10:00 AM  Rite II

December 10, 2023

The Second Sunday in Advent

The Liturgy of the Word

Processional Hymn:  Rejoice, Rejoice believers                    Hymn  68

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                  Hymnal S280

The Collect of the Day

Merciful God, who sent your 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 lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah 40:1-11

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.

Reader:    The Word of the Lord

People:     Thanks be to God

    Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

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.

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.

Second Lesson

2 Peter 3:8-15a

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

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

                    Mark (1:1-8)

People:       Glory to you, Lord Christ.

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.”

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 2

As we await the fulfillment of God’s promise, let us offer the prayers of our hearts.

For the church, that it may help to clear a path for God’s reconciling love.

(Silence)

God of all hopefulness,

Hear our prayer.

For the world, that hurt and destruction may yield to the beauty and justice of God’s peaceable reign.

(Silence)

God of all hopefulness,

Hear our prayer.

For all in positions of power, that they may have hearts of compassion and become advocates for the vulnerable and the oppressed.

(Silence)

God of all hopefulness,

Hear our prayer.

For the sick, the lonely, and all who suffer, that through our love and care, God’s tender love may be made known.

(Silence)

God of all hopefulness,

Hear our prayer.

For all who have died, Sybil, Jack, Frank and Lucille, that they may be gathered into the strong and gentle arms of God.

(Silence)

God of all hopefulness,

Hear our prayer.

The Celebrant concludes the prayers with this collect

O God, whose Word brings hope and whose promise is a new creation, make a way in the wilderness of our world. Open our eyes to see your coming, and strengthen us for the work of preparing the way for your reign of peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. 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.

The Peace

Announcements

            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.

The Offertory 

Offertory Hymn:                                                              Instrumental

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

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 Music:  One bread, one body                         Insert

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:  The King of Glory                              Insert   

The Dismissal

Priest:       Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People:     Thanks be to God.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Week of 12/10—12/16:   Alex Ostheimer, Duane Ring,

                                            Amanda Bourgeois

                                          Danny and Carolyn Lirette

Worship Team Schedule

Eucharistic Ministers                Emmalee Hampton, Kathy Theriot

                                                Bruce Jenkins

Lectors Bruce Jenkins, Laura Lewis

Organist/Choirmaster John Barrilleaux

Ushers                                     Jack and Brenda Babin

Vestry Member on Duty         Debby Fortier

Altar Guild                              Sandy Ostheimer, Karren Kelly

Hospitality Debby Fortier, Shirely Use’

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Andrèe, Jay, Norma, Lydicia, Jere, Lona & Sidney, Earl, Bonnie, Randolph, Earl, Bob, Mattie, Frank, Terry, Liz, Charlie, Norma, Susan, Nathaniel, Evan, Jeannette, Rita, Abigail, Mark, Harrell, Hunter, David, Marlene, Patricia.

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 23

             5PM Lessons and Carols

             6PM—St. Matthew’s Christmas Party in the Parish Hall

Sunday, December 24—Christmas Eve

             NO 10AM SERVICE

             5PM—Christmas Eve Eucharist  (4:30 Musical prelude begins)

Monday, December 25—Christmas Day

10AM—A simple and informal Eucharistic Celebration