Sunday Worship on December 3, 2023

The Holy Eucharist

1st Sunday of Advent (Year B)

December 3, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

St. Matthew's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/stmattsav

Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/

The Holy Eucharist: Enriching Our Worship

Note: In Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Seasons, St. Matthew's will use prayers from Enriching Our Worship 1 (1997). Enriching Our Worship is a series of supplemental worship resources for The Episcopal Church. One of its objectives is to honor the experience of women by providing gender-neutral language for God in its prayers, expanding the Church's vocabulary of prayer from other parts of Scripture and Christian Tradition. There are changes, small and great, throughout the service, so pay attention and ask questions during our Christian Education Hour.

Hymn #53: Once He Came in Blessing

1 Once he came in blessing,

All our ills redressing;

came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

bore the cross to save us,

hope and freedom gave us.

2 Still he comes within us,

still his voice would win us

from the sins that hurt us,

would to Truth convert us:

not in torment hold us,

but in love enfold us.

3 Thus if thou canst name him,

not ashamed to claim him,

but wilt trust him boldly,

nor dost love him coldly,

he will then receive thee,

heal thee, and forgive thee.

4 One who thus endureth

bright reward secureth.

Come then, O Lord Jesus,

from our sins release us;

let us here confess thee

till in heaven we bless thee.

[Words: Jan Roh; tr. Catherine Winkworth, alt. Music: Gottes Sohn ist kommen, melody Michael Weisse. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #10-004-03]

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.

Because injustice and despair threaten to overwhelm us,

We pray for hope.

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.]

The Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 357, 234]

The Lord 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.

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah (64:1-9)

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence--

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!

When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

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

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).

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 Lord 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 man of your right hand, * the son of man 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 Lord God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1:3-9)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

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

Thanks be to God.

Hymn #68: Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers (verses 1-2)

1 Rejoice! rejoice, believers,

and let your lights appear!

The evening is advancing,

and darker night is near.

The Bridegroom is arising,

and soon he will draw nigh;

up, watch with expectation!

at the midnight comes the cry.

2 See that your lamps are burning,

replenish them with oil;

look now for your salvation,

the end of sin and toil.

The marriage-feast is waiting,

the gates wide open stand;

rise up, ye heirs of glory,

the Bridegroom is at hand!

[Words: Laurentius Laurenti, Public Domain. Music: Llangloffan, melody from Hymnau a Thonau er Gwasanaeth yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, 1865, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #53559.]

The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to St. Mark (13:24-37)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 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.

“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. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 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. 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, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Hymn #68: Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers (verse 3)

3 Our hope and expectation,

O Jesus, now appear;

arise, thou Sun so longed for,

above this darkened sphere!

With hearts and hands uplifted,

we plead, O Lord, to see

the day of earth's redemption,

and ever be with thee!

[Words: Laurentius Laurenti, Public Domain. Music: Llangloffan, melody from Hymnau a Thonau er Gwasanaeth yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, 1865, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #53559.]

The Sermon

“Praying for the Second Advent” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

“O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence--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!” (Isaiah 64:1-2)

Advent is the beginning of the church year. This four-week long season prepares us for Christmas. The word “Advent” means coming or arriving, as in Jesus, the Son of God, coming from heaven to earth. And Advent has two meanings. The simple meaning is the one we see on the calendars: it prepares us for December 25, when we remember Jesus’ birth in history, Jesus’ First Advent. But we are also preparing for Jesus to return in the future to judge the earth, his Second Advent. And on this First Sunday of Advent, all of the Bible readings are really about that Second Advent. They are about that line near the end of the Nicene Creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”

The Prophet Isaiah (64:1-2) prayed for God to tear open the heavens and come down. He described that encounter, between heaven and earth, God and humanity, as feeling like earthquakes and forest fires and boiling water. Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark (13:24ff.), Jesus describes “those days” as dark and foreboding. There will be suffering, a dark sun and moon, stars falling from the sky, and powers in the heavens shaking. It all sounds scary. So why would Isaiah pray for this? Why would we pray for the Second Advent of Christ, when he returns in power and glory? Where is the Good News here?

The Good News here is that God is coming near to us. The Good News is that despite our brokenness, despite our sins, despite the way we have failed to love God and neighbor, the ways we have not honored God’s image in one another and in ourselves, God still loves us enough to come to us and set things right. God sees all of the natural disasters, diseases, hunger, violence, war, and injustice, and says, No. God sees children dying before their time and families torn apart by grief, and says, No. God sees our sorrow, pain, and suffering, and says, No. Instead, God mercifully and kindly wipes away all our tears. God chooses to intervene, to act for our benefit. And that is Good News.

The mountains will tremble and the sky will darken and the brush will burn and the water will boil, but that is for our good. Boiling water is too hot to drink; it can burn us. But the boiling process also cleanses the water, killing harmful microbes and making it safe for our consumption once it cools. It might not always be pleasant, but the promise of the Second Advent is a promise of truth-telling and purgation. The broken things within us will have to go, but the end result will be so much greater.

Isaiah prayed, “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people” (Isaiah 64:8-9). God made us for love and community with God and one another. But we haven’t been able to fulfill that purpose. We are not able to achieve our greatest potential. So God will re-mold and re-shape us like clay again. That process of re-molding may not feel good but it is for our good. It is Good News. That is what is coming for us in the Second Advent. Jesus is going to take all the things that we see are wrong with the world, and all the things that are wrong with us, and repair and heal them. This is a great, profound message. This is a great, profound hope.

Of course, we don’t have to wait for Jesus’ return to be loving and beloved, healthy and whole. We don’t sit passively until that great day. Hope does not mean idleness. Instead, our prayers for the Second Advent are an invitation for God to change us now. We pray for Christ to return to judge the world, because we want to receive God’s love, fairness, compassion, and justice now. We pray to know God more fully as our loving Parent now. We pray to feel loved and embraced as God’s beloved people now. We pray for God the potter to mold us more faithfully in the divine image now. We pray for God to shape us and transform us into the holy, loving beings we were created to be now.

If we believe that Christ will come again to remake us and the whole world, why not begin loving more faithfully now? Why not keep awake and prepare for his return? Why not call upon Jesus to come again more quickly? That is the real purpose of Advent.

And thankfully, God gives us one another along the way. We are not in this alone. We are in this together. Jesus compared preparing for his return to “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. 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, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.” (Mark 13:34-35). The only way that the house can be ready for the master’s return at any time of day or night is for the servants to work together. Everyone must do their part, “each with their own work.” So keeping awake is not just about trying my hardest to be good by myself. It’s about trusting a faithful community to support you and encourage you in the path to greater love and faithfulness. We all are praying for Christ to return and transform us so we are in this together.

December 25 will arrive sooner than you think, whether we do anything about it or not. But Jesus will also arrive, and we do not know the day or the hour. So “Keep awake!” Pray for God’s love and justice to continue changing the world here and now. Pray for God to transform us all here and now.

Let us pray…

The Nicene Creed

[EOW1, p. 53]

All standing as they are able, the People pray:

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.

The Prayers of the People

[Adapted from http://theadventproject.org/Documents/adventpop.pdf, based on the "Great O Antiphons" of Advent, which inspired the lyrics to Hymn #56 - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"]

Sisters and Brothers, as we joyfully await the full manifestation of God’s Reign in Christ, let us pray for the needs of the church and the world, saying, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High and reach from beginning to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things. Behold and bless your church, remembering especially Michael our presiding bishop, Frank our Bishop, Guillermo our priest, Ella our Deacon, Joenelle and Rachael our wardens, our vestry and delegates, and all leaders in this parish. Be present in ordering the life of this and every congregation.

Come, Lord Jesus!

O Adonai, God of the Covenant, ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave your law. Forgive us when we stray from your guidance and will.

Come, Lord Jesus!

O Root of Jesse, you stand as an emblem to humankind; before you rulers will shut their mouths, and nations bow in worship: We pray for your peace and justice in every nation and throughout the world; be present to all whose lives are ravaged by war and strife; especially we hold before you those from among us who serve their country abroad. Guide the leaders of this and every land into the paths of peace and goodwill.

Come, Lord Jesus!

O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can shut, you shut and no one can open: Guide us in opening the doors of opportunity for the unemployed, for the homeless, for prisoners, and for all who are oppressed; and lead us in closing the doors that lead to poverty, bigotry, and injustice.

Come, Lord Jesus!

O King and Desire of the Nations, you are the cornerstone that makes us one: We lift up all who are suffering and in need, especially 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: Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous and help us minister to them in your love.

Come, Lord Jesus!

O Dayspring, radiance of the Light Eternal and Sun of Righteousness: Shine your light on those who have died; especially Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Enoch Henderson, and Isaiah Washington (brother of Lazola Cope), and those we name now… ; bring comfort to all those who mourn.

Come, Lord Jesus!

O Emmanuel, God with us, Expected One and Savior, We give thanks for all the blessings of this life; for all who celebrate birthdays and anniversaries especially Dr Enrique Davis (12/3), Justin Ward (12/4), Rashaad Jones (12/6), Jade Carrington (12/6), Monica Williams (12/9), LaShon Washington (12/9) ; and for the other blessings we now name silently or aloud… . Make each of us ready to receive you into our hearts, to serve you in all whom we meet, and to greet you in the fullness of your glory in the day of your appearing.

Come, Lord Jesus!

The Celebrant concludes with the following or another suitable Collect...

Quicken, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

The Peace

[EOW1, p. 56]

The peace of the Christ be always with you.

And also with you.

Parish Announcements

Sign up for our e-Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/StMattSavNews

Enriching Our Worship Liturgies: In Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Seasons, St. Matthew's will use prayers from Enriching Our Worship 1 (1997). Enriching Our Worship is a series of supplemental worship resources for The Episcopal Church. One of its objectives is to honor the experience of women by providing gender-neutral language for God in its prayers, expanding the Church's vocabulary of prayer from other parts of Scripture and Christian Tradition. There are changes, small and great, throughout the service, so pay attention and ask questions during our Christian Education Hour.

2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer for the Peace in the Holy Land: The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer. The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land, and for lifting up Palestinian Christian communities and ministries and the congregations and institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Printed copies will be available at church on Sunday for you to take home, or else download it here: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2023_CBB_Advent_Cycle_of_Prayer.pdf

New St. Matthew's Linktree: St. Matthew's now has a "Linktree", a single page with links to our many online resources. You can access it at https://linktr.ee/stmattsav or with the new QR Codes posted around the Church.

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!***

Emmaus House Service Days on 2nd Thursdays: Beginning on December 14, St. Matthew's is organizing Service Days at Emmaus House Soup Kitchen from 7:30-9:30 AM every 2nd Thursday of the month. Emmaus House accepts up to 4 volunteers per day. You can sign up now for any of the Service Days from December 2023 until May 2024. See Deacon Davis for more details.

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:

1. Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR

2. Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR

3. 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 his Name. But to do good and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. [Hebrews 13:15-16]

Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now

LEV #7: I Want To Be Ready

Refrain:

I want to be ready,

I want to be ready.

I want to be ready

To walk in Jerusalem just like John.

1 John said that Jerusalem was four-square,

Walk in Jerusalem just like John.

I hope, good Lord, I’ll meet you there,

Walk in Jerusalem just like John. O [Refrain]

2 When Peter was preaching at Pentecost,

Walk in Jerusalem just like John.

O he was filled with the Holy Ghost,

Walk in Jerusalem just like John. O [Refrain]

[Words: Traditional. Music: Negro Spiritual; arr R Nathaniel Dett, Arr. Copyright © 1936 Paul A. Schmitt Music Company. Copyright Assigned to Belwin Mills. Made in USA International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission of CPP/Belwin, inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #62698]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Circling through earth so all may grow

Vanquishing fear so all may give

Widening grace so all may live

Amen.

[Words: Eric H. F. Law, Copyright © 2015 Eric H. F. Law. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission from Kaleidoscope Institute. All rights reserved.]

Eucharistic Prayer 1

[EOW1, p. 57]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy because you sent your beloved Son 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, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:

Hymn S-130:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

[Music: Franz Peter Schubert from Deutsche Messe; arr. Richard Proulx, Copyright © 1985, 1989 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00210. All rights reserved.]

The people stand or kneel.

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.

But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.

Through Abraham and Sarah, you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and 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 friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:

LEV #258:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

[Music: Hezekiah Brinson, Jr., Copyright © 1990 Hezekiah Brinson, Jr. All Rights Reserved.]

Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit, may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Blessed Mary the Mother of God, Blessed Matthew our Patron, and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.

LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer

[Compare BCP, p. 364]

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing,

Our Father, which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

[Music: Albert Hay Malotte; arr. Fred Bock, Copyright © 1934 (renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc. All Rights Reserved.]

The Breaking of the Bread

Silence may be kept.

The Fraction Anthems

[EOW1, p. 69]

We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.

We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

Hymn S-164:

Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us

Jesus, Bearer of our Sins: have mercy on us

Jesus, Redeemer, Redeemer of the World:

Give us your peace, give us your peace!

[Words: Traditional. Music: Franz Peter Schubert from Deutsche Messe; arr. Richard Proulx, Copyright © 1985, 1989 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00614. All rights reserved.]

Look! Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Gifts of God for the people of God.

The Distribution of Holy Communion

All baptized Christians of any denomination are invited to come forward to participate fully in Communion. Baptized children may receive at the discretion of their parents.

You may receive Communion kneeling or standing. Please extend your hands forward to receive the Body of Christ (bread). If you would like to receive the Blood of Christ (wine), the minister will take the bread from your hand and dip (intinct) it in the wine for you, then place it in your mouth. If you would only like to receive the bread, you may consume it and return to your seat.

If you need gluten-free bread for Communion, please raise your hand when you are at the altar rail.

If you would not like to receive Communion for any reason, please cross your arms over your chest, and the Priest will say a blessing over you.

If you are worshipping online, you may pray to receive spiritual communion using the following prayer:

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.

LEV #14: Soon and Very Soon

Refrain Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

we're goin' to see the King!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

1 Soon and very soon we are going' to see the King, Soon and very soon we are going' to see the King,

Soon and very soon we are going' to see the King [Refrain]

2 No more cryin' there we are goin' to see the King,

No more cryin' there we are goin' to see the King,

No more cryin' there we are goin' to see the King, [Refrain]

3 No more dyin' there we are goin' to see the King,

No more dyin' there we are goin' to see the King,

No more dyin' there we are goin' to see the King, [Refrain]

4 Soon and very soon we are going' to see the King, Soon and very soon we are going' to see the King,

Soon and very soon we are going' to see the King [Refrain]

[Words: Andrae Crouch. Music: Andrae Crouch; Copyright © 1976 Bud John Songs, Inc./ Crouch Music/ASCAP. All rights reserved.]

Hymn #343: Shepherd of Souls

1 Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless

thy chosen pilgrim flock

with manna in the wilderness,

with water from the rock.

2 We would not live by bread alone,

but by thy word of grace,

in strength of which we travel on

to our abiding-place.

3 Be known to us in breaking bread,

and do not then depart;

Saviour, abide with us, and spread

thy table in our heart.

4 Lord, sup with us in love divine,

thy Body and thy Blood,

that living bread, that heavenly wine,

be our immortal food.

[Words: James Montgomery. Public Domain. Music: St. Agnes, melody John Bacchus Dykes; hrm. Richard Proulx. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84164]

The Post-Communion Prayer

[EOW1, p. 69; Enriching our Worship 2 (2000), pp. 56-57]

Let us pray.

For In-Person Worshippers:

God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

For Online Worshippers and Those Receiving Spiritual Communion:

Faithful God, in the wonder of your wisdom and love you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels, and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life. Though we cannot consume now these gifts of bread and wine, we thank you that we have received the sacrament of Christ’s presence, the forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of Christ’s passion. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we embody your desire and be renewed for your service through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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.

Hymn #616: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

1 Hail to the Lord's Anointed,

great David's greater Son!

Hail, in the time appointed,

his reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression,

to set the captive free;

to take away transgression,

and rule in equity.

2 He comes with succor speedy

to those who suffer wrong,

to help the poor and needy,

and bid the weak be strong;

to give them songs for sighing,

their darkness turn to light,

whose souls, condemned and dying,

were precious in his sight.

3 He shall come down like showers

upon the fruitful earth,

and love, joy, hope, like flowers,

spring in his path to birth;

before him on the mountains

shall peace, the herald, go;

and righteousness in fountains

from hill to valley flow.

4 Kings shall bow down before him,

and gold and incense bring;

all nations shall adore him,

his praise all people sing;

to him shall prayer unceasing

and daily vows ascend;

his kingdom still increasing,

a kingdom without end.

5 O'er every foe victorious,

he on his throne shall rest;

from age to age more glorious,

all blessing and all blest;

the tide of time shall never

his covenant remove;

his Name shall stand for ever,

his changeless Name of Love.

[Words: James Montgomery; para. of Psalm 72. Public Domain. Music: Es flog ein kleins Waldvogelein, German folk song; adapt. and harm. A Student's Hymnal, 1923, after Henry Walford Davies. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #BP2125]

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: Dr Enrique Davis (12/3), Justin Ward (12/4), Rashaad Jones (12/6), Jade Carrington (12/6), Monica Williams (12/9), LaShon Washington (12/9)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A

RECENT DEATHS: Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Enoch Henderson, and Isaiah Washington (brother of Lazola Cope)

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.

Image Credits: