{"id":3686,"date":"2025-12-17T22:13:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T03:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/?p=3686"},"modified":"2025-12-17T22:13:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T03:13:58","slug":"december-21-2025-the-fourth-sunday-of-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/?p=3686","title":{"rendered":"December 21, 2025 &#8211; The Fourth Sunday of Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F6Hmp5ss8-w?si=hvHxYvUY-9Iz_OH0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prelude: &#8220;Pavane-Gaillarde, &#8216;Mille Ducas'&#8221; &#8211; Tielman Susato<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3686-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Prelude.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Prelude.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Prelude.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>Dave G, Ginny, Joseph, Ed and Carol<\/strong><strong>;<\/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\/kKu0or0t8Uw?si=n-zz2_Qob-8Av1p9\" 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\/c_R9vm8T3Vw?si=fWitd1vj6TbjlefG\" 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<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">Isaiah 7:10-16<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">A<\/span>gain the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0to the test. Then Isaiah said: \u201cHear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\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 80:1-7, 16-18<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">1\u00a0<span class=\"initCap\">H<\/span>ear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *<br \/>\nshine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *<br \/>\nstir up your strength and come to help us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *<br \/>\nshow the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">4 O\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0God of hosts, *<br \/>\nhow long will you be angered<br \/>\ndespite the prayers of your people?<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *<br \/>\nyou have given them bowls of tears to drink.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *<br \/>\nand our enemies laugh us to scorn.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *<br \/>\nshow the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *<br \/>\nthe son of man you have made so strong for yourself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">17 And so will we never turn away from you; *<br \/>\ngive us life, that we may call upon your Name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"psalmText\">18 Restore us, O\u00a0<span class=\"lordSmallCaps\">Lord<\/span>\u00a0God of hosts; *<br \/>\nshow the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Second Scripture Reading (The Epistle)<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">Romans 1:1-7<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">P<\/span>aul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonText\">To all God&#8217;s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonText\">Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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=WmQVSuj3DMupqlN_\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<i>Leader:<\/i> The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew<br \/>\n<i>People: <\/i>Glory to you, Lord Christ.<\/p>\n<p><b>Holy Gospel<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"lessonCitation\">Matthew 1:18-25<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p class=\"lessonText\"><span class=\"initCap\">N<\/span>ow the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, \u201cJoseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.\u201d All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:<\/p>\n<p class=\"poetryIndent\">\u201cLook, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,<br \/>\nand they shall name him Emmanuel,\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"lessonText\">which means, \u201cGod is with us.\u201d When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=DFMS2942657919&amp;light=true\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><br \/>\n<strong>Interlude: \u00a0&#8220;The Holly and the Ivy&#8221; &#8211; Old English carol<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3686-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Interlude.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Interlude.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Interlude.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/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\/vTWxEkdlZJ0?si=PMeL6kyQr1YvJU_n\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/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;Air&#8221; from\u00a0<i>French Suite 2\u00a0<\/i>&#8211; J. S. Bach<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3686-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Postlude.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Postlude.mp3\">http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dec18_2022_Postlude.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prelude: &#8220;Pavane-Gaillarde, &#8216;Mille Ducas&#8217;&#8221; &#8211; Tielman Susato \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 Dave G, Ginny, Joseph, Ed and Carol;\u00a0give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. [&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-3686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3686","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=3686"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3692,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3686\/revisions\/3692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stpeterstrinity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}