Worship Bulletin
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
HOLY EUCHARIST
December 8, 2024 | 10:15 AM
Grace and peace to you in the name of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!
PRELUDE Savior of the Nations, Come (BWV 659)
J. S. Bach
LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Jordanis oras prævia Tune: Puer Natus
1. On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings.
2. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within,
and let each heart prepare a home
where such a mighty guest may come.
3. For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge, and our great reward;
without thy grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.
4. To heal the sick stretch out thine hand,
and bid the fallen sinner stand;
shine forth, and let thy light restore
earth’s own true loveliness once more.
5. All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whose advent doth thy people free;
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Spirit evermore.
THE SERVICE OF THE WORD
OPENING ACCLAMATION Book of Common Prayer p. 355
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SONG OF PRAISEO Sapientia Blue Hymnal #56, v. 2
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
COLLECT (Book of Common Prayer p. 211)
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
FIRST READING Malachi 3:1-4
Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Malachi
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Canticle 16 Benedictus Dominus Deus Tone 3, sung in unison
1 Blessed be the |Lord, the |God of |Israel; *
he has |come to · his |people · and |set · them free.
2 He has raised up for |us a |mighty |savior, *
born of the |house of · his |servant |David.
3 Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would |save us |from our |enemies, *
from the |hands of |all who |hate us.
4 He promised to show |mercy |to our |fathers *
and to re-|member · his |holy |co-venant.
5 This was the oath he |swore · to our |father |Abraham, *
to set us |free · from the |hands of· our |en-emies,
6 — Free to | worship |him · without |fear, *
holy and righteous in his |sight · all the |days of |our life.
7 You, my child, shall be called the |prophet |of the · Most |High, *
for you will go before the |Lord to · pre-|pare his |way,
8 To give his people |knowledge |of sal-|vation *
by the for-|giveness |of their |sins.
9 In the tender com-|passion |of our |God *
the dawn from on |high shall |break up-|on us,
10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness |and the |shadow · of |death, *
and to guide our |feet in-|to the |way · of peace.
SECOND READING Philippians 1:3-11
Reader: A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians
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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Taladh Chriosda
THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 3:1-6
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
People: Glory be to you, Lord 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 the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
SEQUENCE HYMN Vox clara ecce intonat Blue Hymnal #59, v. 1
1. Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding:
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say;
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”
SERMON The Reverend Tammy Smith-Firestone
THE NICENE CREED Book of Common Prayer p.358
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 and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped 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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Form IV Book of Common Prayer p.388
Leader: Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
CONFESSION OF SIN Book of Common Prayer p.360
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
A period of silence is observed.
Celebrant and People:
Most merciful God, 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 neighbors 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 on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
THE PEACE
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND OFFERTORY STATEMENT
Celebrant: Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name;
bring offerings and come into his courts. (Psalm 96:8)
THE LITURGY OF THE MEAL
OFFERTORY ANTHEM A Tender Shoot
Otto Goldschmidt
PRESENTATION HYMNPeople Look East (v. 2)
2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Celebrant: Let us pray.
God of life and Savior of all, receive these gifts we offer out of grateful hearts for your goodness and endless love. As you have first given us, we give back to the work of your earthly kingdom, that others may be blessed and know your transforming love. Continue to use us and our gifts as the means for healing grace. In Christ’s Name we pray. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Eucharistic Prayer b
Book of Common Prayer p. 367
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth…
…Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
SANCTUS
Celebrant: Holy and gracious Father…
…Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Celebrant: We celebrate the memorial of our redemption…
…through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
People: Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Celebrant and People:
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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Celebrant breaks the bread.
Celebrant: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast.
FRACTION ANTHEM Agnus Dei
THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION
Please follow the directions of the ushers. We go to the communion rail to receive. Respond to the words: “The Body of Christ, the Bread of Life” and “The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation” with a hearty “Amen.” After receiving Communion it is appropriate to return to your seat to kneel or sit in silence for personal prayer and thanksgiving.
There are two options for reception. First is drinking from the common cup. When approaching the priest giving the bread or host, raise cupped hands to receive the bread. Consume and then take the cup by its base to tip to your lips to drink. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
The second option for reception is intinction (bread dipped into the wine). As the clergy person approaches, point to the chalice that the priest may take a wafer, intinct it in the wine, and give to you to consume. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
If you are unable to come forth to receive Communion, simply make it known to the usher and the clergy will come out to you to bring the bread and wine. The priest will instinct the bread into the wine and give it to you to consume.
If you are not communing, please consider coming forth for a blessing. As you approach the priest, cross your arms across your chest to indicate you desire a blessing.
COMMUNION ANTHEM Rorate Cæli
R. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness.
COMMUNION HYMN The King shall Come Blue Hymnal #73
1. The King shall come when morning dawns
and light triumphant breaks;
when beauty gilds the eastern hills
and life to joy awakes.
2. Not, as of old, a little child,
to bear, and fight, and die,
but crowned with glory like the sun
that lights the morning sky.
3. The King shall come when morning dawns
and earth’s dark night is past;
O haste the rising of that morn,
the day that e’er shall last;
4. and let the endless bliss begin,
by weary saints foretold,
when right shall triumph over wrong,
and truth shall be extolled.
5. The King shall come when morning dawns
and light and beauty brings:
Hail, Christ the Lord! Thy people pray,
come quickly, King of kings.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER Book of Common Prayer p. 366
Celebrant: Let us pray. Eternal God,
Celebrant and People:
heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
ADVENT BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN Bereden väg för Herran Blue Hymnal #65
1. Prepare the way, O Zion,
your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley
a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory,
foretold in sacred story.
Oh, blest is Christ that came
in God’s most holy Name.
2. He brings God’s rule, O Zion;
he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding.
Oh, blest is Christ that came
in God’s most holy Name.
3. Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Savior’s rule embrace.
His tidings of salvation
proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow before him,
their voices will adore him.
Oh, blest is Christ that came
in God’s most holy Name
DISMISSAL
Celebrant: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
People: Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Tres glosas sobre “Todo El Mundo En General”
Francisco Correa de Arauxo
Advent and Christmas Services at St. John’s
Lessons & Carols at Faith Lutheran Today, December 8 at 5:00pm
Blue Christmas Wednesday, December 18 at 5:30pm
Christmas Pageant and Eucharist Tuesday, December 24 at 4:00pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Eucharist 7:30pm
Christmas Day Eucharist Wednesday, December 25 at 10:00am
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2341 Floral Avenue, Chico, CA 95926
(530) 894-1971 · office@stjohnschico.org
The Very Reverend Tammy Smith-Firestone, Rector
Jeffrey Cooper, Director of Music
Hymn permission used by Rite Song a one-time use reprint license for congregational use
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-735293. All rights reserved.”