- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Please join the worship by following the liturgy (program) in this bulletin. We encourage you to use the time before worship to pray and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit to keep you centered and focused on what God may be saying to you. After worship, we invite you to pray for God’s strength to help you face and meet the demands of the world from this moment and in the days to come.
The Bidding Prayer BCP, p.833
We are waiting, O God, for the day of peace. Give us the will to bring that day through our own simple goodness and hope. Fill us with patient desire, that our work may be holy, and our holiness bright, through the Christ for whose coming we long, and the Spirit in whose presence we live. Amen.
The Opening Hymn O come, O come, Emmanuel H-56
Advent Wreath Lighting Ceremony
All remain standing. The Celebrant greets the people with these words
Leader Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Leader On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we consider Mary’s trust in God’s promise, her joy in his goodness to her. We wonder, “Am I ready to receive and celebrate the coming of the Son of God?” We ask, “Am I willing and able to echo Mary’s words, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
All four candles on the Advent Wreath are lighted.
Leader Together, let us pray:
The Advent Prayer
Almighty and loving God, soon the whole world will celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus. Even as we rejoice in our remembrance of His birth at Bethlehem, we find greater comfort in His promise to come again. May our preparations for this wondrous season remain with us, increase in us, and become as much a part of us as our breathing and our heartbeat. Then may we say, “Come, Lord Jesus, we are ready.” Amen.
The Opening Acclamation EOW, p.50
Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.
People You come to your people and set them free.
The Collect for Purity BCP, p.55
The Celebrant then continues
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.
The Trisagion Holy God (sung three times) H-S102
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reader A Reading from the Second Book of Samuel
When the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Thanks be to God.
The Song of Mary Magnificat Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
The Second Lesson Romans 16:25-27
Reader A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith– to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Thanks be to God.
The Sequence Hymn Virgin-born, we bow before thee H-258
Then, all standing as able, the Deacon reads the Gospel, first saying
Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Reverend Valerie J. Mayo
We will maintain a brief silence to allow for reflection.
The Nicene Creed EOW, p.53
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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.
The Prayers of the People
You astounded Mary with her invitation to bear your Son. Surprise us with your delight in us, with your invitation to do your will, with the light of Christ growing within us. Surprise us, Lord, again and again.
Silence
We are your children. Increase the faith in us, day by day, season by season. Empower us to seek and do your will. Cause us to surprise ourselves by opening up our hearts to find that you are always there.
Surprise us, Lord.
We pray that the leaders of all the nations demonstrate wisdom and a heart for the good of their people and peace between neighbors.
Surprise us, Lord.
We pray that the peoples of all the nations realize freedom and an end to hunger and poverty. Enable a spirit of generosity to flow throughout the world.
Surprise us, Lord.
We pray for our neighbors with whom we work and live. Surprise us with what can be accomplished when we work together for the common good. Open our eyes to see you in each person we meet. Open our hearts and hands to each need we encounter.
Surprise us, Lord.
We pray for healing for those with troubled spirits, who suffer from addiction, loneliness, and despair. We ask for healing for those who struggle with the consequences of illness or recovering from surgery. Reveal to us how to join in your saving and healing work through the power of your Spirit.
Surprise us, Lord.
We pray especially for Joyce, Brian, Terrence, Bill, Melvin, Carolyn, Tyna, Dennis, Marjorie, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Ann, Murphy, Karen, Derek, Walter, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Beverly, Harmon, Cedric, Allen, Damon, Chuck, Pam, and Denise.
The congregation is invited to share their petitions.
We pray for those who have died and now rest in your eternal embrace. May the light of your love surround them, and comfort those who grieve their deaths. Surprise them with the sure hope of the Resurrection.
Surprise us, Lord.
The congregation is invited to share their petitions.
We are your people. Increase the faith in us day by day. Surprise us with your loving, liberating, and life-giving presence.
Surprise us, Lord, again and again.
A Prayer to End Gun Violence
God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Turn us from the worship of power. Give us courage to confront our false gods and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. Help us rise above our dread that nothing can be done and grant us the conviction to advocate for change. For your dream of a world where children are safe and all of us live together without fear, Loving God, make us instruments of your peace. Amen.
The Concluding Collect
Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask, help us to ask what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Confession
Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God. EOW, p.56
silence
Celebrant and People
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
The Absolution EOW, p.56
The Celebrant stands and says:
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace EOW, p.56
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you;
People And also with you.
The Celebrant and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Words of Welcome Vestry Member
The Holy Communion (Eucharistic Prayer 3) EOW, pp.62-65
The Offertory Sentence
Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
The Offertory
The Offertory Hymn Great Day L-5
The Great Thanksgiving (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 our 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:
| The Sanctus [spoken at 8:30 am] 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 am] 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. |
Then 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!
Celebrant
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 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 (spoken at 8:30 am, sung at 10:30 am) BCP, p.364
Celebrant And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray,
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread EOW, p.69
Celebrant God of promise, you have prepared a banquet for us.
People Happy are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.
The Fraction Anthem Lamb of God L-270
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.
The Administration of Communion
At the time of communion, you are invited to come forward and receive the bread and wine. The priest will place a wafer in your hand. You may then receive wine either by direct consumption from a chalice (Common Cup), or you may give the wafer to the Eucharistic minister who will dip the wafer in the wine and place the wafer on your tongue. You may also still come forward to receive a blessing. Simply cross your arms over your chest before the priest for the blessing. After receiving communion or a blessing, you may return to your seat.
Celebrant All are welcome to the Lord’s table. Won’t you come?
The Communion Hymn This is My Body L-155
The Post-communion Prayer EOW, p.70
Celebrant Let us pray.
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
Community Announcements
The Corporate Blessing Source: Celtic
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.
The Recessional Hymn Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit L-114
The Dismissal
Deacon Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
*****
Dates to Remember:
The First Sunday of Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Sunday, December 31; One Service at 10:30 A.M
The First Sunday after the Epiphany and Bishop Visitation
Sunday, January 7, 2024; One service at 10:30 A.M.
Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 28, 2024 (More details to follow)
St. Titus' Episcopal Church 