2nd Sunday of Advent December 10, 2023
St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church The Rev. Alan C. James, Interim Rector Atty. Andrea Flynn, Sr. Warden Mr. Richard Evans, Director of Music & Organist Ms. Charlotte Mays, Jr. Warden Mrs. Charmian Moore, Parish Administrative Assistant www.stedmundschicago.org
WELCOME TO ST. EDMUND’S
Thank you for coming and joining us for worship today. We are grateful for your presence with us. If you are worshipping with us for the first time, we ask you to please see an usher to fill out either the guest book or a visitor card so that we might appropriately respond to your presence with us. The congregation’s spoken parts of the liturgy are found in this bulletin. Hymns will be sung from either the Hymnal 1982 or Lift Every Voice and Sing, both of which are found in the pews next to you. The Sunday School classroom, Parish Hall, and a unisex bathroom are accessed through the hallway on the north side of the sanctuary. Either door on the left side of the sanctuary will take you to this hallway. At the time of the distribution of Communion, the ushers will invite interested individuals to come forward by row to the altar rail to receive either the Sacrament or a blessing from the priest (either standing or kneeling). In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians regardless of age and denomination are invited to receive the Sacrament. To receive the Sacrament, extend your hands and you will be offered the blessed bread and wine in a self-contained kit to consume at the rail. If you desire to receive a blessing instead of the Sacrament, fold your arms over your heart as a sign to the priest, who will offer you a blessing. We hope that your time today is spiritually nourishing and look forward to the possibility of welcoming you again soon. May God bless you today with joy and peace.
PHYSICAL POSTURE At various times in the liturgy the congregation stands, sits, and kneels. Traditionally we stood to praise God, kneeled to pray, and sat to hear the Word of God. Over time, standing has come to be understood as an equally appropriate physical posture for prayer. Through the bulletin you will find italicized notations where we tend to move from one posture to another. At all times, however, know that you are welcome and encourage to do that which seems appropriate for you physically and spiritually. LIVE STREAM NOTICE Please be advised that this public service of worship will be live streamed, and that your image and or that of any image of any children or vulnerable persons in your care may be shown by way of Zoom, YouTube, or other social media platforms. Your presence in Church communicates your agreement and willingness to be photographed, filmed, and or otherwise recorded, and you also agree to the use of such images in any and all media.
BULLETIN COVER JESUS MAFA. John the Baptist preaching in the desert, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58796. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).
2
THE HOLY EUCHARIST, RITE II “Ave Verum”
The Prelude
Mozart
Welcome The Processional (standing)
“Praise To The Lord, Almighty, The King Of Creation”
Introit
“Hear Our Prayer”
1982 Hymnal 66 LEVAS 249
The Opening Acclamation Celebrant Blessed be God: Father Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. The Collect for Purity Celebrant 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. Holy God (said three times) Holy God Holy and Mighty Holy Immortal One Have mercy upon us. The Collect of the Day Celebrant The Lord be with you People And also with you Celebrant Let us pray Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Please be seated for the reading of the lessons. A reading from Isaiah (40:1-11) 40Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her 3
that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3
A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’ A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. 6
Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
4
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 1 You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, * you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people * and blotted out all their sins. 8 I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, * for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. 9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him, * and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. A reading from 2 Peter (3:8-15a) 8 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. 9The 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. 10But 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. 11 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, 12waiting 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? 13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him. Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Gradual Hymn (standing)
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
5
1982 Hymnal 56 (1,2,3)
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (1:1-8) People Glory to you, Lord Christ 1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And 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. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He 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. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Gradual Hymn (standing)
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Sermon (seated) Nicene Creed (standing) 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 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 6
1982 Hymnal 56 (4,5)
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 worshiped 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 THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Form IV (kneeling/standing) (Individuals desiring prayers for birthdays, anniversaries, travel, or healing are invited to come to the altar rail as the Prayers of the People are being offered. The priest will offer you a personal prayer at the end of the collective prayer.) Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
7
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. We especially pray for the children and youth of the parish: Simone W., Morgan, Noah, Simone E., Josie, Wendell, Brooks, James G., Gabe, Emeri, Kennidi, James H., Scarlin, Naomi, Nathan, Diana, Raven, Aubrey, Dylan, and Tanner. We also give thanks for the gift of life, especially praying for those celebrating birthdays this week: Charlotte, Geraldine Lucia, Morgan, Noah, and James. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We especially pray: for Nicholas Carl, Margaret Davis, Denise Fleming, Glenda Gwynn, Paul Holmes, Shirley Jackson, Berrenda Lewis, James W. Linder, Loretta Mann, Margretta Marchbanks, Mark Martin, Dorothy Nisbeth, Melvin Ryan, Clara Thorne, for Yinka and all who serve in the military. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. The celebrant offers prayers for individuals at the altar rail Celebrant’s concluding collect Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. The Confession Celebrant
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence Celebrant and Congregation Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, 8
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. Celebrant 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 (standing) The Announcements (seated) “And The Glory Of The Lord”
The Offertory Anthem Presentation (standing) 8:00am All things come of thee O Lord And of thine own have we given thee 10:30am – sung (To God be the Glory) To God be the glory, To God be the glory, To God be the glory For all the things He has done! With His blood He has saved me, With His pow’r He has raised me To God be the glory For the things He has done.
The Great Thanksgiving Enriching our Worship: Eucharistic Prayer D Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People
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 our thanks and praise. 9
Handel
It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing (say), Celebrant and 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. Then the Celebrant continues (remain standing or kneeling) We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation. Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new. And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all. When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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 many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me." Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ's death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.
10
Celebrant and People We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God. The Celebrant continues Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name. Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace. And grant that we may find our inheritance with Mary, the God bearer, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, with Edmund and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN. And now as our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to say, Celebrant and 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. Fraction Anthem 8:00am Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
11
10:30am “Lamb Of God” LEVAS 269 Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, have mercy on us. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, have mercy on us. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant us Thy peace, grant us Thy peace. Amen Prayer for Spiritual Communion Celebrant and People In union, O Lord, with the people gathered around your altar, I offer you my own praise and thanksgiving. I present to you my soul and body, that I may always be united to you. Although I cannot share in the blessed bread and wine of this sacrament, your Body and Blood, I ask that I might still feel your presence with me here and now. I unite myself with you, and embrace you with all my heart. Let nothing ever separate me from you. May I live in you, and you in me, both in this life and in the life to come. Amen. Distribution of Communion (seated) The Communion Anthem
“Behold Your God”
LEVAS 2
The Post Communion Prayer (standing or kneeling) Celebrant Let us pray. Celebrant and 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 Children’s Homily (seated) The Recessional Hymn (standing)
“Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing”
Choir Anthem (seated or kneeling)
“Go Ye Now In Peace”
12
1982 Hymnal 344 Eiler
The Dismissal Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People Thanks be to God. “Largo”
The Postlude
13
Handel