Monday, November 30, 2015

A Eucharistic Ordo for Advent 2C (6 December 2015)

The Second Sunday of Advent
6 December 2015

The Gathering of the Community

Processional Hymn

‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’  Common Praise #89 vv. 1, 4, 5

Introductory Responses

The Presider stands at the Wreath and says,

Blessed are you, gracious God,
creator of heaven and earth.
We praise you for Jesus the Christ
who has come among us in the flesh
and opened to us the way of salvation.

We watch for the day of his coming again.
May we rejoice without shame or fear
to behold the day of his appearing. [i]

Hymn of Praise

‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’  Common Praise #107 (sung thrice)

During the Hymn of Praise the Advent Wreath is lit.

Collect

Let us pray.

God of mercy,
may the radiance of your redeeming love rise in our hearts,
lighting the way from the shadow of darkness
and guiding our feet into the way of peace.  Amen. [ii]

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading

A reading from Baruch (5.1-9).

         Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.  Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting; for God will show your splendour everywhere under heaven.  For God will give you evermore the name, “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory.”

         Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them.  For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne.  For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.  The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God’s command.  For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

The Song of Zechariah

‘Blessed Be the God of Israel’  Common Praise #11 (sung to #508)

The Second Reading

A reading from the Letter to the Philippians (1.3-11).

         I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.  I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.  It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.  For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.  And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Hymn

‘Lamb of God, to Thee We Raise’  Common Praise #270 vv. 1, 2, 3

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (3.1-6).
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

         In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

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

The Homily

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.  Amen. [iii]

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

The Exchange of the Peace

May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Offertory Hymn

‘Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above’  Common Praise #310

Prayer over the Gifts

God of abundance,
we bring before you
the precious fruits of your creation
and with them our very lives.
Teach us patience and hope
as we care for all those in need
until the coming of your Son,
our Saviour and Lord.  Amen. [iv]

Thanksgiving at the Table

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you,
almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer,
through whom you will also make all things new
in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. 
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn: [v]

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. [vi]

Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you for the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh.

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup we remember
your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.  Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.  Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High,
one God, now and for ever.  Amen. [vii]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,

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.
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. [viii]

The Breaking of the Bread

God of promise,
you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called
to the supper of the Lamb.

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

The Communion

The Hymn after Communion

‘For the Bread Which You Have Broken’  Common Praise #74

The Sending Forth of the Community

Prayer after Communion

God for whom we wait,
in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day
when the hungry will be fed with good things.
Send us forth to make known your deeds
and to proclaim the greatness of your name,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen. [ix]

Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Closing Hymn

‘On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry’  Common Praise #103

Dismissal

Let us go forth in the name of Christ who is coming.
Thanks be to God.




[i] Eucharistic Preface for Advent from The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 219, alt.

[ii] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion for Year C:  Advent 1 through Epiphany 6’, 1.

[iii] Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 105.

[iv]  Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion for Year C:  Advent 1 through Epiphany 6’, 12.

[v] Evangelical Lutheran Worship:  Leader’s Desk Edition (2006), 269 alt.

[vi] Common Praise #722.

[vii] Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 110.

[viii] Common Praise #744.

[ix] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion for Year C:  Advent 1 through Epiphany 6’, 13

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Advent Morning & Evening Prayer: Revised Trial Use Text

If you are looking for a way to keep Advent in your personal life of prayer, then I recommend that you click on the link below:

Advent Morning and Evening Prayer:  Revised Trial Use Text.

I hope that it adds to your Advent.  Please send any comments to escully@national.anglican.ca.

Blessings,

Richard+

The Eve of Advent 1
28 November 2015

Thursday, November 26, 2015

The Advent Garden: A Contemplative Service for Advent 1 (29 November 2015)

It is the custom of Saint Faith's to begin Advent with a contemplative service of the Word at 10.00 on Advent 1.  In place of a traditional sermon we invite congregants to walk a labyrinth formed from pine boughs and, along the way, to leave a lit candle.

May our rite be a blessing for others.

The First Sunday of Advent
29 November 2015

The Gathering of the Community

Thanksgiving for the Light

The Deacon begins the liturgy by reading the following.

                 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  3 Then God said, Let there be light; and there was light. 

A single candle is lit in the midst of the Advent Garden.  After the candle is lit, the Deacon continues as follows.

4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.  5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.  And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

The Presider then begins the Thanksgiving for the Light.

Arise, shine, our light is coming;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon us.
Though night still covers the earth
and darkness covers the nations,
over us with the Lord arise,
over us will the glory of God appear.

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

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
ruler of the universe, creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light is swallowed up
by the growing darkness of the night,
you renew your promise to reveal among us
the splendour of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us in Jesus Christ your Son.
Through the prophets
you teach us to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of his Spirit,
you open our blindness to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts to do your will
and free our tongues to sing your praise.
For to you all honour and blessing are due,
now and for ever.  Amen.

After the Thanksgiving the Community is invited to lit their own candles to bring light into the space as they walk the Labyrinth.  During the lighting of the candles appropriate music will be played.  When all are finished, the Hymn is sung.

Hymn of Light

‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’  Common Praise #89 vv. 1, 2, 3

Opening Prayer

The Presider leads the Community in the following prayer.

Let us pray.

God of justice,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin
to the light of holiness,
so that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen. [i]

The Proclamation of the Word

The First Reading

A reading from the prophet Jeremiah (33.14-16).

            The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.  And this is the name by which it will be called:  “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 25.1-9 with refrain from Songs for the Holy One

Refrain (sung twice):  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

1  To you, O Lord, *
            I lift up my soul;
2  my God, I put my trust in you; *
            let me not be humiliated,
            nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3  Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
            let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
4  Show me your ways, O Lord, *
            and teach me your paths.

Refrain:  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

5  Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
            for you are the God of my salvation;
            in you have I trusted all the day long.
6  Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
            for they are from everlasting.
7  Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
            remember me according to your love
            and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
8  Gracious and upright are you, O Lord; *
            therefore you teach sinners in your way.
9  You guide the humble in doing right *
            and teach your way to the lowly.

Refrain:  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

The Second Reading

A Reading from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians (3.9-13).

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

            Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.  And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.  And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

The Gradual Hymn

‘Come, O Lord, and Set Us Free’  Common Praise #113

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (21.25-36).
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            [Jesus said,] “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.  People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

            Then he told them a parable:  “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

            “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.  For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.  Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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

Hymn of the Day

‘Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending’  Common Praise #114

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

The appointed person leads the following intercessions, petitions and thanksgivings.

Let us offer our intercessions, petitions and thanksgivings, saying,
‘O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.’
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.

Holy One of Israel, rouse us from sleep
and make us attentive to the nearness of Christ.
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.

May we discover your word in every sound of this world,
your touch in every human embrace and
your love in every gesture of self-sacrifice among us.
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.

May your divine energy and holy grace bring our hearts to vigilance
and make us see with uncovered eyes the Christ
who suffers in your people’s agonies.
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.

May we recognize in our holy assembly gathered for prayer
that Jesus the Christ is with us here
to make our songs of praise and pleading his own.
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.

May your coming into the days and years of our human history
be always new, always brimming with light
to drive all darkness away.
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance.

Make our hearts ready for your coming, O Lord,
and receive our prayers in the name of the One who is coming,
your Beloved, Jesus the Christ.  Amen. [ii]

Offertory Hymn

‘Awake!  Awake!  Fling Off the Night’  Common Praise #599

Prayer over the Gifts

After the Gifts have been collected, the Presider leads the Community in the following prayer.

Let us pray.

God of abundance,
we bring before you
the precious fruits of your creation,
and with them our very lives.
Teach us patience and hope
as we care for all those in need
until the coming of your Son,
our Saviour and Lord.  Amen. [iii]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
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.
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. [iv]

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Exchange of the Peace

The Deacon sends the Community with these words.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

The Community exchanges the Peace with one another.

[i] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion for Year C:  Advent 1 through Epiphany 6’, 1.

[ii] Intercessions for the Christian People (1988, 1990), 73 alt.

[iii] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion for Year C:  Advent 1 through Epiphany 6’, 12.

[iv] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 918.