The Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 19, 2021

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania December 19, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Gathering In Joy Prelude: Lo, How a Rose is Growing

John Leavitt

Opening Hymn: 56, O come, O come Emmanuel

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Opening Acclamation Celebrant: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God. People: You come to your people and set them free.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath Lord Jesus, Light of the world, blessed is Gabriel who brought good news, blessed is Mary your mother and ours.

Bless your Church preparing for Christmas; and bless us your children who long for your coming. Amen.

Collect of the Day BCP 212 Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Listening for God’s Word The First Reading - Micah 5:2-5a You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 80:1-7 1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.

3 Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

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BCP 702

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Gospel Hymn: 265, The angel Gabriel from heaven came (vv. 1-2 before Gospel, vv.3-4 after)

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The Gospel – Luke 1:39-55 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Response: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Silence (A time for silence will be kept for meditation.)

The Sermon

Bob Hartung

A Liturgical Affirmation of Faith

from The New Zealand Prayer Book

You, O God, are supreme and holy.

You create our world and give us life.

Your purpose overarches everything we do.

You have always been with us.

You are God. You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure.

You came to us before we came to you.

You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again.

You are with us now.

You are God. You, O God, are Holy Spirit.

You empower us to be your gospel in the world.

You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you. Amen.

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The Prayers of the People These prayers have been adapted from Joyce Rupp’s “The Gift of Hope” by Carol Boyle.

God of all those who yearn for a glimmer of assurance on the long journey home to you, come! Come with a vast storehouse of renewed dreams, hopes, and peacefulness.

God of hope, come! Enter into memories and remind often of the yearning of the people of history. Stir up stories of how the ancestors hung on to your promises, how they stole hope from tiny glimmers about you, passed on from age to age. Help us to hear the loud crying voices of the prophets who proclaimed that a new age would dawn.

God of hope, may we remember the strength of our ancestors, who waited faithfully for your coming.

God of hope, come! Find your home in our church and in places of worship all over the world. Be with Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Daniel, our Bishop, Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala, Laura, our clergy, and each one of us in our vocation and ministry. In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Church of the Province of Central Africa. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for Iglesia Episcopal San Felipe, San Felipe de Lara, The Rev. Jose Ines Garcia. In our own Diocese, we pray for the Union of Black Episcopalians.

God of hope, open their hearts to your Holy Spirit, that they may lead us along paths of compassion and reconciliation.

God of hope, come! Enter into our hearts that we may not lose ourselves in ourselves, missing the message of your encouragement because we are so entangled in the web of our own whirl of life. Enable us to keep sight of the power of your presence and the truth of your consolation.

God of hope, teach us to see your comfort in the blessings of daily life.

God of hope, come! Enter into the lives of all those we hold dear, the ones whose lives are marked with pain, struggle, and deep anxiety, those whose lives bear ongoing heartaches, those whose difficulties threaten to overwhelm them with helplessness and despair. Especially we remember this day all those on our parish prayer list, including Reba, Elsie, Debbie, Kevin, Nicky, Jim, Lillian, Pat, Rhonda, Karen, Missy, Frances, Bob, Art, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Ruth, all those suffering from COVID-19, and all those we name now…Come and gift them with deep belief about you and your never-ending faithfulness and companionship.

God of hope, make us sacraments of your presence, extending your hand of love to those who need us.

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God of hope, come! Receive into your loving hands those whom you have called to their heavenly home, especially Katherine Bacon who is remembered with altar flowers this morning and all who have died from COVID-19. Fulfill their hope with your loving presence unveiled.

God of hope, we remember those who have cared for us during their lives and our continuing relationship in the communion of saints.

God of hope, come! Enter into this Advent season with the grace of joy and laughter. Fill faces with smiles of delight and voices with sounds of pleasure. Let this gift come from deep within.

God of hope, replenish all with the joyful blessings that only your peace can bring.

The Celebrant concludes with this prayer.

God of hope, enliven our hearts with hope during the dark times when we fail to see your presence. Help us listen to your still, small voice guiding and comforting us in the night.

Open our eyes to your light in the love of Jesus and in our love for one another. May steadfast hope anchor us always in the safe harbor of your love, in Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

The Confession of Sin and Absolution Celebrant: Let us confess our sins to God. People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your 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.

The Peace Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Please remain in your seats for this exchange.

Greet one another with a wave and words of peace.

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Celebrating Holy Communion Offertory Anthem: Savior of the Nations, Come

Cathy Moklebust St. Peter’s Bell Choir

Presentation Hymn: 324, Let all mortal flesh keep silence

The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

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

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from Enriching Our Worship

Celebrant: We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing. You made us in your image, and taught us to walk in your ways.

But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away; and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. And so this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing: The Sanctus: S-130, Holy, holy, holy Lord

Franz Schubert

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The Celebrant continues with the prayer…

In the fullness of time bring us, With Peter, Philip and Mary and all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. 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.

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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 The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Fraction Anthem: S- 164, Jesus, Lamb of God

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Franz Schubert

The Communion of the People Communion Music: Meditation on Greensleeves

Eugenie Rocherolle

The Post-Communion Prayer During a Time of Separation Priest and people together Lord of the Feast, we thank you for gathering us as your people. We call to remembrance the many times we have been fed at your table and we lament our distance now. Be present Lord Jesus as you were present with your disciples, be known to us in the breaking of the bread, and may your Holy Spirit sustain us and all your Church until we can gather together again. We ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.

Sending Out The Blessing Closing Hymn: 66, Come, thou long expected Jesus

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Birthdays & Anniversary Prayer BCP 830 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.

Announcements  Greening of the Church TODAY: Please join members of the Altar Guild following the 10 a.m. service today as we prepare the sanctuary for the solemnities of Christmas.  The Altar Guild wishes to say a special thank you to Dave Kipphut for creating the beautiful advent wreath again this year. Dave is also taking the lead on the Greening of the church this year and we are very thankful for his support and for his talented vision!  If you have not yet filled out and turned in your pledge card, please take the time to do so. Every pledge makes a difference in the life of our community! You may also fill out an electronic pledge card found HERE  Consider Serving! The Nominating Committee is preparing a slate of candidates for those willing to serve in the leadership of our parish. If you are interested in offering your time and talents to your parish family, please contact Melissa Guillotin, Chair of the Nominating Committee at msguillotin@gmail.com or (919) 612-3177 or any member of the Committee. NOTE: The deadline for self-discernment is TODAY!  Mitten “Box”: We will continue our tradition of donating children’s mittens, hats, gloves & scarves, both handmade & store bought. The blue box will be out from Advent through the New Year. Thank you, Connie Clinefelter.  Poinsettias: are given to the glory of God and offered in memory of or in thanksgiving for loved ones each year. After Christmas the plants are taken to our homebound members. If you would like to make a contribution for poinsettias, please fill out an altar flower form located outside of the Accounting Office or outside the chapel and place it in Patty McDonough’s mailbox. Suggested donation is $45.00.  Christmas Offering: Each year the Christmas offering is shared between our ministries here at St. Peter’s and ministries beyond our walls. This year we will dedicate a portion of our special offering to St. James School, a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating students from an under-resourced neighborhood within a nurturing environment. The school provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students. Learn more about St. James School – https://stjamesphila.org/our-purpose/

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 Christmas at St. Peter’s: Friday December 24: Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. Brief family service with multi-generational pageant, prayers and carols.

5: 30 p.m. Musical Interlude will be offered by the choir and bell choir.

5:45 p.m. Candlelit Holy Eucharist with carols will follow.

All are welcome to attend offerings in-person or virtually. You may also choose to attend the pageant only or the Candlelit service only. Covid protocols required.

Sunday, December 26: Holy Eucharist with carols We will celebrate the 140th anniversary of St. Peter’s Church.

January 2: Feast of the Epiphany Festive Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m.

The Dismissal The people respond: Thanks be to God. Postlude: In dulci jubilo/Dix

John Leavitt

Worship Ministers Acolytes: Eamon, Finn & John Ivory Lector: Dave Mosteller Intercessor: Donna Kulp Ushers: Donna Kulp, Lisa Donahue Altar Guild: Karen Sayer, Donna Kulp Vestry Steward: Ken Rose The altar flowers are given in loving memory of Katherine Bacon by William Bacon.

The cover image is Mary and Elizabeth by Dorothy Webster Hawksley.

All copyright licensing for music during this service through: OneLicense.net License #A-719834 and LicenSing License # 620603.

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