Sunday, December 02, 2007

2 Dec. 2007 Bulletin

First Sunday in Advent
The Sacrament of the Eucharist


We welcome in a spirit of silence as the prelude begins our service.

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
Introit "Emmanuel"

Welcome

The Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Bless this wreath, O God, whose lighting marks the days to your arrival; whose fire lights for us the way. Grant to us who wait, watch and hope for your coming, the gift of Your presence here among us. Grant that our waiting be active, our yearning for you passionate, and the power of light and warmth be the sign that you are here, even as we wait for you to come. Amen.

Text by Charles Borromeo, 16th century

Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit:
THE DAY OF SALVATION, PEACE AND RECONCILIATION: THE SEASON OF ADVENT!
This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs & prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see.
WE OBSERVE IT WITH FAITH & LOVE, OFFERING PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO THE FATHER FOR THE MERCY & LOVE GOD HAS SHOWN US IN THIS MYSTERY.

The Lighting of the First Advent Candle
A congregant comes forward at this time to light.
*Opening Hymn BB 214 "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"

Let us be before our God in silence.

Close your eyes and you will see clearly.
Cease to listen and you will hear the truth.
--a Taoist poem

Unison Prayer: Psalm 63:2-7
O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD, FOR YOU I LONG: FOR YOU MY SOUL IS THIRSTING. MY BODY PINES FOR YOU LIKE A DRY, WEARY LAND WITHOUT WATER...FOR YOUR LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS WILL SPEAK YOUR PRAISE. SO I WILL BLESS YOU ALL MY LIFE, IN YOUR NAME I WILL LIFT UP MY HANDS. MY SOUL SHALL BE FILLED AS WITH A BANQUET, MY MOUTH SHALL PRAISE YOU WITH JOY!

Kyrie (sung)
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US.
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.

A Word of Assurance and the Summary of the Law (Mark 12:29-31)
This is the first commandment:
HEAR O ISRAEL,
THE LORD OUR GOD,
THE LORD IS ONE!
THEREFORE YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL,
WITH ALL YOUR MIND,
AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.
This is the second commandment:
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
There is no greater commandment than these.

Anthem "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

THE WORD OF GOD
*Responsive Reading: Luke 1:46-55

*Gloria Patri (Hymn No. 623)
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY GHOST.
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW AND EVER SHALL BE,
WORLD WITHOUT END,
AMEN, AMEN!

The Greeting of Peace
Announcements & "Come Lord Jesus" (hymn tune 91 "Alleluia")

Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 2:1-5
Epistle: Romans 13:11-14
The Celtic Allelulia!
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
Communion Meditation "Awaiting Change, Changed by Waiting"

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
*The Offering
*Doxology (625) and Prayer
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW;
PRAISE GOD ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW;
PRAISE GOD ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS;
PRAISE FATHER (CREATOR), SON (CHRIST) AND HOLY GHOST. AMEN.

The Preparation of the Table
The Invitation to the Table
Hymn 126 "A Nativity Prayer"
Communion Prayer
The Breaking of Bread
The Thanksgiving Prayer

*Hymn 120 "The Advent of Our God"
*Benediction
*Response to the Benediction
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

Thanks to all who made "Breakfast With Santa" a terrific success! Special thanks to Delia Schack and Eileen La Ruffa who handled the Advent crafts with such gusto! Join us for our Congregational Advent Dinner on Saturday, December 8th at 6 PM at the Parish House!
The Living Nativity is set for Saturday, December 22nd from 3 PM - 6 PM! Come and help us as actors!

The flowers gracing our altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of my sister and brother in law, Marion E. and Richard E. Main by Lucille L. James.

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