Grace Episcopal Church
The Second Sunday of Advent
10AM Holy Eucharist
December 10, 2023
1314 Spring Street Saint Helena, CA 94574 (707) 963-4157
[email protected] / www.grace-episcopal.org
Prelude
Opening Hymn
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry v.1-5 1982 Hymnal #76
Blessed are you, Holy and Living One.
You come to your people and set them free.
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.
Kyrie
Lord, Have Mercy WLP #838
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
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 .
The Word of the Lord
The Lessons
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
1 You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
2 Peter 3:8-15a
A Reading from the Second letter of Peter.
Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to
repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Gospel Song
Savior of the Nations, Come v.1-2,4 1982 Hymnal #54
The Gospel Mark 1:1-8
Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
People Glory to You, Lord Christ.
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to You, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
The Nicene Creed
Sung to the tune Alleluia Sing to Jesus Hymn #460
We believe in God almighty,
author of all things that be,
Maker of the earth and heavens,
Keeper of the sky and sea.
We believe in God’s son, Jesus,
now for us both Lord and Christ,
of the Spirit and of Mary
born to bring abundant life.
We believe that Jesus suffered,
scourged and scorned and crucified;
taken from the cross, was buried—
True Life there had truly died.
We believe that on the third day
Christ was raised up from the grave,
then ascended to God’s right hand.
He will come to judge and save.
We believe in God’s own Spirit,
bonding all the saints within
One church catholic, one church holy,
where forgiveness frees from sin;
in the body’s resurrection,
for the breaking of death’s chain
gives the life that’s everlasting.
This the faith that we have claimed.
The Prayers of the People
Confession of Sin
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.
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
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements, Birthdays, Anniversaries Offertory
Offertory Music
I Want to Be Ready Arr. by Howard Helvey
Grace Church Choir
Doxology
Sung to the tune of All Creatures of Our God and King.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Holy Communion
Eucharistic Prayer B
The Lord 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 of all of Creation
It is right to give God 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
Santo, santo, santo WLP #785
¡Santo, santo, santo, Holy, holy, holy,
mi corazón te adora! my heart, my heart adores you!
Mi corazón te sabe decir: My heart is glad to say the words,
santo eres Señor. you are holy, Lord
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, blessèd Paul the Apostle, blessèd Francis of Assisi, 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.
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
Jesus, Lamb of God 1982 Hymnal #S164
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Agnus Dei
Jesus, Lamb of God 1982 Hymnal #S164
Sung Through Three Times
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.
Music At Communion
Communion Hymn
Prepare the Way, O Zion v.1-3 1982 Hymnal #65
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
Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and broughtus home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace and opened the gate of glory. May we whoshare 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 so we and all your children shall be freeand the whole earth live to praise your name, 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.
Blessing
Closing Hymn
Soon and Very Soon LEVAS#14
Dismissal
Alleluia! Alleluia! Go in peace to love
and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
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