St. Nicholas Celebration - December 6, 2020

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The Holy Eucharist, Rite II - 10:00 a.m.

The Second Sunday of Advent St. Nicholas Celebration December 6, 2020

Gathering In Joy Prelude: O Magnum Mysterium

Lauridsen Tess Varley, violin soloist

Opening Hymn: 490, I want to walk as a child of the light

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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 Collect of the Day

by Amy Welborn Loving God, we thank you for the example of St. Nicholas, who fed the hungry, brought hope to the imprisoned, gave comfort to the lost and taught the truth to all. May we strive to be like him by putting you first in all we do. Give us the courage, love and strength of St Nicholas, so that, like him, we may serve you through loving our brothers and sisters. Amen.

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Listening for God’s Word The First Reading - A Reading from John’s first letter My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love - so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other.

No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us - perfect love! This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 145:8-13 God is all mercy and grace quick to anger, is rich in love.

God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace.

Creation and creatures applaud you, God; holy people bless you. talk about the glories of your rule, exclaim over your splendor, Letting the world know of your power for good, lavish splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; never get voted out of office. always does what he says, is gracious in everything he does.

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Gospel Hymn: 56, O come, O come, Emmanuel (vv. 1-3 before Gospel)

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The Gospel: Mark 10:13-16 Before the Gospel the people respond: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

After the Gospel the people respond: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Children’s Homily

The Rev. Emily Richards

The Affirmation of Faith Celebrant: Let us declare our faith in God: People:

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Prayers of the People In the spirit of St. Nicholas, let us pray to God for the needs of the world, the Church and for ourselves.

O God, we pray for the Church that it may continue to give hope and peace in all corners of the earth.

Lord, in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

O God, we pray for all children, especially the children in our parish that you may continue to watch over and protect us.

Lord, in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

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O God, we pray for those who are poor, hungry, homeless and are feeling alone and lost this day; that you may give them your unfailing love and care.

Lord, in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

O God, we pray for all who are sick or in any need, remembering all on our parish prayer list, especially Tim, Greyson, Mohamed, JeannÊ, Debbie, Angie, Frances, Katie, Bob, Hannah, Art, Doris, Warren, Kathy, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Rhonda, Ruth, and all those we name now‌ Lord, in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

O God, we pray for all who have died, believing that they now have a home in heaven with you.

Lord, in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

The Celebrant concludes with this prayer.

God of joy and giving, we thank you for your servant, the good bishop Nicholas.

In loving the poor, he showed us your kindness; in caring for your children, he revealed your love. Make us thoughtful without need of reward so that we, too, may be good followers of Jesus. Amen.

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

People: And also with you.

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Celebrating Holy Communion Presentation Hymn: WLP 724, People, look East

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The Great Thanksgiving from Enriching Our Worship 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.

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 say: 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.

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 (contemporary version) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

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BCP 364

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 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.

The Communion of the People Communion Music: Mary Had a Baby

Gus Mercante Countertenor soloist

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.

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Sending Out The Blessing Closing Hymn: WLP 787, We are marching in the light of God We are marching in the light of God. We are singing in the light of God. We are praying in the light of God. We are dancing in the light of God. 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 The Dismissal The people respond: Thanks be to God. Postlude

The prayers and scripture from this service were taken from Enriching Our Worship, The Message & Celebrating Eucharist by the Rev. Bosco Peters at liturgy.co.nz.

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