Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea

Transcription

1 The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea Third Sunday of Advent December 17, :00 a.m. Welcome to the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea! Child care is available from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for children up to three years of age. You are welcome to take your child to our nursery at any point during the service just ask an usher to point the way. Please turn off your cell phones. Page numbers on the left side of the column refer to The Book of Common Prayer (red). Hymn numbers on the right side of the column refer to The Hymnal 1982 (blue). S for Service Music numbers are found in the front of The Hymnal 1982 (blue). A large-print version of this leaflet is available from our ushers. In case of an emergency Bethesda has two AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) available in the sound booth at the back of the church and on the south wall in the Parish Hall. Service Changes during the Season of Advent We begin our service by lighting the Advent Wreath and creating the Crèche. Our altar is adorned with greenery rather than flowers; the altar frontal and pulpit and lectern hangings are in Sarum Blue. The Opening Acclamation becomes Blessed are you, holy and living One. We sing a Trisagion rather than the Gloria in excelsis. We use the final stanza of On Jordan s Bank as our Advent Doxology. Our Fraction Anthem changes from Christ Our Passover to Our King and Savior now draws near.

2 Prelude The congregation stands as the Procession enters. Nun komm der Heiden Heiland ( Come, Redeemer of Mankind ) J.S. Bach Lighting of the Advent Wreath May God Almighty, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify with the light of his blessing this Advent Wreath; and may he, whose Second Coming in power and great glory we await, make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. Amen. People People 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing: Rite II Latecomers may be seated at this time. Our King and Savior now draws near: O come, let us adore him. We light this third candle of Advent, O Lord, in search of that peace that passes all understanding. Fill our hearts and minds with everything that is good and loving and worthy of thanksgiving and praise, everything that comes to us as a sign of your love. Thanks be to God. The Word of God The congregation stands as the hymn is introduced. Hymn 76 On Jordan s Bank Winchester New Advent Acclamation Blessed are you, holy and living One. People You come to set your people free. The continues. 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. Trisagion Hymnal S 101 John Rutter 2

3 Salutation People The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Collect of the Day Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The congregation is seated. Lesson Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrong doing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. The Gospel Procession The congregation stands as the hymn is introduced. Hymn 70 Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment Herald, Sound Gospel John 1:6-8,19-28 Deacon The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. 3

4 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, I am not the Messiah. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, No. Then they said to him, Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? John answered them, I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal. This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Homily The Rector A brief period of silence follows the Homily. Nicene Creed 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: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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 and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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. 4

5 Prayers of the People: Form IV The Leader says Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. The adds a concluding Collect. Confession of Sin and Absolution Deacon Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. The congregation kneels, and a short period of silence is kept. 5

6 and People Most merciful God, we confess that 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. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. The stands and says Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The Peace People The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Greeting and Question of the Week The Holy Communion Offertory Members of the congregation will present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord. See page 10 for more information. Offertory Anthem The Record of John And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, who art thou? And he confessed and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art Thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, who art thou? That we may give an answer unto them that sent us. What say st thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. Shane Thomas, tenor David Hurd The congregation stands as the gifts are brought forward. Presentation and Advent Doxology Winchester New All praise e - ter - nal Son, to thee, whose ad -vent doth thy peo-ple free; whom with the Fa-ther we a - dore and Ho - ly Spi - rit ev - er- more. A - men. The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer B 6

7 The proceeds It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. The adds a Proper Preface then continues Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: Sanctus and Benedictus Land of Rest Ho - ly, ho - ly, ho - ly Lord, God of pow-er and might, heav n and earth are full of your glo-ry. Ho - san - na in the high - est. Bless - ed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosan - na in the high - est, Ho - san - na in the high - est. The congregation kneels or remains standing, and the continues We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, 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. On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, 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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. 7

8 Therefore, according to his command, O Father, and People We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory; The continues And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the ever-blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, And now, as our Savior Christ, has taught us, we are bold to say, and People 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. Advent Fraction Anthem James R. Harlan The Gifts of God for the People of God. Communion In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are encouraged to receive communion. This is the Lord s table. It is the Lord who invites you. It is his wish that those who want him should meet him here. During communion, please come forward at the direction of the ushers, to the high altar or to the chapel altar, filling in at the altar rail from right to left, and either kneeling or standing to receive. For those who prefer not to use the steps, please either go to the chapel or request from an usher that communion be brought to you in your pew. Our custom in the Episcopal Church is to receive both elements by putting hands forward, palms crossed and facing upward to receive the bread, and by guiding the chalice lightly to receive the wine. Please note that receiving just the bread or wine alone is fully receiving communion. If you would like to receive a blessing instead, simply cross your arms across your chest. Gluten-free wafers are available at the high altar; let the priest know when you go up to receive. 8

9 During the Communion Hymn 72 Hark! The Glad Sound! Richmond Anthem Song of Mary Richard Shephard My Lord and Savior is my song, He fills my spirit with delight to raise me up his arm is strong, the lowly precious in his sight. Magnificat anima mea Dominum. My name shall live from age to age, and every tongue his servant bless, for mercy is their heritage whose hearts the Holy One confess. The proud beguiled by dream of power divided and degraded lie: He casts them down from throne and tower and stoops to lift the humble high. He feeds the hungry at his board and sends the rich unfilled away, and mindful of his promised word has answered Israel s prayer today. With all the elders of our race, and those unborn who seek this birth, I sing the glory of his grace who brings eternity to earth. [Mary Holtby, after Luke 1:46-55] The congregation stands when the returns to the altar. Sending Out of Eucharistic Visitors We who are many are one body. People For we all share one bread, and one cup. Postcommunion Prayer and People Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Advent 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 74 Blest Be the King Whose Coming Valet will ich dir geben The Dismissal Response Thanks be to God. Postlude Epilogue on Winchester New Eric Thiman Anointing and Laying-on-of-Hands After the Postlude, those who wish to receive Anointing and Laying-on-of-Hands are asked to come forward to the High Altar. Those who are not staying for the healing service are asked to leave the church quietly. 9

10 Announcements for Sunday, December 17 Fellowship Breakfast Today 8:15 to 10:00 a.m. Parish Hall West We will have a full breakfast, with a rotating menu, for $5 per person starting at 8:15 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall West. Christmas Caroling Today 12:30 p.m. Help spread some cheer this year! Darcy Hall is excited to have us so bring some merriment to share. Wear red and green and meet in the Parish Hall following the 11:00 a.m. service to carpool. All are welcome! Christmas Concert & Community Carol Sing Tomorrow, December 18 7:30 p.m. Church. Bethesda presents one of our area s most popular Christmas concerts! The Bethesda Choir performs with some of the finest instrumentalists in our area, and the audience sings many favorite Christmas carols with the excitement of full orchestra accompaniment. All are welcome and encouraged to attend come early to get a seat. A requested donation of $20 will be received at the door. Help the Flower Guild decorate for Christmas! Next Sunday, December 24 It s rare that Advent 4 and Christmas Eve fall on the same day, but it provides an exciting opportunity for all of us: we will have the chance following the morning service to assist the Flower Guild in transforming our church from Advent to Christmas the ultimate preparation! Parishioners are encouraged to stay after the service this Sunday to help the Flower Guild decorate the church for our Christmas services. Refreshments and food will be provided in the Parish Hall. Volunteer Opportunities for All Ages Thursday, December 28 12:05 p.m. We need volunteers to help with all aspects for the Luncheon for the Homebound and Holy Eucharist including registration and helping guests as they arrive for lunch, serving the meal, assisting them over to the Church for worship, and clean-up after the event. Annual Boar s Head and Yule Log Festival Saturday, January 6 at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 7 at 2:00 & 4:30 p.m. A Perennial Holiday Favorite Returns! Mark your calendars for the upcoming Boar s Head and Yule Log Festival, which is Bethesda-by-the-Sea s beloved re-creation of an ancient drama celebrating Epiphany. For more information about our upcoming events, pick up and read the Bethesda Happenings. It is available in the Narthex, in our tract rack, on our website, and in our newsletter! Give Now Online! You may Give Now electronically by one of two ways: 1. Scanning the QR code with your smartphone; or 2. Visiting bbts.org and clicking the red Give Online button. If you wish, Online Offering Cards are available in the pews to be filled out and placed in the offering plate as a token of your gift. 10

11 Advent greens are given to the glory of God and in memory of Walter Thomas Salmon Prayers for healing and wholeness have been asked for...angela, Angelica, Anne, Augusta, Bianca, Bill, Bob, Charles, Chris, Christopher, Connie, Daniel, David, Dylan, Ellen, Fred, Gary, Gavin, Geoff, Gerry, Grier, Henry, Holly, Isabel, Jack, James, Jane, Jennifer, Jim, Joann, John, Juan, Katie, Lawrence Family, Leslie, Lillian, Lloyd, Lory, Mary, Matthew, Michael, Michelle, Midialys, Mildred, Miryam, Molly, Pam, Pamela, Pat, Patricia, Peggy, Ralph, Rebecca, Regine, Renée, Richard, Rick, Ricky, Robert, Scott, Sharon, Sheri, Stephen, Sylvia, Taryn, Theresa, Thomas, Ward, William, and those serving our country...benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Michael, Sean, and Tommy. Altar Flowers We invite you to make a contribution in memory of, in honor of, or in thanksgiving of, your loved ones. Your contribution provides for flowers, plants, and altar adornments, necessary for worship services throughout the year. In order for names to be printed in the Sunday service leaflet, they must be received two weeks prior to the desired Sunday. A minimum $100 contribution is suggested per name. Please complete the form below and mail it with your check (payable to Bethesda-by-the- Sea Church) to 141 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL You may also visit bbts.org and click the red Give Online slider and pay online. Please print clearly FULL CHRISTIAN NAME (first and last) Also specify by circling below in memory, in honor, or in thanksgiving of: The Sunday nearest 1. In (memory; honor; thanksgiving) of In (memory; honor; thanksgiving) of... Contributor Information: Given by Address City State Zip Phone Suggested contribution is $100 per name. Additional contributions (Any amount you care to give will be appreciated) 11

12 Parking: Persons attending Sunday services and/or events today at Bethesda will be allowed to park on all of Barton Avenue and on South County Road without receiving a ticket until 1:30 p.m. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from The Book of Common Prayer, Hymn permission used by RiteSong, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use. 12