CHRIST CHURCH Amherst, N. S. The Blessing of the Advent Wreath at the Chancel Steps

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2 CHRIST CHURCH Amherst, N. S. 1 st Sunday of Advent December 2 nd, :30 a.m. - Holy Communion 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School and Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m. - Family Holy Eucharist The Blessing of the Advent Wreath at the Chancel Steps Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Almighty God, People: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 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. Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ you are the true light that lightens every one who comes into the world: bless, we pray, this wreath and its candles which we shall light in preparation for your coming; and so enkindle our hearts with the fire of your love that we may receive you with joy and gladness, and evermore stand fast in the faith. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.

3 - 3 - An Advent Prayer: O Lord, our God, in days of old your people waited with longing and quiet hope for the fulfilment of your promise to send your Son. Their faith became sight when You faithfully kept your word. Father, teach us to confidently hope for a new tomorrow. And grant us the faith to trust in your sure greatness at this Christmas season. Amen. Light 1 st Candle HYMN 89 O Come, O Come Emmanuel THE WISEMEN BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY Collect of the Day Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. A Reading from the Book of Jeremiah. (33 : 14-16) Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. PSALM 25 vs. 1-9 (repeat vs. 1) p. 733

4 - 4 - A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. (3 : 9-13) Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. GRADUAL HYMN - Canticle of the Turning CANTICLE OF THE TURNING My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the one who waits. You fixed your sight on the servant s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? Refrain: My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, For the dawn draws near, And the world is about to turn. Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me. And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

5 - 5 - From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; These are tables spread, ev ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain) Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forbears heard is the promise that holds us bound, Til the spear and rod be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. (Refrain) THE HOLY GOSPEL Reader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. (21 : 25-36) People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. THE READING Reader: The Gospel of Christ. People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. HYMN # 98 - Hark the Glad Sound! The Saviour Comes

6 - 6 - SERMON HYMN - CCSB # 3 - As the Deer The Nicene Creed p. 188 The Prayers of the People The gathered hopes of generations remind us to get ourselves ready, so that Christ s return will be a day of excitement and great joy. As we think about the fulfilment of all things today, let us speak with the God of our making. We pray that we will all be ready to meet God face to face, whenever that will be. Lord, show us how to live: and give us the courage to go forward. We pray that all who lead and advise may be led and advised by you, so that our decisions are in line with your compassion. Lord, show us how to live: and give us the courage to go forward. We pray that our families and neighbours may be brought into contact with the one true, living God and know his affection for them.

7 - 7 - Lord, show us how to live: and give us the courage to go forward. We pray that those hurt by injustice may know your support, and that the frail and timid may know your encouragement and reassurance. Lord, show us how to live: and give us the courage to go forward. We pray that those moving into eternity through the gate of death may be welcomed, and their grieving loved ones comforted. Lord, show us how to live: and give us the courage to go forward. We look with hope to the fulfilment of all you have done, and offer you our thanks and praise for all your love. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Confession and Absolution p. 191 The Peace p. 192

8 - 8 - THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST The Preparation of the Gifts OFFERTORY HYMN # Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending Prayer over the Gifts God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son. Accept all we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Eucharist Prayer 1 p. 193 The Lord s Prayer p. 211 The Breaking of the Bread 5 (Advent) p. 212 The Agnus Dei Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

9 - 9 - The Communion p. 213 Holy Eucharist is a joyful celebration of our life together in Jesus Christ. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion here. The response to receiving the bread and the wine is Amen. If you would like to come forward and receive a blessing instead of the bread and wine, please cross your arms as you come to the rail. HYMNS DURING COMMUNION: # Jesus, Remember Me # Amazing Grace Prayer after Communion God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life. Keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man. We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord. Amen. Doxology p. 214 Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.

10 Blessing and Dismissal p. 215 ANNOUNCEMENTS CLOSING HYMN # Let There Be Light ****************************** TODAY: 6:30 p.m. - ARHS Christmas Concert - Susan Taylor Theatre THIS WEEK: MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 rd 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - St. Martha s ACW (at Marie s) Christmas Tea with Marie Empowered & Empowering Women: Advent Reflections Allie Colp will be leading a reflection series on Mondays in Advent (7:00 p.m. on Dec 3, 10, and 17), based on a resource produced by the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund. Get in touch with Will or Allie (by phone (902) or allie.colp@gmail.com for more info or to sign up. People of all genders are welcome! *If you've got kids you want to bring along, they are more than welcome, and there will be Advent activities from PWRDF for them to participate in too!*

11 Remembering Joseph - an Advent workshop with the Rev. Lorraine Street Jesus earthly father, St. Joseph of Nazareth, is a saint in our church, but an often-forgotten one. Joseph played a crucial role in the Nativity of our Lord, but we rarely think about it or him. This Advent, you are invited to participate in a session to think about, rediscover, and remember Joseph, through a study of his story, told in the Gospel of Matthew. This session will be held at the Horton Gallery Durham St., Pugwash, NS on Tuesday, December 11th, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch will follow - please bring something to share (ex. crackers & cheese, veggies & dip) All are welcome! nicole.uzans@gmail.com to confirm your attendance. There is no cost for this event. CHRISTMAS SILENT AUCTION Once again we are looking for good items for our Christmas Silent Auction. If you have an item you would like to donate, it would be appreciated. You can bring it to the office anytime.

12 CHRISTMAS CHEER PROGRAM NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9th - Please bring * Soda Crackers * Canned Mixed Vegetables (large can) * Canned Tuna These are the items we have been collecting: * Soup * Peanut Butter (500 g)* Tea Bags * Apple Juice* Canned Brown Beans* Jam* Jello * Sugar (2 kg)* Kraft Dinner *Mayonnaise (500 ml) * Canned Fruit * Flakes of Ham / Chicken / or Turkey Why not adopt a box as a family. Cost of a box is approximately $ Receipts will be given. St. Monica s ACW are selling tickets on a Christmas Gift Basket Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $ Draw date: December 21 st St. Monica s ACW are selling tickets on a Snowman Tickets are $2.00 each - Draw date: December 21 st The NEW Cookbooks - Sharing More Favourites - are available in the office. Cost: $15.00 each They would make a great gift for anyone on your Christmas List.