The Holy Eucharist
4th Sunday of Advent (Year B)
December 24, 2023 at 9:30 AM
Presider: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon
Featured Musician: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
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Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
Note: This morning’s service is a traditional Advent Lessons and Carols liturgy. It is drawn from The Episcopal Church’s Book of Occasional Services 2022. By custom is contains nine lessons from the Bible and nine Advent hymns (a.k.a. carols).
The Opening Acclamation
[EOW1, p. 50]
Blessed are you, holy and living One.
You come to your people and set them free.
Lighting the Advent Wreath
[Adapted from BCP, p. 108 and https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/advent-candle-lighting-litanies]
The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night, but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down or your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:19-20)
Light each candle with the following words, always beginning with the 1st Sunday’s candle.
1st Sunday of Advent:
Because injustice and despair threaten to overwhelm us,
We pray for hope.
2nd Sunday of Advent:
Because so many swords have not yet been beaten into plowshares,
We pray for peace.
3rd Sunday of Advent:
Because grief and loss weigh so heavily,
We pray for joy.
4th Sunday of Advent:
Because hatred is still so strong, and because people all over the world are suffering,
We pray for love.
The Penitential Order
[BCP, p. 352; EOW1, p. 56]
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
The Deacon (or Celebrant) says
Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept. All pray together, kneeling, as they are able,
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.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, stands and says:
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.
LEV #237: Lord, Have Mercy
[see also BCP, p. 356]
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Have mercy, O Lord!
[Music: Avon Gillespie (Mass No. 1 in G), Copyright © 1987, G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #09956. All rights reserved.]
A Bidding Prayer
Dear People of God: In the season of Advent, it is our responsibility and joy to prepare ourselves to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.
Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city.
And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.
And now, to gather all these petitions, let us pray in the words which Christ himself has taught us, saying:
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 Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Genesis (2:4b-9, 15-25)
On the day the Lord God made earth and sky— 5 before any wild plants appeared on the earth, and before any field crops grew, because the Lord God hadn’t yet sent rain on the earth and there was still no human being to farm the fertile land, 6 though a stream rose from the earth and watered all of the fertile land— 7 the Lord God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life’s breath into his nostrils. The human came to life. 8 The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed. 9 In the fertile land, the Lord God grew every beautiful tree with edible fruit, and also he grew the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. … 15 The Lord God took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to farm it and to take care of it. 16 The Lord God commanded the human, “Eat your fill from all of the garden’s trees; 17 but don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because on the day you eat from it, you will die!” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. 20 The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found. 21 So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. 22 With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being. 23 The human said, “This one finally is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called a woman because from a man she was taken.” 24 This is the reason that a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 The two of them were naked, the man and his wife, but they weren’t embarrassed.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #56: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1-4)
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
1 Captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile
here until the Son of God appear. [Refrain]
2 All things mightily; to us the path of knowledge
show and teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain]
3 Tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times
didst give the law, in cloud, and makesty
and awe. [Refrain]
4 Satan's tyranny that trust thy mighty power
to save, and give them victory o'er the grave. [Refrain]
[Words: Latin, ca 9th Cent.; ver. Hymnal 1940, alt.. Music: Veni, veni, Emmanuel, plainsong, Mode 1, Processionale, 15th cent.; adapt. Thomas Helmore. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #592e04d38b704.]
A Reading from Genesis (3:1-15)
The snake was the most intelligent of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say that you shouldn’t eat from any tree in the garden?” 2 The woman said to the snake, “We may eat the fruit of the garden’s trees 3 but not the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘Don’t eat from it, and don’t touch it, or you will die.’” 4 The snake said to the woman, “You won’t die! 5 God knows that on the day you eat from it, you will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”6 The woman saw that the tree was beautiful with delicious food and that the tree would provide wisdom, so she took some of its fruit and ate it, and also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then they both saw clearly and knew that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made garments for themselves. 8 During that day’s cool evening breeze, they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden; and the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God in the middle of the garden’s trees. 9 The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 The man replied, “I heard your sound in the garden; I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree, which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 The Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?!” And the woman said, “The snake tricked me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the snake, “Because you did this, you are the one cursed out of all the farm animals, out of all the wild animals. On your belly you will crawl, and dust you will eat every day of your life. 15 I will put contempt between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers. They will strike your head, but you will strike at their heels.”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #56: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 5-8)
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
5 Wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads
on high, and close the path to misery. [Refrain]
6 By thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds
of night, and death's dark shadow put to flight. [Refrain]
7 Hearts of all man-kind; bid thou our sad divisions
cease, and be thy-self our King of peace. [Refrain]
8 Captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile
here until the Son of God appear. [Refrain]
[Words: Latin, ca 9th Cent.; ver. Hymnal 1940, alt.. Music: Veni, veni, Emmanuel, plainsong, Mode 1, Processionale, 15th cent.; adapt. Thomas Helmore. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #592e04d38b704.]
A Reading from Isaiah (40:1-11)
Comfort, comfort my people! says your God. 2 Speak compassionately to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her compulsory service has ended, that her penalty has been paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins! 3 A voice is crying out: “Clear the Lord’s way in the desert! Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God! 4 Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill will be flattened. Uneven ground will become level, and rough terrain a valley plain. 5 The Lord’s glory will appear, and all humanity will see it together; the Lord’s mouth has commanded it.” 6 A voice was saying: “Call out!” And another said, “What should I call out?” All flesh is grass; all its loyalty is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass dries up and the flower withers when the Lord’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass dries up; the flower withers, but our God’s word will exist forever. 9 Go up on a high mountain, messenger Zion! Raise your voice and shout, messenger Jerusalem! Raise it; don’t be afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 Here is the Lord God, coming with strength, with a triumphant arm, bringing his reward with him and his payment before him. 11 Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock; he will gather lambs in his arms and lift them onto his lap. He will gently guide the nursing ewes.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Glory Revealed
Written by Candi Pearson Shelton
A voice cries in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of the Lord
And make straight in the desert,
a highway for our God
And every valley will be raised
And every mountain peak made low
And the ground will be made level
And the rough places smooth
REFRAIN:
And then we will see, the glory of the Lord
All eyes will see the glory of the Lord revealed
Oh the Glory of our Lord revealed
Go up to a high mountain
Lift up your voice with strength saying,
See your God, behold He comes in power
[Words and Music: Candi Pearson Shelton, Copyright © 2007 Reunion Records.]
A Reading from Jeremiah (31:31-34)
31 The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 It won’t be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant with me even though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 No, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my Instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 They will no longer need to teach each other to say, “Know the Lord!” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord; for I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #74: Blest Be the King Whose Coming
1 Blest be the King whose coming
is in the name of God!
For him let doors be opened,
no hearts against him barred!
Not robed in royal splendor,
in power and pomp, comes he;
but clad as are the poorest,
such his humility!
2 Blest be the King whose coming
is in the name of God!
By those who truly listen
his voice is truly heard;
pity the proud and haughty,
who have not learned to heed
the Christ who is the Promise,
who has atonement made.
3 Blest be the King whose coming
is in the name of God!
He only to the humble
reveals the face of God.
All power is his, all glory!
All things are in his hand,
all ages and all peoples,
till time itself shall end!
4 Blest be the King whose coming
is in the name of God!
He offers to the burdened
the rest and grace they need.
Gentle is he and humble!
And light his yoke shall be,
for he would have us bear it
so he can make us free.
[Words: Federico J. Pagura; tr. F. Pratt Green, alt. Copyright © 1974 by Hope Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. Music: Valet will ich dir geben, melody Melchior Treschner alt.; harm. and desc. Ronald Arnatt.]
A Reading from Micah (5:2-5a)
2 As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days. 3 Therefore, he will give them up until the time when she who is in labor gives birth. The rest of his kin will return to the people of Israel. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. They will dwell secure, because he will surely become great throughout the earth; 5 he will become one of peace.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #66: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
2 Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art:
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
3 Born thy people to deliver,
born a child, and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
4 By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
[Words: Charles Wesley. Music: Stuttgart, melody from Psalmodia Sacra, oder Andachtige und Schone Gesange, 1715; adapt. and harm. William Henry Havergal, alt.]
A Reading from Isaiah (7:10-15)
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask; I won’t test the Lord.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you to be tiresome for people that you are also tiresome before my God? 14 Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. 15 He will eat butter and honey, and learn to reject evil and choose good.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Mary Consoles Eve
Written by Katy Bowser, Flo Paris Oakes, Sandra McCracken, and Kenny Hutson
Eve, my sister, the one who took the fall
Eve, my sister, Mother of us all
Lift up your head. Don’t hide your blushing face.
The promised One is finally on His way
REFRAIN:
Almost, not yet, already
Almost, not yet, already
Eve, it’s Mary. Now I’m a mother too
The child I carry, a promise coming true
This baby comes to save us from our sin
A servant King, His kingdom without end [REFRAIN]
He comes to make his blessings flow
As far and wide as the curse is found
He comes to make His blessings flow [REFRAIN]
Eve, my sister; the one who took the fall
Eve, my sister, Mother of us all
The promised One is finally on His way
[Words and Music: Katy Bowser (©2015 Velveteen Songs [SESAC]), Flo Paris Oakes (©2015 Flo Paris Music), Sandra McCracken (©2015 Drink Your Tea, [ASCAP], Admin by Music Services) & Kenny Hutson (©2015 Jiggyfoot Music [SESAC]). Inspired by: Crayon and pencil by Sr. Grace Remington, OCSO ©2005, Sisters of the Mississippi Abbey.]
A Reading from Zephaniah (3:14-18)
14 Rejoice, Daughter Zion! Shout, Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem. 15 The Lord has removed your judgment; he has turned away your enemy. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you will no longer fear evil. 16 On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem: Don’t fear, Zion. Don’t let your hands fall. 17 The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing. 18 I will remove from you those worried about the appointed feasts. They have been a burden for her, a reproach.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #59: Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding
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."
2 Wakened by the solemn warning,
from earth's bondage let us rise;
Christ, our sun, all sloth dispelling,
shines upon the morning skies.
3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
comes with pardon down from heaven;
let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
one and all to be forgiven;
4 so when next he comes with glory,
and the world is wrapped in fear,
may he with his mercy shield us,
and with words of love draw near.
5 Honor, glory, might, and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
with the everlasting Spirit,
while unending ages run.
[Words: Latin, ca. 6th cent.; tr. Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861, alt. Music: Merton, William Henry Monk; desc. Alan Gray. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #1014786]
A Reading from the Letter to the Romans (16:25-27)
25 May the glory be to God who can strengthen you with my good news and the message that I preach about Jesus Christ. He can strengthen you with the announcement of the secret that was kept quiet for a long time. 26 Now that secret is revealed through what the prophets wrote. It is made known to the Gentiles in order to lead to their faithful obedience based on the command of the eternal God. 27 May the glory be to God, who alone is wise! May the glory be to him through Jesus Christ forever! Amen.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
LEV #5: Great Day
Refrain:
Great day! Great day, the righteous marching.
Great day. God’s going to build up Zion’s walls.
1 Chariot rode on the mountaintop,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
My God spoke and the chariot did stop,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [Refrain]
2 This is the day of jubilee,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
The Lord has set His people free,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [Refrain]
3 We want no cowards in our band,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
We call for valiant hearted men,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [Refrain]
4 Going to take my breast plate, sword, and shield,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
And march out boldly in the field,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [Refrain]
[Words: Traditional. Music: Negro Spiritual; harm. J. Jefferson Cleveland. Harm. Copyright © 1981 Abingdon. Reprinted from Songs of Zion by permission.]
A Reading from the Gospel according to Luke (1:26-38)
26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.” 38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #379: God is Love (Arboleda Version)
1 God is Love, let heav'n adore her;
God is Love, let earth rejoice;
Let creation sing before her
And exalt her with one voice.
God who laid the earth's foundation,
God who spread the heav'ns above,
God who breathes through all creation:
God is Love, eternal Love.
2 God is Love; and love enfolds us,
All the world in one embrace:
With unfailing hands God holds us,
Ev'ry child of ev'ry race.
And when human hearts are breaking
Und’r oppression’s iron rod,
Then we find that selfsame aching
Deep within the heart of God.
3 God is Love; and though with blindness
Sin afflicts all human life,
God's eternal loving kindness
Guides us through our earthly strife.
Sin and death and hell shall never
O'er us final triumph gain;
God is Love, so Love for ever
O'er the universe must reign.
Words: Timothy Rees, Public Domain, altered by Guillermo A. Arboleda. Tune: December Blooming by Guillermo A. Arboleda, Copyright © 2023 Guillermo A. Arboleda.
Parish Announcements
Poinsettias for Christmas: Today is the final day for order forms.
Christmas Season Worship Schedule:
Sunday, December 24, 2023
9:30 AM 4th Sunday in Advent - Advent Lessons & Carols
6:00 PM Christmas Eve - Candlelight Holy Communion
Sunday, December 31, 2023
9:30 AM 1st Sunday After Christmas - Holy Communion
6:00 PM Eve of the Holy Name - Ecumenical New Year’s Eve & Watch Night Vigil (in partnership with Holy Spirit Lutheran, Butler Memorial Presbyterian, and First Congregational Churches; the Rev. J. Jacob Sanders of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church preaching; collection for JUST)
Sunday, January 7, 2024
1st Sunday After the Epiphany - Holy Communion
Angel Tree Donations: Deacon Davis and others organized an “Angel Tree” to collect donations for partner ministries and charitable causes relevant to our community, such as Emmaus House, St. Mary’s Community Center, ALD research, JUST, and more.
Savannah MLK Jr. Day Parade on Jan. 15: The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and Day Care invite you to join us for the annual Savannah Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM. The parade route begins at East Broad Street and Liberty Street and ends in front of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1401 M. L. King Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415. We will have a walking group and a trolley-riding group. Marchers and riders may park cars at St. Matthew's beginning at 8:45 AM (enter the parking lot behind the church from Burroughs Street and W Anderson Street) and get dropped off at the parade starting point. The last shuttle will leave at 9:45. After the parade, St. Matthew's will host a brief worship service and a lunch reception.
Grow and Glow in Grace Gear!: St. Matthew's is producing branded clothes and other merchandise with our new Grow and Glow in Grace mission logo! Order T-shirts for $25, embroidered Polo shirts for $40, Mugs for $15, Pens for $2 each, and more! All proceeds will go to the Building Capital Campaign (for remodeling the kitchen, preserving the stained glass windows, replacing the roof, and more)! Order forms are available in church now.
***Mugs, pens, shirts, and more have arrived!***
T/W/Th Evening Prayer on Zoom/Facebook: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer with us over Zoom at 5:00 PM. If you want to be in the Zoom call, please join by 4:55 PM using the link in the e-Newsletter.
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 376]
Giving to St. Matthew's:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
Through Christ let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge the Holy Name. But do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. [Hebrews 13:15-16]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Come Light Our Hearts
Written by Sandra McCracken
REFRAIN:
For you, O Lord, our souls in stillness wait
For you, O Lord, our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You
1 O Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look -- to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our hearts [Refrain]
2 O Joy above all other loves
In you we find more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore
Come light our hearts [Refrain]
[Words and Music: Sandra McCracken (©2014 Drink Your Tea, [ASCAP], Admin by Music Services.)]
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 234]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing of the People
[BOS, p. 10]
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.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Let us go forth in the name of Christ!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Beryl Dandy, Aaron, Natalie, and Olivia Duplechien, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Russell Nails, Jeannette Outing, Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: N/A
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A
RECENT DEATHS: N/A
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
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