
(Fr Tim) Thank you for continual, generous financial help to our parish.
You can do that either by going online
and doing the automatic giving or to mail it in.
This weekend is usually food shelf weekend
and people still are very hungry during this pandemic time.
And so I'd like to just remind you that you can still donate to the food shelf, to the open door,
either by dropping off food or monetary
and that donation can be sent into the parish or to the food shelf and there are
a number of food shelves that you could contribute to.
We'll continue to celebrate the live
mass on Sundays at 9 00 a.m.
Simply go to the website and bookapew for
your reservation for that.
Also the Just Faith session on the History of Racism which begins September 17th,
still has openings for registration. It's open to any member, does not need to be a member of the parish.
On the weekend of September 19th and 20th, we're going to celebrate our last
outdoor masses.
It'll be at five o'clock on Saturday and at nine o'clock on Sunday
and at those masses we are inviting
students to bring
their backpack or any other devices that they will be using
for education, whether that be distance learning or in school.
Bring those for the blessing and we also invite you to bring a school or distant learning item
to be donated to Red Pine school
and speaking of Red Pine school,
Ii you would like to donate an item to them as we have in the many, many past years,
simply go to our website and there's a place that you can click on
and see the items that are necessary and sign up for that.
With that we stand as we pray.
Lord, Your son Jesus declared that He was in our midst as one who serves.
Help us to be a servant church.
Keep us from vanity and pride.
Remind us of the apostles words,
love is the fulfillment of the law. We pray this all through Christ, our Lord. (all) Amen
(Fr Tim) The Lord is with all of you.
(all) And with your spirit. (Fr Tim) The Almighty God blesses us, the Father,
son and Holy Spirit.
(all) Amen.
(Fr Tim) Mass is never ended. It must be lived.
Let's go forth to love and serve the Lord and one another.
(all) Thanks be to God.
(piano/singers) Closing Song: “For the Fruits of this Creation”
