Worship on the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Throughout the service, the people’s responses are in italics.
Announcements
Prelude
The people stand for the Processional Hymn.
Processional Hymn #438 (Blue Hymnal)
Lucernaria for Advent
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved:
O Lord God of hosts.
Glory to the One, Holy, & Undivided Trinity.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
The Advent Wreath is lit by the children as we sing the seventh and eighth verses and refrain of this hymn:
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Collect of the Day
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
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.
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
The God of Israel spoke to Ahaz and said, “Ask for a sign from your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!”
But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not put the God of Israel to a test!”
Then Isaiah said, “Listen, O House of David! Is it not enough for you to weary those around you, must you also weary my God? Therefore, the Holy One will give you a sign: This young woman will become pregnant and will give birth. You will name the child Emmanuel. This child will be living on curds and honey by the time it knows how to refuse evil and do good. But before that time—before the child knows how to refuse evil and do good—the land of the two rulers you dread will be laid waste.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Choir and congregation will sing the refrain together. A cantor will improvise the verses.
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Antiphon.
O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Antiphon.
They burn it with fire like rubbish; *
at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.
Let your hand be upon the one at your side in honor, *
the one you have made so strong for yourself.
And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your name.
Antiphon.
A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans
From Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart to proclaim the Good News, which God promised long ago through the prophets, as the holy scriptures record—the Good News concerning God’s Only Begotten, who was descended from David according to the flesh, but was made the Only Begotten of God in power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Savior. We have been favored with apostleship, that we may bring to obedient faith all the nations, among whom are you who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
To all in Rome, beloved of God and called to be holy people: Grace and peace from our Abba God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
The Petrovskya Icon of the Mother of God
by Mirabai Starr
Holy Brown Madonna,
Mother of all people who live in harmony with the land,
help me to unclench my fist and release all my wanting.
Instead of clinging to cars and clothes,
gadgets and games,
let me find the treasure in the crescent moon
floating in the face of the night sky.
Rather than seeking congratulations for my own accomplishments,
let me discover the grace of praising you.
Blessed One, sometimes I forget
that I am a small shining thread
in the radiant cloak of creation
and I mistake myself for the king.
Help me to reconnect with the web of all life,
and take my rightful place
as a child of the earth, my Mother.
The people stand and sing.
Gospel Hymn #261
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ According To Matthew
Glory to You, O Christ.
This is how the birth of Jesus came about. When Jesus’ mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, an upright person unwilling to disgrace her, decided to divorce her quietly. This was Joseph’s intention when suddenly the angel of God appeared in a dream and said, “Joseph, heir to the House of David, don’t be afraid to wed Mary; it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son, and you are to name him Jesus—‘Salvation’—because he will save the people from their sins.” All this happened to fulfill what God has said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and give birth, and the child will be named Immanuel’ — a name that means ‘God is with us.’
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of God had directed, and they went ahead with the marriage. He did not have intercourse with her until she had given birth; she had a son, and they named him Jesus.
The Gospel of Our Savior.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The people sit for the Homily.
The Homily
Please stand and face the cross for the Nicene Creed.
The Nicene Creed
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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.
Please stand or kneel for the Prayers of the People.
The Prayers of the People
Holy One, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence
Celebrant: Your word is a lamp for our feet. In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, Divine One, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Confession & Absolution
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbors.
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.
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.
Please stand for the peace.
The Peace
The peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Offertory Anthem
Performed by Luces Stellarum.
Doxology
The Holy Eucharist
Please stand.
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:
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 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 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.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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, and 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 forever. Amen.
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Fraction Anthem
The people are invited to come forward for communion.
Communion Hymn #60
Postcommunion Prayer
Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of 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 Savior. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ the sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness before your path, and the blessing of God Almighty, the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn #497 (Hymnal 1982)
Dismissal
Go forth confident in hope; praise God in all creation; follow Christ through whom all things are made; and in the power of the Spirit, become a beacon of hope to the world.
Thanks be to God.