{"id":3047,"date":"2023-12-20T22:43:45","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T03:43:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/?p=3047"},"modified":"2023-12-20T22:43:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T03:43:45","slug":"morning-of-december-24-2023-the-fourth-sunday-of-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/?p=3047","title":{"rendered":"Morning of December 24, 2023 &#8211; The Fourth Sunday of Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Preludes: The Angel&#8221; &#8211; Vladimir Rebikoff<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3047-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Prelude_audio.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Prelude_audio.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Prelude_audio.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/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,\u00a0Nancy, Kathy, Maia, Glenn,\u00a0Jillian, Becky, Patty, TJ (Thomas), Rafell<\/strong><strong>, Gretchen &amp; Family, John Teetsel&#8217;s Family, Kim and Father Martinez, Jim Todd<\/strong><span class=\"pg-1ff1\">\u00a0give 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\/c_R9vm8T3Vw?si=k_q_rSCADkNLUIAH\" 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=Be1CA3aRX8IBrGzr\" 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\">2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">W<\/span>hen the king was settled in his house, and the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, &#8220;See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.&#8221; Nathan said to the king, &#8220;Go, do all that you have in mind; for the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0is with you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonText\">But that same night the word of the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, &#8220;Why have you not built me a house of cedar?&#8221; Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0declares to you that the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.<\/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 id=\"ps2\" class=\"lessonCitation\">Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">1\u00a0<span class=\"initCap\">Y<\/span>our love, O\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>, for ever will I sing; *<br \/>\nfrom age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">2 For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *<br \/>\nyou have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">3 \u201cI have made a covenant with my chosen one; *<br \/>\nI have sworn an oath to David my servant:<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">4 \u2018I will establish your line for ever, *<br \/>\nand preserve your throne for all generations.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">19 You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: *<br \/>\n\u201cI have set the crown upon a warrior<br \/>\nand have exalted one chosen out of the people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">20 I have found David my servant; *<br \/>\nwith my holy oil have I anointed him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">21 My hand will hold him fast *<br \/>\nand my arm will make him strong.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">22 No enemy shall deceive him, *<br \/>\nnor any wicked man bring him down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">23 I will crush his foes before him *<br \/>\nand strike down those who hate him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">24 My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *<br \/>\nand he shall be victorious through my Name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">25 I shall make his dominion extend *<br \/>\nfrom the Great Sea to the River.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">26 He will say to me, \u2018You are my Father, *<br \/>\nmy God, and the rock of my salvation.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Second Scripture Reading (The Epistle)<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">Romans 16:25-27<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">N<\/span>ow to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith&#8211; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.<\/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\/fzC9dxwRddc?si=VdjF87CXyMF6pJJW\" 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 Luke<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\">Luke 1:26-38<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">I<\/span>n the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin\u2019s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, \u201cGreetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.\u201d But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, \u201cDo not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.\u201d Mary said to the angel, \u201cHow can this be, since I am a virgin?\u201d The angel said to her, \u201cThe Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.\u201d Then Mary said, \u201cHere am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.\u201d Then the angel departed from her.<\/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\/like-mary-advent-4-b-december-24-2023\/\">&#8220;Like Mary&#8221; by Rev. Joseph Pagano<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Interlude: &#8220;Creator of the Stars of Night&#8221; &#8211; plainsong<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3047-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Interlude_audio.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Interlude_audio.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-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\/pkHXUfrVS-s?si=OZ2PvBsx5CtmcFJi\" 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;Behold, He Comes&#8221; &#8211; George Blake<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3047-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Postlude_audio.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-Postlude_audio.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dec.-20-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>Preludes: The Angel&#8221; &#8211; Vladimir Rebikoff \u00a0 &nbsp; 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, [&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-3047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3047","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=3047"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3051,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3047\/revisions\/3051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}