The Liturgy of the Word
Processional Hymn: O come, O come Emmanuel Hymn 56 (vs 1-3)
1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
2 O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
Refrain
3 O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain
The Opening Acclamation
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Almighty God, 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.
Gloria
Refrain: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will.
The 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
Micah 5:2-5a
You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Psalm 80:1-7
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Second Lesson
Hebrews 10:5-10
When Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Cantor sings Alleluia, congregation repeats, cantor sings verse, congregation sings Alleluia
Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Luke (1:39-45)
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Jim Morrison
The Nicene Creed (all standing)
We believe 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 crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and 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 glorified.
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.
Prayers of the People: Advent 4
Officiant
Our souls proclaim the greatness of you, O Lord, and we rejoice; for you have looked with favor on us, your servants; and you hear our prayers.
Intercessor
We rejoice for the church, and for all your ministers; for you always come to our help, and you always remember your promise of mercy.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We rejoice for our nation, and for all the nations of the earth; for you fill the hungry with good things and lift up the lowly.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We pray for the sick and the suffering and we pray for the fearful and the poor, that you would show the strength of your arm and scatter every bond which hold your people down.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We rejoice with those who celebrate this week.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We rejoice for those who have been granted the fullness of the promise you have made to our forefathers and foremothers, and who now dwell with you in your heavenly kingdom.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We rejoice as the celebration of Jesus’ birth draws near, and like our sister Mary our hearts are filled with glad tidings and joy.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name
Officiant
O Lord, you do great things for your us; you hear our prayers, you bring us your salvation, you give us the gift of your son, and holy is your Name now and forevermore. Amen.
Confession of Sin
Priest and People
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Absolution
The Priest, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
Announcements
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Offertory Hymn: Prepare the Way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way of the Lord
Prepare the way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way of the Lord
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Prepare the way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way of the Lord
Prepare the way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way of the Lord
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world, Jesus
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world, Jesus
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth, Jesus
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, yeah
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world, Jesus
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world, Jesus
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world, Jesus
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world, Jesus
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth, Jesus
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth
You are the king of the earth, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Reception of Gifts
Loving God, may this offering honor the work you have given us to do here in this place. Rooted in Abundance, Generosity, and Gratitude we offer these gifts for your honor and glory. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer A
The people remain standing. The Celebrant faces them and says
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.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Preface for Advent
Because you sent your 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.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Celebrant and People
Sanctus Hymnal S 129
Celebrant and People sing
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Then the Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, 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 stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and 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.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Great Amen S 146
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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.
Fraction Anthem S 164
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia
The Breaking of the Bread
At St. Matthew’s we welcome all persons, regardless of denomination, who have been baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to share in the communion at this Altar. Those wishing to receive a blessing only may cross their hands over their heart.
Communion Hymn: Light of the World
The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
A child prays for peace on Earth
And she’s calling out from a sea of hurt
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
And can you hear the angels singing
Glory to the light of the world
Glory, the light of the world is here
The drought breaks with the tears of a mother
A baby’s cry is the sound of love
Come down, come down, Emmanuel
He is the song for the suffering
He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come
He has come, Emmanuel
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
For all who wait
For all who hunger
For all who’ve prayed
For all who wonder
Behold your King
Behold Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Glo-glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Behold your King
Behold Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
The world waits for the miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come Emmanuel
Post Communion Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Recessional Hymn: Mighty to Save
Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The Hope of nations
Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
(Ooh)
Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
(Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)
(Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King
(Jesus)
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King
(Jesus)
(Ooh) Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing (ooh)
For the glory of the risen King
(Jesus)
(Aah) Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
(Aah) For the glory of the risen King
Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
(Ooh) Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
The Dismissal
Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Childcare
Our Church Nursery is open. We will once again open our childcare for children 1 – 3 years old in the 1st floor of Tucker Hall. (the church/school office building), please enter through back door. Children can be registered each Sunday and parents will be texted if needed. Children can be received from 9:45am and will be available for pickup immediately after Sunday Eucharist. Please contact Susan Waldron, for more information susanhoumala@gmail.com
Invitation to Godly Play Children’s Ministry
Children in Pre K – 5th grade are invited to participate in our Godly Play Children’s Ministry. The Children will be called forth with their Sunday School Ministers at the beginning of Sunday Eucharist. They will be led out of the church to their classroom and return before communion. This ministry is designed to help the children encounter the stories of the Bible in an active, inviting and powerful way. We are delighted that this ministry is offered to our children; please pray for its success!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Schedule
Christmas Eve—Tuesday, December 24—5PM
Christmas Day—Wednesday, December 25—10AM
Wednesday Healing Mass –
No Healing Mass this week, Christmas Day Service at 10AM
Sunday Morning Bible Study
We are excited to announce that Doug Holloway will begin a Sunday Morning Bible Study at St. Matthew’s on Jan. 26th. Doug has a Masters in Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served at Gentilly Baptist Church as Minister of Education and Worship Leader and at Hopeview Baptist Church in Violet. It was at Hopeview that Doug was ordained as a deacon and pastor for the Baptist Church. Doug later accepted a call as begin a church in Maquoketa, Iowa and served as pastor for two years. He then returned to Houma, Louisiana and began to work at City Court and now serves as the Clerk of Court/ Court Administrator. Doug has extensive experience leading Bible studies and has been formed by the Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic and Episcopal Churches. Last year Doug was welcomed by Bishop Shannon into our Episcopal Faith.
We will begin this Bible Study on January 26th in Alexander Hall. It will begin at 9am and end at 9:45am. (This allows for a break before Sunday Eucharist at 10am). Breakfast will be provided. All are welcome!
Firm Foundation (Homeless Day Shelter)
Many thanks to all our parishioners and friends that have volunteered to provide a meal. Marvin Burgess is coordinating this effort and will provide details to all who are scheduled to serve.
January 6—Susan Waldron
January 20—Becky Becnel
February 3—Debbie Usie
February 17—Suzanne Alexander, Trish Berry
The Lunch Bunch
NO LUNCH BUNCH. School is out for Christmas break.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Watch over Your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Week of 12/22—12/28: Susan Niette, Doug Greenburg
Worship Team Schedule
Eucharistic Ministers Hildegard Blanchard, Alex Ostheimer, Joel Poole
Lectors Doug Holloway, Sinclair Buquet
Organist/Choirmaster Doug Hamilton
Ushers: Jack and Brenda Babin, Karen Kelly
Vestry Member on Duty: Julia Bourque
Altar Guild Sandy Ostheimer, Karen Kelly
Hospitality Linda Greenburg, Emilie Daye, Cathy Wiemann
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Jay, Norma, Lydicia, Jere, Lona, Earl, Bob, Mattie, Randolph, JoAnne, Pauline, Karen, Norma, Beulah, Winnie, Susan, George, Marlene, Helen, Sue, Mike, Dawn, Ann, Michelle, Philip, Gerard, Penny, Tina, Charles, Margie, Linda, Beth, Liz, Rhonda, Eloise, Eve, Gerald, Linda, Betty Rose, Cage, Patsy, Kevin, Roger, Robbie, Gail, Karen, Stacey, Lynn, Myrna, Wanda, Rene, Laurel