At AbbeyChurch, we celebrate a rich worship gathering every Sunday at 4:00! As we come upon our 10th anniversary (October 4) we are remembering the small roots of this ragtag community – which was originally lay-led and met in parks, houses, and a make-shift theatre long before it inhabited a Church building! And we are taking Church back into our homes for a time to get to know one another more deeply!
We are doing this every other Sunday afternoon in five groups that will meet in different neighbourhoods across Victoria, beginning on October 5 and ending just before Advent. (On the alternate Sundays we will continue to gather in person for regular worship with music and Communion.) Though we do have assigned ‘hosts’ to put the kettle on and gently guide the group, we rotate taking leadership. Believing that the Holy Spirit moves through each person, we don’t presume any ‘experts’ in any group.
Our format will follow the lead of the self-determining indigenous Church (in this case, primarily in the Anglican tradition – but also informed by United Church traditions) in a practice they call “Gospel-based Discipleship.” As folks who are primarily settlers, we especially encourage ourselves into a posture of deep listening, being slow to speak - and into a deep heart-engagement with the Gospel. We suggest a posture of listening to the God who speaks, confident the Spirit is still able to get our attention, especially as we slow down and attend to the Gospel and to one another.
“St. Ephrem said that Mary conceived Jesus by ‘her ear.’ We also see Jesus become flesh among us through hearing the Gospel. This book is a pastoral adaptation of the Book of Common Prayer to help disciples hear the Gospel and see Jesus. The method and form are not the most important feature of this resource. Like the Gospel itself, you well see the principles that are the foundation of this work thrive on local adaptation and expansion. The Gospel itself is the agent of change and transformation. Thanks be to God for the Spirit’s power that still inspires hearts, creates revolutions, and saves human beings in their communal and individual lives.” (from the 1992 version of the Disciple’s Prayer Book)
Sign up at AbbeyChurch or write to Matt : matt@abbeychurch.ca
A TYPICAL CIRCLE
Welcome, announcements and land acknowledgment from the large group host.
The Gathering Prayer
A volunteer is chosen to read, or we read together:
Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the centre of this Sacred Circle through which all of creation is related. You show us the way to live a generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your Spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen.
The Rule of Life is read by a volunteer or together.
Creator God, we acknowledge and give thanks that:
In Jesus we know we belong to a Sacred Circle with the Gospel and Baptismal Covenant in the centre.
In this Sacred Circle:
We are all related;
We live a compassionate and generous life;
We respect all life, traditions, and resources.
We commit ourselves to spiritual growth, discipleship, and consensus.
Brief check-in all are welcomed to share what they bring into this sacred circle today.
A Psalm may be read, if desired.
Reading the Gospel
- A volunteer reads the Gospel of the day.
What word(s), idea(s), or phrase(s) stand out for you? (share)
- Another volunteer reads the Gospel of the day
What is Jesus (the Gospel) saying to you? (share)
- Another volunteer reads the Gospel of the day
What is Jesus (the Gospel) inviting you to do? (share)
PRAYER
Individual and Group Prayers may be offered by anyone in the group.
For ourselves, our community, our world. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (ACTS)
COLLECTING PRAYER (Collect)
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
WE CONCLUDE WITH THE LORD’S PRAYER read together:
Our Father, (Parent) 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.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
SENDING
Let us go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God!
Format adapted for online from Disciple’s Prayer book: https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/A-Disciples-Prayer-Book.pdf
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Weekly Worship Sundays at 4pm + weekday prayer