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Meeting ID: 828 6442 0929
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The 11am service is in person by pre-registration and by zoom.
The church building remains closed to the public.
Church Office is staffed Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9am-1pm.
The Deacon’s Cupboard (food bank) is open Tuesdays & Fridays, 10am-1pm.
The Church Worship Space is open Tuesdays, 12-1pm for prayer and meditation.
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Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (1, 4 & 7) # 89
O come, O Come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
from every foe deliver them
that trust your mighty power to save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our bitter conflict cease,
and be for us our Prince of Peace.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Greeting
Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Welcome
Lighting of the First Advent Candle
Celebrant: Today we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first candle is Hope.
(The candle is lit.)
All: God of Hope, you are the light of the world. As we prepare for your arrival let us be reminded of your wonderful plan of salvation. May the light of your love always shine in our hearts and bring us hope in all seasons. Through Jesus Christ, the hope of the nations. Amen.
Kyrie Eleison
Celebrant: Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Celebrant: Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Celebrant: Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Collect
Celebrant: Let us pray. Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Jeremiah (Chapter 33: 14-16)
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil 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.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 25: 1-9
Reader: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame; let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
Response: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Reader: Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. 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.
Response: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Reader: Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. 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.
Response: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Reader: Gracious and upright is the Lord; therefore he teaches sinners in his way. He guides the humble in doing right and teaches his way to the lowly. All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Response: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians (Chapter 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual: There’s Voice in the Wilderness Crying (vs. 1) #106
There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places
where the Lord our God may go!
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Deacon: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
Deacon: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
People: 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 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.” (Luke 21: 25-36)
Deacon: The Gospel of Christ
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The Sermon
The Nicene Creed
Celebrant: Let us confess our faith, as we say,
All: 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.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped 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
Leader: Come, Lord Jesus;
Response: Save and redeem us.
Confession and Absolution
Celebrant: Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites them to his table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant: Most merciful God,
All: we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Announcements (click on individual items for details)
- Joyful Giving Stewardship Campaign
- Nativity Scene Social (today @ 1:00pm via Zoom)
- Advent Oasis (Tuesdays in Advent @ 7:30pm via Zoom)
- Church Open Program
- Christmas Hampers
- Christmas Poinsettia Donations
- All Saints’ Vaccination Policy for Volunteers
Offertory: The church relies on donations for its ministry work. Please consider donating now or send a request to become a pre-authorized giver.
Prayer over the Gifts
Celebrant: God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son. Accept all we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Offertory Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling #486
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, thou art all compassion,
pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
enter ev’ry trembling heart.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above;
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Eucharistic Prayer #3
Celebrant: The Lord be with you
Choir: And also with you
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
Choir: We lift them to the Lord
Celebrant: t Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Choir: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. You exalted him as Lord of all creation that he might present to you an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace. Therefore at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow as heaven and earth proclaim the glory of your name.
Choir:
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.
Celebrant: We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought usout of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “ Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, Father, according to his command,
All: we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory;
Celebrant: and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant: And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
All: 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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread #5
Celebrant: God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
All: Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
Celebrant: The gifts of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Communion
Choir:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Communion Hymns
Wait for the Lord, Whose Day Is Near #94
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart!
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence #48
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand.
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to us approacheth
our homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow’rs of hell may vanish,
as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Prayer after Communion
Celebrant: Almighty God, you have made us a royal priesthood in the kingdom of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Make known his victory through us, we pray, that all the world may see his light. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
The Doxology
Celebrant: Glory to God,
All: 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 Blessing
As we go out into the world let us offer to God our hopes and our dreams for a better world, that we may help to bring God’s reign on earth as it is in heaven. And the blessings of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen
Hymn: Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor (vs. 1, 3 & 5) #84
Lord, enthroned in heav’nly splendor,
first-begotten from the dead,
Thou alone, our strong Defender,
liftest up Thy people’s head.
Alleluia, Jesus, true and living Bread!
Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
As of old in Bethlehem,
Here as there thine angels hail thee,
Branch and flower of Jesse’s stem.
Alleluia, we in worship join with them.
Life-imparting heav’nly Manna,
stricken Rock, with streaming side,
heav’n and earth with loud hosanna
worship Thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia, Ris’n, ascended, glorified!
Anthem: Dearest Lord Jesus (Bach)
Dearest Lord Jesu, oh why dost Thou tarry? Come now for I am of waiting so weary, Come now and comfort my heart in despair, Take me from misery, sorrow and care. Come now, Lord Jesu, Oh why dost Thou tarry?
Deck Thee, oh deck thee, meet garment prepare Thee, Keep thy lamp burning, and oil ever near thee, Ready, oh faithful one, fit for the Feast at midnight call for thee, oh wedding guest. Come now, Lord Jesus, Oh why dost thou tarry?
Prayer after Communion
Celebrant: All your works praise you, O Lord.
All: And your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, ring life to others; we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing
May God make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and untiring in love all the days of your life, and the blessings of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you now and always. Amen.
Hymn: Herald, Sound the Note of Judgement (vs. 1, 2 & 4) #111
Herald! sound the note of judgment,
warning note of right and wrong,
turning us from sin and sadness,
till once more we sing the song.
Chorus: Sound the trumpet! Tell the message:
Christ, the Savior king, is come!
Herald! sound the note of gladness!
tell the news that Christ is here;
make a pathway through the desert
for the one who brings God near.
Chorus: Sound the trumpet! Tell the message:
Christ, the Savior king, is come!
Herald! sound the note of triumph!
Christ has come to share our life,
Bringing God’s own love and power,
granting victory in our strife.
Chorus: Sound the trumpet! Tell the message:
Christ, the Savior king, is come!
The Dismissal
Deacon: Go out into the world, shining the light of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.
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Those Assisting with Today’s Service
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Grant Schwartz
Deacon: The Rev. Joanne Warman
Crucifer: Sara Houghton
Music: Adriaan Bakker, Choristers
Prayers of the People: Gail Holland
Reader: Tom Willis
Psalmist: Greg Carter
Bell Ringer: Julia Goss
Greeters: Joyce Ibbott-Belvin, Eleanor Stevenson
Digital Vergers: Tim Ralph, Jody Ristow
Flowers are given to the glory of God and
in loving memory of Matilda Ann Kowell
by Sylvia Callus.
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One event missing from the above paragraph is Advent. Advent prepares us for Christmas. Here are some thoughts I gleaned from the Diocese’s Facebook page from a You Tube presentation entitled Advent in Two minutes. Advent is that expectant anticipation of Christ breaking into our lives, in all our moments, in all our places, at all times – past, present and future. Advent prepares us for the birth of Christ, the return of Christ, God coming into every part of our lives. It reminds us that there is joy in waiting and is the beginning of a new church year. |Advent is not about stressing about Christmas or racing around the shopping malls. Nor is it like Lent. Lent can be compared to a spring cleaning of our lives. Advent is a cozier time, where we get our house ready for a very special guest – Jesus. The progression of the season is marked by an Advent wreath where each week another candle is lit bringing us ever closer to the Christ candle in the centre. You may even have an Advent calendar which has a sweet surprise each day to make the waiting easier. Advent is about, expecting, waiting, hoping and praying.
This year we’re offering an Advent oasis every Tuesday night during Advent. This will be a zoom event and will run from 7:30 to around 8:00 pm. It will be a time to see a candle lit, hear some music and scripture, listen to a brief reflection and share a time of prayer. It will be a time to stop scurrying around and listen to the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love.
A big round of applause