Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 20, 20158:30am

Fourth Sunday of Advent

HOLY EUCHARIST Prelude Veni Emmanuel

Wilbur Held Angelus Entrance Hymn 56

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Kyrie

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Collect of the Day 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.

Children’s Chapel Procession

First Reading Micah 5:2-4 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 80:1-7 1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph / like a flock; * shine forth, you that are enthroned up- / on 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 enem- / ies laugh us to scorn. 7 Restore us, O / God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, / and we shall be saved.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Second Reading Hebrews 10:5-10 When Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn 66 Alleluia

Holy Gospel Luke 1:39-56 Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Homily Fr. Jordan

The Nicene Creed Prayer Book, pg. 358 Celebrant and People: 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: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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 and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped 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. Amen.

Prayers of the People From New Anglican Prayer Book Now Being Developed The Reader will now read the prayers. After each prayer is the following response: Reader: Lord, in your mercy, People: Hear our prayer.

The Confession Prayer Book, pg. 360 Deacon: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Deacon and People: 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 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 eternal life. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Peace Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

THE LITURGY OF THE ALTAR Offertory Hymn 277

(Sung to Pleading Savior)

Doxology

!

The Great Thanksgiving Prayer Book, pg. 367

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sanctus

Eucharistic Prayer B Prayer Book, pg. 368

Celebrant: Therefore, according to his command, O Father, Celebrant and People: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;

Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, Celebrant and People: Our Father, who 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread Prayer Book, pg. 364 Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Agnus Dei

Holy Communion Hymns 54, 270, 489

Post Communion Prayer Prayer Book, pg. 366 Celebrant and People: Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Advent Blessing and Dismissal Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Procession Out Hymn 437

Postlude Fantasia in C Major Johann Sebastian Bach

Stewardship Week 4 Update Week 4 Update. Thank you to everyone who has returned their Pledge Card. We have now received a total of 203 pledges totaling $777,928. This compares to a total for last year of 194 pledges for $777,053 The 203 pledges received represents 70% of our Parish families and includes 27 new pledging families! We are winding up our Stewardship campaign so we can begin the budgeting process for next year and we really need everyone's pledge card turned in. If you haven't turned yours  in yet, please place it in the collection plate today, drop it in the mail or contact the Church office. Thank you for your support of St. Laurence and all its ministries.

Christmas Events Sun, Dec. 20 5:00pm Christmas Pageant with Carols followed by Catered Dinner

Christmas Eve 5:00pm Mass with Children’s Sermon (Nursery Provided) 7:00pm Mass (Nursery Provided) 10:30pm Carols and Christmas Music (No Nursery) 11:00pm Solemn Mass (No Nursery)

Christmas Day 10:00am Mass (No Nursery)

Morning Prayer 7:45amMass 8:30 and 10:45amGainesville St. Visit 12:15pmChorale Rehearsal 12:30pmChildren’s Christmas Pageant 5:00pmDinner 5:45pm

Morning Prayer 8:10am St. ThomasMass 8:30amBingo at Union Gospel Mission 7:00pm

Morning Prayer 9:10am Mass 9:30am Bible Study 10:00am

Morning Prayer 9:00amRosary 5:30pmEvening Prayer 6:10pmMass 6:30pmCanterbury Choir Rehearsal 6:30pmSt. Laurence Chorale Rehearsal 7:15pm

Morning Prayer 9:00am Christmas EveMass with Children’s Sermon 5:00pmMass 7:00pmCarols 10:30pmSolemn Mass 11:00pm

Mass 10:00am Christmas Day

Morning Prayer 8:40am St. StephenMass 9:00amConfessions 9:30am

Sunday20

Monday21

Tuesday22

Wednesday23

Thursday24

Friday25

Saturday26

December 2015

AnnouncementsBe a Part of Our Christmas Celebration. Bring your family, friends and neighbors and join us at one of our 3 Christmas Eve services. Our 5:00pm service is perfect for families with young children. All the children are invited to come forward during the sermon and Fr. Jordan sits with them and talks about the true meaning of Christmas. The 7:00pm Mass is a beautiful service for everyone, especially for those not wanting to be out late. Our Solemn Mass begins at 11:00pm, with incredible music and candlelight, and is a glorious celebration of the birth of our Lord. Come early at 10:30pm to sing Christmas carols. Mass on Christmas Day is alas offered at 10:00am.

There is No Sunday School Today for kids or adults. Sunday School will resume on January 3.

Thank you for Your Donations for Bibles for the boys at the Gainesville State School. We raised enough money to provide a Bible as a Christmas gift for each of the boys that we minister to at the school. Our ministry team is visiting the boys today and will give them your gift at their Christmas party. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Men’s Bingo Night at Union Gospel Mission is tomorrow. All men of the Parish are invited to meet at the Hidalgo’s (1512 N. Shropshire Ct., Keller) or Lindley’s house (2002 Kyle Ct., Colleyville) at 5:30pm to carpool or go directly to the lobby of UGM in Ft. Worth at 6:45pm. Bingo begins at 7:00pm. UGM asks that all volunteers register online at UGM-tc.org.

All are Invited to Help Decorate the Church for Christmas. The Altar Guild and Flower Guild will be decorating on Wed, Dec. 23 at 10:00am and are inviting everyone to come help. It’s a fun, festive time and a great chance to check out these guilds if you are considering getting involved. For more info, contact Milly Butler at Milly.Butler@tdameritrade.com.

Fr. Wilson Leading Trip to Malawi. In the spring or summer of 2016, Fr. Wilson will lead a trip to visit the Diocese of Northern Malawi and you are invited to join him. We have financially supported the Diocese for a number of years and now we want to take the next step and build a more personal relationship with them. Fr. Wilson is holding an informational meeting on Sun, Jan. 10 at 12:15pm in the Parish Hall. Come learn about all the plans for this truly incredible trip. Contact Fr. Wilson at scottwilson@mygrande.net for more info.

Toilet Tissue Sunday is next Sun, Dec. 27. Please bring all the toilet tissue you can to the red wagon in front of the Church next Sunday and we will get it to GRACE. Thank you.

Worship

Study

Service

Jr. and Sr. High Youth Group (9-12th Grade). Both Jr. and Sr. High Youth Groups are invited to participate in the Group Dynamix Indoor Ropes Course event scheduled for Sat, Jan 2 from 12:00-4:45pm. They will meet at St. Laurence at 12:00pm to carpool to GDX. Pick up will be at 4:45pm at St. Laurence. Please make sure to wear comfortable, work-out type clothes and closed toe shoes. Contact Katie LaPenna at katielapenna@gmail.com to let her know if you are planning to participate so she can have enough drivers and chaperones.

Children’s Christmas Pageant is Today at 5:00pm in the Church. There’s nothing better than cute kids in costumes or the occasional wayward Angel to kick off Christmas week. We’ve got a new script this year that promises to bring a smile to your face and make your heart grow 3 sizes too big. Then come to the Parish Hall afterwards for a catered Mexican dinner and enjoy a wonderful evening with your St. Laurence family.

This Year’s Pledge. As of today, we still have a lot of ground left to make up to balance our budget for 2015. Miracles do happen at St. Laurence every December because of your generosity. If you haven't fulfilled your pledge for this year yet, please do. It makes ministry happen.

Pledge Donation Envelopes Now Available for next year. If you would like donation envelopes for your 2016 giving, they are available in the Church Narthex or Parish Hall.

Office Hours During Christmas Week. The office will be closed Dec. 24-25, open from 9:00am-2:00pm on Dec. 28-30, open 9:00-noon on New Year’s Eve and then closed on New Year’s Day. The office will reopen with normal hours of 8:00am-4:00pm on Mon, Jan. 4.

St. Laurence Church 817-481-3335

office@saintlaurencechurch.org www.saintlaurencechurch.org

Youth

Fellowship

Misc.