St. Luke’s Episcopal ChurchSequim, Washington

Holy Eucharist Rite II

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

December 20, 2020 - 10:00 am

Our Mission Statement

St. Luke’s Parish is an inclusive Christian community dedicated to spiritual growth, healing, and compassion through our worship, hospitality, and ministry to the larger community.

A note about our liturgy today…

This week continues the season of Advent—a time of waiting and anticipation. For what do we wait? For some, it is the incarnation of the Lord, Logos becoming human. For others, it is the second coming of Christ, when his kingdom will be fulfilled on earth. For all of us, it means joyful anticipation.

Our worship in this season becomes more contemplative. Silences may be longer. The music may be somewhat quieter. We light the Advent Wreath each week to commemorate the passage of time until the fulfillment we seek. We will use Eucharistic Prayer A from the Book of Common Prayer. This prayer calls to mind the wonders of the incarnation. We will turn to the Apostles Creed for our declaration of faith—the most ancient creed of the Church.

May this season bring joy and peace to you as you contemplate the wonders of creation, the joyful giving of God to humanity, and the love present in Christ and in this community of faith. May it remind you of the hope in which we live in this season. May it shine a light within you and for you so that you truly know Emmanuel – “God with us.”

The Word of God

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

The Deacon comes forward and lights the first four candles on the Advent wreath. Then the Deacon recites the Nunc Dimitis.

Deacon

Lord, you now have set your servant free*

to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,*

whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations,*

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Opening Hymn – Hymnal #66 – Come, thou long expected Jesus verses 1-3

The people standing, the Celebrant says

CelebrantBlessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

PeopleAnd blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

All say together the Prayer for Purity

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.

Then the Trisagion is repeated three times

Holy God,

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy upon us.

The Collect of the Day

CelebrantThe Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

CelebrantLet 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 LessonsFirst Reading2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

When the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

Reader The word of the Lord.

PeopleThanks be to God.

The PsalmCanticle 15

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Second Reading Romans 16:25-27

Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Reader The word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn - Hymnal #56, vs. 7-8 – O come, o come Emmanuel

The GospelLuke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

DeaconThe Gospel of the Lord.PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.

Silence may be kept

Sermon The Rev. Sue Thompson

The Apostles’ Creed

Officiant and People together, all standing

I believe in God, the Father almighty,     creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.     He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit         and born of the Virgin Mary.     He suffered under Pontius Pilate,         was crucified, died, and was buried.     He descended to the dead.     On the third day he rose again.     He ascended into heaven,         and is seated at the right hand of the Father.     He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,     the holy catholic Church,     the communion of saints,     the forgiveness of sins,    the resurrection of the body,     and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

DeaconLoving God, as we await with joy the celebration of the birth of your Son, we humbly pray with one voice:

Leader Loving God, bring strength and courage to your Church, its ministers, and its members;

PeopleThat we may proclaim to the world the joyous news of the birth of your Son.

Leader Loving God, guard and guide our beloved country;

PeopleThat we may unite with patience and good will to assure the rapid vaccination against COVID-19 of all of our people.

LeaderLoving God, bring the blessings of peace to our troubled world;

PeopleThat all of your children may know freedom from want, fear, disease, and terrorism.

LeaderLoving God, who fills the hungry with good things, inspire us to support every organization in our community dedicated to helping those in need;

PeopleThat everyone in Sequim may enjoy a holiday season safely housed, warmly clothed, and abundantly fed.

LeaderLoving God, hear our prayers for those in our community who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially for those we name this morning:

People name aloud those for whom we pray

LeaderMay all for whom we pray know your mercy and love;

People That they may find peace in this holy season.

LeaderLoving God, bring into your eternal kingdom all who have died, including:

Deacon reads list of those who have died

Deacon May they rest in peace.

PeopleAnd may all who have lost loved ones find comfort this Christmas.

DeaconLoving God, fill us with your grace, that the doors of our hearts may be open wide to receive your Son at his coming with joy and gratitude. This we ask we ask through your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People Amen.

The Confession

The Deacon says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Deacon and People

Most merciful God,we confess that we have sinned against youin 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.

Celebrant

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in everlasting life. Amen.

The Peace

CelebrantThe peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Holy Communion

Offertory Music Hymnal #265 – The Angel Gabriel from heaven came

Offertory Versicle

CelebrantAll things come of thee, O Lord.

AllAnd of thine own have we given thee.

The Great Thanksgiving, Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest, faces them and sings or says

 The Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

CelebrantLift up your hearts.

PeopleWe lift them to the Lord.

CelebrantLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.

PeopleIt is right to give him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Priest proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.

Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin anddeath, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; thatwhen 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:

Celebrant and People

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.    Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.    Hosanna in the highest.

Then the Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord 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 he 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.Christ is risen.Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray

AllOur Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

The Fraction Anthem

CelebrantAlleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

PeopleTherefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Communion Music – solo by Susan Kaiser

The congregation comes forward and takes the bread from the altar. They return to their places and wait to consume the bread until the Celebrant says the following words

The Body of Christ keep you in everlasting life. Amen.

All then consume the bread together.

The Prayer after Communion

CelebrantLet us pray.

Celebrant and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father,you have graciously accepted us as living membersof your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,and you have fed us with spiritual foodin the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.Send us now into the world in peace,and grant us strength and courageto love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart;through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Advent Blessing

May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came

among us with 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 the Holy and undivided Trinity, Sovereign Creator

Redeeming Savior, and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain

with you for ever. Amen.

Closing Hymn - Hymnal #82 – Of the Father’s love begotten

The Dismissal

The deacon dismisses the people.

The people respond Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

We give thanks for all who served in and for the liturgy today.

Please keep in prayer…

Parishioners

Barbara Arnoldsen (Peace)

Kay Snowhook (Healing and peace)

Dave Otis and family (Peace)

Kathy Brown (Grief)

Natalie Brown (Grief)

Jack Fintel (Healing)

Stacie Koochek (Healing)

Hyesuk Haglin (Peace)

Britt-Nicole Peterson (Healing)

Susan Kaiser (Peace)

Marc Povondra (Healing)

Jeanne Fisher (Healing)

Paula Jellinghaus (Healing)

Bill Newblom (Healing)

Pat Oden (Healing)

Stina Pope (Healing)

Lee Teed (Healing)

Patricia Rhoads (Healing, strength and support)

Claire Alkire

…and those in our Parish Cycle of Prayer

Jeanne Fisher

Kathryn and Patrick Francois

Carol Francone

Marilyn Freeman

Mary and Ralph Frye

Those Who Have Died

Phil Brown

Bob Raber

Kim Chol Sun (Mother of Hyesuk Haglin)

Sherrie Raber

Family and Friends

John Bryant (Healing) (Steve Cole’s nephew)

Jody Baldwin (Peace) (Steve Cole’s sister)

Walter Bulkeley (Peace, courage, health and guidance) (Nephew of Sue Thompson)

Bob and Joan Shea (Peace) (Susan Kaiser)

Mary Pitts (Healing) (Alkires)

Allison Erickson (Healing) (Cousin of Sue Clary)

Carol F. Johnson (Healing)

Kathleen Kaplan (Patience and Peace) (Mother-in-law of Sue Thompson)

Patricia Morgan (Healing) (Friend of Sue Clary)

Karl Pope (Patience, Persistence and Courage) (Brother in-law of Sue Thompson)

Debbie Raub (Healing)

Susan Schwulst (Healing) (Aunt of Janet Popelka)

Alice Thompson (Courage, Peace and Endurance) (Sister-in-law of Sue Thompson)

Teresa – (Successful surgery, comfortable healing) (Claire Alkire)

Fran Webb (Healing)

Thanksgivings

Nancy Jones (Healthy new hip)

Jim Chesnutt (Birthday)

Gail Melvin (Birthday)

Clare Martin-Schwarze (Birthday)

Lynn Cain (Birthday)

Lee Teed (Birthday)

Lowell Grage (Birthday)

April Uhden (Birthday)

A Reminder of the Schedule for Christmas Services:

Monday, December 21, 7 pm Blue Christmas Service

Thursday, December 24, 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Service, to begin

with a Festival of Carols

This service includes a Candle Lighting at the end of the liturgy. To participate in this at home, please have a candle ready and plan to dim the lights at the appropriate time.

Friday, December 25, 10 amChristmas Day Service

Please note that all services are livestreamed on Zoom. Links to the Zoom service will be sent out prior to the service. If you are not on our Constant Contact list and would like to receive the link, please email the office at officeatstlukes@gmail.com.