We’re so glad you’ve joined us at Saint Michael today. We’d love to get to know you better, so please take a moment to fill out the welcome card, either physically or digitally, that can be found on this page or in the pew back in front of you. Our Welcome Team members are in the hallways today to help you with anything you need.
Today we conclude the season of Advent and prepare to celebrate the beauty of holiness at Christmas! On Tuesday, December 24, our church will be filled with worshippers from around the city, and I hope you will join us. The Christmas service schedule is in this bulletin, so please take a look and make a plan. We will have plenty of parking in our regular lot on the west side of our campus and in the parking garage of the new development to the north. We can’t wait to see you back here for one of our unique Christmas services and wish you and yours a blessed week!
As we prepare to worship together, I invite you to take a moment and center yourself on God’s presence. Worshiping, learning, and giving together help us grow closer to who God created us to be, and you’re part of that work. May God bless you today and every day, and I hope to see you again very soon!
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Scan the QR Code to fill out the welcome card, sign up for emails, and register for Saint Michael 101. saintmichael.org/welcome
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The service begins on page 355 of The Book of Common Prayer. Hymns may be found in the blue hymnal in the pew rack.
The Word of God
Prelude
Magnificat, Op. 41/2
Welcome
Entering Procession (standing, sung by all)
Alexandre Guilmant
Hymn 265
“ The angel Gabriel from heaven came” Gabriel’s Message
The Opening Acclamation and Collect for Purity (standing)
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. Celebrant 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 (standing, sung by all)
“Holy God, Holy and Mighty”
The Collect of the Day (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Hymn S 102
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.
Félix-Alexandre
Guilmant (1837–1911) served as the organist at La Trinité from 1871 to 1901. A renowned pedagogue, performer, and improviser, he cofounded the Schola Cantorum de Paris and was appointed Professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatoire in 1896. This “Magnificat” is from Book 2 of Guilmant’s L’Organiste Pratique, featuring several short variations.
Children ages three through eight are invited to meet a member of our ministry staff by the pulpit to be escorted to children’s chapel; they will return to the congregation following the Peace.
Chanted by the Choir.
The Lesson (seated)
Micah 5:2-5a
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 g reat to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm (seated) Psalm 80:1-7
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; * shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
O LORD God of hosts, * how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears; * you have given them bowls of tears to drink. You have made us the derision of our neighbors, * and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Sequence Hymn (standing, sung by all) Hymn 278, v.1
“Sing we of the blessed Mother” Rustington
The Gospel (standing) Luke 1:39-55
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 g reeted 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.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon (seated) The Reverend Kenneth H. Brannon
The Nicene Creed (standing)
All 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.
The Prayers of the People: Form II (standing)
Celebrant Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Lector I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, and for the Church of England as they discern his successor; for Sean, our Presiding Bishop; for George, our Bishop; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.
In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
Lector I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.
Lector I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Lector I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Lector I ask your prayers for the departed [especially _____]. Pray for those who have died.
Lector Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Celebrant Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and g rant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
Parish Prayers of the People
As of December 16, 2024
John Aldridge
Rami Angir
Kathryn Anschutz
Barbara Hart Bell
Patricia Bell
Jose Bernal
Len Bourland
Darrell Calvin
Cosette “Coco” Cathey
Patti Cooper
Carlos Cuellar
Glenn Dunn
Kathy Dwight
Robbie Gelhaus
Steve Gleason
Jody Guenther
Jane Haywood
Josh Hight
Cynthia Jensen
Ada Lynn Jones
Lynne Kent
Danny Landeros
Jack Levens
Tom Luce
Dimitri Margetis
Blake Martens
David Martin
Jane Martin
Jim Martin
John Morelock
Heather Nemec
Bob Paddock
Nancy Penn
Aaron Pitchard
Gigi Poglitsch
Allan Price
Randy Rekerdres
Jim Riggert
Jacy Short
Brad Smith
Dorothy Smith
Lynn Smith
Byrd Teague
Sheri White
Mary Wolf
Confession
of Sin and Absolution (kneeling)
Celebrant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
All 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.
The Peace (standing)
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.
Announcements (please be seated)
Give online by selecting General 2024 from the dropdown menu.
The Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem (sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Antiphon Ralph Vaughan Williams
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing: My God and King.
The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither flie; The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow.
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing: My God and King.
The Church with psalms must shout, No door can keep them out; But above all, the heart Must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing: My God and King.
- George Herbert
Presentation Hymn (standing, sung by all) Hymn 380, v. 3
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” Old 100th
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant L ift 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.
“Antiphon” is the final movement of Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, set to George Herbert’s poetry, expressing the soul’s longing for divine connection. The piece alternates between intimate reflection and triumphant proclamation, with lush harmonies and sweeping melodies. Its opening line, “Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing, My God and King,” invites the choir to embody both spiritual yearning and joyful devotion.
All baptized persons of any age regardless of their denomination and tradition are welcome to share in the banquet of the Lord’s Supper.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to g ive thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
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:
Sanctus and Benedictus (standing, sung by all) Hymn S 129 “Holy, holy, holy”
Please kneel as you are able.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to e vil 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.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
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: All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
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 g lory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
All 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 (kneeling, sung by all) Hymn S 152
“Alleluia, Christ our Passover”
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
All are invited to come forward to the Communion rail at the direction of our ushers. Stand or kneel at the rail as you are able, and receive the wafer in the palm of your outstretched hands. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, clasp your hands in front of you with your palms down. Receive the wine by drinking from the chalice as it is offered to you, or by retaining the wafer, to dip lightly into the chalice for yourself. If you are not receiving, you may cross your arms over your chest and receive a blessing. If you are unable to physically come to the rail, please indicate to an usher that you would like to receive Communion at your seat.
Arvo Pärt, one of the most distinctive living composers of sacred choral music, paused his work in the early 1970s to immerse himself in Medieval and Renaissance music, particularly Gregorian chant and European sacred choral traditions. From this study, he developed a unique compositional style that echoes the transcendent and melody-driven qualities of the music he explored. This style is beautifully exemplified in his Magnificat setting, a text traditionally associated with the Fourth Sunday of Advent and reflected in today’s Gospel reading. Deeply contemplative and atmospheric, the piece is intentionally programmed as the final choral work before our Christmas celebration. Its otherworldly, meditative character makes it a fitting conclusion to the season of Advent.
Communion Anthem (sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Magnificat
Arvo Pärt
Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo; quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui, deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles, esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. Magnificat anima mea Dominum.
My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever. My soul doth magnify the Lord.
- Luke 1:46-55
The Post-Communion Prayer (kneeling, spoken by all)
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.
The Blessing (kneeling)
The Dismissal (standing)
Deacon Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Departing Procession (standing, sung by all) Hymn 438
“ Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!” Woodlands
Postlude
Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733 Johann Sebastian Bach
In today’s postlude, we hear Johann Sebastian Bach’s unique treatment of the Magnificat, where he limits himself to the first half of the melody, playing it in full up to measure 98. At that point, the second half of the melody is introduced in the pedals (bass).
The foregoing text of the worship service contained in this order of worship is taken from the Book of Common Prayer 1979.
The Book of Common Prayer alone is of authority in the worship of the Episcopal Church. This program is provided for convenience of use on this occasion.
Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE # M - 402151.
DEC 22
7:30 AM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
sunday at Saint Michael
FORMATION CLASSES
Sundays | 10 a.m.
2nd floor of the new Education Wing
Adults
The Story of Scripture: Samuel 1 Led by the Rev. Robin Hinkle | Room 203
History of the Episcopal Church
9 AM
Traditional Church
Joy! A Children’s Service
Saint Michael Chapel
11 AM
Contemporary Church
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
5:30 PM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
Led by the Rev. René Somodevilla | Coke Room 201
Saint Michael 101: Adult Formation Led by Dr. Tim Smith | Room 200
Class for Parents
The Christmas Story Led by Meghan Houk | Room 212
Youth
Middle School
Youth Room A
High School
Youth Room B
Confirmation
Youth Center
Children
Godly Play
PreK – Kinder | Room 213
1st Grade | Room 208
Weaving God’s Promises
2nd Grade | Room 207
3rd Grade | Room 209
Launch 45
4th – 5th Grade Room 216
Nursery is available in rooms 19 & 20 in the school’s hallway. Enter through the Chapel or the Sunday Education Wing entrance, which are marked on the map on the opposite page.
Saint Michael would like to thank the following parishioners for their support of the 2025 year:
