The Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2017
8:00 AM Rite II BCP 355
10:00 AM Rite II BCP 355
HOLY EUCHARIST
Prelude All praise to Jesus hallowed name J.S.Bach
Hymn 65 Prepare the way, O Zion
The Opening Acclamation
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect For PurityBCP 355
Song of Praise: The Song of Mary [Sung by the choir]
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.
Collect
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.
THE WORD OF GOD
The First Reading A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah (40:1-11)
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that she has served her term that her penalty is paid,that she has received from theLord's
handdouble for all her sins.
A voice cries out:In the wilderness prepare the way of theLORD;make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Every valley shall be lifted up,and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of theLordshall be revealed,and all people shall see it together,for the mouth of theLordhas spoken.”
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?”All people are grass,their constancy is
like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of theLordblows upon it; surely the
people are grass.The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for
ever.Get you up to a high mountain,O Zion, herald of good tidings;lift up your voice with
strength,O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities o Judah,
“Here is your God! See, the LordGodcomes with might,and his arm rules for him; his reward is
with him, and his recompense before him.He will feed his flock like a shepherd;he will gather
the lambs in his arms,and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Antiphon
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Benedixisti, Domine
1You have been gracious to your land, OLord, *you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people * and blotted out all their sins.
8 I will listen to what theLordGod is saying, *for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 TheLordwill indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, * and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
The Epistle A Reading from the Second Letter of Peter (3:8-15a)
Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Hymn 75 There’s a voice in the wilderness crying
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Mark(1:1-8)
All: Glory to You Lord Christ.
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to You Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee
The Nicene Creed BCP 358
Prayers of the People
Priest: As we keep awake for the coming of the Lord, let us pray for the church and the world, that
God may prepare a light for our path:
Intercessor:We give thanks for gathering us together in this community; grant your church a discerning spirit and a watchful eye that we may make good use of this holy time and bear witness to your presence hidden among us. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming
We give thanks for the resources you have given our nation; grant us wisdom to share them generously and to be the light in darkness for all who are hungry in body, mind, and soul. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming
Grant that our leaders and the leaders of all nations use their powers wisely and compassionately. Strengthen those who are struggling for justice and stability throughout the world. Guide us toward the unity, peace, and freedom that we find only in you. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming.
Guide our Search Committee that they may discern your purpose for Grace La Gracia in calling a new Rector, and guide this congregation in our preparations to begin a new ministry. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming.
Comfort those who are separated from their loved ones during this holiday season. Watch over those who are travelling, and those who have nowhere to go. Shelter the homeless and guide those who are lost. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming
Give your healing grace to those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially those for whom the holiday season is a time of loss, and those we now name, silently or aloud. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming
Watch over our children, that they may know the peace, as well as the excitement, of your presence. [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming
Gather into your joyful presence those who have died especially those whom we now name, silently or aloud . . . [Pause]
O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming.
Priest: O Rising Sun, brightness of light eternal, sun of justice, come and shine on those who sit in
darkness and the shadow of death. Glory to you forever.Amen.
The Peace
The Offertory
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for offering, an sacrifice and us to God.
Anthem And the glory, the glory of the Lord Handel
And the glory, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.
And all fresh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Hymn 67 Comfort, comfort ye my people
THE HOLY COMMUNION
CelebrantThe Lord be with you
ResponseAnd also with you.
CelebrantLift up your hearts
ResponseWe lift them to the Lord.
CelebrantLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.
ResponseIt is right to give God our thanks and praise
We praise you and we thank you, O holy and living God, Creator of heaven and earth, for the gift of a world full of wonder and for our life, which comes from you. By your power you sustain the universe; through Jesus Christ you gather us into one great family.
Therefore with all who serve you on earth and in heaven, we praise your wonderful name as we sing:
Santus Missa Marialis
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 our Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
O God, from before time you made ready the creation. Through your Wisdom, your Spirit moved over the deep and brought to birth the heavens: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; growing things, both plants and animals; and finally humankind. You made us in your image, male and female, to love and care for the earth and its creatures as you love and care for us, your children. You graced us with freedom of heart and mind, but we were heedless and willful. You took us by the hand, and taught us to walk in your ways. And although you led us with cords of compassion and bands of love, we wandered far away. Yet as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love.
Then you acted anew in Creation. In order that we might see and know the riches of your grace, your Spirit entered into Mary, the maiden of Nazareth that she might conceive and bear a Son, the holy child of God. The world had waited long in pain and hope, and at last our Savior came to birth, fulfilling the promise of the reign of God in love.
Living among us, Jesus loved us. He yearned to draw all the world to himself, yet we would not. We were heedless of his call to walk in love.
At last the time came for him to make the sacrifice of himself, and to be glorified by you. On the night before he died, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again he gave thanks to you, and gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.
As we gather to share the bread and the cup, we remember his loving gift to us:
We remember his death on the cross,
We proclaim the resurrection to new life,
We await the return of Christ in glory.
And we join together in the love of Christ to give thanks and praise to you, our God. Here at this table, we offer to you all that you have made: this bread and this cup, our time and our selves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your love and your blessing on all we offer here. Breathe your Spirit onto these gifts of bread and wine, to make of them the Body and Blood of Christ. Let your Spirit who broods over the whole creation dwell within us. Gather us to be your holy people, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made. Draw us, O God, to your heart at the heart of the world.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. AMEN.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
The Lord’s Prayer
At the Breaking of the Bread
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. After a brief silence, all say together:
We are one bread, one body.We will love one another as Christ loves us.
Agnus Dei Missa Marialis
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Celebrant:The Body of Christ for the Body of Christ.
The Holy Communion
You are invited and welcome toreceive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Anthem The tree of life my soul hath seen Daniel Pinkham
The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree.
Hymn 343 Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless
The Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Celebrant:Let us pray
We have heard your word, O God, and we have broken bread together. May this be a sign for us that you are very near, that we are your people, nourished and loved by you. Never forsake us, but be the light around us and our firm ground; and even more be our future, our father, today and forever. Amen.
Blessing
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
Hymn 76 On Jordan’s banks, the Baptist’s cry
Dismissal
Postlude From Heaven above to earth I come J.S. Bach
Lectors 8AM Stuart Madden, Mary Baker
10AM Marie Barrow, Biff Henderson Intercessor: Jean Wilson
Acolytes 8AM Oscar Bunche
10AM Malik Bradford, Lauren Reid, Jean Chambers, Eve Bradford, Spencer Carden,
Aaron Bradford, Harrison Richards, Ivana Richards, Jordan Acevedo
Ushers 8 AM Stuart Madden
10AM Ginger Grant, Lisa Daley, Hillary Fleming, Paxton Louis, Olivet Williams
Coffee Hour Radiva Valona Assistant: Judy Hutton
Advent Greens were given by Trisha McGuinness in memory of
Julie, Robert and Eric McGuinness.
Rector’s Office Schedule
Mondays - 12PM to 4PM
Tuesdays & Wednesdays - 8AM to 4PM
Thursdays 9AM – 3PM
Evenings & Saturdays – Per appointment
Please call the parish office to schedule an appointment.
Grace/La Gracia
VESTRY MEMBER CANDIDATES DESIRED
Nominate yourself or someone else for a leadership position
Vestry Service and other leadership roles at the congregation level are important, challenging, rewarding and fulfilling work within the life of the church.
We have openings for three new members for full, 3-year terms, and one new member for a2-year term. We also have an opening for the Senior Warden position.
Vestry members are expected to attend the vestry retreat (usually in February) and vestry meetings (fourth Thursday of the Month at 7:30 PM), and participate as a leader in an area of ministry where your gifts are needed.
Our “meet and greet” with candidates for Warden and Vestry will be held on January 21st, and we will arrange for you to introduce themselves to the La Gracia congregation at the beginning of the 12:30 service
At the Annual Meeting we elect newvestry members.