Opening Prayer

God our Saviour, you utter a word of promise and hope and hasten the day of justice and freedom, yet we live in a world forgetful of your word, our watchfulness dulled by the cares of life.

Keep us alert. Make us attentive to your word, ready to look on your Son when he comes with power and great glory. Make us holy and blameless, ready to stand secure when the day of his coming shakes the world with terror.

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.

THE BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Blessing of the Advent Wreath (by priests)

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to spread his light of love to all. Bless us and accept + this wreath of light made from our hands. May its ever-increasing brightness be a sign to us of the approaching nearness of your Son, that we might prepare in joy for his humble birth in a manger and be ready to receive him at his coming again in glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

ADVENT SUNDAY 1

Family Leader:Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, God of our ancestors: to you be praise and glory forever. You called the patriarchs to live by the light of faith and to journey in the hope of your promised fulfilment. May we be obedient to your call and be ready and watchful to receive your Christ, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for you are our light and our salvation.

Blessed be God for ever.

Isaiah 11:1-10 (Family Leader)

Family Leader:God of Abraham and Sarah, and all the patriarchs of old, you are our Father too. Your love is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of David. Help us in preparing to celebrate his birth to make our hearts ready for your Holy Spirit to make his home among us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the light who is coming into the world. Amen.

Advent candle song by Mark Earey (Tune: ANGEL VOICES)

Advent candles tell their story as we watch and pray,longing for the Day of Glory, 'Come, Lord, soon,' we say.Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness changed for gladnesson that Day.

ALL: Lord Jesus, Light of the world, born in David's city of Bethlehem, born like him to be a king: Be born in our hearts at Christmas, be king of our lives today. Amen.

Family:People of God: awake! The day is coming soon when you shall see God face to face. Remember the ways and the works of God. Christ calls you out of darkness to walk in the light of his coming. You are God's children.

Hymn 34

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.

Lord make us one as we walk with Christ today and forever. Amen.

Introit

Hymn 35

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 splendour, in power and pomp comes he; but clad as are the poorest –such his humility!

Blest be the King whose coming is in the name of God! By those who truly listenhis voice is truly heard. Pity the proud and haughty, who have not learned to heed the Christ who is the Promise and has our ransom paid.

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!

Blest be the King whose comingis 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!

Collect

First Sunday of Advent ( page 157)

Salutation

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

ALLAnd blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

ALLBlessed Lord and Father, we have assembled in your name and in fellowship with one another. Enable us by your grace to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; to proclaim and respond to your holy word. Teach us to pray for your world and your Church. Grant that we, confessing our sins, may worthily offer to you our souls and bodies as a living sacrifice and eat and drink of your spiritual food in this Holy Sacrament.Amen.

COLLECT FOR PURITY

ALLAlmighty 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.

THE KYRIE

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy.

The Lord be with you.

ALL:And also with you.

Let us pray.

The Collect

Advent 1 (page 157)Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

First Reading

Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

7:00am Psalm

Psalm 25 (BOCP)

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; * let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; * let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O LORD, * and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, * for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; * remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.

7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; * therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right * and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness * to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

9:15am Psalm

Psalm 25 (Parish Psalter)

1. Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; my God, I have put my trust in thee: O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.

2. For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed: but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.

3. Shew me thy ways, O Lord: and teach me thy paths.

4. Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me: for thou art the God of my salvation; in thee hath been my hope all the day long.

5. Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies: and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.

6. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth: but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.

7. Gracious and righteous is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

8. Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement: and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.

9. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth: unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

7:00am Gradual Hymn (Omitted)

9:15am

Hymn 41

Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding; ‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say;‘Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!’

Wakened by the solemn warning,

let the earth-bound soul arise;Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling, shines upon the morning skies.

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;

that when next he comes with glory, and the world is wrapped in fear,with his mercy he may shield us, and with words of love draw near.

Honour, glory, might, and blessing to the Father and the Son,with the everlasting Spirit, while eternal ages run.

Gospel

Luke 21:25-36 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Sermon

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen or 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, one in Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfilment of 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. With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified. He 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.ALL: Amen.

INTERCESSION

FORM B

LEADER

Father we pray for your holy Catholic Church;

ALL:

That we all may be one.

LEADER

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humblyserve you.

ALL:

That your Name may be glorified by all people

LEADER

We pray for all Bishops Priests and Deacons;

ALL:

That they may be faithful ministers of your Word andSacraments.

LEADER:

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;

ALL:

That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

LEADER

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

ALL:

That our works may find favour in your sight.

LEADER

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;

ALL:

That they may be delivered from their distress.

LEADER

Give to the departed eternal rest;

ALL:

Let light perpetual shine upon them.

LEADER

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;

ALL:

May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

LEADER

Let us pray for our needs and those of others.

Silence may be kept.

ALL

Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask, help us to ask only what accords to your will; and the good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ACT OF PENITENCE

PRESIDENTIf we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silence

PRESIDENT

Let us therefore confess our sins.

FORM A

All:Almighty God our heavenly Father we have sinned against you and one another, in thought, word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are sorry and we repent of all our sins. For your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your Name.Amen.

or

FORM B

Most Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in 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 neighbours as ourselves; we have not loved ourselves as we ought. 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.

THE ABSOLUTION

PRESIDENTAlmighty God have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins. Confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ALLAmen.

THE GREETING OF PEACE

FORM A

PRESIDENT

We are the body of Christ. By the one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, and have all been made to drink of the one SpiritALL Let us then pursue the things that make for peace and build up the common life.

FORM B

PRESIDENT

If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against youALLLeave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

FORM C

PRESIDENT

The Kingdom of God is justice, peace, and joy inspired by the Holy SpiritALLThey who thus serve Christ are acceptable to God and approved by others.

Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.ALLAnd also with you.

Peace Greeting

7:00am Offertory

Hymn 41

Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding; ‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say;‘Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!’

Wakened by the solemn warning, let the earth-bound soul arise;Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling, shines upon the morning skies.

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;

that when next he comes with glory, and the world is wrapped in fear,

with his mercy he may shield us, and with words of love draw near.

Honour, glory, might, and blessing to the Father and the Son,with the everlasting Spirit, while eternal ages run.

Hymn 45

Ye servants of the Lord, each in his office wait,observant of his heavenly word, and watchful at his gate.

Let all your lamps be bright, and trim the golden flame;gird up your loins as in his sight, for awful is his name.

Watch! ’Tis your Lord’s command, and while we speak, he’s near;mark the first signal of his hand, and ready all appear.

O happy servant he in such a posture found!He shall his Lord with rapture see, and be with honour crowned.

Christ shall the banquet spread with his own royal hand,and raise that faithful servant’s head amid the angelic band.

9:15am Offertory

Hymn 46

Lo, he comes with clouds descending once for favoured sinners slain;thousand thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train:

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold him robed in dreadful majesty;those who set at nought and sold him, pierced and nailed him to the tree, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his passion still his dazzling body bears,cause of endless exultation to his ransomed worshippers: with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture, gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen, let all adore thee, high on thine eternal throne;Saviour, take the power and glory; claim the kingdom for thine own Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

Hymn 50

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 in expectation! At midnight comes the cry.

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!

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 seethe day of earth’s redemption and ever be with thee!

Offertory Prayer

PRESIDENT AND PEOPLEFather, we offer to you these gifts which you have given us; this bread this wine this money. With them we offer ourselves, our lives, and our work, to become through your Holy Spirit a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice. As this bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, so may we and all your people become channels of your love; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRESIDENT The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

PRESIDENT Lift up your hearts.

PRESIDENTWe lift them up to the Lord.

PRESIDENT Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

PeopleIt is right to give God thanks and praise.

PRESIDENT It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father almighty, everlasting God:

Preface

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:

ALL

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.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

FORM B (page 135)

PRESIDENT

Holy and gracious Father, all creation rightly gives you praise. All life, all holiness, comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, whom you sent to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

We therefore bring you these gifts,

and we ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who offered Himself in obedience to your will, the Perfect Sacrifice for all mankind.

On the night He was betrayed,

He took bread, and when He had given thanks to you, He broke it and gave it to His disciples and said: “Take this and eat it: 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. Do this, whenever you drink it, For the remembrance of me.”

One of the following Acclamations shall be said:

ALL

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim the death of Christ until He comes again.

or

Christ has died.

Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

or

Christ Jesus is Lord.

He has set us free from the law of sin and death:In His name alone is our salvation.

PRESIDENT

Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation; His glorious Resurrection and Ascension; His continual intercession for us in heaven; and looking for His coming again in glory, we offer you, in thanksgiving, this holy and life-giving sacrifice.

Look with favour on your Church’s offering,

and grant that we who eat and drink these holy gifts may be filled with your Holy Spirit and become one body in Christ, and serve you in unity, constancy and peace.

May He make us a perpetual offering to you and enable us, in communion with blessed Mary and the whole company of heaven, to share in the inheritance of your Saints.

With Him, and in Him, and through Him,

by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father Almighty, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven in songs of everlasting praise:

ALL

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours forever and ever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRESIDENT

As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray:

ALL

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your Name;your kingdom come; your will be doneon earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive thosewho sin against us.Save us from the time of trialand deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

PRESIDENT

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

ALL

Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

THE AGNUS DEI

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:

grant us peace.

THE COMMUNION

The Invitation

Form A

PRESIDENT

My brothers and sisters in Christ, draw near and receive His Body which He gave for you, and His Blood, which He shed for you. Remember that He died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

ALL

Grant gracious Lord, that we so eat the flesh of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, and drink His blood, that we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Amen.

Form B

PRESIDENT

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

ALL

Our souls will feast and be satisfied, and we will sing glad songs of praise to Him.

Form C

PRESIDENT

Draw near and receive the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ with faith and thanksgiving.

ALL

We do not presume to come to this your table, most merciful Father, trusting in our own righteousness, but only in your boundless mercy. We are not even worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the Lord ever the same, ever merciful. Grant therefore, Lord of grace and love, that we may so eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and drink His blood, that with bodies and souls made clean from every stain of sin we may evermore dwell in Him, and He in us.

The Administration

7:00am and 9:15am

Organist's Ministry

7:00am Post Communion

Hymn 33

Again the Lord’s own day is here,the day to Christian people dear,as, week by week, it bids them tellhow Jesus rose from death and hell.

For by his flock their Lord declaredhis resurrection should be shared;and we who trust in him to savewith him are risen from the grave.

We, one and all, of him possessed,are with exceeding treasures blessed;for all he did, and all he bare,he gives us as our own to share.

Eternal glory, rest on high,a blessed immortality,true peace and gladness, and a throne,are all his gifts, and all our own.

And therefore unto thee we sing,O Lord of peace, Eternal King;thy love we praise, thy name adore,both on this day and evermore.

9:15 Post Communion

Hymn 52

The Advent of our King our prayers must now employ,and we must hymns of welcome sing in strains of holy joy.

The Everlasting Son incarnate deigns to be;himself a servant’s form puts on, to set his servants free.

Daughter of Sion, rise to meet thy lowly King;nor let thy faithless heart despise the peace he comes to bring.

As Judge, on clouds of light, he soon will come again,and his true members all unite with him in heaven to reign.

Before the dawning day let sin’s dark deeds be gone;the old man all be put away, the new man all put on.

All glory to the Son who comes to set us free,with Father, Spirit, ever One, through all eternity.

Post Communion Prayer A

ALL

Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we who share His Body

live His risen life; we who drink His cup bring life to others; we upon whom your Spirit shines give light to the world. Help us to continue in faithful witness to your Word, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always.Amen.

Recessional

Hymn 40

Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long:let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song.

He comes, the prisoners to release in Satan’s bondage held;the gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield.

He comes, the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure,and with the treasures of his grace to bless the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, thy welcome shall proclaim; and heaven’s eternal arches ring with thy beloved name.

The Preceding Production was created According to the Good Pleasure of God's Will

ByHugh A. E. BrathwaiteReeves Hill, St. James

Emailhughaebrathwaite@hotmail.comhughaebrathwaite@gmail.com

Tel: 432-0246