Holy Eucharist for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 5, 2021, 8:30 am & 10:30 am Services

The Second Sunday of Advent:
December 5, 2021
St. Titus’ Episcopal Church
400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707

Welcome to St. Titus’ Episcopal Church

Whether you are here for the first time or your family has been part of St. Titus’ for generations, whether you’re here in person or watching online, the Holy Spirit has brought you to this place. We’re glad you’re here! Our Mission and Vision Statements are printed below. You can learn more about this faith community on our website, sttitusdurham.org. Our rector, Rev. Stephanie, or our deacons, Rev. Sarah and Rev. Mawethu, would be happy to talk with you about who we are and what we do at St. Titus’. We invite you to join us on our journey of faith.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

St. Titus’ is a diverse and growing community committed to walking with Christ by serving others, pursuing justice and welcoming all.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

God dreams for St. Titus’ to be sacred ground where all of God’s children experience the unconditional love of Jesus. In faithful response, we will offer Spirit-filled worship where people from diverse backgrounds encounter God. As an intergenerational community, we will deepen our faith through sharing scripture, Christian tradition and our own experience. We will be open and authentic with one another, and respond to the needs of our neighbors with compassion and creativity. Our passion for God’s justice and peace will compel us to become agents for social, political, and economic transformation. St. Titus’ will be Beloved Community.

Serving Today: December 5, 2021

8:30 am
Celebrant: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy
Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca
Deacons: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard, The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Mary Hawkins
Epistle: David Ross
Intercessor: David Stanford
Altar Guild: Hazel Brown, Patricia Valentine, Marguerite Peebles, Alexine Miller

10:30 am
Celebrant: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy
Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca
Deacons: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard, The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Yvette Matthews
Epistle: Diane Hundley
Intercessor: Lionell Parker
Altar Guild: Hazel Brown, Patricia Valentine, Marguerite Peebles, Alexine Miller
Tech Team: Yvette Matthews, Chuck Hennessee, Livio Carnera

The Second Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
December 5, 2021 at 8:30 am (without music) and 10:30 am

Prelude

Welcome

Hymn: Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding Hymnal 1982 #59

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

The celebrant says
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant: Lord have mercy.
People: Christ have mercy.
Celebrant: Lord have mercy

Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

The celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight– indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

The Response: The Song of Zechariah Luke 1: 67-79

Benedictus Dominus Deus

Then John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Sequence Hymn: Lo, how a Rose e’re blooming Hymnal 1982 #81

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

The deacon says
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”

After the Gospel the deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon: The Reverend Deacon Mawethu Ncaca

The Nicene Creed

[Please stand as you are able.]

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Litanist: I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Prepare your hearts for his arrival, praying, “Fill the valleys, make low the hills; come great Redeemer, come.”

Merciful God, increase our love to overflowing. Make your Church pure and blameless that we may greet with joy the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fill the valleys, make low the hills;
Come, great Redeemer, come.

Merciful God, we long for the light of hope to break into our world, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide us into the way of peace.

Fill the valleys, make low the hills;
Come, great Redeemer, come.

Merciful God, give us grace to heed the warnings of those calling us to be better stewards of our creation. We thank you for all you have made, especially those things that sustain and better our lives.

Fill the valleys, make low the hills;
Come, great Redeemer, come.

Merciful God, you lead us with joy; you delight in our joy. You clothe us in beauty. We give you thanks for your tender care.

[You may add your own thanksgivings at this time.]

Fill the valleys, make low the hills;
Come, great Redeemer, come.

Merciful God, you remember your children. You do not leave us in sorrow or affliction. Crown your children with glory; clothe them with righteousness.

[You may add your own intercessions at this time.]

Fill the valleys, make low the hills;
Come, great Redeemer, come.

Merciful God, you have raised up for us salvation through your Son. Keep us, with all your saints, in the eternal life of Christ.

Fill the valleys, make low the hills;
Come, great Redeemer, come.

The Celebrant says,
Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

The deacon says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. [The people may stand or kneel.]

[Silence may be kept.]

Celebrant and People
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Priest stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

[The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.]

Welcome and Announcements

Offertory Anthem: Every valley (John Ness Beck), Janice Williams, soloist

As a COVID precaution we are not passing the plate for monetary offerings at this time. You may place your offering in the basket at the entrance to the worship space, or you may donate online at sttitusdurham.org.

See page 14 of this bulletin for other ways you can support St. Titus’ ministries.

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving (Enriching Our Worship 1: Eucharistic Prayer 3)

The people remain standing.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Celebrant
All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; And so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:

Sanctus (spoken at 8:30 a.m.)

Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

LEVAS II #255 (sung at 10:30 a.m.)

Holy, 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, of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.

The Celebrant continues
Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.

We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.” And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:

Celebrant and People
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!

The celebrant continues
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ. Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Titus and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.

Celebrant and People: Blessed are you now and for ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Celebrant says
As our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to say

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.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
or ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

[A period of silence is kept.]

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The celebrant invites the people to Communion
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Due to COVID precautions, we are not sharing the cup at this time. The consecrated wine will be returned to the earth.

Communion Hymn: The blood that Jesus shed for me (Instrumental)

For those of you who are participating in this celebration of Holy Eucharist from a different location, we invite you to pray with these words during the distribution of the holy sacrament:

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Post-communion Prayer [The people stand as they are able.]

The Celebrant says
Let us pray.

The Celebrant and People say together
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

The Celebrant says
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Closing Hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling Hymnal 1982 #657

Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.

Announcements

Thank you to today’s soloist, Janice Williams

Christmas Poinsettia Order Forms: You may order Christmas poinsettias by using an order form found in the narthex, or online by going to https://secure.myvanco.com/YQQT/campaign/C-11S0Z . Orders are due by December 12.

Advent Bible Study: St. Titus’ member Syrena Williams is leading us in a 4-week bible study series on Dangerous Prayers during the Advent season. We will meet via Zoom on Mondays from 7 – 8pm each week beginning Monday, November 29th and ending Monday, December 20th.

If you would like to join the study group, please email Syrena at snwtoo@gmail.com so that you can receive the link to the study, the reading agenda, discussion questions and zoom link. We look forward to you joining us.

Ordinations: Alice Graham Grant and Mawethu Ncaca will be ordained to the priesthood on December 11 at 11 am at the Church of the Holy Family in Chapel Hill. All are welcome to attend. A livestream broadcast of the ordination will also be available via the Facebook page of the Diocese of North Carolina at https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseNC/.

Additionally, Valerie Colbert has met all the requirements of the ordination process for vocational deacons. She will be ordained at St. Alban’s in Davidson on Saturday, January 22. Valerie, who grew up at St. Titus’, is the daughter of the late Julia Williams Davis.

Please Consider Running for Vestry: There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, January 23 at which time we will choose a new vestry member to replace Althea Alton, whose term is expiring. Please prayerfully consider whether you feel called to serve on the vestry. Candidates for vestry must be confirmed members of St. Titus’ who are in good standing.

Support St. Titus’: If you would like to support our ministries you can make an online donation here by following the QR code or by visiting our homepage: sttitusdurham.org. You can also mail or hand-deliver a check to St. Titus’ at 400 Moline St., Durham, NC, 27707. Thank you

A Reminder to Fulfill Your 2021 Pledge: Thank you for your generous pledges of financial support for 2022. Please remember to keep up with your pledge for the current year. For most of 2021 our income has exceeded our expenses, but in recent months we have fallen behind. If all pledges are paid by the end of 2021 we should end the year in a good position, ready and able to continue God’s work in 2022. Thank you again for your generous giving!

Stay in Touch: To receive weekly email announcements from St. Titus’, email Jack or sign up by following this link: http://eepurl.com/htIWIr .

Sign up for The Titusian, St. Titus’ monthly newsletter, on the St. Titus’ homepage: sttitusdurham.org, or by emailing Jack.

Subscribe to Please Note, a weekly update from the Diocese of North Carolina by following this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/QCPKOTo .

COVID Precautions: For the safety of all in attendance, we ask you to wear a mask throughout the service, with the exception of a few seconds when you put the host into your mouth. Lectors are permitted to remove their masks while reading, as is the preacher, because they are more than six feet away from the rest of the congregation.

Remember that no gathering can be completely safe. The COVID vaccine remains your best protection against contracting COVID-19. If you are able to be vaccinated, we urge you to do so.

Servers for December 12: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM
First Lesson: Althea Alton, Hannah Bowman
Epistle: Mike Woodard, Gloria Drew
Intercessor: Jack Peterson, Robyn Furges

Next Sunday’s Schedule

Christmas Services
• Christmas Eve: 7pm
• Christmas Day: 10 am

Clergy & Staff

Rector: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy (410) 971-8111 st.titusrector@gmail.com
Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard (919) 599-5227 sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Curate: The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca (919) 717-8144 st.tituscurate@gmail.com
Administrator: Jack Peterson (919) 682-5504 st.titussecretary@gmail.com
Music Director: Ramon Holloway (919) 886-5325 sainttitusmusic@yahoo.com

Vestry Roster

Senior Warden: Althea Alton 2021 althea.alton@yahoo.com
Junior Warden: Keith Bishop 2023 KeithBishop@keithbishoplaw.com
Meisha Davis 2022 meisha.davis1@gmail.com
Diane Hundley 2022 dianehundley@bellsouth.net
Marguerite Peebles 2022 apeeblesmarguerit@bellsouth.net
Gloria Drew 2023 gdrew41@att.net
Mark Perrone 2023 mhperrone@aol.com

Treasurer: Deborah DeBourg-Brown st.titustreasurer@gmail.com

Church Organizational Leaders, Email

Altar Guild: Hazel Brown hazelyb24@gmail.com
Altar Guild: Williette Adorker
Acolyte Warden: Vincent Quiett quiettv@msn.com
Benevolent Team Coordinator: Willette Crews willettec@legalaidnc.org
Card Ministry: Alexine Miller alexinemiller@yahoo.com
Communications Ministry: Mary Hawkins pisces0835@gmail.com
Episcopal Church Women: Valerie Quiett quiettv@msn.com
Episcopal Church Women: Vickie Miller vickiemiller746@yahoo.com
Memorial Garden Warden: James Barnes jbarnl3719@aol
Parish Outreach Coordinator: Willette Crews willettec@legalaidnc.org
Parish Outreach Coordinator: William Hennessee wllmhennessee@aol.com
St. David’s Usher Guild: Dwight Peebles dapeebles@bellsouth.net
Invite.Welcome.Connect Committee: Sarah Woodard sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Youth Coordinator: (open)

St. Titus’ Episcopal Church
400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707
(919) 682-5504;
st.titusepiscopal@gmail.com
sttitusdurham.org