Welcome! The Choral Eucharist On The First Sunday Of Advent

Transcription

1 104 Union Street South Concord, North Carolina Office Phone: Web Site: December 2, :00 a.m. in the Nave The Choral Eucharist On The First Sunday Of Advent Welcome! Saint James is a house of prayer where all people can come to know the compassionate heart of Jesus. We are a diverse community of progressive Christians where you can belong before you believe. At Saint James the beauty of ancient worship and traditional spiritual practices transform contemporary lives. Join us as together we discover the sacred in the heart of the city. Our worship includes ancient and contemporary symbols and practices along with preaching and music to inspire you to follow Jesus in your daily life. We welcome both the spiritual seeker and seasoned disciple to find their home in God with us. If you are looking for a spiritual home or just exploring the life of faith, we hope you will walk with us on that journey of discovery. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT The Introduction To Today s Liturgy... Advent is about the coming days. God s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a righteous Branch to spring up for David. The Thessalonians awaited the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints. Our Lord s contemporaries hoped for the time to stand before the Son of Man. With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of our Lord in word and supper. Page 1 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

2 Welcome! We welcome everyone on this Lord s Day to the liturgy of Holy Eucharist. To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this parish opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Newcomers and visitors, we hope that you will feel at home in this place and in this liturgy. Ushers are available in the narthex during the liturgy should you have any questions or concerns. If you are a visitor or guest, please be sure and sign the guestbook located in the Narthex and introduce yourself to the Pastor or to an usher so that we can extend to you a warm welcome. Although there are customary postures (such as standing and kneeling) in Lutheran worship, you are invited to be seated at any point, according to your needs and comfort. This Service Leaflet contains all of today s hymns and liturgy. Children are most welcome in worship at Saint James Church. Children s Ministry Bags are located in the narthex for use during worship. Please return them to the narthex area or leave them on the pews at the end of worship. Be sure to take home the Children s Worship Bulletin and color sheets for your child. For those who desire it, nursery care is provided on the first floor of the Education Building. Invitation to Communion: All baptized Christians who seek God and desire a deeper, stronger life in Christ are invited to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. The First Aid Kit and the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) are located outside the church office door, immediately behind the sanctuary. Fire Extinguishers are located in the Sacristy and in the Narthex. If you are interested in membership to this parish or desire a call from the Pastor, please indicate this to an usher or to the Pastor. Restrooms are available on the first and second floors of the Education Building. About the Liturgy During Advent The season of Advent is not to be confused with Lent. This short period is not primarily a time of penitence but rather a time to prepare joyfully for Christ s return and his reign. The Lord s return does indeed have a relationship to penitence, but primarily as it leads to repentance, which is an action rather than a feeling an action of turning around and being turned around by the work of God in us. By reflecting on our lives in the light of God s Word, we recognize the direction in which our present values and habits are leading us. Then we see that those values and ways of living must be changed. We further recognize that only the action of God can make that change in us. In the words of the Collect for the First Sunday of Advent, it is God who enables us to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light In Advent the liturgy deals with contrasts: light and dark; joy and sorrow; beginning and end; and, especially, chronological time and God s time. We discover in Advent that God s time is of the kind described not by clocks and calendars but in terms like the time is ripe, or in the fullness of time. Each of the four Advent Sundays has its own particular emphasis, and each reveals the Lord who enters into time and space, into our personal and corporate lives, whenever the right time occurs. As we remember, in liturgy, on each of these Sundays, our anamnesis (Greek for remembering, unforgetting ) becomes the means by which God s action in what we remember becomes operative in our lives. We are likewise led to look forward in anticipation to Christ s return: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory. In Advent we find all our times brought together in God s time, all our joys in God s joy, all our lives in God s life. In Advent we pray in these words : We give thanks to you, O God... For in these last days you sent Jesus to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. Our King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 2 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

3 The Preparation for Worship All worshipers are invited to remain reverently silent before the service, and to join fervently in prayer, enthusiastically in praise, and heartily in song during the service. We gather together for worship on this first day of the week, the day Christ Jesus rose from the dead, for an intimate communion with our Lord. He comes to us, speaks to us, and blesses us through his Word and Sacrament. We come to him and speak to him in prayer and praise and thanksgiving. This liturgy is the recurring moment of high splendor in our earthly lives, a God-given foretaste of the heavenly life to come. Out of respect for the liturgy we are about to celebrate and those sitting around you, help us create sacred space by powering down your cell phones and electronic devices. As we prepare our hearts and minds for worship this morning, we make a transition from the hustle and bustle in our lives to that ardent and humble devotion. We quiet ourselves and center ourselves on God. We remind ourselves, Surely the Lord is in this place...this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. As we ready ourselves for worship this morning, you are invited to meditate and to pray silently the Prayer of Preparation. THE SILENT PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Lord Jesus Christ, we await your coming, We wait filled with hope, knowing your light will shine in the darkness. We wait anticipating your peace, believing that one day it will fill our world. We wait embracing your love, may we reach out to share it with our neighbors. We wait with joy, bubbling us in expectation of your birth. Lord we wait, come soon and fill us with your life. Written by Christine Sine (2012) Personal prayer in preparation for worship: Prepare my heart, O God, to accept your Word. You have given me a mind to know you, a heart to love you, and a voice to sing your praises. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth. Speak to me, Lord, for you have the words of eternal life. Amen. THE RINGING OF THE TOWER BELLS THE PARISH NOTICES/COLLECT FOR BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK The Liturgy begins with the music of the organ. The organ voluntary is a veil drawn reverently between the cares of the week and the time of worship where all are welcome to experience the presence of God with the people of God. Through its power and brilliance may you feel the majesty and glory of God, and in its quietness, his peace. THE OPENING VOLUNTARY THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 3 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

4 The stand The kneel or sit as able We come to God in penitence and faith and confess our sins before our Father in heaven. We then hear spoken to us the Absolution words of comfort and forgiveness through our Savior, Jesus Christ. THE CONFESSION OF SIN AND ABSOLUTION All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism as the begins: In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence is held for reflection and self-examination Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. 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. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 4 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

5 The Entrance Rite The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection The stand The service begins with the Entrance Rite. We sing and process toward the altar as a cross leads the way. The Hymn at the Procession is a hymn of praise and sets the tone of the liturgy. THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 5 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

6 The Opening Versicles (exchanges between and ) are chosen according to the season. The words of Saint Paul, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (from 2 Corinthians 13-14) form the Apostolic Greeting because they come from the Apostle Paul himself, who gave a similar greeting in his correspondence with churches. In this way we recognize ourselves as fellow apostles and are reminded that God, the Holy Trinity, forms us and shapes us into disciples and unites us in baptism. THE OPENING VERSICLES AND APOSTOLIC GREETING Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. The Canticle is a song of praise that focuses our thoughts toward the broader picture of the current season of the Church. We acknowledge God s presence and invoke God s Spirit to move among us during worship to equip us for more faithful service. THE CANTICLE A Family of the Parish A Family of the Parish The Advent wreath has its roots in the pre-christian practices of northern Europe. As early as the middle Ages, Christians used fire and light to represent Christ's coming into the world. The Advent Wreath is a sign of the waiting and hopeful expectation of the return in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The wreath, a circle, came to represent the eternal victory over death through Jesus Christ. The evergreens were a sign of the faithfulness of God to God s people, even in death, and the lighted candles were a reminder of the light of Christ brought into the world. THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH May the grace and peace of God be with you always. And also with you. As we begin our Advent pilgrimage let us in prayer and praise, thanksgiving and song, give voice to the hope set forth in the Scriptures, that Christ s reign of love and light will indeed come among us. Let us offer ourselves anew as witnesses to the advent of Christ s glory, seeking to bring Christ s light and love to those who sit in darkness. Come, O long expected Jesus, come. The Acolyte lights the first candle on the Advent Wreath. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 6 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

7 The Liturgy of the Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song The sit The Collect is a short prayer which gathers or collects the thoughts and prayers of the entire Church as they apply to the theme of the day. THE SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. THE MESSAGE FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES The First Reading is generally from the Old Testament and is intentionally related to the Gospel reading of the day. THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 33:14-16 In the Old Testament, righteousness often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today s reading, Jerusalem s future name The Lord is our righteousness proclaims that the Lord is even now working salvation for Israel. Lector Lector A reading from Jeremiah, the thirty-third chapter. T he days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD is our righteousness. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 7 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

8 The Second Reading usually comes from one of the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. In the early church, letters from the apostles began to be read along with the custom of reading Scripture. THE EPISTLE READING 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Upon Timothy s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the people of this growing church. Lector Lector The stand A reading from First Thessalonians, the third chapter. H ow can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Every hymn in the liturgy is chosen carefully and thematically to reflect all the readings of the day by providing theology, prayer, and praise through poetry and music. In particular, the Sequence Hymn focuses our attention toward the Gospel text, the text that provides the theme for the day. THE SEQUENCE HYMN THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 8 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

9 The Gospel reading centers on the life and works of Jesus and is the theme for the day. We stand during the reading from the Gospel as a sign of respect for the words of Jesus and to manifest an eagerness and attentiveness to hear the good news. It is here that we see God in the flesh among us. THE HOLY GOSPEL Saint Luke 21:25-36 God will fulfill God s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God s promised redemption. Gospeller The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the twenty-first chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. J esus said: 25 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 29 Then he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The sit THE SERMON Rev. Dr. Tom Ridenhour The stand We have heard God s Word to us. Now we respond by confessing what we believe. The Apostles Creed is the oldest of the creeds we use in worship and is based upon the teachings of the apostles. The word Creed comes from the Latin Credo which means, I believe! THE APOSTLES CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we profess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 9 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

10 The kneel or sit as able The Prayers of the are another response to the Word of God. They are intercessions (prayers) for the whole state of Christ s Church and the world. In obedience to Christ s commands, we offer intercessions for the universal Church, the nations and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the concerns of our local parish, those who suffer or are in any need, and for the faithful departed. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation. The sing the following refrain two times. Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor The stand Equip your church, merciful God. Secure our roots in the soil of your eternal word. Ease our worries and remove our shame. Grow our faithfulness and let your steadfast love blossom among us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Sustain your creation, holy God. Water the parched soil. Restore depleted fields. Send farmers, forest rangers, and gardeners to care for fig trees and wheat fields, gardens and arboretums. Increase our love for the land. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Grow peace within us, abundant God. Raise up leaders in every community grounded in your justice and mercy. Increase their love for all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Feed the hungry, living God. Gather our harvest into a feast for our neighbors. Move us to nurture those who are bereaved and lonely. Empower those living with HIV/ AIDS and all who are sick. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Increase our joy, wondrous God. Plant thanksgiving in our hearts and multiply the good fruit of our outreach ministries and creation care programs. Guide us in our service to local and global neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. In thanksgiving, we remember all who have died and now rest in your glory. Hold all who mourn in the comfort of your eternal light, and bring us to delight in the new life you promise. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. The peace that passes all understanding is Christ s gift to us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share a gesture of God s peace with one another as a sign that we are united as one family with God at the table of the Lord. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 10 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

11 The Liturgy of the Eucharist God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ The sit We have listened to God s Word both read and preached. God has spoken to us in mercy and blessing. Now we offer to God our hearts and lives that we might be eager and strong to do his will in thought, word, and deed. THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND COLLECTION OF ALMS An offering of money is collected. Your generous contribution, together with the gifts of many others, makes possible the community of welcome, Reconciliation, and service that is Saint James Church. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, the gifts are brought forward. THE ANTHEM AT THE OFFERTORY The Parish Choir The King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks; when beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes. Not, as of old, a little child, to bear, and fight, and die, but crowned with glory like the sun that lights the morning sky. The King shall come when morning dawns and earth s dark night is past; O haste the rising of that morn, the day the e er shall last; and let the endless bliss begin, by weary saints foretold, when right shall triumph over wrong, and truth shall be extolled. The King shall come when morning dawns and light and beauty brings: Hail, Christ the Lord! Thy people pray, come quickly, King of kings. Not, as of old, a little child, to bear, and fight, and die, but crowned with glory like the sun that lights the morning sky. Words: translated from the Greek by John Brownlie ( ) Music: Alistair Coleman (b.1998) The stand THE OFFERTORY HYMN AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS THE COLLECT AT THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR Let us pray. Merciful God, Receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 11 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

12 The words Sursum Corda come from the Latin and mean Lift up your hearts. This Preface (a reciprocal prayer between the and ) serves to remind us of God s action coming to us, our thoughts ascending to God, and that the Lord is truly present with us in this service of thanksgiving. THE SURSUM CORDA The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. The Proper Preface directs our attention to different occasions in the life of our Lord and the Church. THE PROPER PREFACE OF THE LORD S DAY It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: The word Sanctus comes from the Latin and means Holy. In the Sanctus we are reminded of Holy Week and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the multitude who sang, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! The Sanctus is especially appropriate at this point in the liturgy, as Jesus is about to make his entrance among us in his very Body and Blood. THE SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 12 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

13 The Eucharistic Prayer gives thanks and praise to God for God s many acts of mercy. This prayer originated in the ancient Jewish meal prayer which was customary at the time of Jesus. THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. The Words of Institution, Jesus words from the Last Supper, are the words which he spoke when he instituted the Supper with his disciples in the Upper Room. With these words the bread and wine are consecrated, that is, set apart for God's use in this special meal. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. We affirm through the Memorial Acclamation that the risen Christ is with us now and that he will be coming again. We believe this because Jesus promised us. THE MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The Lord s Prayer is a distinctive prayer of Christians. We are reminded that we are together in the family of God, that at this Communion table we are not many individuals, but one body brothers and sisters in the faith. Placed in our liturgy at this point, the Lord s Prayer becomes the summation of our prayers to God in blessing the Bread and Wine. THE LORD S PRAYER And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 13 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

14 The sit THE INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God! Reverently we come and kneel before the altar of God, humbly to receive Christ into our lives. As he once gave himself for us on the altar of the cross, so he now gives himself to us on the altar of the Sacrament. In this way he assures us all that the blessings he won for all sinners on the cross (forgiveness, life, and salvation) belong to everyone. THE EUCHARISTIC CANTICLE THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION All baptized Christians are welcome to Holy Communion at Saint James Church. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the High Altar, please proceed through the Choir to approach the High Altar and kneel at the communion rail for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the Communion Station located below the pulpit in the Nave, please proceed toward the Chancel steps for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Assistant on the Nave level. The Sacrament is administered by the method of Intinction. Take the wafer from the Assistant then dip it in the wine. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 14 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

15 THE HYMN AT THE COMMUNION After the choir has communed and returned to their places, verse 1 will be repeated. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 15 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

16 The Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world The stand After all have communed, we offer our joyous and prayerful thanks to God. THE EUCHARISTIC BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. THE POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT Let us pray. God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING As we await the coming of Christ, Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, grant you peace and joy, hope and gladness. Amen. THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION THE DISMISSAL Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God! THE CLOSING VOLUNTARY THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 16 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA