Christ Church Amherst, NS 2 nd Sunday of Advent December 9 th, 2018
CHRIST CHURCH Amherst, N. S. 2 nd Sunday of Advent December 9 th, 2018 8:30 a.m. - Holy Communion 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School / Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist At the Chancel Steps Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Almighty God, People: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 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. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we are moved with awe at the way you use little things to accomplish greatness. You chose a little city and from it sent a great leader - your only Son. You chose fishermen and made them your spokesmen, and you have chosen us. Even though we are little before the greatness of your universe, use us to work your eternal greatness. We pray in the name of your Son. Amen.
- 3 - Light 2 nd Candle Collect of the Day Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. THE WISEMEN JOURNEY ONWARD A Reading from the Book of Baruch (5 : 1-9 ) Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians (1 : 3-11) Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. GRADUAL HYMN # 494 - Not for Tongues of Heaven s Angels THE HOLY GOSPEL Reader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (3 : 1-6) People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
- 4 - THE READING Reader: The Gospel of Christ. People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. HYMN # 103 - On Jordan s Bank, the Baptist s Cry SERMON HYMN # 101 - Hail to the Lord s Anointed The Creed p. 189 The Prayers of the People It had been prophesied that there would be a messenger to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Now John the Baptist appears with his urgent message of repentance. We know that God is here with us, and hears what is in our thoughts and in our hearts. So we pray for all who claim to be Christians all over the world. We ask for a real longing for God in our lives; a longing that is not satisfied by anything else. Holy God: we want to know you better. We pray for the different countries and those with power and influence. We pray for honesty, justice and integrity.
- 5 - Holy God: we want to know you better. We pray for those we love and those we find it hard to relate to. We pray for more love and forgiveness. Holy God: we want to know you better. We pray for those in pain and those imprisoned by addiction. We pray for healing, wholeness and freedom. Holy God: we want to know you better. We pray for those who have died and now see you face to face. We pray for those who miss them here. Holy God: we want to know you better. We thank you for showing us what needs putting right, and for forgiving us all that is past. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Confession and Absolution p. 191
- 6 - The Peace p. 192 THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST The Preparation of the Gifts OFFERTORY HYMN # 358 - Earth and All Stars Prayer over the Gifts God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PWRDF MOMEMT - Debbie Dove-Blagdon Eucharist Prayer 4 p. 201 The Lord s Prayer p. 211 The Breaking of the Bread # 5 p. 212 The Agnus Dei Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
- 7 - The Communion p. 213 Holy Eucharist is a joyful celebration of our life together in Jesus Christ. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion here. The response to receiving the bread and the wine is Amen. If you would like to come forward and receive a blessing instead of the bread and wine, please cross your arms as you come to the rail. HYMNS DURING COMMUNION: # 14 - CCSB - Jesus, What A Beautiful Name # 458 - Seek Ye First Prayer after Communion Faithful God, we thank you for feeding us with this heavenly banquet. Help us always to hear the prophet s call to turn our hearts to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. Doxology Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen. Blessing and Dismissal p. 215 ANNOUNCEMENTS CLOSING HYMN # 106 - There s a Voice in the Wilderness
- 8 - CYCLE OF PRAYER Springhill, Nova Scotia The Reverend Dr. Brian Spence All Saints, Springhill St. Alban s, River Hebert Lantz, Nova Scotia The Reverend Canon David Fletcher and Kathy Christ Church, Lantz St. George s, Dutch Settlement CHRISTMAS CHEER PROGRAM These are the items we have been collecting: * Canned Soup * Peanut Butter (500 g) * Tea Bags * Apple Juice * Canned Brown Beans * Jam * Jello *Sugar (2 kg) * Kraft Dinner * Mayonnaise (500 ml) * Canned Fruit (Large Can) * Canned Tuna * Flakes of Ham / Chicken / or Turkey * Cereal * Soda Crackers *Canned Mixed Vegetables (large can) Monetary donations are also very much appreciated as we have turkeys, fresh vegetables, milk, bread, fruit, eggs, etc., to buy. Receipts will be given. Why not adopt a box as a family. Cost of a box is approximately $95.00. Receipts will be given.
- 9 - The Children s Christmas Happening will be held on Sunday, December 16 th during the 11:00 a.m. service. Immediately following the service everyone is invited to join Santa Claus in the Parish Hall and following the giving of treats there will be a light lunch. CHRISTMAS SILENT AUCTION Check out all the items in the Narthex we have for the Christmas Silent Auction and place your bid. New things are coming in all the time. Final bids will be on December 21st. Empowered & Empowering Women: Advent Reflections Allie Colp will be leading a reflection series on Mondays in Advent (7:00 p.m. on Dec 3, 10, and 17), based on a resource produced by the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund. Get in touch with Will or Allie (by phone (902) 789-3481 or email: allie.colp@gmail.com for more info or to sign up. People of all genders are welcome! *If you've got kids you want to bring along, they are more than welcome, and there will be Advent activities from PWRDF for them to participate in too!*
- 10 - Remembering Joseph - an Advent workshop with the Rev. Lorraine Street Jesus earthly father, St. Joseph of Nazareth, is a saint in our church, but an often-forgotten one. Joseph played a crucial role in the Nativity of our Lord, but we rarely think about it or him. This Advent, you are invited to participate in a session to think about, rediscover, and remember Joseph, through a study of his story, told in the Gospel of Matthew. This session will be held at the Horton Gallery 10162 Durham St., Pugwash, NS on Tuesday, December 11 th, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch will follow - please bring something to share (ex. crackers & cheese, veggies & dip) All are welcome! Email nicole.uzans@gmail.com to confirm your attendance. There is no cost for this event.
- 11 - Today, December 9, 2018, at Christ Church Parish Hall on 5 Lawrence St., Amnesty International Field Worker for Atlantic Canada, Gail Clark, will give a presentation about the vital work of Amnesty International and the general public is invited to write handwritten letters and / or sign petitions in support of 10 women who have experienced persecution and even imprisonment for defending human rights. Letters and petitions signed during this event will be mailed by Gail Clark. This is a "Write for Rights" event, held annually in hundreds of cities, in commemoration of the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on December 10, 1948, now in its 70th year. Last year over 5 million letters were sent worldwide and significantly contributed to the release of many prisoners of conscience globally. Please join us at Christ Church Parish Hall, from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday, Dec 9. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be served. This is a drop-in event. For more information, please contact Gillian Strong by phone 902-661-1380, or by email gillianstrong@gmail.com. For more information about Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign, please visit their website, http://writeathon.ca/. CHRISTMAS CAROL SING @ THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD DECEMBER 15 th - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Join us for Carols, the Christmas Story & Hot Drinks! Don t forget to dress very warmly.