Liturgy Pacific: November 2016

Monday, November 28, 2016

An Ordo for Advent 2 (RCL Advent 2A, 4 December 2016)

The Second Sunday of Advent

4 December 2016

The Gathering of the Community

Gathering Music

Announcement

Opening Hymn

‘Prepare the Way, O Zion’ Common Praise #102

Introductory Responses

Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel,

you have come to your people to set us free,

free to worship you without fear,

holy and righteous before you,

all the days of our life.

The Lighting of the Advent Wreath

The Community sings ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ Common Praise #89 (verse 4 and refrain). As the hymn is sung the appointed person lights the Advent Wreath. After the lighting of the Advent Wreath the Collect of the Day is said.

Let us pray.

God of justice,

clear our lives of hatred and despair

and sow in us seeds of joy and peace;

so that shoots of hope may spring forth in us

as we await the coming of the Christ,

who with you and the Holy Spirit,

lives and reigns, one God,

now and for ever. Amen. [i]

The Proclamation of the Word

The First Reading

A reading from the prophet Isaiah (11.1-10).

^11.1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. ² The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. ³ His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; ⁴ but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. ⁵ Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

⁶ The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.

⁹ They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. ¹⁰ On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19 with refrain from Songs for the Holy One.

Refrain (sung twice): May the Holy One guard and guide all rulers.

¹ Give the king your justice, O God, *

and your righteousness to the king’s son;

² that he may rule your people righteously *

and the poor with justice;

³ that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *

and the little hills bring righteousness.

Refrain: May the Holy One guard and guide all rulers.

⁴ He shall defend the needy among the people, *

rescuing the poor and crushing the oppressor.

⁵ He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *

from one generation to another.

⁶ He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *

like showers that water the earth.

⁷ In his time shall the righteous flourish; *

there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.

¹⁸ Blessed are you, Lord God, the God of Israel, *

for you alone do wondrous deeds!

¹⁹ And blessed be your glorious name for ever *

and may all the earth be filled with your glory.

Amen. Amen.

Refrain: May the Holy One guard and guide all rulers.

The Second Reading

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans (15.4-13).

^15.4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷ Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹ and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”; ¹⁰ and again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”; ¹¹ and again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; ¹² and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn before the Gospel

‘Wait for the Lord, Whose Day Is Near’ Common Praise #94 (sung twice)

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (3.1-12).

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

^3.1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

³ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”

⁴ Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit worthy of repentance. ⁹ Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Gospel of Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Hymn after the Gospel

‘Wait for the Lord, Whose Day Is Near’ Common Praise #94 (sung twice)

The Homily

The Affirmation of Faith

Sung to Common Praise #284

We believe in God the Father,

God almighty, by whose plan

earth and heaven sprang to being,

all created things began.

We believe in Christ the Saviour,

Son of God in human frame,

virgin-born, the child of Mary

upon whom the Spirit came.

Christ, who on the cross forsaken,

like a lamb to slaughter led,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

he descended to the dead.

We believe in Jesus risen,

heaven’s king to rule and reign,

to the Father’s side ascended

till as judge he comes again.

We believe in God the Spirit;

in one Church, below, above:

saints of God in one communion,

one in holiness and love.

So by faith, our sins forgiven,

Christ our Saviour, Lord and friend,

we shall rise with him in glory

to the life that knows no end. [ii]

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

Offertory Hymn

‘O Day of Peace’ Common Praise #573

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. [iii]

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:

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. [iv]

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. [v]

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. [vi]

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

‘Come Now, O Prince of Peace’ Common Praise #588

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. [vii]

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.

Closing Hymn

‘There’s A Voice in the Wilderness’ Common Praise #106

Dismissal

Let us go forth in the name of Christ who is coming.

Thanks be to God.

[i] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects for Years A, B & C and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion’ (2016), 4.

[ii] Common Worship (2000), 146.

[iii] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects for Years A, B & C and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion’ (2016), 158.

[iv] Common Praise #689.

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

[vi] Common Praise #744.

[vii] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects for Years A, B & C and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion’ (2016), 161.

Monday, November 21, 2016

The Advent Garden: A Service of the Word for the First Sunday of Advent

It is the custom of Saint Faith's to create a labyrinth of cedar and pine boughs in the Church Hall for the 10.00 Service on the First Sunday of Advent. We gather in the darkened Hall and then, as we walk the labyrinth, we leave candles to fill the room with light. The simple Service of the Word is as follows.

The First Sunday of Advent

27 November 2016

The Gathering of the Community

Thanksgiving for the Light

The Deacon begins the liturgy by reading the following.

^1.1 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.

Almighty God,

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 Isaiah (2.1-5).

^2.1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. ² In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. ³ Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. ⁴ He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. ⁵ O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 122 with refrain from Songs for the Holy One

Refrain (sung twice): We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

¹ I was glad when they said to me, *

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

² Now our feet are standing *

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

³ Jerusalem is built as a city *

that is at unity with itself.

⁴ To which the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord, *

the assembly of Israel,

to praise the name of the Lord.

Refrain: We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

⁵ For there are the thrones of judgement, *

the thrones of the house of David.

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *

“May they prosper who love you.

⁷ Peace be within your walls *

and quietness within your towers.

⁸ For my kindred and companions’ sake, *

I pray for your prosperity.

⁹ Because of the house of the Lord our God, *

I will seek to do you good.”

Refrain: We pray for peace in Jerusalem and in our world.

The Second Reading

A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans (13.11-14).

^13.11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹² the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; ¹³ let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. ¹⁴ Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Thanks be to God.

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, in your mercy, hear our prayer.’