+ All Categories
Home > Documents > December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

Date post: 30-May-2018
Category:
Upload: jody
View: 216 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend

of 20

Transcript
  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    1/20

    The Right Reverend John C. Bauerschmidt--Bishop of Tennessee

    The Reverend Joseph B. Howard--Vicar

    Order of Worship

    St. Francis Church is a community dedicated to thetransformation of lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ for

    the Kingdom of God.

    The Fourth Sunday of AdventYear B

    St. FranciS churchA New Christian Community for the Goodlettsville Area

    A congregation of the Diocese of Tennessee and the world-wide Anglican Communion

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    2/20

    A note for visitors: Were thankful that you could join us for worship today, and wepray God blesses you in your time here. The service is printed in your bulletin. If youhave any questions dont hesitate to ask someone around you!

    St. Francis Church we want to encourage families to worship together. In order tobe a community where all ages feel welcome, we provide coloring materials for childrento use during worship and seek to understand the specic gifts and challenges thatchildren bring. We encourage you, should you feel comfortable doing so, to sit toward

    the front with your children, as little-ones are often more attentive if they can see what ishappening. After the second reading, children 6 years old and below are invited to takepart in childrens chapel.

    We understand that there may be times when it is best to take advantage of child care,and nursury is provided.

    In Preparation for worship: We invite you to take a few moments before the servicebegins to be still, and rest from the business of your lives. Take time to breathe deeply,

    and reect upon the past week, preparing yourself to come before God in worship.When youre ready, you might say the following prayer or one like it in preparation forworship.

    O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace andof supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness ofheart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindledaffections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; though Jesus Christour Lord. Amen.

    2

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    3/20

    TheWordof God

    Processional: O Come, O Come Emmanuel Hymnal 56 (vs. 1-6)

    Opening Acclamation:All Standing

    Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.People: His mercy endures for ever.

    3

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    4/20

    Collect for Purity:Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets arehid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that wemay perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.

    Amen.

    Trisagion Said (x3)

    Holy God,Holy and Mighty,Holy Immortal One,Have mercy upon us.

    Celebrant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Celebrant: Let us pray.

    Collect of the Day:

    Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ,at his coming, may nd in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns withyou, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16All sit.

    Nathan receives a prophecy that the Lord will have an enduring relationship with Davidand his descendents. They will rule forever because they enjoy the Lords favor.

    A reading from the Second Book of Samuel:

    Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all hissurrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a houseof cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do allthat is in your heart, for the LORD is with you. But that same night the word of the LORDcame to Nathan, Go and tell my servant David, Thus says the LORD: Would you buildme a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the peopleof Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.

    In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word withany of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying,Why have you not built me a house of cedar? Now, therefore, thus you shall say to myservant David, Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from followingthe sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with youwherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make foryou a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a placefor my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place andbe disturbed no more. And violent men shall afict them no more, as formerly, from thetime that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your

    enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throneshall be established forever.

    Reader: The Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

    4

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    5/20

    The Psalm of the day:Remain seated

    Canticle 15: In UnisonThe Song of Mary Luke 1:46-55Magnifcat

    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

    my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

    From this day all generations will call me blessed: *the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.

    He has mercy on those who fear him *in every generation.

    He has shown the strength of his arm, *he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

    He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *and has lifted up the lowly.He has lled the hungry with good things, *

    and the rich he has sent away empty.He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,The promise he made to our fathers, *

    to Abraham and his children for ever.

    Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

    as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

    Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

    Paul ends his letter to the Romans by acclaiming Gods glory and challenging Christiansto be strengthened by obedience to Jesus preaching.

    A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.

    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of

    Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long agesbut has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known toall nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience offaith to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

    Reader: The Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

    The Children Come forward for prayer, and then depart for ChildrensChapelAll stand.

    5

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    6/20

    Alleluia: Taiz

    Holy Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

    Mary is told by an angel that she has found favor with God, and has been chosen to bringGods Son into the world.

    Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _______.

    People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

    In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee namedNazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.And the virgins name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Greetings, O favored one,the Lord is with you! But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discernwhat sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, foryou have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear ason, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of theMost High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he willreign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.And Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin?And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of theMost High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holythe Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceiveda son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will beimpossible with God. And Mary said, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be tome according to your word. And the angel departed from her..

    Gospeller: The Gospel of the LordPeople: Praise to you, Lord Christ

    Repeat Alleluia:

    Sermon: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

    6

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    7/20

    TheNiceNe creed

    Webelieve 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 crucied under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose againin accordance with the Scriptures;he ascended into heavenand 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 gloried.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.

    7

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    8/20

    The PrayersofThe PeoPle

    Leader: I ask your prayers for Gods people throughout the world; for our Bishop, John;for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.

    Pray for the Church.Silence

    Leader: I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people.

    Pray for justice and peace.Silence

    Leader: I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those inprison.

    Pray for those in any need or trouble.Silence

    Leader: I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him.

    Pray that they may nd and be found by him.Silence

    8

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    9/20

    Leader: I ask your prayers for the departed.

    Pray for those who have died.

    Members of the congregation may ask the prayers or the thanksgivings of those present

    I ask your prayers for ____________ .

    I ask your thanksgiving for _____________ .

    Silence

    Leader: 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.

    People: O Lord Hear my prayer... (See music on facing page)

    Celebrant: Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth:Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do yourwill; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    The coNfessioN

    Celebrant: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse

    us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

    Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

    Silence.

    Minister and People:

    Most merciful God,we confess that we have sinned against youin 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 ourLord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of theHoly Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

    All stand

    9

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    10/20

    Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.People: And also with you.

    Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

    Announcements

    #TheholycommuNioN#

    Offertory Music: O Come , Come Emmanuel instrumental

    Representatives of the congregation bring the peoples offering of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the

    celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.

    Celebrant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Celebrant: Lift 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.

    It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

    Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make usheirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and greattriumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold hisappearing.

    Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all thecompany of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

    The Sanctus: S-129

    Please stand or kneel at this time, as best helps you to pray.

    10

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    11/20

    We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known tous in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through theprophets; and above all in the Word made esh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last daysyou sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of theworld. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you.In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out ofdeath into life.

    On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he hadgiven thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat: This ismy Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. After supper hetook the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drinkthis, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and formany for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance ofme. Therefore, according to his command, O Father:

    We remember his death,

    We proclaim his resurrection,We await his coming in glory;

    And we offer our sacrice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting toyou, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

    We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may bethe Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to yourSon in his sacrice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctied by the HolySpirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring

    us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlastingheritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the rstborn of allcreation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

    By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory isyours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

    And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

    Our Father, who art in heaven,

    hallowed by 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.

    11

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    12/20

    The BreakiNGofThe Bread

    Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacriced for us;Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

    The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died foryou, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

    ON RECEIVING COMMUNION:

    All baptized Christians who are in love and charity with their neighbors are welcome toreceive communion. If you do not wish to receive, you are invited to come forward fora blessingsimply cross your arms over your chest to let the servers know that you willnot be receiving.

    Additionally, we invite those who for some reason cannot or do not wish to recieve, topartake of the unconsecrated bread (Antidoron) available at the back as you leave.

    Prayers before receiving can be found on pages 337 (the Prayer of Humble Access)and 834 in the Book of Common Prayer (the red books available under your chairs).

    Communion Hymn: Taiz

    Post-Communion Prayer

    After Communion, the Celebrant says:

    Let us PrayThe minister and people together, pray:

    Almighty and everliving God,we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual foodof the most precious Body and Bloodof your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;

    and for assuring us in these holy mysteriesthat we are living members of the Body of your Son,and heirs of your eternal kingdom.And now, Father, send us outto do the work you have given us to do,to love and serve youas faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

    12

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    13/20

    To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

    The Recessional: O for a thousand tongues to sing Hymnal 493

    Celebrant says the dismissalPeople: Thanks be to God.

    8

    13

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    14/20

    A Note on Todays Readings

    Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    Welcome to St. Francis Church. The central gure in todays liturgy is the Blessed VirginMary and her vocation as the human instrument of the Incarnation.

    Todays Gospel is the account of the Annunciation, when Gabriel announced to the Virginthat God had chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah. Marys humble obedience,Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word, is the modelfor Christian living.

    The rst reading today is the promise God made to David to establish his line as kings overGods people. The promise to raise up a new king of Davids lineage was understood byJews in the rst century as a promise to send the Messiah.

    In the second reading today, Paul concludes his letter to the church in Rome. He expresses

    the early Christian proclamation that in Christ the clouded meaning of the Old Testamentprophecies has been revealed. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Gods planhas been made clear, and the hints of that plan in the writings of the prophets have beenfullled.

    Christians gather in the liturgy to remember our story, a story which goes back through theages. The central actor is always God, who acts in history to lead all the creation into thekingdom. God, who acted in the lives of people in the past such as David and the BlessedVirgin, continues to act today in our lives. The Eucharist is the moment of encounter withGod in which, like Mary, we respond, Yes.

    From The Rite Light: Reections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing

    Incorporated, New York.

    14

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    15/2015

    Good News Daily(

    Volume VIII December 2127, 2008 Number 51

    Sunday, December 21

    Isaiah 42:1-12I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise

    to idols. (v.8 NRSV)

    Gods desire is that all people experience His glory. However, to know His glory, we musttruly seek to know Him. His glory abides only in His presence. So, naturally it came withthe arrival of Jesus. Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among thosewhom he favors (Luke 2:14).

    The shepherds who heard the Gloria witnessed and then reected the glory of the Lordthat shone around them. They not only spread the word with joy about what they had seenand heard, but they gloried God (Luke 2:20).

    Christians are to reect His glory as well. Matthew 5:16 instructs us to ...let your lightshine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Fatherin heaven. We are to illuminate the way of God for others, manifest the joy of fellowshipwith God as a witness to the world, and be transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

    Psalms 24, 29; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 3:16-21

    Monday, December 22

    Psalm 62For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He aloneis my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. (vv.1-2)

    Morton Kelsey in The Other Side of Silence says, To become really silent one has tocome to a halt outwardly and inwardly at the same time. Outwardly, can we stop thefrantic attempts to get everything donethe shopping, the entertaining, and the familyinteraction? Inwardly, can we relax our spirit and let the Holy Spirit calm our soul? It is insilence that we become most intimate with God. A wonderful advent hymn emphasizes thethoughts in our focus verse.

    Come, Thou long expected Jesus,Born to set Thy people free;

    From our fears and sins release us;Let us nd our rest in Thee.

    A time of rest, moments of silence, can truly prepare us for the coming of the Holy One,our Savior. Consider an evening walk gazing at the night stars, lingering before an openre, perhaps even a day of retreat. Let us keep quiet vigil and enjoy the spaciousness and

    creativity of silence.

    Isaiah 11:1-9; Psalm 61; Revelation 20:1-10; John 5:30-47

    Tuesday, December 23

    Luke 1:5-48a And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulllment of what

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    16/2016

    was spoken to her by the Lord. (v.45)

    In a tiny church in the North Carolina Mountains, there is a beautiful fresco of Mary, theexpectant, pregnant Mary. I love to sit on those hard pews and ponder the life of thatblessed woman. She was blessed to be the dwelling place of the Christ, the fulllment ofyears of prophecy. She was blessed as she watched Jesus grow into a man, to be there atHis rst miracle. Although it couldnt have seemed so at the time, she was blessed to beat His crucixion, as she would soon realize that he was her Savior. Finally, we see an

    additional blessing as portrayed in Acts. All there were constantly devoting themselves toprayer...including Mary the mother of Jesus.... (Acts 1:14). This event continues in Acts2:4, ...all of them were lled with the Holy Spirit....

    Like Mary, each of us can be visited by the divine Spirit who bears an invitation to becomea dwelling place for Christ. Like Mary, we can believe in the incarnation, in Jesus asour Savior, and in the promise of being lled by the Holy Spirit. So we also can be mostblessed.

    Isaiah 11:10-16; Psalms 66, 67; Revelation 20:1121:8

    Wednesday, December 24

    Luke 1:67-80By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break uponus, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feetinto the way of peace. (vv.78-79)

    You, sweetness itself, stooped to join yourself with our bitterness.You, splendor, joined yourself with darkness;

    You, wisdom, with foolishness;You, life, with death;

    You, the innite, with us who are nite....

    Catherine of Siena paints a beautiful picture of Jesus with these words. Splendor, shenames Him. Zechariah, in his word picture calls Him the dawn from on high. Otherversions of Luke use dayspring from on high, light of dawn, heavens dawn, andGods sunrise; many ways of expressing the truth that Christ is the divine light thatpermeates creation. In Genesis 1:3, God said, Let there be light. In the incarnation, Hesays it again.

    Candle glow, twinkling lights, and luminariesall reminding us that on a dark night longago, the light shone.

    Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalms 45, 46; Revelation 22:12-17, 21

    Thursday, December 25

    Zechariah 2:10-13Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell inyour midst, says the Lord. (v.10)

    As we travel the highway, about an hour from our house, there is a church with the nameGreat Present. The rst time I saw it, it captured my imagination. Each time we pass thesign, I turn it over in my mind and play with the name.

    Zechariah prophesied that Great Present was going to come and dwell in the midst of his

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    17/2017

    people. Before the time had even come, he was encouraging them to celebrate. The Gospelssay Great Present is here! Jesus tells the people that while the bridegroom is with them,it is to be a festive time. In 1 John 4, John boldly declared, the Father has sent his Son asthe Saviour of the world. Great Present had been in their midst, and John had been awitness to that life. He delivered the news with assurance and much excitement.

    Today, family and friends gather. We give and receive gifts, but all would be hollowand without real joy except for the Great Present. We remember the incarnation and

    experience the indwelling Spirit, the presence of our Great God. Joy to the World, TheLord Is Come!

    Psalms 2, 85; 1 John 4:7-16; John 3:31-36

    Friday, December 26

    Psalm 31 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithfulGod. (v.5)

    Today is the day we remember the martyrdom of Stephen. As a disciple full of faith andthe Holy Spirit, he was chosen to be a deacon, and he worked miracles among the people.But his crowning testimony was to speak up boldly about Jesus among those who hadpreviously condemned Jesus to death. He faced these enemies and told them they haddone wrong. The consequence was that he himself was killed (Acts 7:58).

    In other words, having recognized that Jesus had given himself for him, he gladly gaveup himself for Jesus. And Stephens last wordsLord, do not hold this sin against them(Acts 7:60) echoed Jesus words, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

    (Luke 23:34).

    Today we are still basking in Jesus love for us. And Stephens death inspires us to ask,What are we going to give up for Jesus? What sacrice can we make to show him that welove him too?

    Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15; Acts 6:87:60; Matthew 23:34-39

    Saturday, December 27

    Mark 10:13-16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessedthem. (v.16)

    My sister, born December 18, came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve. I wastwelve. Soon we packed the tiny Jesus from the nativity scene in a cardboard box,wrapping him in tissue paper. But you dont put a live baby sister away like that. That childhad to be cared for after Christmas was over. She couldnt be forgotten for even an hour,but required attention and vigilance. So, too, it was with the baby, Jesus. Maybe Jesuslearned to tenderly bless children by his remembrance of Mary and Josephs care for him,their willingness to take a strange journey to save his life.

    I have a magnetized note on my refrigerator to remind me to pray for a child in ourchurch family. Once a year, the names are passed out to the congregation and we havethe opportunity to be a part of the rearing of a child by interceding for her or him. Whatan encouragement to a parent to realize that someone else is joining them in prayingfor their child. There are many ways we can join Jesus in the care of the children of the

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    18/2018

    world. So many are suffering from the devastation of war, famine, and disease, all kinds ofbrokenness. They need our care, attention, and prayers.

    Just as Simeon prayed and thanked God for the child, Jesus, we can join his line.

    Isaiah 49:13-23; Psalm 26

    by Carolyn Byrd (all days except Friday) and Fr. John Pearce (Friday)

    Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP

    P. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    19/2019

    aNNouNcemeNTs

    Christmas Poinsettias: We will be ordering the Christmas Poinsettias soon. If youwould like to donate toward them in someones honor or memory, please tear off theportion of your bulletin below and let us know. Suggested donation is $10.

    December 21st: The Greening of the Church will take place after the 10:30 service.Join us as we prepare for the Christmas season and enjoy fellowship and snacks together.

    December 24th: Our Christmas Eve Service will take place at 5:00 pm.

    January 4th: The St. Francis parish Chrsitmas party will be at 6:00 pm tonight. TheChittoms have graciously offered to host it at their home.

    January 6th: We will celebrate Epiphany with an evening service at 6:30 pm, afterwhich we will de-green the Church.

  • 8/14/2019 December 21, 2008: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

    20/20

    Bishop of Tennessee

    The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt

    VicarThe Rev. Joseph B. Howard

    Mission CouncilRalph Eddy

    Linda PalmerThom ChittomShelley Sircy

    clerk: Nanci Frey

    AccompanistAnna Howard

    Schedule of Ministry:

    Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard Reader: Dave Gaines

    Acolyte/Crucifer: Adam Waltenbaugh Prayer Station: Shelley Sircy

    Oblationers: Chalicist: Adam Waltenbaugh

    To check the schedule online, visit:

    http://stfrancis-tn.net and go to congregational resources-->schedule

    To get in touch with Fr. Jody for any reason, you can reach him at 615-440-6492 or via email at [email protected].

    _______________________________________________________________________________

    St. Francis ChurchBiblically minded. Mission driven.812 Meadowlark LnPO Box 697Goodlettsville, TN 37072Phone: 851-0790

    http://stfrancis-tn.net

    Cover Image: The Annunciation, by Fra Angelico

    Wood cuts from: Pitts Theological Library Digital Image Archive

    Color images from: Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN, https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-search.pl

    CCLI License No. 2334637 Oneliscence.net No. A-714717

    Christmas Poinsettias:

    If you would like to make a donation toward the purchase of the Christmas Poinsettias, please ll out the information below. If youare donating with a check, please write Christmas owers in the for area of the check. If you are using cash, simply fold this

    paper over your donation before placing it in the offering plate.

    Your Name:

    Number of poinsettas (if you would like to take them after the Holidays):

    Given in memoriam or in thanksgiving for:


Recommended