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Sunday, December 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Advent
Holy 
Eucharist

This page will be updated during the week.

The church bell is rung after the prelude.

Organ prelude selected and played by Karlaine Livingston

There will be a short period of silence before the service begins.

Entrance Hymn  (The Hymnal 1982)

This page will be updated during the week.

Presider:   Blessed are you, holy and living One
People:   You come to your people and set them free.

Presider:   Let us pray.


Presider and people:  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 Praise 85  (Enriching Our Music 1)

Presider:   God be with you.
People
:   And also with you.

Presider:   Let us pray.


Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

Creator of the world, you are the potter, we are the clay, and you form us in your image.  Shape our spirits by Christ’s transforming power, that as one people we may live out your compassion and justice, whole and sound in the realm of your peace. 

Amen.

The First Reading - Isaiah 64:1-8

Reader:   A reading from Isaiah

1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.

6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Reader:   Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

People:   Thanks be to God.

Psalm 80

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; * shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 

 

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up your strength and come to help us. 

 

3 Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

 

4 O God of hosts, * how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people? 

 

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; * you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 

 

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, * and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 

 

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.. 

 

16 Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, * those whom you have made so strong for yourself. 

 

17 And so will we never turn away from you, * give us life, that we may call upon your Name. 

 

18 Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

The Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Reader:   A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reader:   Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

People:   Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn 637 (The Hymnal 1982)

The Holy Gospel - Mark 13:24-37

Reader:   The Holy Gospel according to Mark

People:   Glory to you, O Christ.

24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Reader:   The Gospel of the Lord.
People:   Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon:  The Rev. Bruce L. MacDuffie

Nicene Creed

Presider and people: 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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

Presider:  Creator of the stars in the sky, the sun, and the moon, You are the light by which we wake and work.

People: Illumine our darkness, and keep us alert.

Presider:  Surround your church, her leaders, and people, with your armor of light. We pray especially for Michael, our presiding bishop; Shannon, our bishop; and Bruce, our priest. Strengthen them as they reach out to you in prayer and hope. Open their hearts to your will

People: Illumine our darkness, and keep us alert.

 

Presider:  We pray for our leaders: especially Joe, our president; Phil, our governor; and the Congress and courts of this land. Savior of the nations, guide those who govern, and awaken those they lead, that we may all live in the spirit of cooperation and share so that all have enough: food, care, and peace.

People: Illumine our darkness, and keep us alert.

Presider:  For people across the world whose spirits bend under the yoke of oppression and struggle, give the people of this community a sense of togetherness and support. Open our eyes to those who fall by the wayside and whose faces and needs remain invisible.

People: Illumine our darkness, and keep us alert.

Presider: Lover of our souls, you continue to mold us in your image and hold us in your hands. We ask your blessing on those who struggle with illness, anxiety, grief, or isolation. Today we pray for those on our prayer list and in our hearts:

People: Illumine our darkness, and keep us alert.

 

Presider:  Father of us all, we pray for those who have recently returned to your embrace and those who are broken with grief.

People: Illumine our darkness, and keep us alert.

Confession of Sin
Presider: Let us confess our sins to God. (Silence may be kept)
 

Minister and People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.

 

Amen.

 

Absolution

Minister:   Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

 

Amen.

Prayer for Israel and Palestine in the current Hamas/Israel War

Lector/Reader:    O God, come and turn the hearts of those who are convinced that unleashing hatred and violence will bring righteousness. Quickly remove the allure of terror from the hearts of those who would inflict it. Protect those at risk of injury and death.  Make the response to such hatred be motivated by justice and not pure hatred or the unrestrained impulse for revenge. Protect all children and those who have no defense or shelter from the current storm. Come quickly to establish your Realm of peace and righteousness. O Christ, even now you extend your arms of love on the cross that all may come within the reach of your healing and life-giving embrace, raise us with you a new vision, a new way of living in your Holy Presence. In your Holy Name.

Amen.

(from Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop of New Hampshire)

The Peace

 

Presider:   The peace of Christ be always with you.
People:   And also with you.


Offertory Sentence

Presider:   Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.(Ephesians 5:2) (The collection is taken up to the altar)

Presider and people:   All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.

Offertory Hymn 391  (The Hymnal 1982

Eucharistic Prayer

Presider:   The Lord be with you.
People
:   And also with you.


Presider:   Lift up your hearts.
People
:   We lift them to the Lord.


Presider:   Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People
:   It is right to give God thanks and praise.


Presider:    All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord; Because you gave Jesus Christ your only Son, to be born for us; who by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we night be delivered from the
bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. And so as the stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:

The Sanctus 133 (Enriching our Music 2)

(The people stand or kneel)

Celebrant:   Glory and honour are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering.

Celebrant:   Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life,
reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.


Celebrant:   We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”


Celebrant:   After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said:
“Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

Celebrant:   And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:

Celebrant and people:

        Dying, you destroyed our death.
        Rising, you restored our life.
        Christ Jesus, come in glory!

Celebrant:   Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ.

Celebrant:   Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love.
Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Luke, the patron of this congregation, and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.

Celebrant:   Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.

Celebrant and peopleBlessed are you now and forever. AMEN.
 

Presider:   And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say

Presider 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Breaking of the Bread and Invitation to communion
 

Presider:  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People:
   Therefore let us keep the feast.

Hymn S-164     (The Hymnal 1982 Service Music)

The Communion

Presider:   The Holy Gifts of God for the Holy People of God.

This is the table, not of the Church but of Jesus Christ. It is made ready for those who love God and who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. It is Christ who invites you to be known and fed here. All are welcome to receive communion. Gluten-free bread is available. Inform the priest if you prefer this option. The communion wine contains alcohol. If you prefer a blessing, cross your arms across your chest.

Communion Hymn 615 (The Hymnal 1982)

Post-communion Prayer
 

Presider:   Let us pray.
 

Presider and People:   Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior.

 

Amen.

Closing Hymn 58  (The Hymnal 1982)

Closing Blessings for Advent

 

Presider:   May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. Amen

 

May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. Amen

 

May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with unending life. Amen

 

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen

Postlude Anthem Hymn 96 f(rom Lift Every Voice and Sing II)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcements
 

Dismissal
 

Presider:   Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. 
People:
   Thanks be to God.

PLEASE!! Take this service leaflet with you. Read the scriptures again. Learn a hymn or two. Use the Great Litany all this coming week. Blessings!

Preparing for next Sunday
Below are the Scripture readings for next Sunday, December 10th, the Second Sunday of Advent

Read them slowly before Sunday and be better prepared to participate in the Thanksgiving that is the Eucharist.

First or Old Testament reading:   Isaiah 40: 1-11

Psalm recited after the Old Testament or Hebrew scripture reading:   Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13

Second Reading often called Epistle reading:   2 Peter 3: 8-15a

Gospel reading:   Mark 1: 1-8

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Blessings of the New Church Year - Year B

Sunday, December 10 The Second Sunday of Advent

Holy Eucharist  10 – 11:15

Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie

Wednesday, December 13 Midweek Eucharist

Commemorating Nicholas of Myra

5:30 - 6:15 PM

Sunday, December 17 The Third Sunday of Advent

Holy Eucharist  10 – 11:15

Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie

Wednesday, December 20 Midweek Eucharist

Commemorating Lucy of Syracuse

5:30 - 6:00 PM

Sunday, December 24 The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Holy Eucharist  10 – 11:15

Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie

Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve - First Christmas Service

Carol Sing 6:30 - 7PM

Holy Eucharist 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM

Monday, December 25 Christmas Day

Holy Eucharist  9:00 – 10:00

Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie

Wednesday, December 27 Midweek Eucharist

Commemorating Saint John the Evangelist

5:30 - 6:00 PM

Sunday, December 31 First Sunday afterChristmas

Holy Eucharist  10 – 11:15

Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie

OTHER EVENTS

 

Cancelled: December 3 Organ concert  3PM  St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Springfield, due to an illness to the organist.

December 6     Inquirer’s Colloquy (2)    6PM – 7PM    Willard Hall

December 7     Memory Cafe  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM   Willard Hall

                 Please register intent to participate with Joann Erenhouse of Senior Solutions at 802-289-4230
December 13     Vestry meeting  6:30PM – 9PM    Willard Hall

December 20     Inquirer’s Colloquy(3)    6PM – 7PM    Willard Hall

December 27     Inquirer’s Colloquy(4)    6PM – 7PM    Willard Hall

Inquirer’s Colloquy: WHY so many? Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Shannon McVean-Brown, plans to visit us on January 14, 2024, for our 10 service. This presents an opportunity for any who need or desire to accept one of the following blessings and commitments:

A. Holy Baptism
B. Confirmation – an act of affirming one’s baptismal covenant an commitment – good opportunity if you have never “been confirmed.”
C. Reaffirmation of faith. Helpful act in our life journeys.
D. Reception…..being recived as a member of St. Luke’s and the Episcopal Church by our Bishop.
Speak to Pastor/Fr/Rev Bruce if you would like be so blessed!
Contact him at blmacduffie@comcast.net or 607-206-9705.

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