First Sunday in Advent 1 December 2024 9:15 am Holy Eucharist
STEWARDSHIP
Times and Seasons: Advent
The word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming” or “arrival”. The season of Advent is a time of expectation and preparation during which the Church awaits the coming of Jesus in two ways: the Incarnation and Christ’s second coming where he will reunite all of Creation with God’s Kingdom. Many of the readings and liturgies of Advent reflect themes of hope for Christ’s birth, while also drawing us into the discomfort of divine judgment.
This Week & Upcoming
Formation Guest presentation:
Community of the Crossing
Join us after the 11:15 Mass on 12/15 for a guest presentation and discussion with Sister Hannah Spiers and members of the Community of the Crossing. CoTC is an intentional ecumenical community for young adults based at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. Members follow a rule of live rooted in prayer and service. Join us as we learn more about them and how all are invited come alongside their work!
A French Baroque Christmas Thursday, December 12 at 7:30pm (6:30pm Lecture in Laughlin Hall)
The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields with Baroque in the Fields period instrument orchestra. Tickets are available now!
saintlukesnyc.org/concertseason
St. Luke’s Christmas Pageant
Rehearsals Sundays beginning November 24
All are invited to consider preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ birth by participating in the Christmas Pageant, including adult actors, volunteers and participants.
The Christmas Pageant will be held on Saturday December 24th at the 5:00pm Christmas Eve Mass. Rehearsals for the pageant will be held on November 24 and December 8, 15, 22 and 24. Please email Mo. Lewis (vlewis@stlukeinthefields.org) if you would like to participate in the Christmas Pageant or if you have questions.
See our Advent & Christmastide schedule on page 15.
The Prelude calls us to prepare for worship. Please silence your cell phone, end any conversations you may be having, and use the music to mentally bring you into sacred space.
Child-care is available for children under age 6; please ask an usher for directions; all children are welcome in worship, and we encourage parents to bring children to Communion.
PRELUDE Six Antiennes pour le Temps de Noël: I. Ecce Dominus veniet (‘Behold, the Lord will come, and all of his saints with him: and on that day there will be a great light. Alleluia.’)
Marcel Dupré
A bell sounds. All stand as they are able.
ENTRANCE HYMN 58 · St. Thomas (see pg 14)
Sung by all, standing.
THE ACCLAMATION
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
KYRIE
ELEISON Hymnal S91
Healey Willan
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE FIRST READING Jeremiah 33:14-16
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
PSALM 25:1-9
Read by all, remaining seated
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; * let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame; * let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
Show me your ways, O Lord, * and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, * for they are from everlasting. Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; * remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
Gracious and upright is the Lord; * therefore he teaches sinners in his way. He guides the humble in doing right * and teaches his way to the lowly. All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness * to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
THE SECOND LESSON 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
SEQUENCE HYMN 59 · Merton (see pg 15)
Sung by all, standing.
21:25-36
Deacon The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Reader The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE
HOMILY The Reverend Caroline Stacey
THE NICENE CREED
Said by all
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 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.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Prayers of the People are one of the most important parts of the liturgy. We include prayers for the universal Church, the world and our local community, those in need, the sick and suffering, and the dying. In addition to the printed prayers, we are invited to pray for those concerns in our own hearts. You may stand or kneel during this time.
The Deacon reads the intercessions for the parish. Then the leader says In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
Intercessor For all people in their daily life and work; People For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
Intercessor For this community, the nation, and the world; People For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
Intercessor For the just and proper use of your creation; People For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
Intercessor For the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we work towards an anti-racist society.
People For racial justice in our church, our city, our nation and in the world.
Intercessor For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; People For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
Intercessor For the peace and unity of the Church of God; People For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
Intercessor For Justin, the former Archbishop of Canterbury; Sean, our Presiding Bishop; Matthew, Allen and Mary, our own Bishops; and for all the clergy and people; People For all who serve God in the Church.
Intercessor For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence
Intercessor Hear us, Lord; People For your mercy is great.
Intercessor We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
Intercessor We will exalt you, O God our King; People And praise your Name for ever and ever.
Intercessor We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them; People Who put their trust in you.
Intercessor We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Said by all
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant says 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
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.
Then the Ministers and People greet each other in the name of the Lord.
THE OFFERTORY
After the peace, the celebrant invites the people to offer their gifts to God. This is a time when we are asked to think intentionally about how we can give back to the Church in support of God’s mission in an effort to make our own proclamation of the Good News. It is important to remember that gifts come in many forms including time, talent, and treasure. What gifts can you give to God, and share with others today?
During the Offertory a hymn or anthem is sung. The gifts of money are brought with the bread and wine for the Eucharist to the altar and presented to God.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Healey Willan
Lo, in the time appointed the Lord will come; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands: for the Lord God shall come into his everlasting kingdom: and upon the throne of David shall he reign for ever. Alleluia.
OFFERTORY HYMN 66 · Stuttgart (see pg 16)
Sung by all, standing.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Celebrant continues 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 forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name.
SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS Hymnal S130
Franz Peter Schubert
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Prayer B, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 367
All are invited to stand or kneel while the Eucharistic Prayer is read by the Celebrant. During the prayer, the Celebrant says Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
The Celebrant concludes 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.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
Said by all
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Celebrant breaks the bread. A short period of silence follows.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
HOLY COMMUNION
This is the Lord’s Table; all are welcome to come forward. Please follow the ushers’ directions, coming down the center aisle. Gluten free wafers are available from the Priest on the pulpit side of the altar. If you are not baptized, or do not wish to receive, you are encouraged to come forward for a blessing. Signal this by crossing your arms across your chest.
After receiving Communion, please return to your pew via the nearest side aisle, crossing over at the rear (by the font) as needed.
COMMUNION MOTET
Paul Manz
Peace be to you and grace from him
Who freed us from our sins, Who loved us all and shed his blood
That we might be saved be.
Sing Holy, Holy to our Lord, The Lord Almighty God, Who was and is and is to come; Sing Holy, Holy Lord!
Rejoice in Heaven, all ye that dwell therein, Rejoice on earth, ye saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon, For Christ is coming soon!
E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, And night shall be no more; They need no light nor lamp nor sun, For Christ will be their All!
POSTCOMMUNION HYMN 68 · Llangloffan (see pg 17)
Sung by all, standing.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Said by all.
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
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. AMEN.
THE DISMISSAL
The Celebrant blesses the people, then the Deacon bids the Dismissal.
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Nun komm’, der Heiden Heiland (‘Come, now, Savior of the Nations’) Johann Pachelbel
The greens at today’s worship service are made possible in part through the Kurt Weyrauch Memorial Flower Fund.