Tuesday, December 22 Advent Holy Eucharist, Week 4 With the Society of St. John the Evangelist Opening Acclamation Presider People
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God.
Presider
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.
All
Candle Lighting Anthem The Brothers then sing the Candle Lighting Anthem as the candles on the altar are lit.
Phos Hilaron Ancient Greek hymn meaning “O Gladsome Light�
Hymnal 26
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.
First Lesson 1 Samuel 1:19–28 19 They
rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time.” 23 Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only—may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him. 24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” 21
She left him there for the Lord.
Psalm Psalm 113 Refrain
Gospel Reading Luke 1:39–56
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 In
those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Mary’s Song of Praise 46
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
56
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.
Sermon Prayers of the People Loving Father, we who are physically distant now groan inwardly as we await the day when we are restored to the company of our neighbors and brought to the fullness of your presence in the Eucharistic feast. Comfort us in our longing to be near each other, assure us of your indwelling presence, and hasten the day when we will abide with you and all our beloved siblings in that kingdom where there is neither sorrow nor crying but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Confession of Sin and Absolution Presider Let us confess our sins to God. God of all mercy, People
we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
Presider Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, keep you in eternal life. All
The Peace
Amen.
Offertory Hymn
The Great Thanksgiving Sanctus The Lord’s Prayer Fraction Anthem Presentation Presider People
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. — or —
Presider
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.
Southern Africa Spiritual Communion In apartheid South Africa many prisoners were denied the sacraments and had to find other ways of taking Spiritual Communion. This found its way into the 1989 Anglican Church of Southern Africa Prayer Book as a help to others who could not receive Jesus, may all that is you flow into me. May your body and blood be my food and drink. May your passion and death be my strength and life. Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given. May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross. Let me not run from the love which you offer but hold me safe from the forces of evil. On each of my dyings shed your light and your love. Keep calling to me until that day comes when, with your saints, I may praise you for ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Post Communion Prayer Presider People
Dismissal
Let us pray. Faithful God, in this sacrament we receive the promise of salvation. May we, like the Virgin Mary, be obedient to your will. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.