{"id":3040,"date":"2023-12-13T21:45:57","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T02:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/?p=3040"},"modified":"2023-12-13T21:45:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T02:45:57","slug":"december-17-2023-the-third-sunday-of-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/?p=3040","title":{"rendered":"December 17, 2023 &#8211; The Third Sunday of Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Prelude: &#8220;Blest Redeemer&#8221; &#8211; Keith MacRoberts<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3040-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Prelude_audio.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Prelude_audio.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Prelude_audio.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, praying for <strong>Liam, JJ, Mary-Irene, Gloria, Liz, Cheryl, Hal, John, Mary Ellen, Jonathan, Mallory, Lori, Brian, Meghan, Bob, Cheryl G., Dave, Ginny, Edie, JoAnn, Sarah, Nancy, Kathy, Maia, Glenn, Jillian, Becky, Patty, TJ (Thomas), Rafell<\/strong><strong>, Gretchen &amp; Family, John Teetsel&#8217;s Family, Kim and Father Martinez <\/strong><span class=\"pg-1ff1\">give them courage and hope in <\/span>their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.<\/p>\n<p><b>Opening Hymn:<\/b><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RP07fPpaDNo?si=K_1tc_C8vcvuj0fM\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><i>Leader<\/i>: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<p><i>People:\u00a0<\/i>And blessed be God\u2019s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.<\/p>\n<p>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. <i>Amen.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ\u2019s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. <i>Amen<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p><b>Hymn of Praise<\/b><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tAX5ycWlrtI?si=6-7MsXRw9hHQcQU-\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><i>Leader<\/i>: The Lord be with you.<br \/>\n<i>People<\/i>: And also with you.<br \/>\n<i>Leader<\/i>: Let us pray.<\/p>\n<p><b>The Collect of the Day<br \/>\n<\/b><i>All together<br \/>\n<\/i>O\u00a0Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.\u00a0<i>Amen.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>The Lessons<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>Leader:<\/i> Please be seated for today\u2019s readings<\/p>\n<p><b>First Scripture Reading<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"poetryText\"><span class=\"initCap\">T<\/span>he spirit of the Lord\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">God<\/span>\u00a0is upon me,<br \/>\nbecause the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0has anointed me;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,<br \/>\nto bind up the brokenhearted,<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">to proclaim liberty to the captives,<br \/>\nand release to the prisoners;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">to proclaim the year of the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>&#8216;s favor,<br \/>\nand the day of vengeance of our God;<br \/>\nto comfort all who mourn;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">to provide for those who mourn in Zion\u2014<br \/>\nto give them a garland instead of ashes,<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">the oil of gladness instead of mourning,<br \/>\nthe mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">They will be called oaks of righteousness,<br \/>\nthe planting of the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>, to display his glory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">They shall build up the ancient ruins,<br \/>\nthey shall raise up the former devastations;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">they shall repair the ruined cities,<br \/>\nthe devastations of many generations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">For I the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0love justice,<br \/>\nI hate robbery and wrongdoing;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">I will faithfully give them their recompense,<br \/>\nand I will make an everlasting covenant with them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">Their descendants shall be known among the nations,<br \/>\nand their offspring among the peoples;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">all who see them shall acknowledge<br \/>\nthat they are a people whom the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0has blessed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,<br \/>\nmy whole being shall exult in my God;<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,<br \/>\nhe has covered me with the robe of righteousness,<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,<br \/>\nand as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">For as the earth brings forth its shoots,<br \/>\nand as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryText\">so the Lord\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">God<\/span>\u00a0will cause righteousness and praise<br \/>\nto spring up before all the nations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>Reader:<\/i> The Word of the Lord.<br \/>\n<i>People: <\/i>Thanks be to God.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonCitation\"><em>Reader:<\/em> Let us say together<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">Psalm 126<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">1 When the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0restored the fortunes of Zion, *<br \/>\nthen were we like those who dream.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *<br \/>\nand our tongue with shouts of joy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">3 Then they said among the nations, *<br \/>\n&#8220;The\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0has done great things for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">4 The\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0has done great things for us, *<br \/>\nand we are glad indeed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">5 Restore our fortunes, O\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>, *<br \/>\nlike the watercourses of the Negev.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">6 Those who sowed with tears *<br \/>\nwill reap with songs of joy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *<br \/>\nwill come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Second Scripture Reading (The Epistle)<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">1 Thessalonians 5:16-24<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">R<\/span>ejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonText\">May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>Reader:<\/i> The Word of the Lord.<br \/>\n<i>People: <\/i>Thanks be to God.<\/p>\n<p><b>The Gospel Hymn: <\/b><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v8TU2wspGEM?si=8cqgbhI1wOgPXBfp\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><i>Leader:<\/i> The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John<br \/>\n<i>People: <\/i>Glory to you, Lord Christ.<\/p>\n<p><b>Holy Gospel<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">John 1:6-8,19-28<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">T<\/span>here was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonText\">This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, \u201cWho are you?\u201d He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, \u201cI am not the Messiah.\u201d And they asked him, \u201cWhat then? Are you Elijah?\u201d He said, \u201cI am not.\u201d \u201cAre you the prophet?\u201d He answered, \u201cNo.\u201d Then they said to him, \u201cWho are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?\u201d He said, \u201cI am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, \u2018Make straight the way of the Lord,\u2019\u201d as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, \u201cWhy then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?\u201d John answered them, \u201cI baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.\u201d This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>Leader:<\/i> The Gospel of the Lord.<br \/>\n<i>People: <\/i>Praise to you, Lord Christ.<\/p>\n<h3>Click below for <b>The Message of the Day:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/sermon\/rejoice-always-advent-3-b-december-17-2023\/\">&#8220;Rejoice Always&#8221; by Rev. Israel Alexander Portilla Gomez<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Interlude: &#8220;I Wonder as I Wander&#8221; &#8211; John Jacob Niles<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3040-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Interlude_audio.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Interlude_audio.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Interlude_audio.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><i>Leader:<\/i> Please stand, as you are able, as we recite together The Nicene Creed<\/p>\n<p><b>The Nicene Creed<br \/>\n<\/b>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Lord&#8217;s Prayer<\/strong><em><br \/>\nLeader:<\/em>\u00a0And now as Christ has taught us, we are bold to say<br \/>\n<em>Together<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Our Father, who art in heaven,<br \/>\nhallowed be thy Name,<br \/>\nthy kingdom come,<br \/>\nthy will be done,<br \/>\non earth as it is in heaven.<br \/>\nGive us this day our daily bread.<br \/>\nAnd forgive us our trespasses,<br \/>\nas we forgive those<br \/>\nwho trespass against us.<br \/>\nAnd lead us not into temptation,<br \/>\nbut deliver us from evil.<br \/>\nFor thine is the kingdom,<br \/>\nand the power, and the glory,<br \/>\nfor ever and ever. Amen.<\/p>\n<p><i>Leader:<\/i> Please be seated for the <b>The Prayers of the People<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>Reader:<\/i><br \/>\nGathered in the name of Christ, who stands among us with upraised hands, let us offer prayers for all in danger and need.<\/p>\n<p>For this parish family of St. Peter&#8217;s &#8211; Trinity, that we may have the grace to be faithful to the mission that has been entrusted to us, and reap the harvest of the kingdom of God. For all peoples, tribes, clans, and families and for mercy, justice, and peace in the world. For abundant fruits of the earth, and for safety from violent storms. For the sick and the suffering, travelers and refugees, prisoners and their families, for\u00a0the dying and all the departed.<br \/>\n<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"><strong><i>To you, O Lord.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<\/p>\n<p><i>Leader:<\/i> <b>Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.<br \/>\n<\/b><i>Silence may be kept.<br \/>\n<\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>All together<br \/>\n<\/i>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 neighbors 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.<\/p>\n<p><i>Leader: <\/i>Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. <i>Amen<\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>The Peace<br \/>\n<\/b><i>Leader: <\/i>The peace of the Lord is always with you.<br \/>\n<i>People<\/i>: And also with you.<\/p>\n<p><em>Leader:<\/em><b>\u00a0Let us say\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">together this\u00a0<\/span><b>Prayer for Spiritual Communion<\/b><br \/>\n<i>Together:<br \/>\n<\/i>In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart.<\/p>\n<p><b>The Closing Hymn: <\/b><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N5iMLaSvGmM?si=1os_Hn96bHOjvyE-\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>The Blessing<br \/>\n<\/b><em>Leader says:<\/em> The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us all today and always. Amen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Postlude: &#8220;A Joyous Acclamation&#8221; &#8211; Lani Smith<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3040-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Postlude_audio.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Postlude_audio.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-13-Postlude_audio.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prelude: &#8220;Blest Redeemer&#8221; &#8211; Keith MacRoberts \u00a0 Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, praying for Liam, JJ, Mary-Irene, Gloria, Liz, Cheryl, Hal, John, Mary Ellen, Jonathan, Mallory, Lori, Brian, Meghan, Bob, Cheryl G., Dave, Ginny, Edie, JoAnn, Sarah, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3040"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3044,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3040\/revisions\/3044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}