PROCESSIONAL HYMN O come, O come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,

Who orderest all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Our spirits by thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of humankind;

Bid thou our sad divisions cease,

And be thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

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The Holy Eucharist

The First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2016

Liturgy of the Word

Organ Prelude My Lord, what a morning R. Lau

Stan Jones, organ

Announcements

Processional Hymn O come, O come, Emmanuel facing page

Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.

People You come to your people and set them free.

The Celebrant says

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.

Song of Praise Come into God’s presence

1. Come into God’s presence singing “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!” (repeat)

2. Come into God’s presence singing “Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord!” (repeat)

3. Praise the Lord together singing “Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God!” (repeat)

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Collect of the Day

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor 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.

First Reading Isaiah 2:1-5

All sit.

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come

the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and

shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come

and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of

Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion

shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge

between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords

into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword

against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk

in the light of the Lord!

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Canticle You shall go out with joy (Isaiah 55:12) facing page

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Second Reading Romans 13:11-14

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.

You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For

salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the

day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let

us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and

licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and

make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding Hymnal 59

Holy Gospel Matthew 24:36-44

All stand.

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, “About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of

heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the

coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and

drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they

knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of

the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two

women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep

awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand

this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore

you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

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Children’s Talk and Sermon The Rev’d Leslie Burkardt

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Children Proclaim: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope. May the light

sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way to salvation.

Congregation Responds: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

All Sing: He came down that we might have hope,

He came down that we might have hope,

He came down that we might have hope.

Alleluia for evermore.

Children’s Creed

I believe in God above.

I believe in Jesus’ love.

I believe in the Spirit too,

giving life to me and you. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Celebrant or Deacon bids the people to prayer, saying

Let us call upon the name of God, who faithfully acts on behalf of those who wait in

hope.

The appointed minister leads the people in prayer, saying

That the Church may be fully engaged in the task Christ has entrusted to it and be found

awake and alert for the coming of the Lord.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

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That the leaders of nations may turn their hands from violence and discord and embrace

instead the ways of righteousness and peace.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

That we make the coming holiday season a time of joy and peace for all, gathering food

and other gifts and providing friendship for those in need.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

That the sick may be supported by the presence and prayers of family and friends, and so

experience the healing power of our Redeemer.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

That this assembly may be shaped by God’s hand, enriched by God’s gifts, and

strengthened to be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

That the departed may rejoice as they are called into fellowship with Christ by the God

who is faithful.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

The Celebrant or Deacon concludes

God of holiness, whose promises stand through all generations, fulfill the longings of a

humanity weighed down by confusion and burdened with fear. Raise up our heads and

strengthen our hearts, that, free from anxiety and steadfast in hope, we may look forward to

the glorious return of Christ, our judge and our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Peace

The children initiate the exchange of the Peace, saying

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Celebrations of Our Common Life

Those wishing to give thanks for birthdays, anniversaries and other blessings are invited

to come to the altar at this time.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase. Bless and guide them

wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when

discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace

which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our

Lord. Amen.

As those at the altar return to their pews, all sing

Now thank we all our God,

with heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

in whom this world rejoices;

Who from our mothers’ arms

has blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

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Holy Communion

The Celebrant says and offertory sentence.

Offertory Anthem My Lord, what a morning Spiritual

arr. R. Bensen

Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine, and

money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant. The people stand while the offerings

are presented and placed on the Altar.

Doxology (inside front cover of hymnal)

The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharistic Prayer 2 from Enriching Our Worship)

The people remain standing.

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 our thanks and praise.

We praise you and we bless you,

holy and gracious God,

source of life abundant.

From before time you made ready the creation.

Your Spirit moved over the deep

and brought all things into being:

sun, moon, and stars;

earth, winds, and waters;

and every living thing.

You made us in your image,

and taught us to walk in your ways.

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But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;

and yet, as a mother cares for her children,

you would not forget us.

Time and again you called us

to live in the fullness of your love.

And so this day we join with Saints and Angels

in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,

lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing:

The people may stand, sit or kneel.

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The Celebrant continues

Glory and honor and praise to you,

holy and living God.

To deliver us from the power of sin and death

and to reveal the riches of your grace,

you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,

that she might conceive and bear a son,

Jesus the holy child of God.

Living among us, Jesus loved us.

He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,

healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.

He yearned to draw all the world to himself

yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.

Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life,

and to be glorified by you.

On the night before he died for us,

Jesus was at table with his friends.

He took bread, gave thanks to you,

broke it, and gave it to them, and said:

“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.

Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said:

“Drink this, all of you: This is my blood of the new Covenant,

which is poured out for you and for all

for the forgiveness of sins.

Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

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Celebrant and People

Now gathered at your table,

O God of all creation,

and remembering Christ,

crucified and risen,

who was, and is, and is to come,

we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,

and ourselves, a living sacrifice.

The Celebrant continues

Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts

that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.

Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth

and make us your new creation,

the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.

In the fullness of time bring us,

with [ ___________ and] all your saints,

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

to feast at the banquet prepared

from the foundation of the world.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

to you be honor, glory, and praise,

for ever and ever.

AMEN.

The Celebrant continues

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray

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Breaking of the Bread

A period of silence is kept.

The Celebrant says

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

All who come in faith are welcome at the Lord’s table.

Gluten-free wafers are available at all Communion services. If you require a gluten-free

wafer, please advise the person administering the consecrated Bread.

Unfermented grape juice is also offered at all liturgies. Begun as an act of ecumenical

sharing, our Bishop has given permission for the use of grape juice in addition to wine

whenever we celebrate the Holy Communion at St. Thomas’. It is our hope that this

practice will further extend the hospitality of the Lord’s Table to those who may suffer

from addiction or who prefer to abstain from alcohol for other reasons. The minister with

the crystal chalice of unfermented grape juice will be situated at the floor-level station by

the lectern, alongside the minister with the silver chalice of wine.

Communion Hymns Let us break bread together Hymnal 325

Creator of the stars of night Hymnal 60

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After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father,

you have graciously accepted us as living members

of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,

and you have fed us with spiritual food

in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.

Send us now into the world in peace,

and grant us strength and courage

to love and serve you

with gladness and singleness of heart;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

Dismissal

Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Recessional Hymn The King shall come when morning dawns Hymnal 73

Organ Postlude March triomphale S. Karg-Elert

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Large-print copies of the Prayer Book and Hymnal are available in the Highland Avenue narthex.

A hearing loop is in operation during the service. Persons with difficulty hearing

can activate the "T" switch on their hearing aids.

A wheelchair-accessible restroom is located in the north porch at the rear of the nave.

The north porch also provides changing facilities and a quiet place for those with infants

ASSISTING IN WORSHIP

Lectors Chris Thomas, Vicky Rupley

Prayers Kate Cerulli

Chalice Marlene Allen, Maggie Detty

Dick Schieck, DeWain Feller

Crucifer Gordie Booth

Acolyte Tony Ennis, Janet Sowden

Greeters Sue Rose, Tom & Barbara Tuke

Dawn Schweitzer, Janet Morse

Ushers Tim & Carolyn Mabb,

Susan Pickhardt, Janice Corea

VPOD: Tim Mabb

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PARISH PRAYER CALENDAR

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, the Diocesan Prayer Cycle and our Parish Prayer

Calendar, your intercessions are requested for: The Anglican Church of Nigeria;

Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Prince, our Bishop; St. Andrew’s Church, Caledonia;

the clergy, staff and vestry of St. Thomas’; the Rector Search Committee; those preparing

for Advent Outreach Night next Sunday.

Your prayers are requested for:

Those who are sick or in special need of our prayers: Steve and Anne Bauer;

Jim Boynton; Barbara Jean Ephessios, friend of Susan Irish; Eileen Gould, friend of

Ryan and Shannon Tuke; Ted Morse; Tom O’Leary, uncle of Jay Burkardt; Brian Roherty,son-in-law of

Peter and Connie Barker; Liz Tierney; Jean Troutner; Claudia Uffman; Kelly Witter, friend of

Dawn Wilkins and Dick Laidlaw.

Those in continuing need of our prayers: Al Bullwinkel, Ruth Bowman, Chris Carver,

Margaret Cheetham, Miggs Coleman, Katie Detty, Velma Durland, Mavis Ennis,

Curt and Marion Fey, Natalie Findlay, Ginny Fogle, Alison Gilbert, James Gilbert,

Ed Grant, Karen Hamilton, Art and Maureen Holtzman, Anne Hotchkiss, Ted Jope,

Connie Kless, Marlene Liebmann, Victor Maldonado, Margy Mayk, Ann McNabb,

Jane and Jim McLaughlin, Bette Mear, Jackie Mewborn, Fran Moslow, Ron Nelson,

Lisa Overacker; Bud Parker, Rosaleen Petry, Janet Pleninger, Craig Powell, Mary Sandt,

Violette Shayler, Helen Stamas, Lois Thomas, Mark Ventress, Blanche Wagner.

Those serving in the armed forces: Joey Andrews, Kyle Cicora, Christian Dahl,

Evan Davies, John Davison, Luke Dawson, Tom Dimiero, Brandon Griffin, Jared Hicks,

Justin Illes, Adrian Jope, Andrew Kless, Bryant Locke, Cameron Mabb, Thomas Moss,

Craig Peacock, Richard Roessler, Kevin Rogala, Donny Salamone, Jake Silver,

Kevin Taylor.

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A Note on Today’s Readings

On this Advent Sunday, the liturgy is centered on the second Advent of Christ, when he will

return as judge and establish the Kingdom of God. In today’s Gospel reading Jesus tells his

followers that his return will be sudden and with no warning. Therefore, we are to live at all

times as though his return is imminent.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah foresees that Kingdom as God’s reign over a united and

peaceful humanity. All people will know themselves to be the children of God and brothers

and sisters to all other people.

The second reading from Romans exhorts us to live as though we were in the last days. We are

to live as though the Kingdom has come; shunning darkness and living in the light of God’s

presence.

The Advent theme that points to Jesus’ first coming in his birth becomes the sign for us of the

Advent yet to come. As we gather in the Eucharist, we find in our liturgical action a foretaste

of the unity and peace of God’s Kingdom. We recognize that in this in-between time (between

Jesus’ first coming and his second) we ourselves are caught up in the Eucharist into the

Kingdom.

From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year.

Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.

Welcome to St Thomas’! If this is your first time worshiping with us, we extend the

hospitality of Christ and this community to you. Everything you need to participate in the

service may be found in this booklet.

If our order and style of service is unfamiliar to you, don’t worry. Just “go with the flow.”

God knows your heart. Take delight in God’s glory, and let your heart be moved by the

words and actions of the liturgy. It will become familiar in time.

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Worship Service Schedule

Holy Eucharist

Saturday - 5:00 P.M.

Sunday - 8:00 & 10:00 A.M.

Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church 2000 Highland Avenue

Rochester, New York 14618

The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Prince G. Singh, Bishop

The Rev’d Leslie S. Burkardt Interim Rector

interimrector@stthomasrochester.org

The Rev’d Christa Moore-Levesque, Curate

curate@stthomasrochester.org

The Rev’d Andrea Stridiron, Deacon

Dr. Robert M. Ferris, Organist and Choirmaster

music@stthomasrochster.org

Kathleen Merritt, Office Manager

office@stthomasrochester.org

442-3544 - Church Office 473-4216 – Fax

stthomasrochester.org