December 6, 2020 The Second Sunday of Advent
7:30 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I
According to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)
St. Alban's proclaims to all, through word and deed, the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
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ADVENT | CHRISTMAS | EPIPHANY | LENT | EASTER | PENTECOST
Please silence cell phones and mobile devices. During the prelude, please be mindful of those preparing for worship.
If you are a visitor to St. Alban’s, we are so glad that you decided to join us. We invite you to grab some more information about St. Alban’s from the welcome table.
During Holy Communion, you will be invited to come forward by row to get the bread from one of the two tables in front of the altar. At this time, we will receive the Holy Eucharist in one kind—that is, just the bread. The priest will say the words of distribution. Please reverently consume the bread and then go back to your seat.
COVID GUIDELINES
By attending this service, you agree to the following:
I understand to the best of my knowledge, I/we have not experienced any of the following COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days: fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat. If I/we have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to the service or should I/we test positive to a COVID-19 screening or exhibit the symptoms described above, I agree I will contact a member of church staff immediately.
Please maintain social distance (6 ft. between members of different households) and wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth during the service and while on campus.
Restrooms are available in the Parish Hall.
This Bulletin Is Available Online.Go to stalbanswaco.org/bulletins and click on the link for today’s service.
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THE HOLY EUCHARISTEucharist, meaning “thanksgiving,” comes from the Greek words for “good” and “gift.”
We ask that you maintain social distance and wear a mask throughout the service and while on campus.
Opening Acclamation
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord.People Amen.
Summary of the Law
Celebrant Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Celebrant Lord have mercy upon us. People Christ have mercy upon us.Celebrant Lord have mercy upon us.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.People And with thy Spirit.Celebrant Let us pray.
Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Please be seated.
THE WORD OF GOD
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 40:1-11
Lector A reading from Isaiah.
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm is read by all.
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Benedixisti, Domine 1 You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, * you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people * and blotted out all their sins.
8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, * for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.
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9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, * and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel
The Gospel Mark 1:1-8
Reader The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark.People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Reader The Gospel of the Lord.People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
Please be seated.
The Sermon The Rev. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman
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*Catholic means universal.
All stand.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic* and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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Please remain standing for the Prayers.
The Prayers of the People Form III
Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic* Church; That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of thy Church may truly and humbly serve thee; That thy Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; for Michael, our Presiding Bishop; for Andy, Jeff, Hector, and Kai, our Bishops; for Aaron, Neal, Kara, Keith, and Oscar, our Priests; for Alberto, our Deacon; and for all bishops, priests, and deacons;That they may be faithful ministers of thy Word and Sacraments.
We pray for our armed forces, for the people of our country, and for Donald, our President; Joe, our President-elect; Greg, our Governor; Dillon, our Mayor; and all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do thy will in all that we undertake; That our works may find favor in thy sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to all the departed eternal rest; Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise thee for all thy saints who have entered into joy; May we also come to share in thy heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence
We pray for those on our parish prayer list, those in our parish family celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in the coming week, our local mission partners, theEpiscopal Hispanic Mission in Waco, and our sister parish of All Saints, Nambiti, Malawi.
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The Celebrant adds the Collect for a time of Pandemic. O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect. Hasten, O Father, the coming of thy kingdom; and grant that we thy servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold thy Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
Confession of Sin & Absolution
MinisterLet us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
Minister and PeopleAlmighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant saysAlmighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Peace Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And with thy spirit.
Staying in your seat, greet one another in the name of the Lord with a nod, a wave, or a reverent bow.
Please be seated.
Parish Announcements
THE HOLY COMMUNION
All baptized Christians, regardless of age or denomination, are welcome to receive Communion at the Lord’s Table.
To receive Holy Communion:• Come up by row, beginning with the back rows first, then moving to the side rows. • Come to the small table on the same side of the "church" where you are sitting.• You are invited to leave your financial offering or pledge card in the alms basin by the table. • Please sanitize your hands in the hand sanitizer station before taking the bread. • After the priest says the words of distribution you will take the bread from the table, step back a
few paces, and reverently consume the bread. • Please return to your seat along the side aisles.
Please stand.
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer II
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit.Celebrant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them up unto the Lord.Celebrant Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People It is meet and right so to do.
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.
Because thou didst send thy beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
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Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
Celebrant and People
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.The people remain standing.
Then the Celebrant continues wtih the prayer of consecration.
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me."
Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and preciousdeath, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory.
And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ.
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And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. The people respond loudlyAMENCelebrant And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,People 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
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.
A period of silence is kept.
Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion. See p. 9 for instructions. If you have questions about what we believe about Communion, visit stalbanswaco.org/communion.
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Post-Communion Prayer
Please stand.
After Communion, the Celebrant saysLet us pray
Celebrant and People
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in;through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
The Blessing The Dismissal Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.
TODAY'S WORSHIP MINISTERSCelebrant & Preacher
Vestry Person of the Day The Rev. Aaron M. G. ZimmermanMeghan Watkins
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
BaptismsSt. Alban's welcomed into the household of God Pate Young (son of Caitlin and Clayton Young) and Luke and Charlie Young (sons of Jason and Ashley Young) in a service of Holy Baptism on Saturday.
We give thanks and offer our prayers for all our members being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church today. The service is being held outdoors at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for all three Waco congregations, with Bishop Kathryn “Kai” Ryan. Due to Covid, the service is limited only to those being confirmed or received.
Candidates for Confirmation & ReceptionSpencer CarterStephen Case
Bronwyn CaseAbel CastroBiz DeJongTim DeJong
Alex EngebretsonJulie EngebretsonDona GallagherVictor GalvanDiane Gough
Joni GrossBen Haworth
Courtney HaworthJeff Hogan
Sarah HollandAnna Kay Hollon-Harris
Dawn HumphreyJeff Humphrey
Susan KellyErin Lange
Jason MacGregorKelly MacGregorRobert Mattson
Will McLeanMarilee Rafferty
Gerhard StuebbenKimberly Stuebben
Sarah Catherine WeaverAthan Zimmerman
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
Add Your Name to the BoardEarlier this year, while doing an inspection in the church attic, we found a board signed by our founding rector, the Rev. Charles A. Higgins. The inscription “Charlie Did It” commemorated the completion of framing the building in 1949.
Over 70 years later, we are now re-imagining Parson Higgins’ gesture for our generation in a way that will allow the whole congregation to participate.
As we prepare to renovate the church through the Renew & Restore Capital Campaign, we invite everyone who has made a pledge of any amount to sign the board now on display outside the Welcome Center. With everyone’s support, we will be able to say “We Did It!”
Learn more and make your pledge at www.stalbanswaco.org/renewandrestore.
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
Pastoral CarePrayer Lists: St. Alban’s maintains a published prayer list, a confidential prayer list (shared only with clergy and pastoral staff) and a prayer list for those on active military duty and their families. To add someone to a prayer list, please secure permission from the person to be added and then contact Hilary at (254) 752-1773 ext. 1002. Hilary needs at least the first name of the person being listed as well as your name and contact information. Individuals remain on our prayer lists for one month unless the request is renewed.
*denotes active military service
We have been asked to pray forJimmy Pancerella*Hunter Herbert*
Kenneth Scattergood*Joe Bozarth, IV*Blake Bostick*Michael Field*Jerrod Elliott*Vance Jones*Ashley Bass
The White FamilyTyler Willis
Bruce BundrantEva Lott
Local Mission PartnersCedar Ridge Elementary
The CovereVision
Mission Waco
Joanna Hill ByrnesMax Campbell
The Rev. Jerry Lyle Ann Kimmel
Donnie Kimmel Leigh Clark
Gladys StrakosSusanCarol
Lisa SaxenianJune BundrantHolly ShieldRon Harper
Dana BurtonRebecca Hartberg
Polly BrownJan Michaelis
Ben SheesleyRuss SwetlandMargie AllenSilas Danford
Kathy Swetland
Celebrating birthdays
Celebrating anniversariesPat & Sandy Atkins
Russ & Kathy SwetlandNorman & Pam Wurgler
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
PARISH FINANCIAL UPDATES
Giving regularly towards your 2020 pledge for our ministry budget is more vital than ever. Thank you for your faithful support. You can give in three ways:
• Make a gift online• Mail in a check • Drop a check in the church office mailbox
If you’re a regular giver, please consider setting up automated online giving through your bank or through our online giving option. If you make a gift online, please include your name in the form. Your name is required to apply your payment to the correct contribution statement. If you have questions about online giving, contact our Business Manager, Nancy Bennett, at [email protected] or visit www.stalbanswaco.org/give.
2020 Giving Update December Pledged: $73,976 - December Received: $14,088
Year-to-date Pledged: $887,712 - Year-to-date Received: $771,657
Thank you for your continued financial support of St. Alban’s!
(Each month's total pledges received includes monies towards 2020 pledges which were paid in 2019. The total amount is $64,450 or $5,370 per month.)
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
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Getting Connected at St. Alban's
St. Alban’s proclaims to all, through word and deed, the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
ST. ALBAN’S STAFFThe Rev. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman, Rector
[email protected] (ext. 1002)
The Rev. Neal McGowan, Assistant [email protected] (ext. 1004)
The Rev. Alberto Melis, Deacon [email protected]
The Rev. Keith Pozzuto, College Missioner for [email protected]
The Rev. Oscar HuertaDiocesan Church Planter for Waco
The Rev. Kara Leslie, Pastoral [email protected]
Nancy Bennett, Business Manager [email protected] (ext. 1001)
Stephanie DrumMinister to Children, Youth & [email protected] (ext. 1006)
Ricky Gamble, Sexton
Hilary Gardner, Parish Administrator [email protected] (ext. 1002)
Eugene Lavery, Organist & Director of Music [email protected] (ext. 1005)
Holden Miller, Assistant Organist
Rebekah Stille, Connections Coordinator [email protected] (ext. 1007)
A PARISH OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TEXAS
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of TexasThe Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan
The Rt. Rev. Kathryn "Kai" Ryan, Bishop SuffraganThe Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant
Jerrie Callan, Sr Warden
Larry Adams-Thompson, Jr Warden
Darren Metting, Treasurer
Esther Hooley, Clerk
Stephanie Kucera
Donna Leas
Florence Scattergood
Ben Sheesley
Amy Sielaff
Angela Tekell
Meghan Watkins
John Wood
ST. ALBAN’S VESTRY
7:30 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite I) A spoken service of Holy Eucharist without music.
Outdoors in the parking lot
9:00 MORNING PRAYER (Rite I) A majestic, uplifting service of Morning Prayer with organ.
Livestreamed via YouTube & Facebook Live
11:15 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite I) An traditional service of Holy Eucharist with piano.
Outdoors in the parking lot
305 NORTH 30TH ST. (AT WACO DRIVE) WACO, TEXAS 76710 (254) 752-1773 • Office hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, M-F Church Offices: 2900 W. Waco Dr. (at corner of 29th St.)
After-hours Pastoral care: (254) 730-1125 stalbanswaco.org • facebook, twitter & instagram: @stalbanswaco
ST. ALBAN’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE10:15 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL ONLINE
Livestreamed via YouTube & Facebook Live
5:15 PM EVENSONG (1662 BCP) A sung service of Evening Prayer.
Livestreamed via YouTube & Facebook Live
1:00 PM SANTA EUCARISTIA (Rito II)/ HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite II)
Un servicio de adoración espiritual y fraternidad en la Santa Eucaristía / A service of spiritual worship and fraternity in the
Holy Eucharist.WEEKDAY SERVICES
Holy Eucharist, Wednesday, 12 noon, Outdoor ServiceMorning Prayer Livestream, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM
