Advent Season
Third Sunday of Advent,
Holy Eucharist
Hanging of the Greens
Order of Worship
Rev. Paul
The Community Gathers Before God
Paul: As we meet together, we begin by remembering the Senc’oten and Hul’Q’umi‘num speaking people, on whose traditional land we now gather in gratitude. We acknowledge their story and their stewardship of the land and water, the plants and animals, through the many generations.
As we meet together, we remember those who have called this place their home in recent years—the community of faith known as the Anglican Parish of Salt Spring Island whose joyful spirit embraces us. Now let us greet one another with words and signs of welcome.
Prelude: Hark by Simon Millerd (trumpet)
Opening Responses:
Paul: In the days to come the presence of the Creator’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above all creation; all the nations shall stream to it. Here at All Saints, we gather to worship God and to offer our joyous celebration as we anticipate the coming of the Christ-child. Many peoples shall come and say:
People: Come, let us go up to the mountain of our Creator, to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us God's ways and that we may walk in God's paths."
A parishioner says: With what shall we come to God's house?
Paul: Bring branches of cedar and holly, bring evergreens and a pine tree, hang wreaths and garlands.
People: Make the church fragrant with the smell of living things and our holy gathering as God’s people. In acts of hanging greens and listening to the words of prophets and the holy apostles let us make our hearts and this space a place of inward and outward preparation for the One who comes to give us second birth.
Opening Hymn: CP 407 “All Beautiful the March of Days”
Welcome/Explanation:
Paul: The most striking and the most universal feature of Christmas is the use of evergreens in churches and homes. Among ancient Romans, evergreens were an emblem of peace, joy, and victory. The early Christians placed them in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered the home. Holly and ivy, along with pine, and fir are called evergreens because they never change color. They are ever - green, ever - alive, even in the midst of winter. They symbolize the unchanging nature of our God, and they remind us of the everlasting life that is ours. When all the earth is brown, when the leaves have departed the trees; Evergreens stand in lonely vigil until the earth again warms, and is green. Evergreens stand ever ready to remind us of joyous hope. The joyous reality of the eternal presence of the Christ Child. Evergreen, everlasting, eternal, green branches are a part of our preparation, our waiting: a symbol of hope, a symbol of eternity, a reminder of love received.
The Advent Wreath:
Paul: The first element in our preparation for the Christ Child, is our Advent Wreath. There are many symbols of waiting, of preparation. There are many customs to hail the Advent, which is Latin for "the Coming." Foremost among the symbols is the Advent Wreath, the Wreath of Coming. The circle of the Wreath like God has no beginning and no end - a circle of meaning, a symbol of that which is as eternal as God. The Advent Wreath is a symbol of hope, a symbol of four Sabbaths of waiting. Four candles light the wreath. So in the wreath, we symbolize the coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace; The Revelation of God. He comes! Let us prepare for His coming with joy.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath:
Third Sunday of Advent - The Promise of Joy
Reader – Advent is a time for God’s people to reawaken their longings.
People: Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
In the darkness, we long to see the light.
Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
In the silence, we long for a comforting word.
Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
In hardship, we long for an act of love.
Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
In Christ, we celebrate and rejoice in the promise of joy.
Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Candle Lighting
Paul: Today we light three candles. The first candle radiates the hope given through Jesus Christ. The second candle calls us to embrace and extend Christ’s peace to an unsettled world. The third candle extends the promise of joy to restless souls. Though darkness is present and earthly trials weigh heavy, the promise of Advent offers true joy that sustains a weary people.
Congregation response song:
Lead us on, lead us on – to a morning where the promise shines.
Lead us on, lead us on – to a morning where the promise shines.
To a morning where the promise shines.
Closing Prayer…
Paul: Gracious Creator,
People: our joy is found in you, for not only did you enter into this world, but you became the hope of the world. From the cradle to the cross, you invite us to share in your victory. This is the fountain from which our joy flows. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
Collect of the Day:
Paul: God of glory and compassion,
People: at your touch the wilderness blossoms. Grant perseverance and patience to all who long for your Son’s return, so that we may announce in word and deed the good news of the kingdom. We ask this through Christ whose day draws near. Amen
Proclamation
Scripture reading Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11
The Poinsettia:
Paul: Most Christmas greenery reflects European traditions. But one colorful plant, which looks like a flaming star, the poinsettia, is a native to the American continent. It was named after Dr. Joel Robert Poinsett, an ambassador to Mexico who first introduced it to the United States in 1828. The people of Mexico and Central America call the brilliant tropical plant the "Flower of the Holy Night." The Poinsettia is a many-pointed star that has become a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. As we sing our poinsettia’s will be placed in the sanctuary.
Sung Magnificat
The Wreath: A symbol of Never-Ending Love:
Paul: The wreath is made of evergreen. The love of God holds us without conditions. With the tenderness of a parent, God seeks us out even when we feel abandoned and lost. Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah felt lost and abandoned by God. What they dreamed for most in life simply hadn’t happened. Then, just when the had given up all hope, something remarkable happened, a Son, John would be his name. The one to cry our in the Wilderness: Prepare ye the Way! As we sing, our wreaths of evergreen will be placed.
Hymn ““Prepare the Way of the Lord” CP107 (x2)
Hang the wreaths during the singing Altar Guild
Scripture Reading 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24
The Christmas Tree: A Symbol of Celebration and Rebirth:
Paul: Today, the Christmas tree is the center of our festivities at home. Glittering with lights and ornaments, it is a part of the beauty and meaning of Christmas. There are several legends and stories about the Christmas tree. The first use of the Christmas tree was in the medieval German Paradise Plays, held outdoors and portraying the creation of humankind. The Tree of Life was a fir tree decorated with apples. Martin Luther was perhaps the first to use a lighted tree. The story is told that on one Christmas Eve Martin Luther wandered outdoors and became enraptured with the beauty of the starry sky. Its brilliance and loveliness led him to reflect on the glory of the first Christmas Eve as seen in Bethlehem's radiant skies. Wishing to share with his wife and children the enchantment he had felt, he cut from the forest an evergreen, glistening with snow, and took it home. He placed upon it candles to represent the glorious heavens he had seen. He also topped his tree with a star to commemorate that star which was in the Bethlehem sky as recorded in scriptures. He said the Christmas tree, with its top pointing up to heaven, was like hands folded in prayer, pointing to the throne of grace, from which we received our Savior. As we sing, let us decorate our tree.
Hymn: ”Joy to the World” CP154
Scripture Reading John 1.1-6, 19-28
The Nativity:
Paul: One of the most heart-warming expressions of Christmas is the Nativity. The Nativity speaks of the mystery of God's wisdom. God reached out to all people including the poor and wealthy, the simple and the wise, the powerless and the powerful. All who found him knelt in humility before him. Knowing God is possible because he came to us, at our level. Whenever we see a Nativity we find ourselves with Mary and Joseph; with the Shepherds, and with the Wise Men; bowing before the manger, overwhelmed by God's expression of love in coming to us. Today we display our Stable, poised for the unexpected.
Place the Stable
Hymn “Once in Royal David’s City” CP123
Mistletoe: The Promise of Peace
Confession
Paul: God of infinite love, we confess that we are quick to give up on ourselves and on others. We fail to trust that you are with us when our lives become filled up with busyness or darkness, sadness or conflict.
People: forgive us when we fail to see your face in the people around us. Fill us with your graciousness that as we are forgiven, so we may become a forgiving, reconciling people. Amen.
Paul: In ancient times, mistletoe was considered the “meeting place” for warring parties. Under the mistletoe, enemies could exchange the “kiss of peace” and work to let go of anger and past hurts enough to really listen to each other and understand one another’s points of view. In the presence of God’s love we gather, continually grateful for God’s forgiveness and grace. We are a forgiven people. We are freed by God’s grace to reach out to a broken world with compassion and love. As our Mistletoe is hung let us sing:
Hang Mistletoe
Sing: The Holly and The Ivy
Passing of the Peace
Paul: The Peace of Christ be always with you
People: and also with you.... (Greet one another in peace.)
The Candles and Lights: God Promises to Give Light:
Paul: The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when the darkness of the world would be replaced by light and when that light would bless all people. Into our personal darkness comes Jesus, not just once long ago, but again and again - holding up God’s promise of hope, even when life is filled with struggle.
Eucharist
Offertory Hymn “Hark the Glad Sound! The Saviour Comes” CP98
During Singing, turn on lights..... CHRISTMAS TREES, CANDLES
Prayer over the gifts:
Paul: What can I give him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him; Give my heart.
Eucharistic Prayer #1
Paul: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Paul: It is indeed right that we should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things. You formed us in your own image: male and female you created us. When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us, but opened a path of salvation for all people. You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom; through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation. Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age, we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
People: (Said response)
Holy, Holy, Holy, God of infinite love and forgiveness heaven and earth are shining bright with the glory of your light! Loud hosannas now we sing! In the highest may they ring! Blessed is the Coming One, Christ, Emmanuel, your Son. Glory in the highest! Holy God, your name be blessed.
Paul: Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, 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 healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need. In all things he fulfilled your gracious will.
On the night he freely gave himself to 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.”
Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death; by raising him to life you give us life for evermore. Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith.
People: Dying Christ destroyed our death. Rising Christ restores our life. Christ will come again in glory, raising us all to life. Oh, God of love, our hearts delight: Feed us, guide us, walk beside us, bless us with our gentle light.
Paul: Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection, and looking for his coming again in glory, we offer you, Father, this bread and this cup. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be one body and one holy people, a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
People: God our Mother, Christ our Brother, Spirit in these gifts you vow, by your giving, in our living, we become your body now. Bread is broken, light revealing; words are spoken for our healing. Make us all your body now. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking of the Bread #5
Paul: God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
People: Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
The Communion
Invitation to Communion, CP 747: Jesus, Lamb of God
Prayer after Communion:
Paul: God for whom we wait,
People: in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Doxology
Paul: Glory to God,
People: whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sending Forth
Blessing
Shared Ministry
Commissioning Hymn: “Tell Out Soul” CP362
Commissioning
Paul: Now may the God who has called us to live in hope and expectation, go with you as you journey in Faith toward that new future created by God’s love that has dwelt, and continues to dwell among us and in us. Go, in God’s grace and peace.
People: May the hope, peace, joy and love of God encompass us and light our path now and always. Amen.
Postlude: Sussex Carol arr. Brian Glyncannon
OUR PRAYERS TODAY
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea
In the Anglican Church of Canada: Pray for our Primate, Linda Nicholls, and National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop and Presiding Elder of the Sacred Circle, Chris Harper
Also, the people & clergy of the Diocese of Kootenay and for their bishop, Lynne McNaughton
In our Diocese: Anna, our Bishop and also, St. Matthias, Victoria
On the Island: SSI United & Burgoyne Historic — Rev. Faye Greer
In our Parish, we pray for our Wardens & Parish Council and for these five households:
Paige Hughes, Tim & Elaine Hunt, Rev Elaina Hyde, David Jardine, and Joan & Brian Johnson
Readings Next Sunday
2 Sam 7.1-11, 16
Ps 89.1-4, 19-26
Rom 16.25-27
Lk 1.26-38