THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 2, am

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1 THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Prelude Prelude on St. Thomas, Richmond, Merton, and Ascension Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. Blessing and lighting of the Advent Wreath Holy One, we praise you for your son Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, the wisdom that teaches and guides us, the Savior of every nation. Let your blessing come upon us as we light this wreath. May it be a sign of Christ s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly, and not delay. People Come, Lord Jesus. Trisagion Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, People Have mercy upon us. The Collect of the Day The people stand or kneel. The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Let us pray. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 2, am Welcome to St Dunstan s! We are glad you are here! If you are new, or would like to update your information, please fill out a pew card. And please join us for coffee and fellowship immediately following the service. God of mercy, may the radiance of your redeeming love rise in our hearts, lighting the way from the shadow of darkness and guiding our feet into the way of peace. Amen

2 Jeremiah 33:14-16 The Lord s promise to the house of Israel and the house of Judah is reaffirmed, foreseeing the arrival of a messianic figure, a righteous branch who will execute justice and save the people. This passage may have been added to the Book of Jeremiah a century or so later. A sure confidence in God s deliverance sounds forth, and Christians have interpreted the passage as a prophecy regarding Christ. The 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. 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. 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. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Psalm 25:1-9 Ad te, Domine, levavi A prayer for forgiveness and guidance and an expression of trust in the Lord. 2 1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; * let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; * let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. 3 Show me your ways, O LORD, * and teach me your paths. 4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. 5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, * for they are from everlasting. 6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; * remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD. 7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; * therefore he teaches sinners in his way. 8 He guides the humble in doing right * and teaches his way to the lowly. 9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness * to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

3 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 The apostle Paul expresses gratitude to God for his disciples in Thessalonica and tells these followers of his prayers for them. He has heard a good report of their faith and love and their concern for him. He prays that he will soon see them again, and asks that they may grow in love and be established in holiness, in preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 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. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Isaiah 64:1-9 A contrite plea to God for merciful justice. The prophet recalls earlier times when the Lord s presence made the very mountains quake. Now the people have sinned grievously and are suffering for their wrongs. They pray that the Lord will remember them as God s children, God s creatures, and temper divine anger. O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. 3

4 Luke 21:25-36 Jesus tells his disciples of the awe-inspiring crisis to come, which they may also recognize as the beginning of the time of their redemption. The heavens and earth will bear fearsome witness before the appearance of the heavenly judge, the Son of Man. As the budding fig tree foretells the advance of summer, so can all this calamity be recognized as a preparation for the drawing near of the kingdom of God. The believer is to be alert, fixed on Christ s words and teachings and prepared for the coming of the Lord. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus said, 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. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Then he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 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. The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Amen. The Sermon 4 After the sermon a brief silence is kept. The Rev. Rob Fisher

5 The Nicene Creed All Stand. 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 worshipped 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. 5

6 The Prayers of the People The people stand or kneel. The congregation may add their prayers aloud at the invitation of the Intercessor. Leader In joy at the nearness of the Christ, let us offer our prayers to God. May the power of God s holy presence clear a path through the rubble of broken lives and hearts to make our world and each of us a new creation. We pray to the Lord. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader May our gracious God always console and comfort us, nourish our deepest hungers, and guide us in ways of justice and peace. We pray to the Lord. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader May we find in the deserts of our lives a new Jordan, a stream of blessing that bears forgiveness, refreshment and joy. We pray to the Lord. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader For the people of St. Dunstan s and St. Andre s, for Mary our Bishop, and all who do ministry near or far; may the God of John the Baptist raise up holy prophets in our midst, voices to challenge us to greater integrity and truthfulness. We pray to the Lord. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader May the God who is our comfort hear the cries of all in need especially: We pray to the Lord. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader May the God who is our future hold those who have died in the embrace of faithful love. Together may we see new heavens and a new earth. We pray to the Lord. People Lord, hear our prayer. Recall us to our own baptism, O Lord, and hear the prayers we make for the people and the world you love and call your own, for we pray in the name of the one who came in your name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 6

7 We pray also for the forgiveness of our sins. Silence may be kept. 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 Absolution 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 All stand. The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. The people exchange the peace with one another. Announcements All are seated. Prayer for a Birthday O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant N. as he/she begins another year. Grant that he/she may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his/her trust in your goodness all the days of his/her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Offertory Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. 7

8 8 THE HOLY COMMUNION All things come of thee, O Lord. People And of thine own have we given thee. The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give God thanks and praise. Eucharistic Prayer B It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. 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: People Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The people stand or kneel. 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.

9 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 all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. Therefore, according to his command, O Father, People We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory 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 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, now and for ever. AMEN. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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. 9

10 The Breaking of the Bread The breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept. Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia! The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. All are welcome to receive the Holy Communion. The bread is received in the open palm. The wine, if desired, may be taken from the cup by drinking (guide the chalice gently to your lips by the base) or by dipping the bread. Those who do not wish to receive Communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing, indicated by crossing your arms over your chest. If you have a wheat sensitivity, you may ask the priest for a gluten-free wafer. The Post-Communion Prayer Let us pray 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 Blessing Life is short. And we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be swift to love. Make haste to be kind. And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People Thanks be to God. 10

11 Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Rob Fisher Lay Leader: Steve Andrews When the worship ends the service begins The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God with our prayers for peace in the world and loving one another by Debbie Howitt St. Dunstan s Episcopal Church celebrates God s diverse creation and strives to build an inclusive community that welcomes everyone, no matter age, gender, sexual identity, culture, ethnicity, economic status, or ability. Two opportunities for Advent class Keep Watch: Praying with Icons Monday, Dec 3rd (3:00-4:15 pm) OR Thursday, Dec 6th (7:00-8:15 pm) Join our community in Carlyle Hall for an exploration of iconography, where we will grow in awareness of our perceptions and sharpen our sense of listening to the divine through art. (Note: this 75 minute class is being offered at two different times.) We will read excerpts from Ponder These Things: Praying with Icons of the Virgin by former Archbishop Rowan Williams. We will engage in an experiential environment of reflecting on icons and dialoguing with one another. This Advent, as we wait for God Made Flesh, we will practice learning to see the divine image that lives within each of us, and contemplate how our lives may reflect the iconic light of Christ. Weekly Bulletins available electronically Whether you want to save the environment by using less paper, like the idea of reading on your device, want to see what s coming up or what is past, our weekly worship bulletins are available as a PDF online at stdcv.org/bulletins 11

12 The Women of St. Dunstan's Holiday Bazaar Continues Today Between services today, stop by to see what great finds are still to be had at this year s Holiday Bazaar! Christmas at St. Andre's The Giving Tree is Growing We have had a very good start in our campaign to raise funds for the hot lunch program at St. Andre's School in Haiti. Every $50 gift gives one student nutritious meals for an entire school year and an ornament will be added to the tree. As you can see, we have a way to go, but with your continued generosity, we will reach the top of the tree and an "angel" will be placed. Thank you as always, the Haiti Committee Tweens and Young Teens Get Ready for re:form December 16 The re:form group will meet Dec 16, over brunch at 11:30 in Fr. Rob s outer office. The program, which drew a great turnout at its kickoff in November, uses games, videos and discussion to help the group members learn to think critically as they grow in their own faith and support one another. In your prayers this week.... Peggy, Sam, Andrew, J.J., Richard, John, Cora, Ross, Joyce, Victoria, Peter, Ida, David, Gail, Jan, Jim, Cecily, Delaney, Jack, Jane, Brad, Kay, Donna, Dick, Amy, Kenny, Harry, Laura, Yolette, Tom, Cathy, Sarah & Joe, James, John, Nancy, Olivia, Libby, Daniela, Cathy, Hannah, Donna For the repose of the souls.... Parker Hornbeck 12

13 Children & Youth Ministries To get involved or learn more, contact the church office. Light and Love (Ages infant 4 years) 10 am Sundays in the nursery A safe, sunny space where the youngest children can learn and play while parents experience the service. Godly Play (Children 5 9) 10 am Sundays in Carlyle Hall Based on Montessori principles, Godly Play allows children to explore their own innate spirituality through engagement with stories from the bible. Re:form (Tweens and Teens) 11:30 12:45 Sundays in Carlyle Hall Through games, videos and discussion, the kids have fun and develop their critical thinking and faithful reflection. Youth in Action (Tweens and Teens) At least once per month; sites vary A kid-driven volunteer service program through which our youth address social and environmental issues, help others in the community and and have fun! (Smaller children also usually welcome, depending on the project.) The Sunday Morning Class Have you ever asked yourself, How do the readings I hear on Sunday inform my everyday life? How do they inform the decisions I make, improve my relationships, develop the person I seek to be? Why not join us this week and find out! We meet Sunday at 9 am. Effective December 1 New deadline for enews and Bulletin submissions St. Dunstan's is a happening place! In order to better accommodate all the news and announcements, our deadline for submitting items for the enews and Sunday Bulletins is moving to Mondays at 12 pm. Any questions or concerns, please speak with Louis in the church office. spirit, music, food, drink, community First Fridays (usually), 6 pm in Carlyle Hall Friday, Dec 14 13

14 St. Nicolas Coming Today! St. Nicholas himself will paying a visit to St. Dunstan s today! This kind man, known for his generosity to children and all in need, will arrive (by Subaru!) for a special children s program in Carlyle Hall during the regular 10 am service. Adults will get to meet him after the service! A final advent children s program will honor St. Lucy with crowns of candles, Santa Lucia buns and stories next Sunday December 9 th at 10 am. For more information about attending or volunteering, contact Sarah at sarah@stdcv.org or Daniela at tidewingsdesign@gmail.com. Updated photo directory coming! Have Your Picture Taken Today It s time to take pictures again. We want everyone to be included, so please look for Rev. Marcia during coffee hour today. It takes only a few minutes. And, yes, it s ok to have a retake! Help us know you by Filling out a Pew Card If you are visiting, new to St Dunstan s, or your contact information has changed, please fill out a Pew Card and drop it in the collection plate. Thanks! Holiday In-Gathering for Nancy's Project The holidays are a difficult time for our farm worker families. Children are out of school and do not get a school lunch. There is little work in the fields this time of year, and many of the men have gone to the Yuma, Arizona fields to pick, leaving their families here to cope the best they can until they return. Nancy s Project will be doing an ingathering of non-perishable food for our farm worker families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We hope you will participate by bringing non-perishable food items to the church for the next several weeks. All food will be distributed in Salinas, Greenfield, San Miguel and San Ardo between now and Christmas. Suggestions include: canned tuna, peanut butter, canned meats, pinto beans, rice, spaghetti, canned fruit, canned tomatoes and vegetables and oatmeal. Baskets will be at the back of the church for your donations. Thank you for making 14 Christmas better for these hard-working people!

15 THIS WEEK AT ST DUNSTAN S PARISH OFFICE OPEN TUESDAY FRIDAY, 9 AM 1 PM Sunday, December 2 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:00 am Sunday Morning Class WSD Bazaar 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Children s Ministries 11:15 am WSD Bazaar 7:00 pm AA Monday, December 3 3:00 pm Keep Watch: Praying with Icons Tuesday, December 4 7:30 pm AA Wed, December 5 10:00 am Holy Eucharist & healing prayer 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 12:30 pm Daughters of the King 1:00 pm Staff Meeting 2:30 pm Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 6 12:00 pm Quilters 4:00 pm I-Help (meal provided by others) 7:00 pm Keep Watch: Praying with Icons Friday, December 7 Saturday, December 8 1:00 pm Parker Hornbeck Memorial Sunday, December 9 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:00 am Sunday Morning Class 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Children s Ministries 11:15 am Finance Committee Meeting 7:00 pm AA DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 2 Gigi McWilliams 4 Mel Blevens 4 Charlie Rose Talley 5 Nancy Green 10 Gus Hawthorne 16 Bob Young 19 Chandler Clark 20 Linda Keill 22 Jennifer Lama 22 Jeanne Polaschek 22 Aleksander Simpson 24 Taylor Hawthorne 25 Joanie Webb 26 Francesca Taurke 28 Reed Cripe 30 Sylvia Shattuck 15

16 WE HOPE YOU FIND YOURS HERE Here is a place that is ancient and new, a faith that we hold going back to Jesus, back to his spiritual ancestors, back to those who walked the earth and found holy ground. And what we do is often based on really ancient patterns worship and music; loving service to the poor, the hurting, the lonely; working for justice and peace; lively, fearless education and formation of minds and souls. And that faith is also completely contemporary, engaged in the culture and the needs of the moment. 16 WHAT WE ARE FOR The dignity and worth of every person. An open minded, passionate commitment to truth. The importance of everyone s own spiritual journey. God s friends wherever we find them. Seeking Christ in every person who comes through the door. The sacredness of life s rites of passage. The value of community. The hard work necessary to make sure that all are welcomed. Telling the truth about life s challenges. A user-friendly church experience. Children, youth and families. We believe that God is love, and we pray that God will use us to spread that love. WHAT WE ARE AGAINST Claiming to have all the answers. Elitism and exclusivism, especially in church. Bigotry for any reason. Authoritarianism. Indifference to injustice and suffering. Certitude in the face of ambiguity and superficial answers to hard questions. Boring sermons, bad music and general cluelessness. (So, God help us, because we don t always avoid these!) WHAT WE VALUE Community, open hearts, open minds, open arms. Faith. Fortitude. Staying current, but equally staying rooted in tradition. Reason and honesty. Civic responsibility. Debate that allows for mutual respect. Music and beauty for their own sake. Joy in God s creation. Anyone who makes an effort to get to know and follow Jesus. WELCOME! Originally written by the people of St. Bartholomew s, New York, this statement has been modified for our use with their permission. St. Dunstan s Episcopal Church Robinson Canyon Road, Carmel, California (831) office@stdcv.org saintdunstanschurch.org