Come 4th Sunday! - 11.27.2022

Come 4th Sunday!

First Sunday in Advent St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania November 27, 2022 10:00 A.M.

About Come 4th Sunday

This fall, we are calling the fourth Sunday of the month, Come 4th Sunday. It’s a time when we come forth in new ways to celebrate being the Body of Christ.

Children come forth to read Scripture and lead prayer, and to get a better look at what’s going on.

Families come forth to take on new roles. New members come forth for a blessing.

We all come forth to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and all we go forth as his disciples –with God’s help.

The Scripture translations are from the resource God’sWord,myVoice,by Lyn Zill Briggs, ChurchPublishing:2015.They are written in a way that is easy for young readers to proclaim and understand.

Our opening prayers are from the supplemental liturgical materials in Enriching Our Worship 1.

Our Eucharistic Prayer is the Alternative Great Thanksgiving For Use With Children B from the New Zealand Prayer Book.

Our choir will lead us in songs that are simple to sing but full of meaning.

And you can even color the front page of the leaflet. Crayons are available in the basket in the narthex. All ages welcome.

Overall, this is a great opportunity to ask yourself, how can I come forth to serve Jesus in new ways this year?

We are piloting this service in the fall months of September, October, and November and will see how it goes as we plan worship for 2023. Send your feedback to Rev. Barb at stpeter654rector@gmail.com.

Gathering in Joy

Prelude: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Arr. Eugénie R. Rocherolle

Opening Hymn: WOV 744, Soon and Very Soon (thin blue hymnal)

The

Opening Acclamation EOW 1

Presider: Blessed be our God People: For ever and ever. Amen.

The Lighting of the Advent Wreath from St Barnabas’ Church, Linslade

Lord Jesus, Light of the world, born in David’s city of Bethlehem, born like him to be a king: be born in our hearts this Christmastide, be king of our lives today. Amen.

Hymn: WOV 630, Light one candle (Sing the 1st verse while the wreath is lighted.)

ThePresidersaystothepeople

Presider: God be with you. People: And also with you. Presider: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day Dear God, give us the grace to throw away the bad and put on the good, like an armor of light. We need your help right now, in this time when Jesus came to be one of us, so that when Jesus comes again to judge both the living and dead, we may rise to a new life, through Jesus who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Listening for God’s Word

The First Reading - Isaiah [2:15]

Here is what Isaiah sees for the future of Judah and Jerusalem:

God’s house will be on the highest mountain of them all. And everyone will see it and want to come to it. Because they’ll say to themselves, ”Let’s go see what good things God has to teach us so that we can become better people and follow the good path God has for us.”

That’s where you’ll find some good ideas about living and loving – in God’s house. God’s ways to live are good ways to live.

In the future, when things go God’s way, people who are different from each other will get along. Countries won’t fight each other. They’ll use their weapons as garden tools to grow good thing to eat instead of using them to hurt each other. Let’s walk on God’s path together.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 122

The response is: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May good things happen to those who love God’s house.

Reader: It made me so happy when someone suggested we go to God’s house! Because my feet always want to take me there, to Jerusalem, Where all the people praise God.

People: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May good things happen to those who love God’s house.

Reader: That’s where decisions have been made, and kings have been Crowned, and people thank God. I think we should all pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.

People: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May good things happen to those who love God’s house.

Reader: May there be peace within your walls, And security within your towers. Let’s do everything we can to make sure there is peace in Jerusalem,

People: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May good things happen to those who love God’s house.

The Epistle - Romans

[13:11-14]

The time has come. We need to wake up! Wipe the sleep from your eyes, because we are closer than ever to God’s salvation. The rough times are almost over, and the sun is about to come up. We should put aside our dark thinking, and instead put on the armor made of light. We should act like we act when people are watching us, because they are. Don’t do the things that would bring us shame: being drunk, messing around with people we

shouldn’t be messing with, being jealous, and sniping at each other. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t even bother trying to make yourselves happy with other things.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

Gospel Hymn: WOV 612, Halle, Halle, Hallelujah (thin blue hymnal)

The Gospel – Matthew [24:36-44]

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Nobody knows when the last day will come. Not the angels in heaven, or Jesus himself –only the Father knows. It will come all of a sudden. People go about their everyday lives, like at the time of the Flood, and then all of a sudden they’re floating in water. The end will be sudden, just like that. Two men will be standing together, and one is taken, and the other is not. Surprise! So pay attention, because you don’t know when that day will be. Just know you need to be ready for anything, because Jesus will return when you least expect it.

The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Nicene Creed BCP 358

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

The Sermon The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

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

The response is: Help us to love with your love.

Dear Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for people everywhere: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for our community, country, and world. Help us to love with your love.

We pray for all who gather as your Church. Help us to love with your love.

We pray for the earth and all your good gifts. Help us to love with your love.

We pray for those who need kindness and care. Help us to love with your love.

We pray for those who need your saving grace. Help us to love with your love.

We pray for the needs deep within our hearts. We pray for all who have died and all who miss them. Dear Lord, hear our prayer.

And bless your people everywhere.

Confession of Sin EOW 1

Presider: Let us confess our sins to God. God of all mercy, We confess that we have sinned against you, Opposing your will in our lives. We have denied the goodness in each other, In ourselves and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, The evil we have done, And the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore and strengthen us Through our Savior Jesus Christ, That we may abide in your love And serve only your will. Amen

Presider: 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 Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Celebrating Holy Communion

Offertory

The Great Thanksgiving, New Zealand Prayer Book

Presider: The Lord is here.

People: God’s Spirit is with us.

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to offer thanks and praise.

Presider: God, you made us, and the world and everything in it. All the good we see comes from you. You have always loved us but people have not always loved you. You sent Jesus to show us how to live and to bring us back to you again. He died for us on the cross so that through your Spirit we can all be your people.

And so with thanks we praise you saying

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.

Presider: We are here because on the night before he died Jesus shared a meal with his friends.

There he took some bread and gave thanks to you, God. He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them. “This is my body,” he said, “Do this, and know that I am with you.”

Later, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you. he shared it with them, and said “This is my blood, which brings new life. Do this, and know that I am with you.”

And so, remembering Jesus, who died, was raised to new life by you, and is alive forever, we are glad to share that life and live in him

And proclaim the mystery of our faith

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come in glory.

Presider: Send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and wine can be for us the body and blood of Jesus, and through this food give us strength to live as your people.

Help us to care for your world and for each other in the way that Jesus showed us. Until he comes again, with all your people in every time and every land we worship you in songs of everlasting praise.

Blessing, honour and glory be yours, Here and everywhere, Now and forever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364

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.

The Breaking of the Bread

ThePresiderbreakstheconsecratedbread.Aperiodofsilenceiskept.

Presider: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God.

The Communion of the People

Communion Music

The Post-Communion Prayer

Presiderandpeopletogether

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sending Out

The Blessing

Litany of Welcome

Priest Dear people of God, I invite your prayers for the saving presence of Jesus in this world, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest In this Church, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest In this community, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest In the hearts of all faithful people, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest We pray especially today in thanksgiving as we welcome the Guerrera family into the body of Christ in this place.

Priest Do you desire to join St. Peter’s Church? NewMembers I (we) do.

Assembly We welcome you with open hearts.

Priest We welcome you and pledge to be a community for you.

Assembly We offer you our gifts, our care and concern, our hope and our faith, our brokenness and frailty.

Priest We welcome you, trusting in Christ because we know our imperfections all too well.

Assembly We will rejoice together, mourn together, learn together, grow together, take risks together, make mistakes together and forgive one another.

Priest We welcome the gifts and needs that you bring, and rejoice that you make us stronger and more complete in Christ. Assembly Thanks be to God!

Priest We welcome you knowing that you will change who we are. Assembly Thanks be to God.

Priest May God bless our new life together, and lead us in new pathways, in the hallowed name of God, we pray.

Assembly AMEN.

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace; and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Announcements:

Lectionary Bible Study

"Come," cried Isaiah. "Let's go," replied the Psalmist. "It's time," wrote Paul. "Not so fast," urged Jesus. How do we blend these voices from the readings this week? Bring your carrots, cookies, and coffee to the library after the service and we'll see how they fit together and

Birthday & Anniversary Prayer BCP 830

guide us thru the coming week.

The Closing Hymn WOV 650, We are marching in the light of God (page 13)

The Dismissal

Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

Postlude: Three French Noels R. Grosjean

Worship Ministers

Presider: TheRev.LauraPalmer

Preacher: TheRev.BarbaraBallenger

Acolyte: EamonIvory,JerryMoore,MatthewSchmidt, GraysonTorpey Lectors: OliviaMcCrea,SalGuerrero,OliveLinke Intercessor: LanaFabijo

Counter: BillHower Vestry Steward: DavidKipphut

Eucharistic Minister: AudreyKipphut,DebbiePanebianco Ushers: PeterGottemoller,ZacharyGottemoller,MattMoore,AmyNeske

Altar Guild: RobDeKalb

Organist: KathyFlaherty Choir Director: TimFlaherty Tech Team: PJLinke,MikeLevin

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HymnpermissionbyRiteSong,aone-timeusereprintlicenseforcongregationaluseand copyrightlicensingformusicthroughOneLicense.netLicense#A-719834.

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 654 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038-4310 (215) 887-1765

E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com Website: www.stpetersglenside.org