28 Dec. 2008 Bulletin

First Sunday of Christmastide

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
Introit "Infant, Holy, Infant Lowly"

The Lighting of the Christ Candle - Divine Office
This day true peace has come down to us from heaven,
THIS DAY THE HEAVENS DRIP HONEY UPON THE ENTIRE WORLD!
This day brought the day of new redemption,
OF THE DELIVERANCE ANNOUNCED OF OLD, OF ETERNAL HAPPINESS!
Let us this day with delight in the Lord
AND LET OUR HEARTS BE FILLED WITH REJOICING,
For eternal salvation has appeared on the earth,
LET ALL THE EARTH BOW TO YOU & SING TO YOU, LET ALL SING YOUR NAME MOST HIGH! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

*Hymn 141 "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Let us be before our God in silence.

Opening Prayer - John Wallace Suter
SEND, O GOD, INTO THE DARKNESS OF THIS TROUBLED WORLD, THE LIGHT OF YOUR SON: LET THE STAR OF YOUR HOPE TOUCH THE MINDS OF ALL PEOPLE WITH THE BRIGHT BEAMS OF MERCY AND TRUTH; AND SO DIRECT OUR STEPS THAT WE MAY ALWAYS WALK IN THE WAY REVEALED TO US, AS THE SHEPHERDS OF BETHLEHEM WALKED WITH JOY TO THE MANGER WHERE HE DWELT.

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

A Word of Assurance

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 "In the Lonely Midnight" J. Howard

THE WORD OF GOD
*Responsive Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

*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
Children's Moment
*Hymn "Love Came Down on Christmas"

Scripture Lessons:
The Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
The Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-11
The Celtic Alleluia!
The Gospel: The Prologue of John
Sermon

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
*Hymn 141 "A Stable Lamp is Lighted"
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.

Giving Thanks and Praise to God
The Prayer of the People & the Lord's Prayer
*Hymn 133 "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
*Benediction
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

Join us for a Parish Epiphany Pot Luck Supper this Saturday, January 3rd at 6 PM!

Bring your family and friends! Please tell Pam what dish you are bringing!

21 Dec. 2008 Bulletin

Fourth Sunday in Advent

The poinsettias and gracing our altar in celebration of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, and in memory of family and loved ones of our historic and beloved church! Your donations were given to the Christmas Restoration Fund in lieu of fresh poinsettias this year.

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
Introit "A Nativity Prayer"

Welcome and Blessing of the Christmas Gifts

The Lighting of the 4th Advent Candle - J. Danielou
We live always during Advent.
WE ARE ALWAYS WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME.
The Messiah has come,
BUT IS NOT FULLY MANIFEST.
The Messiah is not fully manifest in us.
THE MESSIAH IS NOT FULLY MANIFEST IN HUMANKIND AS A WHOLE.
Just as Christ was born according to the flesh in Bethlehem of Judah,
SO MUST HE BE BORN ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT IN EACH ONE OF US.
The Fourth Candle is now lit.

*Hymn 145 "O Come All Ye Faithful"

Let us be before our God in silence.

Unison Prayer:
FATHER & MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE EARTH REJOICES IN HOPE OF THE SAVIOR'S COMING & LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS RETURN AT THE END OF TIME. PREPARE US & REMOVE FROM US WHAT HINDERS US FROM BEING A SIGN OF JOY, HOPE & LOVE TO THE WORLD THAT HIS PRESENCE DOES BESTOW. AMEN.

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

A Word of Assurance

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 "The Bells of Bethlehem" and "Sing Gloria"

THE WORD OF GOD
*Responsive Reading: The Canticle of Zechariah Luke 1:67-79

*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
*Hymn 126 "A Nativity Prayer"

Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 7:10-14
Epistle: Romans 1:1-7
The Celtic Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 1
Sermon
Hymn "In the Bleak Mid Winter"
*The Apostles' Creed

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
*Offertory Anthem "Angels We Have Heard On High"
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.

Giving Thanks to God
The Prayer of the People & the Lord's Prayer
*Hymn 131 "Angels from the Realms of Glory"
*Benediction
*Choral Response "Ring the Bells"
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

Please join us for worship, if you can, on Christmas Eve for Lessons & Carols in the Parish House at 9:00 PM.

Epiphany Potluck Supper: Saturday, January 3, 2009 - 6 PM
Bring Friends and Family - Join Us!

Our thanks to Elder Louise Fabiszak, the Outreach Committee, the Boy Scouts and Friends of Historic New Utrecht who made our Living Nativity come to life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

14 Dec. 2008 Bulletin

Third Sunday in Advent

The poinsettias gracing our altar in celebration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in memory of family and loved ones of our historic and beloved church! Your donations are given to the Christmas Restoration Fund in lieu of fresh poinsettias this year.

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
Introit "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Welcome

Blessing of the Gifts
The Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle - John Henry Cardinal Newman
May each Christmas, as it comes,
FIND US MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM.
Who at this time became a little child,
FOR OUR SAKE.
More simple-minded,
MORE HUMBLE.
More affectionate,
MORE RESIGNED.
More happy,
MORE FULL OF GOD!

*Hymn "Hail to the Brightness of Zion's Glad Morning!"

Let us be before our God in silence.

Unison Prayer: FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS, EVER FAITHFUL TO YOUR PROMISES, YOUR SON'S FUTURE COMING WAS PROCLAIMED BY ALL THE PROPHETS. THE VIRGIN MOTHER BORE HIM IN HER WOMB WITH LOVE BEYOND ALL TELLING. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS HIS HERALD & MADE HIM KNOWN WHEN AT LAST HE CAME. IN HIS LOVE CHRIST HAS FILLED US WITH JOY AS WE PREPARE TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH, SO THAT WHEN HE COMES HE MAY FIND US WATCHING IN PRAYER, OUR HEARTS FILLED WITH WONDER AND PRAISE.

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

A Word of Assurance

Anthem "The Birthday of a King"

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

Children's Moment
Hymn 129 "Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light"

Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
The Celtic Allelulia!
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon
Hymn "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming"

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.

A Time of Giving Thanks & Praise
The Prayer of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn 125 "Joy to the World"
*The Benediction
*Choral Response
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

We need YOU at 1:30 PM next Saturday, December 20 to help set up the Living Nativity! Please come and help, next Saturday, in this important witness to our community!!! Thank you!

Please join us for Christmas Eve Candlelight service of Lessons and Carols, December 24th at 9:00 PM!

A great big THANK YOU to the Friends of Historic New Utrecht, Brian Worsdale, the North Shore Pops and all our neighbors and friends for coming out to celebrate the holiday at last night's concert!