Advent Adventure! Bonfire, s mores, Sloppy Joe s, singing, and making Jesse Tree ornaments Friday, December 2, 5:30pm in Parish Hall

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1 Advent Adventure! Bonfire, s mores, Sloppy Joe s, singing, and making Jesse Tree ornaments Friday, December 2, 5:30pm in Parish Hall EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Saturday, December 10, 11:30am Isla del Sol Yacht & Country Club Tierra Verde $25.00 per person Sign up in the Welcome Center Visit the Attic Shoppe to purchase a Christmas ornament or do-dad to swap! ($10 or under) 2016 Angels for Angels Project Don t forget to take a select a tag containing a gift wish from a child. Shoppers have until Sunday, December 4 to return wrapped gifts to the tree for delivery to the children on Christmas. You don t need to ask for directions or help deliver a baby but you can bring some diapers for families who need a little help. Basket for donations is tin the Welcome Center off the side doors of the church. We take the diapers to the St. Giles Food Pantry where they are made available to families in need. FESTIVE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS If you would like to honor a loved one by donating to the Christmas Eve decorations please fill out form and return to Church Office. Names will be printed in Christmas Bulletin. Name: Phone or In honor of (or memory of) 16 St. Alban s is an inviting church, living out the inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, no matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here.

2 Welcome to St. Alban s Episcopal Church. We are thankful for your presence among us and hope you will return often. To help make our worship experience together more meaningful we ask that you: Turn off pagers and cellular phones. Please do participate! Your parts are printed in bold. Welcome Children. Special bags w ith activity pages w hich reflect the Gospel are located at the entrance of the church. See an Usher. Please return bags at the end of the service, but keep the activity page. Come to the Lord's Table. If you wish to receive Communion: Please come forward in two lines (we will bring communion to you if you are unable to come forward). Extend your hands, palms up to receive the bread; the chalice bearer will gently help guide the cup to your mouth. If you do not wish to receive the wine, please cross your arms in front of you. Receiving just the bread is a valid communion. Gluten-free wafers are available. All are welcome. The entire worship service is printed in this bulletin because we want to make your participation as easy as possible. Please do take your copy home or better yet, share with a friend. Music printed is used by Permission of OneLicense.net License #A Housekeeping notes: Restrooms are located in the Shepherd window entrance and an accessible restroom is located in the Welcome Center. Hymn in Procession Prepare the Way O Zion Words: Frans Mikael Franzen( ); tr. Composite; adapt. Charles P. Price (b1920 Music: melody from Then Swenska Psalmboken 1697 Ask an Usher For Dept: Hearing assistance devices; Large print bulletin ARE YOU VISITING WITH US? If you would like to stay in touch or are finding your way into the life of this faith community, please fill in a Welcome card hanging on the end of each pew row. If you check The Fountain you will receive our weekly on line newsletter. You may place the Welcome card in the offertory plate or hand to an Usher. If this is your first time visiting with us, we have a gift for you. Please let an Usher know to receive your gift...hint...it contains chocolate. The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison 2 St. Alban s is a Parish of the Diocese of Southwest Florida stalbanstpetebeach.org stalbans@tampabay.rr.com th Avenue, St. Pete Beach, Florida Bishop Assisting Bishop Assisting Bishop The Rev. Georgene (Gigi) D. Conner Priest in Charge The Rev. Muriel debussy Assisting Priest Mr. Jim Inmon Musician Ms Beth Gordon Parish Administrator Mr. Ron Smith Volunteer Sexton Vestry Mr. Charles Gallagher Senior Warden crg@attorneyoffices.org Mrs. Sylvia Foster Treasurer sdftampa@aol.com Mr. David Ottinger davidjottinger@gmail.com Dr. JP (John) Paul jpaul@marine.usf.edu Mr. Joe MacConnell joseph.macconnell1@century21.org We are sent out for service in the world. Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God. Sharing in the hospitality of Christ continues after this service with refreshments in the Welcome Liturgical Notes: Throughout the generations God has sent the message of peace and reconciliation in the words of the prophets, in parable, in history and in nature, revealing a loving intent towards humankind. Finally, in due time, God sent Jesus into the world to demonstrate in human terms God s way of living and loving. Advent m arks the beginning of a new year, Year A, in the Revised Com m on Lectionary usage. (The Revised Common Lectionary is used by the Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran & Episcopal Churches). In year A, our Gospel readings come mostly from the Gospel of Matthew. The Gospels were not written down until at least 60 years after the death of Jesus. We do not know who this Matthew was but he was not Matthew the tax collector. Advent is also the beginning of the Church Year and as such, a time when we slow down and intentionally prepare our hearts and minds to once more receive the Gospel of hope and healing. In this place and in this time, we are invited to open ourselves to the Spirit of God, to prepare a sacred space in our hearts, to make room for God to enter into our lives. 15

3 Communion Hymn Christ be our light Bernadette Farrell We Gather in the Name of God Prelude Hymns of the service Hymn in Procession I rejoiced when I heard them say Words: Based on psalm 122; Music: Bernadette Farrell Prayer of Thanksgiving (From The Scottish Episcopal Church) May we who share Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Blessing Beloved, there are many who are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home warring with one another all the while. Not so for you. While you wait, make peace with one another, with yourself, and with the earth. And may the Blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen. 14 3

4 We Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God Blessed are you, holy and living One. You come to your people and set them free. The Lighting of the Advent Candle Holy God, enflamed by your expectant love, we gather, willing to be stilled, yet willing to be moved. We come, so our lives might continue to be enlarged by you in greater fullness, kindness, and joy for the living. We light the first candle of Advent to remind us that your desire is for us to live in peace. O God, as we travel through Advent, give us courage to spread peace in the world. Amen. Hymn of Praise Blest be God Dandasoy Words: Salvador T. Martinez (b. 1939), adapted John L. Bell (b. 1949); Music: Phillipine melody from island of Negros And now, as our Savior has taught us, we reverently pray 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 We Break the Bread We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. We Share the Gifts of God As you receive the bread and wine it is proper to say amen, which means so be it. Gluten-free wafers are available. If you cannot receive wine, just taking the bread is OK. Prayer Desk: W e invite those wishing particular prayer for themselves or on behalf of someone else to come to the front of the line to receive the bread and wine. Immediately after receiving, go to the prayer station at rear of the Chapel. Give your first name and state your prayer need. The prayer person will lay hands on your shoulders and pray for you. Prayer Requests: Edna, Rosem ary, Susan, Jo, Robert, Mary, Caroline, Dennis, Andy, Stewart, Mimi, Angela H., Haley, Jeffrey, Joan, Robert, Jim, Julia, Terrell, Kathy, Bob, Jack, Jim, Amanda, Stefani, Ross, Rachel, Charles, Stephen, Brian, Jane, Russell, Heather, Amy, Pat B., Sylvia, Beth, Patsy, and Tyler. This week s birthdays: Janice Selby (2)Bernie Doh erty (5), Jo Kissinger (5), Paulette Szlivko (7),Celeste Tingle(8), Angelo Lama(9), and Frank Turner (9) Our flowers today are given by Sylvia Foster in thankfulness for her family and friends here and departed and her many blessings including our St. Alban's Church family. Serving Today: Reader: Dave Gray Eucharistic Ministers: Joanne and Joe MacConnell Altar Guild: Susan Wyant, Malinda Ottinger, Rebecca Lyons Vestry Steward: Joe MacConnell Refreshments: Joanna Eastman Gaudreau and Charles Gaudreau 4 13

5 Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people. Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life. On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Blessed Mary, Blessed Alban and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. The Collect of the Day Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in 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 Prophet Isaiah 2:1-5 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. A brief silence follows the lesson He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! For the Word of God in Scripture, For the Word of God among us, For the Word of God within us, We give you thanks, O God. 12 5

6 Psalm 122 I was glad when they said to me, * "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Now our feet are standing * within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity with itself; To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, * the assembly of Israel, to praise the Name of the Lord. For there are the thrones of judgment, * the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: * "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls * and quietness within your towers. For my brethren and companions' sake, * I pray for your prosperity Because of the house of the Lord our God, * I will seek to do you good." We Celebrate the Eucharist The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer I: Enriching Our Worship 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 our thanks and praise. It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy. You have filled us and all creation with your blessing and fed us with your constant love; you have redeemed us in Jesus Christ and knit us into one body. Through your Spirit you replenish us and call us to fullness of life. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing: A Reading from Paul s Letter to the Romans 13:11-14 Holy, holy, holy (Santo, santo, santo) Words: Variation on a traditional liturgical text. Music Composer of Argentina melody unknown; arr. As taught by Pablo D. Sosa (b. 1933), the IonaCommunity. You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. For the Word of God in Scripture, For the Word of God among us, For the Word of God within us, We give you thanks, O God. A brief silence follows the lesson 6 11

7 We Exchange the Peace The Peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Let us greet the Gospel of Christ by singing When out of poverty is born Words: Kathryn Galloway (b.1952); Music: Kingsfold, English melody We Prepare the Table We set the table for our Eucharist. The gifts of bread, wine and the offerings of our lives are brought forward. You are invited during the offertory hymn to come forward and place your pledge your sign of thanksgiving to God upon the altar. Offertory O come, O come Emmanuel Words: Latin, ca. 9th cent; Music: Veni, veni Emmanuel, plainsong, Mode 1, Processonale, 15th cent; adapt. Thomas Helmore ( ) 10 7

8 The Holy Gospel The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to Matthew 24:36-44 Glory to you, O Christ Jesus said to the disciples, But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. The Sermon 8 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Christ. The Rev. Gigi Conner We Affirm Our Faith This Nicene Creed, from Enriching Our Worship, The Episcopal Church, is closer to the original translation from the Greek. 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and is worshiped and glorified, who 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 We Pray for the Church and the World God of promises, in your coming you want to shape us into a people of hope, peace, joy, and love. We pray now for your guidance and wisdom. Jesus the Christ came to show us the way, the truth and the life for all creation. Grant us grace to walk in his way, to rejoice in his truth, and to share in his risen life. Show us how to be a community of faithful people. May we receive and offer your healing love with reverence. Open our hearts to pray for others whose hearts are troubled, May they find support in our care. God, for whom no door is closed, no heart is locked, draw us beyond our doubts. May we unlock the doors of our hearts and minds to those most in need. God of all nations, we pray for the leaders of all peoples that they may work to transform swords into ploughshares. May we all turn our attention from war and the destruction of bodies and souls to peace. God of peace, we commend to your care those who have died: those who have been killed or harmed because of violence or war; and those we love but see no more. And on this day which precedes World AIDs Day on December 1,, we pray for the 34 million people who are living with HIV/AIDs, for those who have died because of it, for those countries where it impacts populations as an epidemic, and we continue to pray for a cure and an end to AIDS. May all find comfort in your ever-open and all encompassing love. God of forgiveness, lead us to a better acceptance of those who differ from our beliefs. May we not throw stones in conflict but find ways to work together to proclaim your mighty works. Celebrant In this time, O God, you are our healer, our comforter, and our life. You have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light. Accept the prayers of your people which are offered in the confidence that you will always care for and love us. Amen Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. 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 Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. Celebrant 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. 9