January 6th Epiphany Visit of the Magi Southern Style. Celebrate with delicious bar-b-que cooked and served by MOSA (Men of St.

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1 EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Saturday, December 10, 11:30am Isla del Sol Yacht & Country Club, Tierra Verde $25.00 per person Visit the Attic Shoppe to purchase a Christmas ornament or doo-dad to swap! ($10 or under) TRIANGLES WOMEN S MEETINGS January Sweet Tea Celebrations, Gulfport Blvd. February Sweet Tea Celebrations, Gulfport Blvd. Call Emma McCullough to RSVP 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. January 6th Epiphany Visit of the Magi Southern Style Celebrate with delicious bar-b-que cooked and served by MOSA (Men of St. Alban s) 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. 16

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 Come thou long expected Jesus Stuttgart Words: Charles Wesley ( ); Music: 1715 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 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 Center. Take this opportunity to meet someone new in this ever-changing community. Postlude 2 15

3 Communion Hymn Take O take me as I am John L. Bell We Gather in the Name of God Prelude Hymns of the service Hymn in Procession Isaiah the Prophet Judas and Mary Words: Joy F. Patterson (b. 1931), Music: Sydney Bertram Carter ( ) 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 As long as the sun burns in the sky, the tides of the ocean ebb and flow, the mountains stand and the plains spread wide, we will live the love and peace of God in our world. Beloved, you are the sprig of hope, the shoot of promise bursting forth in our day; go to enliven the realm of God s peace, and may the blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer go with you always. Amen. 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) _ 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 The first Advent candle reminds us that we long for peace. As we light the second candle we remember the prophets of old who spoke of a child to come, an unexpected liberator of the people, who would be Emmanuel, God with us. We light this candle as a symbol of the prophets who renew our faith and remind us of what may be. O God, as we travel through Advent, give us the wisdom to hear the voices of prophets today who bring to us new visions of hope. 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 He of whom the prophets spoke is present us in this bread and wine. 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: Bernie Doherty (5), Jo Kissinger (5), Paulette Szlivko (7),Celeste Tingle(8), Angelo Lama(9), and Frank Turner (9) Our flowers today are given by Helen Taylor to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for friends and family. Serving Today: Ushers: Ginny McCutcheon Reader: Malinda Ottinger Eucharistic Ministers: Joanna Eastman-Gaudreau & Charles Gaudreau Altar Guild: Susan Wright, Ginny McCutcheon, Malinda Ottinger 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. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. The Collect of the Day Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 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. A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 11:1-10 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. 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 12 5

6 Psalm 72: 1-7, Give the King your justice, O God, * and your righteousness to the King's Son; That he may rule your people righteously *and the poor with justice; That the mountains may bring prosperity to the / people, *and the little hills bring righteousness. He shall defend the needy among the people; *he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, * from one generation to another. He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *like showers that water the earth. In his time shall the righteous flourish; *there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *who alone does wondrous deeds! And blessed be his glorious Name forever! *and may all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. 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 15:4-13 Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 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. 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. A brief silence follows the lesson 6 11

7 Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. God of abundance, we now confess to you and each other that we eat more than we need, knowing others are starving; waste water, knowing others are dying of thirst; clutter our homes with things we don t use, knowing others don t have homes; fill and quickly accept your boundless love and grace for ourselves, yet set limits on grace for others. Forgive us Lord. Teach us to be generous with the abundance in our lives which all comes through you. We ask this in Jesus name. 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. We Exchange The Peace Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Let us greet the Gospel of Christ by singing With joy draw water from the spring Music: St. Columba, Traditional Irish melody, Harm. Charles Stanford (20th C) Words: Anne McKinstry (20th C) We Prepare the Table The bread and the wine are brought forward and placed on the table. As the offerings of the people are brought forward we sing Veni, Veni Emmanuel Words: Latin, ca. 9th Century; ver. Hymnal 1940, alt.music: plainsong, Mode 1, 15th Century; adapt. Thomas Helmore ( ) 10 7

8 The Holy Gospel The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to Matthew 3:1-12 Glory to you, O Christ In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: `Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. The Sermon 8 Do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." The Gospel of the Lord. 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 he 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 Almighty God, who loves us with a love that cannot let go set your presence upon us, that stillness will come in our prayers, and direction will come in our actions. Today we pray for people who are struggling with illness and other concerns. Remind us that despair is not a permanent place of dwelling for our souls. We pray for parents in our own community and those around the world who struggle to provide for children, and build a future for them. Remind us that the dry places of life hold within them a sense of your promise for new life. We pray for people whose faith is new and growing, and for those who hearts have been hardened to things of the spirit. Remind us that the light of knowledge will blossom and shine in the lives of all your people. We pray for those burdened by worry, and those whose daily routines present major challenges. Remind us that the worst of times have always the potential to draw from within us the best of our resources and abilities. We pray for an end to the divisions and inequalities that scar your creation, particularly the barriers to freedom faced by your children throughout the world because of gender, race, culture or sexual orientation. Remind us that all who have been formed in God s image have equality in pursuit of the blessings of creation. We pray for those who are elected leaders in this country. Remind them that you are the giver of life to all, so that they may govern with equality for all. We pray for places that are filled with violence and political uncertainty. Remind us that the darkness can never overcome the light and that hope can never be extinguished from the human heart. We pray for those who have died, especially those we love but see no more. Remind us that life is short and we are called to do as much as we can, whenever we can, for as long as we can. Celebrant Almighty God, your transforming love is always at work. In our withered living hear our prayers, bring us to new life, and remind us that the abundance of your earth comes to all so everyone can feast on daily bread. Amen. 9