December 17, 2023, The Third Sunday of Advent, Holy Eucharist

The Third Sunday of Advent

T HE H OLY E UC HARIS T December 17, 2023 Welcome to the Monastery Chapel.

We warmly invite you to participate fully in our worship.

Prelude

Variations on “Stuttgart”

Entrance Hymn

Come, thou long-expected Jesus

Christa Rakich Hymnal 66

Opening Acclamation Presider

Blessed are you, holy and living One.

People

You come to your people and set them free.

Collect for Purity Presider

Almighty God,

People

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.

Hymn of Supplication

Kyrie eleison

Service Music Card

Collect of the Day

THE SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST 980 Memorial Drive  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138  617.876.3037  www.SSJE.org

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Gradual: Psalm 126

BCP, p. 782

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

The Holy Gospel

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sermon Nicene Creed

Service Music Card

The Prayers of the People Confession and Absolution of Sin Presider

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.

The Peace

THE HOLY COMMUNION The Collection of Gifts and Offerings Your financial gifts support the Brothers’ life and our ministry to many, here at our Monastery in Cambridge and at our rural Monastery, Emery House, in West Newbury, and others whom we reach electronically and in our travels on mission.

Offertory Hymn

Hark! the glad sound! the Savior comes

Hymnal 72

The Great Thanksgiving Sanctus

Service Music Card

The Lord’s Prayer

Hymnal S 148

Fraction Anthem

Lamb of God

Service Music Card

Invitation to Communion Presider

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

People

Thanks be to God.

A Note about Holy Communion Please refrain from intinction (dipping the Bread into the Chalice). If you wish to abstain from receiving from the Chalice, remember that the Church catholic has always taught that the fullness of the Sacrament is received even when only one form is received.

Please indicate to the Brother administering Bread at Holy Communion if you require a Gluten-Free host.

Post-Communion Hymn

Prepare the way, O Zion

Hymnal 65

Prayer after Communion Presider

Merciful God,

People

may this Eucharist free us from our sins. fill us with unending joy, and prepare us for the birth of our Savior.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord now and for ever. Amen.

Blessing and Dismissal Postlude

Prepare the Way, O Zion

Sandra Gay

❖ Br. James Koester, Presider Br. Jack Crowley, Preacher Br. Jim Woodrum, Acolyte Mr. Carson Cooman, Monastery Organist ❖

The Monastery as Sanctuary We want our Monastery to be a sanctuary for our guests and for the Brothers. Please silence your electronic devices. We also ask you not to photograph, video, or record services in the Chapel, or to photograph other guests or Brothers without their express permission.