The First Sunday in Advent

10AM Holy Eucharist

December 1, 2024

1314 Spring Street Saint Helena, CA 94574 (707) 963-4157

[email protected] / www.grace-episcopal.org

Prelude

Welcome From Music Minister – Ted von Pohle

Opening Hymn

Prepare the Way, O Zion v.1-3 1982 Hymnal #65

Lighting of the Advent Candle

The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. In commemoration of that coming, we light candles for the four weeks leading to Christmas and reflect on the coming of Christ. It is significant that the church has always used that language–the coming of Christ–because it speaks to a deep truth. Christ IS coming, Christ IS ALWAYS coming, always entering a troubled world, a wounded heart. And so we light the first candle, the candle of HOPE, and dare to express our longing for peace, for healing and the well-being of all creation.

Loving God, as we enter this Advent season we open all the dark places in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the power of HOPE. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

Take time, in the busyness of this season, for quiet reflection, for the light of God’s love is discernible everywhere. Welcome Christ into your heart this season and go forth with the knowledge that Christ is coming and is our Hope.

Kyrie

Creator of the Stars of Night v. 1-2, 6 1982 Hymnal #60

The Collect of the Day

God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in 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.

The Word of the Lord

The Lessons

Jeremiah 33:14-16

A Reading from the prophet Jeremiah.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill 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

1 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.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
4 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.
5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6 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.
7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

A Reading from the letter to the Thessalonians.

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 saint

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God

Gospel Song

My Lord, What a Morning v.1-3 LEVAS #13

The Gospel Luke 21:25-36

Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.

People Glory to You, Lord 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.”

Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to You, Lord Christ.

Sermon

Nicene Creed

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.

Confession

Let us confess our sins to God.
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
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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Announcements, Birthdays, Anniversaries

Offertory Music

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; O praise him, O praise him,

The Holy Communion

Eucharistic Prayer B

God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.

Because you sent the holy child Jesus to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.

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

Holy, holy, holy Lord 1982 Hymnal #S130

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.

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which
you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to
be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets;
and above all in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. For in these last
days you sent Jesus to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the
Savior and Redeemer of the world. In Christ, you have delivered
us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In Christ,
you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness,
out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Savior 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 Jesus 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, according to his command, O Father,
We remember Christ’s death,
We proclaim Christ’s resurrection,
We await Christ’s coming in glory;

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O
Savior 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 in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through whom we are acceptable
to you, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness
of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us
to that heavenly country where, with the blessèd Virgin Mary, and
all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons
and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Savior, the firstborn of all
creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and for
ever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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 king- dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Fraction Anthem

Jesus, Lamb of God 1982 Hymnal #S164
Jesus, Lamb of God: Have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: Have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world: Give us your peace.

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Communion Hymn

All Who Hunger Gather Gladly v.1-3 WLP #761

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

(for those not receiving communion)

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

If you have special prayer requests, our Intercessors are available to pray for you at any time. You may send prayer requests to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Our intercessors are ready to pray with you for whatever needs you have in this time.

Post-Communion Prayer

God of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Eucharistic Visitors

In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts that those to whom you go may share with usin the com- munion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body; because we all share one bread, one cup.

Bulletins 2024