November 28, 2021, The First Sunday of Advent

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Advent is the season in which the Christian Church waits and watches for the coming of Jesus Christ.  Through scripture, song and silence we hear again the story of God’s people who longed for a Savior.  Living in the reality that Jesus Christ has indeed come, that he has died and that he has risen, we await for his coming again in glory.  Blue vestments are worn at Christ Church throughout Advent, and the Advent Wreath, which is hung above the sanctuary, marks each passing week with an additional lighted candle.  Throughout the Sundays of Advent Gloria in excelsis, “Glory to God in the highest,” is suppressed as the opening song of praise, in its place is Kyrie eleison, “Lord, have mercy.”  The Episcopal Church offers four blessings for the season of Advent, one for each Sunday; these blessings are from the Book of Occasional Services.  The new liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent: we are now in Year C; the gospel reading appointed most Sundays in Year C is from the Gospel according to Luke.

Our Celebrant today is: The Rev. Matthew H. Mead and our Preacher today is The Rev. Deacon Chisara Alimole.

Today’s In Person Worship

  • Every Sunday at 8am the Eucharist (Rite 1) is celebrated in the Church.  The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 323, and includes 2 pre-recorded hymns, and lasts about 45 minutes. Weather permitting coffee and tea are available in Garden afterwards.
  • Every Sunday at 10am the Eucharist (Rite 2) is celebrated in the Church. The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355.  See below for detailed music information.  The service lasts about an hour.  Weather permitting coffee and tea are available in Garden afterwards.
  • Healing Prayers are offered at the Bolton Altar following both services.
  • Please review these Guidelines before attending worship at Christ Church.

Today’s Live-Stream Worship & Sermon Archives

Sunday Offerings & Financial Donations to Christ Church

Christ Church is supported by the generosity of members and friends who donate time, talent, and money to the church to ensure that it is open, staffed, safe, and active. God has given each of us many gifts and we are called to use them to build up the church and to show the spread the love of God to our community. Click on the Donate Button for a variety of ways to support Christ Church, including one-time donations, annual pledges, and raising funds through FaceBook or Amazon.

Today’s Propers (Collect & Lections from Holy Scripture)

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

The Old Testament

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Psalm 25:1-9 Ad te, Domine, levavi

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

The Epistle

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

The Gospel

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Parish Prayer List

Please note that names are listed alphabetically by last name of the person being prayed for (if it is known).  We do not list last names for privacy reasons. For pastoral emergencies call or text one of the clergy: Father Matt (914.471.0260), Deacon Chisara Alimole (914.338.5194), or call the parish office (914.738.5515).  If you have any updates (birthdays, prayers additions, etc., please let us know.) Please submit names you wish to be included by Tuesday morning, to Marie at: marie@christchurchpelham.org.

Our prayers are asked especially for: Marion, Shane, Rosemary, Rob, Marcia, Mike, Anne, Alexander, Ginny, Craig, Barbara, Mary, Ralph, Everton,  Jed, Marcia, Sammy, Monica, Rebecca, Janet, Amina, Alexia Grace, Alison, John, Emma, Peilin, Hildy, Martin,  Jason, Yen, Terry, Erica, Susan, Ariana, Sue, Xandra, Sigi, Joyce, Julie, Scott, Sherrie, Michelle, Karen, Lisa, Laurelyn, Rob, Drue, Rob, Bill, Andrea, Sue,  Lael, M & D, Sandy, the Salvatore family, Joe, Dean, Danielle, Morris, and Katie.

We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week and in the coming week Daniel Avolio (November 23), Patrice Fitzpatrick (November 23), and Eleanor Goonan (November 27).

We pray for those in our Armed Services especially: Joseph, Kevin, Jack, Leopold, Philip, Jake, Matthew, Robert, Philip-Jason, Nicholas, Sam, Jack, Helen, Mitchel, Alec, Tia, Tyrese, and Terrence.

We pray that all elected and appointed officials may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world, especially Joseph our President, and Kathy our Governor.

We pray for those who have died, especially Arturo Valencia (November 22) and Alfonso (Allye) Migliarini (November 23) for those who have died from COVID-19.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.  Amen

Today’s Music

Prelude: Chorale-Prelude “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme,” BWV 645, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Choral Introit: Matin Responsory: “I look from afar,” adapted from G. P. da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594)
I look from afar: And lo, I see the power of God coming,
and a cloud covering the whole earth.

Go ye out to meet him and say:
Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?

High and low, rich and poor, one with another, Go ye out to meet him and say:
Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep,
Tell us, art thou he that should come?

Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come to reign over thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

I look from afar: And lo, I see the power of God coming,
and a cloud covering the whole earth.

Go ye out to meet him and say:
Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?

– “Aspiciens a longe,” First Responsory at Matins on Advent Sunday in the Sarum Rite, drawn from the Book of Isaiah.

Entrance Hymn: 61 “Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us, Wachet auf

Kyrie eleison: S96 Lord, have mercy upon us     Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828), arr. Richard Proulx (1937-2010)

Psalm: 25, Ad te, Domine, levavi          Anglican chant, Henry Stonex (1823-1897)
(text reprinted above with the lectionary propers)

Sequence Hymn: 66 Come, thou long-expected Jesus,  Stuttgart

Anthem at the Offertory: 5. Chorus: “And he shall purify” from Messiah, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
– Malachi 3:3

Hymn at the Offertory: 56, v. 1-2   O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Veni, veni, Emmanuel

Sanctus et benedictus: S130 Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might   Franz Peter Schubert, arr. Richard Proulx

Agnus Dei: S164 Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us  Franz Peter Schubert, arr. Richard Proulx

Carol during Communion: 3. While the careless world is sleeping from 3 Advent Carols Francis Jackson (b. 1917)

1. While the careless world is sleeping,
Blest the servants who are keeping
Watch, according to his word,
For the coming of their Lord.

2. Heard ye not your Master’s warning?
He will come before the morning,
Unexpected, undescried;
Watch ye for him open-eyed.

3. Teach us so to watch, Lord Jesus;
From the sleep of sin release us:
Swift to hear thee let us be,
Meet to enter in with thee.

4. God who with all good provides us,
God who made, who saved, who guides us,
Praise we with the heav’nly host,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

— B. H. Kennedy (1804-1889), alt.

Hymn: 57 Lo! He comes, with clouds descending,  Helmsley

Organ Voluntary:   Toccata in E minor    Johann Palchelbel (1653-1706)

Today’s choir is Curtis Chase, Simon Cram, Jann Degnan, John Hastings, Melody Joy Rubin, José Ruiz, Jim Young, and Margaret Young
Jeffrey Hoffman, organist & director of music

Live-stream licensed under OneLicense.net A-713125.

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