The Right Rev. Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee Presiding

Note:  Pg #s refer to the Book of Alternative Services

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. All flesh shall see the salvation of God. -Luke 3:4,6

Processional Hymn: #106  There’s a Voice in the Wilderness

There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places
where the Lord, our God, may go!

O Zion, you bring good tidings;
ascend to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
the coming of their King.
The works of pride all perish,
like flowers they shall decay.
The pow'r and pomp of nations
shall pass like a dream away.

But our Word, O God, is faithful;
your arm, O Lord, is strong.
you stand in the midst of nations,
and you will right the wrong.
He will feed your flock like a shepherd,
and fold the lambs to your breast,
in pastures of peace you'll lead them,
and give to the weary rest.

There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places
where the Lord, our God, may go!

Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land

Call to Worship 
Help us on the journey of faith to grow; From understanding into faith, from memory into hope, from will into love. 
When we are lost and confused, 
You are our dependable relationship  
When the signposts and landmarks have been taken away,
You are the presence that will not let us go 
Inspired by you may we too be dependable people, 
For those who feel abandoned and don’t know who and where they are. Help us grow from understanding into faith  
When we forget,
You know and see and hold who we are and have been  
When we feel like disparate fragments, 
You hold us in a single gaze of love 
Give us patience in our uncertainty, 
Who we are is in the hands of God. Help us grow from memory into hope. Amen
(a prayer by Mike Rose)

Advent Candle Lighting (Peace)
MV # 6 v. 2 “A Candle is Burning” A candle is burning a candle of peace, a candle to signal that conflict must cease: for Jesus is coming to show us the way; a message of peace humbly laid in the hay

(We prepare our hearts for worship in silence)

The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185)

Kyrie Eleison p. 186

Collect: Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

The Proclamation of the Word:   (Led by Crystal Monteiro)
Hebrew Scripture:    ISAIAH 11:1-10 
PS 72:1-7, 18-19    R: In his time shall peace and justice flourish.
The Epistle:        ROMANS 15:4-13

Gospel Hymn:  #101 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

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.

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.

Kings shall fall 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.

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 forever,
that Name to us is Love.

The Gospel:        MATTHEW 3:1-12

Homily: 

Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed     p. 189 (please stand as able)

Prayers of the People    (Led by Rev. Marion)

Confession and Absolution p. 191

The Peace    p. 192

Offertory Hymn:  #529 God, My Hope on You is Founded

All my hope on God is founded;
you my faith and trust renew:
through all change and chance he guide me,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
you alone
call my heart to be your own.

Human pride and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray our trust;
though with care and toil we build them,
tower and temple, fall to dust.
Build your power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.

Daily does the Almighty giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
God's desire for us delights us,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Here a6t hand
love takes stand,
joy awaits God's sure command.

God's great goodness lasts forever,
deepest wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light, and life attending,
beauty springing out of naught.
Evermore
from God's store
new-born worlds rise and adore.

Still from earth to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ the Son.
Christ you call
one and all:
those who follow shall not fall.

Prayer over the Gifts God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 

The Celebration of the Eucharist 

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

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)        p. 211

The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 5)     p. 212

The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion)

Communion Hymn:  #62 Come, Let Us Eat

(Come, let us eat, for now the feast is spread,)
come, let us eat, for now the feast is spread.
(Our Lord’s body let us take together,)
our Lord’s body let us take together.

(Come, let us drink, for now the wine is poured,)
come, let us drink, for now the wine is poured.
(Jesus’ blood poured let us drink together,)
Jesus’ blood poured let us drink together.

(In Jesus’ presence now we meet and rest,)
in Jesus’ presence now we meet and rest.
(In the presence of our Lord we gather,)
in the presence of our Lord we gather.

(Rise, then, to spread abroad God’s mighty word,)
rise, then, to spread abroad God’s mighty word.
(Jesus risen will bring in the kingdom,)
Jesus risen will bring in the kingdom.

Prayer after Communion:  Faithful God, we thank you for feeding us with this heavenly banquet. Help us always to hear the prophet's call to turn our hearts to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen 

Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 
Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly
hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen

The Blessing

Closing Hymn:   #508  I heard the Voice of Jesus say

I heard the voice of Jesus say, 
“Come unto me and rest.
Lay down, O weary one, lay down 
thy head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, 
so weary, worn, and sad.
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, 
“Behold, I freely give 
the living water, thirsty one; 
stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank 
of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world's light.
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found 
in him my star, my sun,
and in that light of life I’ll walk 
till travelling days are done.

The Dismissal    p. 215