3rd Suday of Advent 12-17-2023

3rd Sunday of Advent December 17, 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 Leonardo, da Vinci, 1452-1519. John the Baptist, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56715. Original source:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci__Saint_John_the_Baptist_C2RMF_retouched.jpg.

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THE HOLY EUCHARIST, RITE II The Prelude

“Poem Mystique (It Came Upon The Midnight Clear)”

Purvis

Welcome The Processional (standing) Introit

“Prepare The Way O Zion” “Christ Is Coming”

1982 Hymnal 65 LEVAS 6

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 Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Please be seated for the reading of the lessons.

A reading from Isaiah (61:1-4, 8-11) 61The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, 3

and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.

4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

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For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Lector The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God. Psalm 126 1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, * then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, * and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, * "The LORD has done great things for them."

4 The LORD has done great things for us, * and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, * like the watercourses of the Negev.

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6 Those who sowed with tears * will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, * will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

A reading from 1 Thessalonians (5:16-24) 16

Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Lector The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God. Gradual Hymn (standing)

“On Jordan’s Bank The Baptist’s Cry”

1982 Hymnal 76 (1,2,3)

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (1:6-8,19-28) People Glory to you, Lord Christ 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 21And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord” ’, as the prophet Isaiah said.

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ 26John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Gradual Hymn (standing)

“On Jordan’s Bank The Baptist’s Cry”

Sermon (seated) Nicene Creed (standing) 5

1982 Hymnal 76 (4,5)

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 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 6

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.

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: Stephanie and David.

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 7

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, 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) The Offertory Anthem

“I Waited For The Lord”

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 8

Mendelsson

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.

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.

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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.

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, 10

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.

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 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 11

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)

“Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding”

Choir Anthem (seated or kneeling)

“Go Ye Now In Peace”

1982 Hymnal 59 Eiler

The Dismissal Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People Thanks be to God. The Postlude

“Prepare The Way O Zion”

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Arranged