St.

Martins Episcopal Church

A Beacon of Christs Love, Spirit Fed, Serving Others

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Festival of Lessons & Carols

December 23, 2012 10:15 a.m.
Welcome! We are glad you are worshiping here today. We encourage all to settle in to a spirit of prayer before the service begins and to sing during Holy Communion. Please be sensitive to the needs of your fellow worshipers by silencing cell phones and maintaining a spirit of God focused peace. Thank you.

Nursery Service available from 8:45 am 11:30 am

Ages: Infant 4 years old

Two books prescribe our liturgy: The Hymnal is the blue book in the pew rack and The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the red book. We would like to have a record of your visit. Please complete a Welcome Card found in the pew and either drop it in the offering plate or hand it to a clergy person. A greeter is near the front doors to provide any other information. Hearing assist devices are available from the ushers.

Thank you for worshiping with us.

Prelude Lighting of the Advent Wreath (Fourth week of Advent):

Light all four candles (the rose candle is the third candle). Leader

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
Leader and people

Holy Father, as we wait for the coming of your Son, help us to recognize him in those we know and also in the stranger. Help us to love not only our families and friends, but also our enemies. Help us to be patient and to be prepared to receive your Son in our hearts, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
All stand.

Processional Carol

O God of Earth and Altar

Hymnal 591

A Bidding Prayer
Dear People of God: In the season of Advent, it is our responsibility and joy to prepare ourselves to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger. Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of Gods loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city. And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.
2

Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore. And now, to sum up all these petitions, let us pray in the words which Christ himself has taught us, saying: Our Father, who art in heaven, as we forgive those hallowed be thy Name, who trespass against us. thy kingdom come, And lead us not into temptation, thy will be done, but deliver us from evil. on earth as it is in heaven. For thine is the kingdom, Give us this day our daily bread. and the power, and the glory, And forgive us our trespasses, for ever and ever. Amen. The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.
Congregation may be seated.

Opening

Gesu Bambino

Sung by Beverly Kincade

The First Lesson Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-25 Reader A Reading from the book of Genesis. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung upfor the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
3

And the Lord God commanded the man, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die. Then the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner. So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken. Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. Reader The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Congregation may be seated.

Art representation

by Mary Drastal

The Second Lesson Genesis 3:1-22 Reader A Reading from the Book of Genesis. Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God say, You shall not eat from any tree in the garden? The woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die. But the serpent said to the woman, You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of
4

both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, Where are you? He said, I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? The man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate. Then the Lord God said to the woman, What is this that you have done? The woman said, The serpent tricked me, and I ate. The Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. To the woman he said, I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. And to the man he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, You shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return. The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever Reader The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
5

All stand.

Carol

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Hymnal 56

The Third Lesson Isaiah 40:1-11 Reader A Reading from the Book of 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 Lords 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 forever. 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.
All stand. Choir sings verse 1. Congregation joins in for verses 2 & 3.

Carol

Comfort, Comfort ye my People

Hymnal 67

The Fourth Lesson Jeremiah 31:31-34 Reader A Reading from the Book of Jeremiah. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypta covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Reader The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
All stand.

Carol

In the Bleak Mid Winter

Hymnal 112

The Fifth Lesson Isaiah 35:1-10 Reader A Reading from the Book of Isaiah. The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for Gods people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
7

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Reader The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
All stand.

Carol

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Hymnal 99

The Sixth Lesson Zephaniah 3:14-18 Reader A Reading from the Book of Zephaniah. Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. Reader The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Congregation may be seated.

Choral Anthem

Alleluia, Rejoice and Sing Performed by the Bell Choir and Sanctuary Choir

The Holy Gospel Luke 1:5-25 Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because
8

Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Zechariah said to the angel, How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years. The angel replied, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people. Priest The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
All stand.

Carol

It Came up on the Midnight Clear

Hymnal 89

All stand.

A Prayer for Mission

In unison

Almighty God, as you sent your incarnate Word, Jesus Christ to reveal your glory to the nations; help us daily so to work and live that your light may shine through us into all the world until his coming again, through the same Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, from before time and forever. Amen. The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
In unison

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. The Blessing May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before you path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. Recessional Carol All Praise to Thee, For Thou, O King Divine Hymnal 477

The Dismissal Priest Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

10

Liturgical Participants
Celebrant Assisting Priest Crucifer The Lessons

Ushers Greeter Music Director Organist Musicians Nursery

The Rev. Jon Hall The Rev. Stephen Bergmann Ellie Ecker Maxine Heller, Jeff Klieve Jane Klieve, Kurt Greenbaum Janis Greenbaum, Ralph Trieschmann Wayne Peters, Mark Edwards Bob McElroy, Steve Gillies Renee & Tim Jerry Clay McKinney Denise Marsh Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir Jody Mena, Chen Nelson

Nursery Service available from 8:45 am 11:30 am

Ages: Infant 4 years old
All music reprinted by permission of One License.net, License A-714624

11

St. Martins Episcopal Church

15764 Clayton Rd. Ellisville, Missouri 63011 Phone: 636.227.1484 Fax: 636.227.1494 www.stmartinschurch.org http://www.facebook.com/stmartinschurch

The Rt. Reverend George Wayne Smith, Bishop of Missouri The Reverend Jon W. Hall, Rector, [email protected] The Reverend Emily Hillquist Davis, Assisting Priest, [email protected] The Reverend Stephen Bergmann, Pastoral Assistant, [email protected] Janis Greenbaum, Communications Coordinator, [email protected] Michelle Magee, Administrative Assistant to Clergy, [email protected] Janet Theiss, Parish Administrator, [email protected] Clay McKinney, Music Director, [email protected] Denise Marsh, Organist Tom Warrington, Sexton Patrick Nelson, Sunday Sexton The Vestry Steve Young, Sr. Warden (2013) Tom Baranowski, Stewardship Liaison (2014) Clem Brooke, Jr. Warden (2015) Lynn Corning, Outreach Liaison (2015) Jane Klieve, Clerk (2014) Steve Gillies, Children, Youth Liaison (2013) Larry Cornelius, Treasurer (2014) Loretta Go, Parish Life Liaison (2015) Stewart Wiles, Asst. Treasurer, Packwood Fund Chair (2013) Mike Reeves, Parish Life Liaison (2015) Elizabeth Arras, Pastoral Care Liaison (2013) Ralph Trieschmann, Evangelism Liaison (2014)
*Date in parentheses is the end of the term of service in January of the year noted.

12