St. David's Church Bulletin

ST DAVID’S CHURCH Christ Church, Barbados

3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C) Sunday, December 12, 2021

Rector:The Rev’d Canon Noel A. Burke Tel. No.: 435-4272 stdavidbb@gmail.com Bishop in Residence: The Most Rev’d Dr. John W. D Holder, (Ret.) CBE, DD, Ph.D

Organist: Mr. Andrew Allman, LRSM The Entrance Rite Introit 46 Advent Sentence Acclamation Collect for Purity Kyries The Collect -

Lo, he comes Page 97 Page 101 Page 101 Page 102 Third Sunday of Advent

(Page 157)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Zephaniah 3:14-20

A Reading from Word of God written in the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah chapter 3 beginning at the 14 verse

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.

And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD.

Reader: Here ends the Reading All: Thanks be to God Canticle Isaiah 12:2-6

The Epistle Philippians 4:4-7 A Reading from the Word of God written in the Letter to the Philippians chapter 4 beginning at the 4th verse

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reader:

Here ends the Reading

All:

Thanks be to God

Gradual 193 Rejoice the Lord is King

The Holy Gospel Luke 3:7-18 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers!

Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Page 106 Page 120 Page 123 Page 124

ti

ti

The Sermon The Apostles’ Creed Intercession H Act of Penitence & Absolu on The Gree ng of Peace

THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT O ertory 48 O come. O come, Emmanuel Presenta on of the O ering Page 126 The Sursum Corda Page 126 Advent Preface Page 127 “Therefore we praise you” Page 131 Sanctus et Benedictus Qui Venit Page 131 Consecra on Prayer E Page 142 The Lord’s Prayer Page 144 The Breaking of Bread Page 145 The Invita on Page 147 The Agnus Dei Communion Hymn 73 Joy to the world 37 Come, thou redeemer of the earth THE DISMISSAL RITE Post Communion Prayer The Advent Blessing No ces Recessional 369 The Dismissal

Page 148 Page 149 Joyful, joyful we adore thee

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 FROM THE RECTOR’S NOTEBOOK Greetings: The Third Sunday of Advent carries the theme of joy.

ff

ti

ti

ti

ti

ff

In Churches with an Advent Wreath the candle for Advent 3 is rose coloured.

The very theme of Advent changes on this day to the anticipation of the celebration of Christmas.

The biblical commentator Fred Β. Craddock tells us that in a remote village of no consequence in the vast empire of Octavius Caesar (after whom the month of October is named) a birth announcement was made; "To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Craddock says that this baby, fragile, vulnerable, subject to disease, cold and heat is the very image of powerlessness; yet achieved much by the age of 33.

The impact our Lord had on the people of his day was so unimaginable that it caused even the Pharisees to admit that the entire world had gone after him. (John 12: 19) The Church never grows weary in telling this story. We do so with joy every Advent.

Joy because Christ died on the cross for us, and rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and that through Him the Holy Spirit dwells with us forever.

Christian joy, even at Advent is connected to the Easter liturgy. It is for this reason that persons are encouraged to attend the GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER. It is vital to participate in the singing of the Exsultet Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! (BCP page 256) What this says to us is that joy for the Christian is rooted in the paschal mystery. It is more than a feeling of euphoria. It is for this reason that St. Paul could say to the Philippians Rejoice in the Lord, always (Philippians 4:4) For the Christian joy remains, even in the midst of pain, grief and distress. It is connected to trust in God’s providential care, both for humanity and the entire created order.

Joy is central to the Christian proclamation and is an essential ingredient as we manage the current pandemic. We must not consider ourselves to be victims of the disease, for with Christ as Emmanuel we have the one person who can help us in the midst of it all.

May the Joy of Advent and the coming Christmas season be with us. We pray that our our loved ones too may trust in God and ever rejoice in his holy presence.

Your friend and priest, Noel A. Burke, MA (The Rev’d Canon) Rector

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Christmas Eve 4:00pm - 5:00pm Holy Mass & Sermon 6:00pm - 7:00pm Holy Mass & Sermon 🔔 Christmas Day 6:15am Holy Mass & Sermon 7:45am Solemn Mass & Sermon 🔔 1st Sunday after Christmas Day 6:15am Holy Mass & Sermon 7:45am Solemn Mass & Sermon 🔔

Old Year’s Night Friday December 31, 2021 6:00pm - 7:00pm Watchnight Mass

STREAMING THIS SUNDAY The 7:45am Mass today, the Third Sunday of Advent will be streamed as promised. Please spread the word if you are unable to attend mass you can watch us live.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES A list of Christmas Services hav been published. Kindly note the schedule in this bulletin .

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES Blessings to all Celebrating birthdays and anniversaries today or during the week.

Requiscat in pace We pray for the repose of the souls of Ken Branker and Ianthe Browne. They have both been faithful members of our congregation.

HEALTH TIP All persons, especially adults should reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity

NOTICES TROTMAN FAMILY We pray for the members of the Trotman family as they suffered loss in a house fire last Monday. The PCC has arranged for a hamper to be given to them.

Persons wishing to donate further can contact either the Rector or the Admin Assistant, Mrs. Heather Mitchell.

ST. DAVID’S CHURCH Christ Church, Barbados Tel No 437-1801 Office Hours Fridays 10:00am - 12:00noon stdavidbb@gmail.com