The Church of St. John the Divine

The 1st Sunday of Advent

November 29, 2020

As people of God, we celebrate Christ in the heart of Victoria through joyful worship,
building inclusive community, and putting faith into action.

St. John’s acknowledges these ancestral lands of the Lekwungen speaking people.

We are an inclusive and affirming parish; the sacraments of the church (baptism, communion and marriage) are available to all people on equal terms. Christ welcomes you, and so do we.

 

 

Welcome to the Parish Church of St. John the Divine, Victoria. We are a community of faith in the Anglican Tradition, seeking to live lives of faith, hope and love as part of this community of Downtown Victoria. We are on a journey of learning to be a welcoming, inviting, inclusive and serving community which is open to all.

Our worship reflects our rootedness in the Anglican tradition, whilst drawing on liturgies that reflect the long history and heritage of our Christian faith. Please join in as you feel able, and enjoy the words, music and opportunity for prayer and to be a part of our community.

 

Worship in a time of COVID-19 : In these times when we must be careful in any gathering we have, appropriate protocols are in place. For the time being due to the instructions from the Provincial Health Officer we will be meeting virtually on Zoom. Please check our website on how to attend: https://www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca/ or contact admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca

 

We will continue to livestream the weekly service of Evensong.

 

We continue to share daily prayer online with a link on our website daily. 

 

Contacting Us: We are all learning ways to build community "at a distance." We are checking phone messages and answering emails. The main email for contact is: admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca. If you wish to receive prayer for yourself or for another, there will be members of our Healing Prayer group who will offer their prayers. Please contact: the church office at the above email address.

 

You are very welcome here. We don’t always get it right; please let us know when we do, and when we don’t. Please stay and be a part of our family, for however long you would like.


 

 

10:00 am Parish Eucharist

The congregation is invited to join in the responses and prayers marked in bold print.


Presider: The Venerable Alastair McCollum

Reader: Sarah Kell

Gospel: The Reverend Patrick Sibley

Sermon: The Reverend Bill Tarter

 

Intercessor: Susan Bansgrove

Streaming Technician: Karen Coverett

Musician: David Stratkauskas (Director of Music)

Cantor: Char Hodkins
                            


The Gathering of the Community

Prelude

Welcome to all who are gathering online.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

                   Loving God, you have called us to be your family and to celebrate our life together in worship.  We gather now in our church building, our homes and online to light the Advent candle.                                                                       

                   Blessed are you, loving God, creator of the Universe,

         All:     for you have made all things and your creation is sacred.

                   Gracious God, you are the potter, and we are the clay. You have shaped us into your people.  We have become vessels of your light and love, 

         All:     for your light shines upon us and within us.

                   As this Advent candle is lit, let us remember that we must keep alert, and prepare for God to dwell with us.  May we know the gentleness of God’s hands shaping our hearts.

                   Blessed are you, loving God, creator of the Universe,

         All:     for you have made all things and your creation is sacred.     

The Collect of the Day

Silence is kept.

                        Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility,
that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

All:             Amen.                                                                                                               


 

 

 

The Proclamation of the Word

                   Let us listen for the Word of God in Holy Scripture.

         All:     Amen.

The First Reading (Isaiah 64:1-9)

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
   so that the mountains would quake at your presence—
as when fire kindles brushwood
   and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
   so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,
   you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard,
   no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
   who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right,
   those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned;
   because you hid yourself we transgressed.

We have all become like one who is unclean,
   and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf,
   and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name,
   or attempts to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
   and have delivered
us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;
   we are the clay, and you are our potter;
   we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord,
   and do not remember iniquity for ever.
   Now consider, we are all your people.

                   Hear what the Spirit is saying.

         All:    Thanks be to God.


 

 

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us. Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink. You have made us the derision of our neighbours, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, the son of man you have made so strong for yourself. And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

The Gospel Mark 13:24-37

   Cantor:    Alleluia. Show us your mercy O Lord : and grant us your salvation. Alleluia.

                        God is with you.

         All:    And also with you.

                   Here the Good news of Jesus Christ according to Mark.

         All:    Glory to you, O Christ.

‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’

The Gospel of Christ.

         All:     Praise to you, O Christ.

 

 

Sermon

Following the address there will be a pause for silence.

 

Affirmation of Faith

                   With the whole church,

         All:    we affirm that we are made in God’s image,
befriended by Christ, empowered by the Spirit.

                   With people everywhere,

         All:    we affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity
planted more deeply than all that is wrong.

                   With all creation,

         All:    we celebrate the miracle and wonder of life;
the unfolding purposes of God,
forever at work in ourselves and the world.

                                                                                                                 Iona Abbey Worship Book

 

Prayers of the People

Please note that those who have asked for our prayers are listed at the end of the leaflet.

 

The Peace

                   The peace of Christ be with you.

         All:     And also with you.

All may offer their neighbour a sign of peace.

 

The Celebration of the Eucharist

Offertory Anthem                                                                                            G.F. Handel

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Get up into the high mountain
O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem Lift up, thy voice, with strength;
Lift it up, be not afraid; Say unto the cities of Judah 'Behold your God!'


 

 

The Prayer over the Gifts

In the name of all of us gathered, near and far, we present these our gifts to God.  Let us pray:

                   God of love and power,
your word stirs within us
the expectation of the coming of your Son.
Accept all we offer you this day
and sustain us with your promise of eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

         All:     Amen.

             

As we prepare to celebrate this Eucharist, we remember that we are the people of God. Near or far we are gathered together by the love of Christ. We remember that we are incorporated into the body of Christ. We join together in this celebration of our union in Christ.

 

                   Let us pray.

                   Thanks be to you,

         All:    Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given us, and all that you have borne for us. In our sharing in this Eucharist, in Church or at home, we ask you to come spiritually into our hearts. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

 

The Great Thanksgiving                                     Liturgy of the Islands and Inlets – Prayer C

                   God is here.

         All:    The Spirit is with us.

                   Lift up your hearts and minds.

         All:    We lift them to God.

                   Let us give thanks to God the Creator.

         All:    It is right to give our thanks and praise.

                   Blessed are you, gracious God,
creator of heaven and earth;
we give you thanks and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the fullness of time came among us in our flesh
and opened to us the way of salvation.
Now we watch for the day when he will come again
in power and great triumph to judge this world,
that we, without shame or fear,
may 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.

Sanctus

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domini.
Osanna in excelsis.

 

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.

 

 

                   To you be glory, almighty God,
because on the night before he died,
Jesus took bread,
when he had given thanks,
he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you; do this to remember me.

                   After supper he took the cup;
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,
poured out for you;
do this to remember me.
Great is the mystery of faith.

       All:     Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

                   Recalling Christ’s death and resurrection,
we ask you to accept this, our sacrifice of praise.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine
that we may be fed with the body and blood of your Son.
When all of creation groans, unite us in Christ
and give us your hope
that we might be strengthened to do your work,
as your body in the world.
Through Christ our Redeemer, in the power of the Spirit,
all praise and glory by yours, Almighty God, now and forever.

         All:     Amen.

 

The Disciple’s Prayer                                                                                                       

                   As Christ taught his friends, and longing for the new life of God’s reign,
let us pray:

         All:     Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,    on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,    
now and forever. Amen.

 

The Breaking of the Bread

                   God of promise,
you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.

         All:     Happy are those who are called
to the supper of the Lamb.

The Communion

                   The gifts of God for the people of God.

         All:     Thanks be to God.

 

Agnus Dei (sung by the cantor)                                                                                       

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

 

Hymn during communion (CP 110) Wachet auf

                   “Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us;
the shout of rampart-guards surrounds us:
       “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”
Midnight’s peace their cry has broken,
their urgent summons clearly spoken:
       “The time has come, O maidens wise!
Rise up, and give us light;
the bridegroom is in sight.
       Alleluia!
Your lamps prepare and hasten there,
that you the wedding feast may share.”

                   Zion hears the watchmen singing.
Her heart with joyful hope is springing;
       she wakes and hurries through the night.
Forth he comes, her bridegroom glorious
in strength of grace, in truth victorious:
       her star is risen, her light grows bright.
Now come, most worthy Lord,
God’s Son, incarnate Word,
       alleluia!
We follow all and heed your call
to come into the banquet hall.

                   Lamb of God, the heavens adore you;
let saints and angels sing before you,
       as harps and cymbals swell the sound.
Twelve great pearls, the city’s portals:
through them we stream to join the immortals
       as we with joy your throne surround.
No eye has known the sight;
no ear heard such delight:
       alleluia!
Therefore we sing to greet our King;
forever let our praises ring.

                                                       Text: Philipp Nicolai (1566-1608); tr. Carl P. Daw, Jr. (1944- ). Tr. © 1982 Hope Publishing Co.
                                                                                All rights reserved.  Reprinted under Onelicense.net #A-719605.

 

Following the Communion there will be a pause for silence.

The Commissioning of the Community

                   One body are we.

         All:    For, though we are in many places, we spiritually share one bread.

Prayer after Communion

                   God for whom we wait,
you have fed us with the bread of eternal life.
Keep us ever watchful,
that we may be ready to stand before the human one.
We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord.

         All:     Amen.

Blessing

Dismissal

                        Let us go in peace to love and serve our loving God.

         All:    Thanks be to God. Amen.

Postlude 

 

Please stay and join us for our Zoom Coffee Hour.

 

Readings for December 6th – The 2nd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40:1-11 During the desolation of the Exile the prophet is called by God to preach comfort to the people.
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Hope is offered to those who seek God’s forgiveness and restoration.
2 Peter 3:8-15a Do not despair in the delay of the coming of ‘God’s Day’: Those who walk in hope prepare the way for the fullness of God’s reign.
Mark 1:1-8 Echoing Isaiah, John the Baptizer goes into the wilderness to prepare the way
for God.

 

 

EVENSONG

Every Sunday – sung by a small ensemble of Choral Scholars

Evensong is a contemplative, musical and prayerful liturgy, ideally suited to the end of the week and the close of day, and to this current time when we have been asked to avoid congregational singing, but still long for the depth and beauty of a choral liturgy.

 

Evensong will be livestreamed on the church Facebook page and available via the website www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca

 

The following people have asked for our prayers.
Please keep them in mind as you go through your week.


·        Hagos, Tsigay & family

·        Anne

·        Harriet

·        Philip & Lisa

·        Rhoda

·        Silvana Carr

·        Carolyn

·        Nicholas

·        Patrick

·        Alan

·        Derek

·        John

·        Linda

·        Helen

·        David & Pat

·        Gary

·        Liz

·        Lorraine

·        Richard



R.I.P.  Audrey Finch

 

 

The Anglican Church of St. John the Divine

·         Stewards

o   People’s Warden:  Joan Huzar

o   Associate Warden:  Lorraine Gates
Envelope Secretary:  Jim Harlick

o   Rector’s Warden: Michael King

o   Associate Warden: Karen Coverett

o   Treasurer:  David Buckman

·         Parish Council

o   Susan Bansgrove, Carol Denton, Marguerite Heppell,
Penny Holt, Erin Kelly

·         Synod Delegates

o   Karen Coverett, Joel Hefty, Bill Huzar, Joan Huzar

 

·         Staff Supporting the Ministry of St. John’s

o   Rector:  The Ven. Alastair McCollum

o   Associate Priest:  The Rev’d Canon Kevin Arndt

o   Associate Priest: The Rev’d Bill Tarter

o   Deacon:  The Rev’d Patrick Sibley

o   Curate: Stephanie Wood

o   Director of Music:  David Stratkauskas

o   Family Ministry Coordinator:  Ruth MacIntosh

o   Parish Administrator:  Carol-Ann Zenger

·         Honorary Assistants

o   The Rev’d Derek Dunwoody

o   The Rev’d Canon Andrew Gates

o   The Rev’d Jane Reid

Contact Us

·         1611 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC  V8W  2L5      

·         Tel. 250-383-7169 / Fax 250-381-3573

·         pastoral@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca or for urgent calls only, use 778-678-6873

·         www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca

·         facebook.com/St.JohnVicBC

·         twitter.com/StJohnVicBC

·         e-mail: admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca