The Third Sunday in Advent 13 Dec 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O God, most high and most near, you send glad tidings to the lowly, you hide not your face from the poor; those who dwell in darkness you call into the light. Take away our blindness, remove the hardness of our hearts, and form us into a humble people, that, at the advent of your Son, we may recognize him in our midst and find joy in his saving presence. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor….
(Isaiah 61:1-2)
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Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence – Aly Aleigha
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A Reading from the Prophets: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 (ESV)
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor….
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I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.
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My Soul Rejoices In My God – (Lk 1:46-50. 53-54) Gen Bryant
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 1:6-8,19-28 (ESV)
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
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The Testimony of John the Baptist
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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Jesus is our light – Steve Thorngate
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Prayer:
Almighty and merciful God: we humbly ask you to receive our prayers.
+ Inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
+ Lead the nations of the world in the way of righteousness; and so guide and direct our leaders that your people may enjoy the blessings of freedom and peace.
+ Grant that our leaders may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.
+ Give your heavenly grace to all your people, that with reverent and obedient hearts we may hear and receive your holy Word, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.
+ Comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity especially those suffering the effects of the covid plague.
+ Have mercy on all who truly and earnestly repent of their sins, and seek to live in love and charity with their neighbors, and intend to lead the new life, following your commandments and walking in your holy ways.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father: you have promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Gaudete – The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. [“Gaudete” is a Latin carol which first appeared in ‘Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish and Swedish sacred songs published in 1581.]
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Closing – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 