December 20, 2020
Advent 4
10:30 AM
You are cordially invited to participate with us
in worship.
The service can be followed using this
Service Bulletin.
Please continue to observe social distancing while in the church and Parish Hall.
We are delighted that you can be with us now that public worship has resumed after a period of lockdown. Social distancing must be observed at all times, and face coverings worn in accordance with government requirements. Bathrooms are available, but are limited to one person at a time, (children and those needing accompaniment by a care-giver exempted) and we are all personally responsible for sanitizing whatever surfaces we might touch in the bathroom. Our services have been adapted out of necessity, as we are required to not exceed one hour in length. There is no congregational singing, no processions, and you are asked to remain in your seat during the service, (unless needing the washroom) exiting the building afterwards, taking the weekly service bulletin and anything you may have brought with you.
(this service is from ECUSA ‘Enriching our Worship, Booklet 1’ - Advent; the opening Kyrie’s, the invitation to exchanging the peace, and the first of the closing blessings are from the Church of England Advent resource)
Prelude
Announcements
Opening Hymn: ‘A Candle is Burning’ (from Voices United)
The Gathering of the Community
Blessed are you, holy and living One.
You come to your people and set them free. 1.
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the
peace of your kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness: Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory with salvation for your people:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray:
(the community prays in silence, then, collecting these prayers together, the priest prays the ‘Collect’ for the day)
Collect of the Day
The Proclamation of the Word
(at the end of each reading we say,
“Thanks be to God”)
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 Rev. Kate Ann Follwell
Psalm: Canticle 18 (Luke 1: 46-55) The Song of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; * for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, 2.
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.
Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 26 -38
(All stand, as able, for the Gospel.)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to...
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 3.
(At the conclusion of the Gospel, the reader says,)
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
SERMON
Prayers of the people - (response will be announced by the intercession.)
Confession
Let us confess our sins to God.
(Silence may is kept)
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 Saviour Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
Absolution
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. 4.
The Peace
(All stand, and the presiding celebrant addresses the people.) May the God of peace make you
completely holy, ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
(Though at this time, we are not permitted to physically touch one another, as a gesture of exchanging the peace that exists among us, we can share a smile - even with our eyes - or some other appropriate small gesture with those around us)
Offertory Hymn: ‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’ (# 8 Voices United)
(during covid-tide, there are no processions of the gifts etc, though the table will be set by the priest alone)
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here.
All: His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right,
it is our duty and our joy,
to give you thanks and praise,
almighty God and everlasting Father, 5.
through Jesus Christ your Son.
For when he humbled himself to come among us in human flesh, he fulfilled the plan you formed
before the foundation of the world
to open for us the way of salvation.
Confident that your promise will be fulfilled,
we now watch for the day when Christ our Lord
will come again in glory.
And so we join our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven to proclaim
your glory, for ever praising you and saying;
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.
Accept our praises, heavenly Father,
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts
of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks; 6.
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.
Therefore, heavenly Father,
we remember his offering of himself
made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his mighty resurrection
and glorious ascension;
we look for the coming of your kingdom,
and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Accept through him, our great high priest,
this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by your Spirit,
inspire us with your love
and unite us in the body of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him, and with him, and in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Father almighty, 7.
in songs of everlasting praise:
All: Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
All: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
The Breaking of Bread
God of promise,
you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called
to the supper of the Lamb.
Holy things, for Holy People;
Thanks be to God!
8.
Communion (During Covid, the priest will bring
communion to you in your seat. Only bread will be shared at this time. Receiving Communion in only one kind - the bread,
but not the wine - is still ‘full’ communion. Sharing a chalice, though nice to have, is not necessary to have. This has long been standard Christian liturgical belief through the centuries, and widely accepted).
Prayer after communion
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 Saviour. Amen.
Blessing (these or some other blessing)
The Wisdom of God the Love of God and the Grace of God strengthen you to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world, in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
Closing Hymn: ‘Hark the Glad Sound’ (#29 Voices United)
Dismissal
Postlude
9.