St. Paul s Episcopal Church The 1st Sunday in Advent ~ Dec. 2, 2018 276 Church Street, Montrose, PA 18801, 570-278-2954 stpaulsmontrose@epix.net http://stpaulschurchmontrose.org https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsmontrose Sunday Worship: 10:00AM Office Hours: 8:15am until 1:00pm Monday Thursday Serving Montrose and surrounding communities With God s Love through Jesus Christ Since 1831 ~ 1 ~
Welcome to St. Paul's, Montrose, PA. We are so thankful that you are worshipping with us on this day. We have served Montrose and surrounding communities with God's love through Jesus Christ since 1831; and invite you to join with us in this long tradition of service. Please accept our hospitality; any member can assist you to our Coffee Hour in the Parish House following the worship service. Thank you for joining us this day. We invite you to come again and, with God's love, be a part of St. Paul's. OUR VISION: To be a community of faith that shares the transforming love of God with all people through Jesus Christ our Lord. OUR MISSION: To proclaim God s love by word and example and to seek Christ in one another. Announcements The Prelude The Holy Eucharist Prelude on "Picardy" (Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence) arr. by Gilbert Martin Lighting of the Advent Candle The Introit: O come, O come, Emmanuel Hymn 56 v 1 The Lighting of the Advent Candle The Gathering Hymn "Sleepers, wake!" Hymn 61 v 1 THE WORD OF GOD Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins His mercy endures forever. Collect for Purity: BCP page 355 Trisagion BCP page 356 The Collect of the Day BCP page 211 The First Lesson: Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I ~ 2 ~
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 Thanks be to God The Psalm: Please respond by the half verse to our reading of Psalm 25, found on page 614 in your prayer book; we shall read verses 1 through 9. Reader: Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen! The Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 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 Thanks be to God The Sequence Hymn Signs of endings all around us Hymn 721 v 1 The Gospel Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke Glory to you Lord Christ ~ 3 ~
Luke 21:25-36 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." Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ The Homily The Nicene Creed BCP page 358 The Prayers of the People As we prepare to meet the Lord Jesus, let us lift our hands in prayer and raise our heads in hope to the Lord who is our righteousness, saying: Come, O Lord, and save us. For the Church: especially Michael our Presiding Bishop and Kevin our bishop, that in the face of distress and anxiety, we may steadfastly proclaim the sure and certain hope of God s promised redemption, let us pray to the Lord. Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on the people of St. Paul s as we anticipate and prepare for the person you will raise up for us to ~ 4 ~
be the next rector of our parish. May we receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries, let us pray to the Lord. For this Parish Family, that we may abound in love for one another and so prepare to stand before Christ who is coming in glory, let us pray to the Lord. For all God s people, that among nations made desolate by conflict and violence, justice and righteousness may flower anew, let us pray to the Lord. For all those in any anguish of body, mind and spirit, remembering especially Margaret, Brad, Becky, Kathy, Joe, Esther, Charlotte, Alice, Jean, Charlotte, Esther, Jeanette, Jeanne, Bart, Steve, Kristina, Richard.; that the disciples of Jesus may strengthen them with words of hope and deeds of love, let us pray to the Lord. For all those suffering from addictions, that they may desire a clean and sober life, and find the resources for their bodies, minds and spirits that will allow them to do so; for all those who love someone who is addicted, that comfort and support be provided in their journeys; for all in the healing community assisting recovery, that the Holy Spirit will refresh and strengthen them; for ourselves, that we share the power of God's healing and transforming love with all touched by this addictions epidemic; for St. Paul's that a spirit of unity in witness and action will be among us. Merciful God, accept the fervent prayers of your people, let us pray to the Lord. For those who have died, remembering especially that they may be found blameless before God at the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, let us pray to the Lord. ~ 5 ~
Lifting our voices with all creation, with Mary the God-bearer and all the saints, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. To you, O Lord our God. Celebrant: Holy and righteous God, hear the prayers we offer this day and raise our heads to greet the redemption that is drawing near: the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Glory to you for ever and ever. AMEN. Confession and Absolution BCP page 360 The Peace HOLY COMMUNION The Offertory Watchman, tell us of the night Hymn 640 v 1,3 The Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow Hymn 380, v3 The Eucharistic Prayer D BCP page 372 The Sanctus S125 The Lord s Prayer The Breaking of the Bread The Fraction Anthem S155 The Communion Everyone is invited to the Lord s Table to receive the Sacrament or a Blessing. Please cross your arms over your chest if you wish to receive a Blessing. The Hymn during Communion Jesus came, adored by angels Hymn 454 The Post Communion Prayer BCP page 365 The Blessing The Parting Hymn The King shall come when morning dawns Hymn 73 The Dismissal The Postlude People, Look East - French folk tune, arr. Dale Wood Altar Flowers this week are In Memory of Loved Ones. ~ 6 ~
Our Ministers Today: Presider and Preacher: The Rev. John Wagner Organist & Choir Director: Catherine Hammons Altar Guild: Barb Undercoffler, Carol Lasher, Carol Marker & Ben Zalewski Announcements: Lynne Graham Camera & Broadcast: Al Leigh & Andrew Wurth Acolyte: Benjamin Zalewski or Sean Eckert Counters: Carol Marker & Sandy Seeger Chalice Bearer: Esther Welden Lector: Richard Marker Intercessor: Esther Welden Greeter/Usher: Sandy Seeger & Stephanie Calby Hospitality: Marsha & Sandy Vestry: Lynne Graham, Sr. Warden lbgraham52@gmail.com Vickie Calby, Jr. Warden calby53@gmail.com Nancy Dooling, Clerk of Vestry materfamilias@outlook.com Sean Eckert seaneckert44@gmail.com Martha Kupscznk marthakupscznk@gmail.com Sandra Seeger sseeger@endlesscare.org Maggie Sock magmcgee50@gmail.com Thomas Undercoffler tunderco@frontiernet.net Christmas Flowers The cost of Poinsettias will remain the same as 2017 at 20.00 per flower. Please remit your check to the office as soon as possible or place in offering plate on Sundays. Envelopes are available at the back of the church. You may designate in memory of or in honor of someone if your wish. I must receive envelopes by Dec. 23. Thank you. ~ 7 ~
STUDIES FOR ADVENT 2018 My plan is to meet in the Guild Room during the Sunday coffee hour. I plan on beginning about 11:30 and ending by not later than 12:30. It is my intention to offer the following: Sunday, Dec. 2 nd Prophecies of the coming of the Messiah Sunday, Dec. 9 th The birth in Bethlehem of Judea Sunday, Dec. 16 th Conclusion of the birth in Bethlehem of Judea. Now, please, if your plans permit you to attend only one or two sessions, then, by all means, do so. If your plans require you to depart by noon, go in peace! Neither your dropping in and out, nor you early departure, will be seen as rude. Fr. John Wagner Montrose Community Chorale Presents Annual Christmas Program The annual presentation of Christmas in Montrose by the Montrose Community Chorale will be presented on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 367 Church Street, Montrose, PA. Thomas Welch is the director and accompanist is Kristen Burkhart. Christmas Presence, a cantata, will be presented as a Gathering of Hope, Peace and Love. A freewill offering will be accepted and benefit the community. Refreshments will be served in the missionary room. Mary Ann DeWitt, 570 278 2791 ~ 8 ~