Second Sunday of Advent 10 th December 2017 8.00am 9.15am 10.30am Holy Communion Informal Eucharist Parish Eucharist with Sunday School and First Communion Class "St. John the Baptist", El Greco, c. 1600. The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill Elsworthy Road London, NW3 3DJ Tel: 020 7722 3238 Email: office@smvph.org.uk www.stmarysprimrosehill.com
Welcome to all who are visiting St Mary s for the first time today. We hope that you will find this church a place where you can encounter God, enjoy worship & make new friends. Today s stewards are: Caroline Stauss, Laura Downie, Taam Sasikan, Carol Slater Christians of all denominations are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Those who prefer to receive a blessing are asked to hold the service leaflet in your hand as a helpful sign to the clergy. Coffee will be served after the service. Please stay and enjoy a few minutes conversation. Children Children are most welcome in the service. We encourage families with children to sit at the FRONT of the church so that children can see what is going on. Sunday school will meet in the Parish Centre during the 10.30 service. For information and help, please see one of the stewards. Ministry Team The Revd Preb. Marjorie Brown (Vicar) Tel: 020 7722 3062 Vicarage: 44 King Henry s Road, NW3 3RP Email: revmarjorie@gmail.com The Revd Mark Wakefield (Assistant Priest) Tel: 0789 9668493 Email: mark.wakefield@blueyonder.co.uk The Revd Nick Walters (Assistant Curate) Tel: 07704 715367 Email: nickrwalters@gmail.com Roberta Berke (Reader) Miriam Rinsler (Reader and Head Sacristan) Clem Hutton-Mills (Reader) Email: robertaberke@btinternet.com Email: mimpol@hotmail.com Email: clement.huttonmills@gmail.com Celyn Cooke (Parish Administrator & bookings) Tel: 020 77223238 Church office is open 9.30am 2.30pm, Mon-Fri Email: office@smvph.org.uk Steve Reynolds (Churchwarden) Tel: 07973 638769 Email: virtualpictures@mac.com Casey Oppong (Churchwarden) Tel: 07818 262885 Email: caseyoppong3@gmail.co.uk Ted Ruscoe (Treasurer) Email: ted.ruscoe@westwoodpropertiesltd.com Liunis Tapia & Natalia Guzman (Listening Interns) Lea Hanke (Berlin Parish Assitant) Rebecca Chesworth (Contact, Friends of St Mary s) Musicians Email: mentalhealth@smvph.org.uk Email: leahanke99@gmx.de Email: rebecca.chesworth@gmail.com Tony Henwood (Director of Music) Tel: 0771 2675957 Email: tonyhenwood@yahoo.co.uk Bryan Almond (Assistant Organist & Choirmaster) Tel: 01491 874433 Email: balmond@waitrose.com Justin Stollery Tel: 07758 751738 Youth team. Jason en (Youthwork Manager) Tel: 0794 4468784 Email: jason.allen@smvph.org.uk
.PARISH EUCHARIST Please stand at entrance of choir and clergy. Mass setting: Plainsong President: The Revd Mark Wakefield Entrance Hymn 12, On Jordan s bank the Baptist s cry In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the grace and light of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and also with you. The president welcomes the people and introduces the liturgy and the ceremony of the lighting of the Advent Wreath. The children light the candle and the carol printed below is sung, a cantor singing the verse with everyone joining in the chorus. The holly and the ivy are dancing in a ring with the bright and shining candles giving glory to our king. The first is for God s people in every age and day. We are watching for his coming and the light of God s new day. Chorus The next is for the prophets and for the light they bring. They are candles in the darkness, burning bright for Christ our King. Chorus The president says the prayer of blessing Blessed are you Sovereign God, Lord of the universe, to you be glory and praise for ever! In this season of Advent, when the light of the sun is swallowed up by the encroaching darkness of the night, you renew your promise to reveal among us the splendor of your glory. Strengthen our faltering steps; rouse us from our slumbers that we sleep not in sin; and make us ready to enter your kingdom where songs of joy for ever sound. Blessed be God for ever.
The deacon then says In our watching and our waiting Come, Lord Jesus. In our hearts and in our homes Come, Lord Jesus. In our life and in our world Come, Lord Jesus. The children are dismissed to Sunday school and First Communion class. The choir sings Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Kyrie eleison Collect O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. First Reading: Isaiah 40.1-11 Read in the Authorized Version Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. The reader says Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. Psalm 85.8-End 8. I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me : for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again. 9. For his salvation is nigh them that fear him : that glory may dwell in our land. 10. Mercy and truth are met together : righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11. Truth shall flourish out of the earth : and righteousness hath looked down from heaven. 12. Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness : and our land shall give her increase. 13. Righteousness shall go before him : and he shall direct his going in the way. Second Reading: 2 Peter 3.8-15a But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, The reader says Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. Gradual Hymn 170, Lo, in the wilderness a voice
The choir sings from the Advent Prose: Drop down ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Gospel: Mark 1.1-8 When the Gospel is announced: Glory to you, O Lord. The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. At the end of the Gospel the deacon says This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon: The Revd Mark Wakefield Nicene Creed 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, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who 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. Intercessions In joyful expectation of his coming to our aid we pray to Jesus. Come to your Church as Lord and judge. We pray for Help us to live in the light of your coming and give us a longing for your kingdom. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come to your world as King of the nations. We pray for Before you rulers will stand in silence. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come to the suffering as Saviour and comforter. We pray for Break into our lives, where we struggle with sickness and distress, and set us free to serve you for ever. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come to us as shepherd and guardian of our souls. We remember Give us with all the faithful departed a share in your victory over evil and death. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come from heaven, Lord Jesus, with power and great glory. Lift us up to meet you, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Paul the Apostle and all your saints and angels we may live and reign with you in your new creation. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Silence is kept. Then the president says Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to your people, who trust in your love. By your coming, raise us to share in the joy of your kingdom on earth as in heaven, where you live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Peace The deacon says God will speak peace to his people, to those who turn to him in their hearts. The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace. Please exchange the peace with your neighbours. Offertory Hymn 500, Thy King-dom come! During this hymn bread and wine are brought to the altar. A collection is taken so that those who do not give by standing order may make a donation if they wish. Gift Aid envelopes are available from the stewards. Eucharistic Prayer The Lord be with you and also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise. It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son. For when he humbled himself to come among us in human flesh, he fulfilled the plan you formed before the foundation of the world to open for us the way of salvation. Confident that your promise will be fulfilled, we now watch for the day when Christ our Lord will come again in glory. And so we join our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven to proclaim your glory, for ever praising you and singing: Remain standing while the choir sings: Choir Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. Remain standing if you are able to for the rest of the prayer. We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son. On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke it and give it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
The deacon says When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, 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 many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him he pleased with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory. Christ is the bread of life: When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory. Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with Blessed Mary, John the Baptist, and all your prophets and saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord s Prayer Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. The Breaking of the Bread We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. Giving of Communion Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
who normally receive communion in their own church are warmly invited to receive Holy Communion. Others are welcome to come forward for a blessing. (Please bring this leaflet with you to show that you wish to receive a blessing.) The reply to the words The Body of Christ and The Blood of Christ is a clear Amen as we receive the risen Lord in our outstretched hands. During the distribution the choir sings 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. Anthem: How beautiful upon the mountains - Stainer stand for the final prayers. Post Communion Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen. Please sit for the Notices Final Hymn 7, Hills of the North, rejoice Blessing and Dismissal The Lord be with you and also with you. Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, scatter the darkness from before your path, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. The deacon says Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. Organ Voluntary: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 645) J S Bach Everyone is invited to stay for coffee and fellowship after the service. For the first three minutes, please try to speak to someone you don t already know. Our worship has ended. Now our service begins.
SPECIAL INTENTIONS Parish cycle of intercessions: This week at the daily office and Eucharist the clergy will be praying for people on the congregational roll with surnames from Garner to Leader We pray for the people of our partner parishes, St Luke in the Fields, West Greenwich Village, New York City, and our ALMA link parish of St Peter, Cazenga in Luanda, Angola. The sick and those who have asked for our prayers: The Revd Linda Dean, Ken Williams, Peter Cooper, Amanda Martin, Mary McCaffrey, Edward Salter, Anne Marie Moser, Gina Huscomb, Barbara Cawley, Lena Renwick, Barbara Lowe, Chris Fairnington, Joan Taylor, Ian Hamlyn, Arthur Nightingale, Diana Pinover, Ciara, Jill, Thomas, Melford, Yas, Eric, Jean-Marc, and Libby. We hold in our prayers the recently departed and those whose anniversaries occur this week: 10 th December John Bolton 11 th December Andrew Ingram 12 th December Winifrid McNally, Emily Craddock 13 th December Nancy Silver 16 th December Lucy Dowlen NOTICES Acting giving pledges may be handed in today at the designated table at the back of church. Leaflets will be available again for the next week. Are you free Wednesday afternoon to come along for an hour of carol singing at Swiss Cottage Library, in support of Chalcots Estate residents? Speak with Nick or email him (nickrwalters@gmail.com). Our website to share the experiences of Chalcots residents is now live: visit www.listentochalcots.weebly.com to learn more: new stories out each week. Note that Christingle making will be at 10 am on Saturday 23 rd December this year, as Christmas Eve is a Sunday. The service will take place as usual at 5 pm on the 24 th. Olivier Messiaen s organ work, La Nativité du Seigneur will be performed at St Mark s Regents Park today at 4.00pm, refreshments from 3.45pm. welcome. ACTION BY CHRISTIANS AGAINST TORTURE Receiving a Christmas card means a great deal to a prisoner of conscience. It can be like a candle in a dark cell. Action by Christians Against Torture has prepared information on such prisoners on separate sheets of paper which are at the back of the church on the Welcome Table. If you would like to send a card please choose a prisoner and take a pageor more if you like. Three 1 st class stamps and AIRMAIL written on the envelope will suffice for postage anywhere (in case you are not near a post office).thank you Audrey Wells Should you wish to join ACAT the email address is uk.acat@gmail.com and the website is www.acatuk.org.uk
SERVICES IN THE COMING WEEK Monday 11 th December 7.30pm C4WS cold weather shelter Tuesday 12 th December 9.00am 2.00pm 6.00pm Morning Prayer St Paul s Nativity St Paul s Nativity no 6.00pm Mass this week Wednesday 13 th December 8.30am 5.00pm Morning Prayer Evening Prayer Thursday 14 th December 9.00am Morning Prayer 9.30am 11.30pm Parent and Toddler group in St Mary s Centre 9.30am 11.45pm Primrose Tea Rooms 12 noon Holy Communion with healing ministry 5.00pm Evening Prayer Friday 15 th December 9.00am 3.30pm 6.00pm Morning Prayer After school club Friday night group Saturday 16 th December No services today Sunday 17 th December 8.00am 10.30am 6pm Second Sunday of Advent Holy Communion Parish Eucharist & lighting of Advent wreath with Sunday School Christmas Carol Service CCL Number 1108632