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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.
Prelude
| The Bidding Prayer | BCP p.833 |
Holy God, in Jesus Christ your love took on flesh and walked among us. Through his teachings,
his life, his death and resurrection, we witnessed divine love in action — love that heals and
redeems, restores and saves, reconciles and renews. As your disciples we are called to follow you
in the way of love. Grant us courage and faith, Lord, to embody your love for the world, to all
people, at all times, in all places and circumstances. We pray this in the name of Love
Incarnate. Amen.
All stand for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath candles.
Choral Introit Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding H–59 (v. 4 only, sung twice)
During the Choral Introit, the clergy, ministers of the service and the choir gather at the Advent Wreath.
Advent Wreath Lighting Ceremony
All remain standing. The Celebrant greets the people with these words
Celebrant Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant As we come closer to the joy and promise of the Incarnation on this fourth Sunday of Advent, we invite you to see the Way of Love as a journey that includes family and friends. Mary said “yes” to the call to birth Jesus, God’s Word, into the world and immediately went in haste to share her good news with her cousin, Elizabeth – a four-day journey into the Judean hills. Isn’t that what happens when we hear good news? We are driven to go and tell others. The Way of Love is good news that demands to be shared. Linger before leaving worship today. Ask God to prepare and send you to go out into the world to witness to God’s love.
All four candles, three purple and one pink, are lighted.
Celebrant Together, let us pray:
Advent Prayer
O God, Advent stirs such hope in us. In this season we find light, joy and peace – all glimpses of the world to come. May these next days be sacred and holy, filled with true love for all humanity. We want to see Jesus and let him be seen in us by all we meet. Help us to drink in every moment, to behold the beauty and majesty, and to worship the King who was, and is, and is to come. Amen.
The procession continues to the nave platform as all join in singing the processional hymn.
Processional Hymn Come, thou long expected Jesus H-66 (vv. 1 & 3)
The Word of God
Opening Sentences (all remain standing) EOW, p.50
Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.
People You come to your people and set them free.
Celebrant
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.
| At 8:30 a.m. The Kyrie Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. | At 10:30 am Hymn of Praise Signs of endings all around us WLP-721 (v. 1) (see below) |
The Collect of the Day (standing)
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.
The congregation may be seated.
The Lessons
The First Lesson Micah 5:2-5a
Reader A reading from the Book of Micah
You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
At 8:30 a.m.
| The Psalm 80:1-7 | Qui regis Israel | BCP p.702 |
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Sung at 10:30 a.m.
The angel Gabriel from heaven came H-265, v. 1 and 3
The Second Lesson (seated) Hebrews 10:5-10
Reader A reading from the Book of Hebrews.
When Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
| Gospel Acclamation (All sing, standing) | Christ is Coming | M-58 |
The Holy Gospel Luke 1:39-45(46-55)
Please stand as you are able.
Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
[And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”]
Gospeller The Gospel of our Savior.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Valerie J. Mayo
We will maintain a brief silence to allow for reflection.
| The Nicene Creed | [Please stand as you are able.] | EOW, p.53 |
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
Leader
The Mighty One has done great things for us. And so we appeal to God once again, praying, “Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.”
Prepare in us a mansion for yourself, O Christ.
Silence
Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts. May we know security. May we know peace. May we know the benefits of the reign of your Christ.
Silence
Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.
Show the strength of your arm, O God; lift up the lowly. Fill the hungry with good things. Look on your children with favor.
Silence
Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.
Have mercy on all captives and prisoners, O God. Remember them and come to their aid. Fill our hearts with mercy. May we learn to forgive even as you forgive us.
Silence
Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.
Hear the prayers of your people, O God of hosts. May those who have fed on the bread of tears, feed instead on your strength, O Lord. Show them the light of your countenance and be their salvation.
We pray especially for:
Chuck, Lauriette, O. Ray, Lafayette, Margaret, Darryl, Dennis, Jr., The St. Augustine’s University Community, Elijah, Marissa, Margo, Charles, Ethel, Brian, Terrence, Carolyn, Tyna, Dennis, Marjorie, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Derek, Walter, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Beverly, Harmon, Allen, Damon, and Pam.
Silence
Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.
Great Shepherd, gather your flock into your eternal kingdom. Bless the dying, embrace the dead, and comfort those who mourn. We pray especially for Mr. Murphy Jenkins, a long-
time member of St. Titus’ Episcopal Church; for his grandson Matthew; and all his family members and friends.
Silence
Stir up your strength, O Lord; and come to help us.
For whom or what else shall we pray today?
[The congregation may offer their petitions in the silence of their hearts or aloud.]
Copyright © 2024 Church Publishing Inc.
The 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
Celebrant
O Root of Jesse, who arises as a sign among all peoples, in whose presence kings stand silent and nations bow in worship, come and deliver us, and tarry not. Glory to you for ever. Amen.
| The Confession | EOW, p.19 |
Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept.
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.20 |
Celebrant
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 Exchange of the Peace | EOW, p.56 |
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us share the peace with one another and our guests.
The Celebrant and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
| The Words of Welcome | St. Titus’Vestry Member |
| The Holy Communion | EOW, pp.60-62 |
The Offertory
| The Offertory Sentence | Ephesians 5:2 |
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
| The Offertory Hymn | Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child Traditional African-American Tune |
| The Great Thanksgiving | (standing) | EOW 1, Eucharistic Prayer 3 |
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 (sing) with joy:
| The Sanctus [Spoken at 8:30 a.m.] Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. | [Sung at 10:30 a.m.] LEVAS II #255 |
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 _______, 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 | [Spoken at 8:30 a.m.] [Sung at 10:30 a.m.] | LEVAS II #264 |
The Celebrant says
As our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to say (sing):
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 We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.
People We who are many are one body; for we all share in the one bread.
| The Fraction Anthem | Lamb of God | LEVAS II #270 |
Celebrant
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.
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.
The Bread and cup are given to the communicants with these words:
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.
Celebrant All are welcome to the Lord’s table. Won’t you come?
| The Communion Hymn | Taste and See | L-154 |
| 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 | BOS, p.11 |
Celebrant
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 | Lead Me, Guide Me | L-194 |
The Dismissal
Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
St. Titus' Episcopal Church 