THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Prelude Hymn preludes: Winchester New and St. Stephen Song 34 (Hymn 264) Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 16, 2018 8 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. Healey Willan & Flor Peeters Orlando Gibbons, arr. Healey Willan 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. God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Zephaniah 3:14-20 The prophet foretells a time when the judgment of Israel will be ended and the mighty Lord will bring victory and renewal to God s people. The city of Jerusalem and its holy Mount Zion may rejoice and sing. All enemies will be defeated and the crippled healed. The fortunes of Israel will be restored, and the nation will be praised by all peoples. Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Canticle 9: The First Song of Isaiah Ecce Deus Isaiah 12:2-6 A song of confidence and hope in God the Savior, for the Holy One is in the midst of the people who joyfully proclaim the Lord s deeds. 2 Surely, it is God who saves me; * I will trust in him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, * and he will be my Savior. Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing * from the springs of salvation. Continued....
And on that day you shall say, * Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; Make his deeds known among the peoples; * see that they remember that his Name is exalted. Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, * and this is known in all the world. Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, * for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel. 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 4:4-7 Paul invites the new disciples at Philippi to exult in the Lord, who is near at hand. In prayer and thanksgiving they need have no anxiety. God s peace, which is beyond human understanding, will keep their hearts and thoughts in Jesus. Even though Paul was experiencing his own troubles and may at this time have been in prison, this letter is often called the epistle of joy. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. 3
Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist preaches repentance to all those who hear his call to baptism, and he tells them of the mighty one to come. It is not sufficient to claim to be children of Abraham. All who are to escape judgment must learn to share with others and to be just in their daily work. John himself is not the Christ but the servant of the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and a refining fire. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin 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. And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? In reply he said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? He said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. Soldiers also asked him, And we, what should we do? He said to them, Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages. As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. 4
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 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
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
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 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.
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
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. The Post-Communion Prayer Let us pray. 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. 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. 10
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. Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Rob Fisher Lay Leader: Mystery Chastain When the worship ends the service begins The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in memory of Bob Wood by Sarah, Rob, and Zoe 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. spirit, music, food, drink, community First Fridays (usually), 6 pm in Carlyle Hall Friday, January 11 11
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 25 10 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! 12
TODAY! The Women of St. Dunstan's Present The Final Closeout Sale of the Madrigal Clothes and Shoes 98% off! Set up at 8 AM Sale from 8:30-11:45 AM Please only cash and checks. Your final chance to enjoy or give the finest apparel! Attention Ministry Leaders Ministries Reports Due Jan 15 Ministry leaders are asked to submit their 2018 ministry report to the church office no later than Tuesday, Jan 15, in order to be included in the 2018 Ministries Report. Please send reports to office@stdcv.org as an editable, electronic file. Deadline for enews, Bulletin Items for our enews and Sunday Bulletin should be submitted to office@stdcv.org by midnight Monday. 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. What is Advent Really about? 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! Please join us for discussion at 9 am on Sunday morning in the Outer Office. 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, Lucinda For the repose of the souls.... Dick Merrill, Lee Collins, Sean 13
Christmas at St. Andre's The Giving Tree is Growing So far we ve raised $4,000. 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 Sign up on the Welcome Table to Help with I-Help Sign up on the Welcome Table this Sunday to help cook, set-up, clean up, or even just to help provide the food needed when we next host and feed the men of I-Help, Thursday, December 20. 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.) 14
THIS WEEK AT ST DUNSTAN S PARISH OFFICE OPEN TUESDAY FRIDAY, 9 AM 1 PM 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 Monday, December 17 Tuesday, December 18 5:00 pm St. Dunstan s Foundation Mtg 7:30 pm AA Wed, December 19 10:00 am Holy Eucharist & healing prayer 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00 pm Staff Meeting 2:30 pm Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 20 4:00 pm I-Help (meal by St. Dunstan s) Friday, December 21 4:00 pm I-Help (meal by St. Dunstan s) Saturday, December 22 4:00 pm I-Help Women (St. Dunstan s) Sunday, December 23 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:00 am Sunday Morning Class 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Children s Ministries 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
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 28005 Robinson Canyon Road, Carmel, California 93923 (831) 624-6646 office@stdcv.org saintdunstanschurch.org