Order of Service - 30th November 2003

Order of Service - 30th November 2003
[ News - 30th November 2003 ] [ Advent/Christmas 2003 ] [ Magnificant ]
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Advent 1C

The flowers gracing the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of my sister and brother-in-law Marion & Richard Main by Lucille L. James.

We invite you to maintain a spirit of silence as the prelude begins our service.

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
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.

The Lighting of the First Advent Candle
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 GREAT SEASON OF ADVENT!
This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see.
WE OBSERVE IT WITH FAITH AND LOVE, OFFERING PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO THE FATHER FOR THE MERCY AND LOVE GOD HAS SHOWN US IN THIS MYSTERY.

Light the first candle.

*Opening Hymn 123 "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

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

The Summary of God's Law (Mk 12:29b-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.

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!

Announcements
*Hymn 126 “A Nativity Prayer”

Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures:
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Alleluia! ALLELUIA!
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon by Fr. Jack Ryan

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
Hymn insert "The Magnificant" (tune "Amazing Grace")
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.

A Time of Giving Thanks & Praise
The Prayer of the People & the Lord's Prayer
*Hymn 120 “The Advent of Our God"
*The Benediction
*Response to the Benediction
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

News - 30th November 2003

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