THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 9, am

Transcription

1 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 9, 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. THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Prelude Prelude on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland J.S. Bach Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. 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 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. Out of the embrace of mercy and righteousness, you have brought forth joy and dignity for your people, O Holy One of Israel. Remember now your ancient promise: make straight the paths that lead to you, and smooth the rough ways, that in our day we might bring forth your compassion for all humanity. Amen.

2 Malachi 3:1-4 The prophet promises that, as the day of the Lord s judgment nears, God s messenger will be sent to make ready the Lord s way. The priests and temple servants, who say they are waiting for the Lord, need cleansing and purifying most of all. Suddenly the refiner will come to the temple, and then the offering of the people will be pleasing to the Lord. On this day Christians recognize that, with the bringing of the child Jesus to the temple, the time of purifying judgment has begun. See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner s fire and like fullers soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Canticle 16: The Song of Zechariah Benedictus Dominus Deus Luke 1: A song of thanksgiving and prophecy. The child will be called the prophet of the Most High and will make a way for the Lord. 2 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. Continued....

3 You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Philippians 1:3-11 Paul greets the new disciples in the town of Philippi, gives thanks for their sharing in the gospel, and prays that they may be found without fault on the judgment day of Christ. It is likely that this message of affection and appreciative joy was written toward the latter part of Paul s ministry, perhaps while he was in prison. He expresses great confidence that the work of grace begun by God in his converts will be brought to fruition. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. 3

4 Luke 3:1-6 Luke sets the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist in the context of its time in history. It was customary during this era to date events with reference to the lives of rulers and well-known public figures. Within this history the word of God comes to John as he preaches his baptism of repentance. His ministry is in fulfillment of the words of Isaiah concerning the one who prepares the way of the Lord. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 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 After the sermon a brief silence is kept. The Rev. Rob Fisher 4

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. Leader We pray for the search for the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real. We pray especially for the members of the Search Team, the Transition Team, Bishop Mary and the person God is calling to be our next Bishop. 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! 10 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. 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 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. 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.

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 by Victoria & Clayton Clark in celebration of their 65th wedding anniversary 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. Youth in Action Thanks you for your Generosity Thanks to the hard work of kids in the Youth in Action group and the generosity of the St. Dunstan's community and the public, the YIA group raised $2,360 and purchased and wrapped 212 Christmas gifts for farmworker children over the weekend! The kids will give out the gifts on Friday December 14th in Salinas. Last year this event attracted 300 children and there were not enough gifts to go around. So if you didn't get to donate yet, you can still leave gifts for children ages 3 to 11 in the office until December 11th. If the gifts are wrapped, please write on the outside whether they are for girls or boys and for what age they are appropriate. For more info contact sarah@stdcv.org 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 What is Advent Really about? The Sunday Morning Class Sunday s, 9 am in the Outer Office Here we are in the season of Advent, and again preparing for the season of Christmas. Truly, no one has to tell us how to prepare! We know the drill: the tree, cards, gifts, house all magically accomplished by December 24!!! But what does it mean to prepare yourself spiritually? To slow down and just be? To open your heart to something new that God may be calling you to do? Something you never dreamed possible! Indeed, Advent is about the preparation for Christmas. But it s even more. It s about the expectation of Christ being born anew in each of us again and again. It s a miracle! Christmas at St. Andre's The Giving Tree is Growing So far we ve raised $3,000. We're waiting for you! Your $50 donation will provide a warm, nutritious school lunch for a student at St. Andre's for the school year. This is a big benefit for a small investment. With the food provided each day, a child is empowered to learn and gain the skills needed to succeed in life. Thanks to all who have already donated to the "Giving Tree" and to those who haven't, we're counting on your help. Thanks from the Haiti Committee spirit, music, food, drink, community First Fridays (usually), 6 pm in Carlyle Hall This Friday, Dec 14 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, Donna, Lorene For the repose of the souls.... Parker Hornbeck, Bill Schuyler 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.) Through next Sunday 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 in-gathering 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 Christmas better for these hard-working people! Deadline for enews, Bulletin Please note: Dec 17 is the deadline for any items to be published Dec 19 Jan 6 If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with Louis in the office. 13

14 Christmas Worship Schedule Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 3 pm Holy Eucharist Our most kid-friendly service 5 pm Holy Eucharist Our most festive service 8 pm Holy Eucharist The late-night meditative service All services will feature our new tracker organ, choir, and favorite Christmas music by candle light! Our 3 pm & 5 pm services will have a carol sing before the service. Christmas Day Tuesday, December am Holy Eucharist Christmas Eve Receptions We look forward to celebrating the joy of Christmas together after each Christmas Eve service. Our 3 pm and 5 pm services will be followed by light receptions in the breezeway with cookies, fruit, sparkling cider and warm beverages. Our 8 pm service will be followed by a heartier reception in Brock Hall with the addition of heavy hors d oeuvres. Your presence and your contributions are encouraged! Please drop off cookies and/or cut fruit for the 3pm or 5pm services, or finger foods or desserts for the 8 pm service, in the kitchen on Sunday morning or before any of the Christmas Eve services labeled Christmas Eve Reception. Help fill the church with for Christmas Dedicate Christmas Flowers Flowers may be given in your name or the name of a loved one. Recommended minimum donation $20. Sign up on the Welcome Table by December 16th! 14

15 THIS WEEK AT ST DUNSTAN S PARISH OFFICE OPEN TUESDAY FRIDAY, 9 AM 1 PM 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 Monday, December 10 Tuesday, December 11 7:30 pm AA Wed, December 12 10:00 am Holy Eucharist & healing prayer 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 11:15 pm Holy Eucharist at the Manor 1:00 pm Staff Meeting 2:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 5:00 pm Coffee Café planning team Thursday, December 13 4:30 pm Vestry Meeting Friday, December 14 4:00 pm I-Help (meal provided by others) 6:00 pm Common Thread Saturday, December 15 4:00 pm I-Help Women (St. Dunstan s) Sunday, December 16 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 Haiti Team Meeting re:form 3:00 pm Vestry Christmas Party 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