The Third Sunday in Advent-12.17.23

The Third Sunday of Advent

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania December 17, 2023 10:00 A.M.

Welcome to St. Peter’s If you are visiting or new to St. Peter’s, we encourage you to fill out a Welcome Card and give it to an usher, so we can send you information on parish happenings.

We are so blessed to have you join us! Our mission is to be a community of people rooted in God’s love, growing through God’s grace, and reaching out to all.

We believe that everyone in life is on a journey, searching for meaning and a sense of belonging. Your journey, questions, and hopes are important to us. St. Peter’s strives to be a place of hospitality, joy, and connectedness.

If you would like to speak to a clergy person or learn more about our faith community, please contact the Rev. Barbara Ballenger at Stpeter654rector@gmail.com or call 215-887-1765.

Hymnal Tips: Our service is drawn from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which is red. We also use several hymnals. When songs are referred to simply by number, they come from the blue hymnal. We may also use Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP), which is green, and With One Voice (WOV), which is the thin, blue hymnal.

Facilities: An ADA-accessible bathroom is located off the back vestibule (narthex). Two additional bathrooms are located in the hall off the left entrance to the church (the piano side) Also, feel free to ask an usher for guidance.

A Soft Space for Little Ones If they prefer, families with infants or toddlers are invited to sit in our soft space on the carpet on the right side of the church, where there are soft toys and coloring pages.

Wiggles welcome.

Godly Play for Everyone Families with children (pre-K through fifth graders) are invited to Godly Play, a Montessori-based drop-in program where you sign your child in each Sunday before the 10 am service starts. The kids will join the worship service around the sign of peace. The new Godly Play room is on the Lower Level in Room 19. Contact Laurel Mosteller (laurelmosteller28@gmail.com) for more information.

Ways to Give: There are many ways to offer financial support for the work of St. Peter’s. In-person giving occurs at the collection during the Sunday service. Feel free to visit our website at www.stpetersglenside.org for secure on-line giving, either one-time or ongoing. You can also use the QR code below:

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Gathering In Joy Prelude: Once He Came in Blessing

John Leavitt

Opening Hymn: 59, Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding The Opening Acclamation Presider: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

The Lighting of the Advent Wreath

BCP 355

from St Barnabas’ Church, Linslade

Lord Jesus, Light of the world, the prophets said you would bring peace and save your people in trouble.

Give peace in our hearts at Christmastide and show all the world God’s love. Amen.

WOV 630, Light One Candle (vv. 1-3) The Presider says to the people Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day 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.

Listening for God’s Word The First Reading – Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The 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 brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, 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; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, 3

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 126

BCP 782

In convertendo 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."

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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.

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.

The Epistle –1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

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. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Hymn: 539, O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling (vv. 1-2) The Gospel –John 1:6-8,19-28 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you, Lord Christ.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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

The Sermon

The Rev. Barbara Ballenger 5

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 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 Aapted from “A Gift of Hope” in Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp.

Intercessor and People pray responsively 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 our memories and remind us often of the yearning of the people of history. Help us to hear the loud crying voices of the prophets who proclaimed that a new age would dawn. Bring peace to the Holy Land of your birth and throughout the world.

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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; Barbara, our clergy, and each one of us in our vocation and ministry. In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for St. Alban and Reverendo Presbitera Neil Mansilla. In our own Diocese, we pray for the Standing Committee.

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.

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 Ashley, Anthony, Mary, Jeanné, Robert, Carol, Marilyn, Sarah, Emily, John, Jack, Tom, Patricia, Angelo, Joanne, Tim, Shelia, Alice, Laurel, Jennifer, Roxanne, Leslie, William, Walter, Barbara, Joan, Greg, Bert, Lynn, Bryan, Jen, Betty, Ron, June, the Richards family, the Gottemoller family, the Zampirri family, the Lorentz-Burnett family, and 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.

God of hope, come! Receive into your loving hands those whom you have called to their heavenly home: Tony Zampirri, Art Lorentz-Burnett, Sophie Gottemoller and all those we name now.... 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 Presider 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.

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The Confession of Sin and Absolution Presider: 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.

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 Anthem: Carol of the Advent

Philip R. Dietterich St. Peter’s Choir

Presentation Hymn: 437, Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer 2 from Enriching Our Worship 1 Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

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 give our thanks and praise.

Presider: 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: Sanctus: WOV 619a, Holy, holy, holy Lord Marty Haugen The Presider continues Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God. Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to 8

walk in love. Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.

On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.

Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made. In the fullness of time bring us, with Peter and Philip 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. AMEN The Lord’s Prayer And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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

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

Fraction Anthem: WOV 621, Jesus, Lamb of God

Marty Haugen

Presider: 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: Three French Noels

R. Grosjean

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The Post-Communion Prayer Presider and people together Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.

Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Sending Out Blessing May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Birthday & 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.

Closing Hymn: 640, Watchman, tell us of the night The Dismissal Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Postlude: The Heavens Declare

Benedetto Marcello

Announcements • Pageant rehearsal will be at 11:30 today. Meet on the lower level in the blue room across from the choir room. Confirmation class, please meet there as well.

• Members of Altar Guild will be "greening" the church following morning worship. If you would like to help decorate, see Karen Sayer after service.

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All are invited to Blue Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. This service is intended to comfort those experiencing grief or emotional pain during the holiday season.

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All Hands on Deck 2024: Let the Spirit Lead You There’s still time to fill out and turn in your pledge cards. Physical cards are available outside the sanctuary. You may also fill out an electronic pledge card by visiting our website or scanning QR Code below.

Giving as of November 30, 2023 Received $172,897 Goal $163,019 Difference $9,878 Warm Regards Boiler Campaign $102,000 This includes anticipated monthly contributions for the next year and a diocesan grant.

A Meaningful 2023 Advent and Christmas at St. Peter’s Christmas Eve, Sunday Dec. 24 • Advent 4: Morning Prayer at 10 a.m.

• Christmas Eve: Pageant and Eucharist at 5 p.m.

• Choral Eucharist at 9 p.m.

Christmas Day: Monday, Dec. 25 A quiet 10 a.m. service with pre-recorded music and Eucharist.

Christmas Poinsettias 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 distributed to homebound parishioners. 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 Charlese Freeman’s mailbox.

The suggested donation is $30.

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Worship Ministers Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger Acolyte: Teressa Mignogno, Grayson Torpey, Lectors: David Mosteller, Matthew Schmidt Intercessor: Bob Smith Eucharistic Ministers: Bob Hartung, Audrey Kipphut, Kristina Marchuk Ushers: Bill Bacon, Maureen Schaeffer, Linda Toia, Jack Wilbur Counter: Bill Hower Vestry Steward: Meredith Flaherty Bell Ringer: Bill Bacon Altar Guild: Altar Guild Committee Fellowship: Terita & Mike Reeve Organist: Kathy Flaherty Choir Director: Tim Flaherty Tech Team: Mike Levin, PJ Linke, James Moore Vestry Meredith Flaherty: merflah@aol.com (Worship) Jeanné Hannum: jeannefhannum@aol.com (Tenant Relations) Nancy Ironside: ironsidebeall@gmail.com (Outreach) Dave Kipphut (People’s Warden): kipp1152@verizon.net Amy Michener-Wall: adwall@hotmail.com Dave Mosteller: davemos2010@gmail.com Amy Neske: amyh120@yahoo.com (Parish Life) Douglas Pneuma: douglas.pneuma@gmail.com (Faith Formation) Mike Reeve: (Accounting Warden) mreeve1128@comcast.net Karen Sayer: karmaflower@gmail.com (Worship) Linda Toia: (Rector’s Warden): linda.toia@verizon.net Staff The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (Rector) stpeter654rector@gmail.com Charlese Freeman (Communications Administrator) stpeter654@gmail.com Tim Valera (Caretaker) timvalera@gmail.com Kathy & Tim Flaherty (Organist and Choir Director) stpeter654music@gmail.com

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Credits: Once He Came in Blessing. Contributors: John Leavitt. Tune: Setting © 1998 Augsburg Fortress.

Used with permission. Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding. Contributors: William Henry Monk, 1823-1889; Alan Gray, 1855-1935. Tune: MERTON. The Hymnal of 1982. Used with permission.

O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling. Contributors: Mary Ann Thomson, 1834-1923; James Walch, 1837-1901. Tune: TIDINGS. The Hymnal of 1982. Used with permission.

Carol of the Advent. Contributors: Philip Dietterich. © 1982, Hope Publishing Company. Used with permission. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Contributor: Timothy Dudley-Smith, b.

1926.Tune: BIRMINGHAM. The Hymnal of 1982. Mass of Creation. Contributors: Marty Haugen.

Tune: © 1984, GIA Publications, Inc. Used with permission. Three French Noels. Contributors: Jean Romary (Réne) Grosjean. Tune: © 2017 by Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. Used with permission. Watchman, tell us of the night. Contributor: John Bowring, 1792-1872; Joseph Parry, 1841-1903. Tune: ABERYSTWYTH. The Hymnal of 1982. Used with permission. Psalm XIX "The Heavens Declare" (Benedetto Marcello). Contributors: James Pethel, Stan R. Pethel. Tune: © 2022 Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP Reprinted/ Podcast / Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A-719834. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Hymn permissions by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.

The cover image is used by permission from the Inter-Faith Chapel.

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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

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