A morning service during the Covid-19 restrictions
Third Sunday of Advent – December 12,2021

Prelude: “Prepare the Way, O Zion”. text: Frans Mikael Franzen (1772-1847) tr. composite Charles P. Price. (1920 - ) © Music: Melody Then Swenska Psalmsbroken 1697. Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission under One License #606702-A . 
The officiant says to the people,
Dear friends in Christ, as we prepare to worship almighty God, let us with penitent and obedient hearts
confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.

The officiant and people say together,
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us,
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
The priest says,
Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Kingdom of our God is at hand: O come let us worship.

Hark the Glad Sounds! The Saviour Comes

Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long;
let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song.

Christ comes, the prisoners to release in Satan’s bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst; the iron fetters yield.

Christ comes, the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure,
and from the treasuries of God’s grace to bless the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, thy welcome shall proclaim;
and heaven’s eternal arches ring with thy beloved name.
Text: Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) alt. Music: alt. tune: Thomas Heweis (1734-1820) adapt. Samuel Webb the younger (1770?-1843). Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission granted under One License #606702-A
							
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20		 
	
Canticle 3 Song of Thanksgiving Isaiah 12.2–6
Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defence, *
and he will be my Saviour.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name;
make his deeds known among the peoples; *
see that they remember that his name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
	Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
	as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
 
Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18 A reflection on the readings (written by the Ven. Glen Miller)

Hear, O Israel
					
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
					
Hark, A Herald Voice is Sounding

Hark, a herald voice is sounding: “Christ is nigh” it seems to say. 
“Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!”

Wakened by the solemn warning, let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ our sun, all sloth dispelling, shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb so long expected, comes with pardon down from heaven;
let us all, with deep repentance, pray that we may be forgiven.

That when next he comes with glory, and the world is wrapped in fear,
with his mercy he may shield us, and with words of love draw near.

Honour, glory, might, and blessing to the Father and the Son,
with the everlasting Spirit, while eternal ages run.
Text: translated by Edward Caswall (1814-1878) alt. Music: William Henry Monk (1823-1889) Reprint/Podcast/Streamed with permission under One License #606702-A . 
						 
The Prayer of the People (see litany below and...)
Parish Prayer cycle: Stewart and Marilynn McBain, Rosalee Martel
 Our prayers have been requested for: Wendy Thelma, Vivian, Spruce, Tom, and Steve. 
We continue to pray for  the front line workers who serve in the midst of this pandemic and our Archbishop, Anne Germond. The congregation that meets at St. James’, Goulais River; The Ven. Dr. Jay Koyle, The Rev. Dr. Bill Steadman (Hon.)We also pray for the congregation at the Church of the Ascension as they prepare welcome their new priest, the Rev. Jeffrey Hooper and we give thanks for the ministry of the Rev. Canon Dr. John Gibaut who has been serving as interim priest. 

(In joyful expectation let us pray to our Saviour and Redeemer, saying, “Lord Jesus, come soon!”)
O Wisdom, from the mouth of the Most High, you reign over all things to the ends of the earth: come and teach us how to live. 								Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Lord, and head of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and you gave the law on Sinai: come with outstretched arm and ransom us. 		Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Branch of Jesse, standing as a sign among the nations, all kings will keep silence before you and all peoples will summon you to their aid: come, set us free and delay no more. 	Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, you open and none can shut; you shut and none can open: come and free the captives from prison. 					Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Morning Star, splendour of the light eternal and bright Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.					Lord Jesus, come soon!
O King of the nations, you alone can fulfil their desires: Cornerstone, you make opposing nations one: come and save the creature you fashioned from clay. 				Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Emmanuel, hope of the nations and their Saviour: come and save us, Lord our God.
											Lord Jesus, come soon!
Collect of the day.
God of power and mercy, you call us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son. Remove those things which hinder love of you, that when he comes, he may find us waiting in awe and wonder
for him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s prayer
Stand Up and Bless the Lord

Stand up and bless the Lord, you people of God’s choice;
stand up and bless the Lord of hosts with heart and soul and voice.

Though high above all praise, above all blessings high,
who would not fear God’s holy name, and laud and magnify.

O for the living flame from God’s own altar brought,
to touch our lips, our minds inspire, and wing to heaven our thought.

God is our strength and song, who makes salvation ours;
then be God’s love in Christ proclaimed with all our ransomed powers.

Stand up and bless the Lord; the Lord your God adore;
stand up and bless the glorious name henceforth for evermore.
Text: James Montgomery (1771-1854) alt. Music: Aaron Williams (1731-1776) Reprint/Podcast/Streamed permission from  One License #606702-A 

Final  Blessing	& Dismissal 
Officiant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God!	
Postlude: “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” text: Robert Lowry (1826-1899) Music: attrib. Robert Lowry (1826-1899) alt. Reprint/Podcast/Streamed permission from  One License #606702-A  The text above is taken from the Book of Alternative Service published by the Anglican Church of Canada and used with permission. The words of the Hymns are all in public domain unless otherwise noted.