St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church882 Kingston Rd., Pickering L1V 1A8

Phone: 905-839-7909 Fax: 905-839-3152www.stpaulsonthehill.com

Second Sunday of AdventDecember 10th, 2017

10:00 a.m. – ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLSSunday School on Lower LevelNursery Care on Lower Level

Processional Hymn 415O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, light of light, lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb; very God, begotten not created: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Welcome & Opening Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Candle: PEACELeader: We will mark our progress through Advent using the candles of the Advent wreath. They represent

the light of Christ bringing: hope, peace, joy, and love. Today we light the peace candle.

PEOPLE: Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.” O Lord, we pray that your peace will flow through us to all our neighbours and that you will give us an opportunity to shareyour peace with them. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Lighting of the Advent Candle: PeaceChorus: Choir and Congregation (sung each week)Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair. Your Word alone – has pow’r to save us. Make us your living voice.

FIRST LESSON: Genesis 3:8-15 (page 2)“The fall.”Reader: Lorrie Tedesco

Reader: A Reading from the book of Genesis.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn 390 Red & CP 89O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice...

O come, thou rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice...

O come, thou dayspring, come, and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice...

O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of humankind; O bid our bitter conflict cease, and be for us our Prince of Peace. Rejoice…

SECOND LESSON: Genesis 22:16-18 “God’s promise to Abraham” (page 15)Reader: Brianna Tedesco

Reader: A Reading from the book of Genesis.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Choir Anthem: “Come, Emmanuel, Come”

THIRD LESSON: Isaiah 9:2-7 (page 489)“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Reader: Louis Roberts

Reader: A Reading from the book of Isaiah.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD.

Hymn 122 (Common Praise)In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign; in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there; cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what can I give him - give my heart.

FOURTH LESSON: Isaiah 40:1-8 (page 511)“The Messiah is prophesied.”Reader: Ngaju Nwambo

Reader: A Reading from the book of Isaiah.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn 123 (Common Praise)Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall. With the poor and mean and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.

Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high, when, like stars, his children crowned all in white shall gather round.

FIFTH LESSON: Luke 1:26-38 (page 723)“The angel Gabriel comes to Mary.”Reader: Dave Hamilton

Reader: A Reading from the book of Luke.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Liturgical Dance: “Mary Did You Know?”Sherri Everitt

SIXTH LESSON: Luke 1:39-45 (page724)“Mary visits Elizabeth.”Reader: Pat Bennett

Reader: A Reading from the book of Luke.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn 419Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.

SEVENTH LESSON: Luke 2:1-7 (page 724)“Jesus us born in a stable.”)Reader: Rob Everitt

Reader: A Reading from the book of Luke.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn 146 (Common Praise)'Twas in the moon of winter time, when all the birds had fled, that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead; before their light the stars grew dim, and wondering hunters heard the hymn: Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found, a ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round; but as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high: Jesus your King is born...

O children of the forest free, beloved of Manitou, the holy child of earth and heaven is born today for you. Come, kneel before the radiant boy, who brings you beauty, peace, and joy: Jesus your King is born...

EIGHTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-16 (page 725)”The shepherds hear the good news.”Reader: Chantel Lawson

Reader: A Reading from the book of Luke.

At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says, The word of the Lord

People: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn136 (Common Praise)While shepherds watched their flocks by night all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and humankind."

To you in David’s town this day is born of David’s line a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign.

"The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swaddling bands, and in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high, and to the world be peace; good will henceforth from heaven to earth begin, and never cease."

NINTH LESSON: John 1:1-14 (page 750)“Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise.” Reader: Berkley Emmons

Reader: A Reading from the book of John.At the conclusion of the Reading, the reader says,

The word of the LordPeople: THANKS BE TO GOD

Advent Credo (Antiphonal Reading)Leader: It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—All: This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

Leader: It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—All: This is true: Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Leader: It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—All: This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.

Leader: It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—All: This is true: Jesus said: “To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you always, even until the end of the world.”

Leader: It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—All: This is true: God said: “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.”

Leader: It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—All: This is true: Jesus said: “The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.”

Leader: So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us pursue love and peace and justice. All: Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world![From Walking on Thorns, by Allan Boesak, Eerdmans, 2004]

Offertory Hymn: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth goodwill to men.

I thought how as the day had come the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along th'unbroken song of peace on earth goodwill to men.

And in despair I bowed my head, “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail the right prevail with peace on earth goodwill to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way the world revolved from night to day; a voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth goodwill to men.

Prayer over the Gifts:Priest: God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

Recessional Hymn 153 (Common Praise)Good Christians all, rejoice with heart and soul and voice! Listen now to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now! Christ is born today; Christ is born today!

Good Christians all, rejoice with heart and soul and voice! Hear the news of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this; he has opened heaven’s door, and we are blessed for evermore! Christ was born for this; Christ was born for this!

Good Christians all, rejoice with heart and soul and voice! Now you need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save; come at his most gracious call to find salvation, one and all! Christ was born to save; Christ was born to save!

Dismissal:Leader: Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. People: Thanks be to God.

Second Sunday of Advent: Peace“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6

Peace is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has brought to us. In the verse above, the prophet Isaiah helps us to recognize the peace we will have upon Christ’s arrival, and goes on to proclaim the glory and majesty of who He is and His purpose for coming.

Wonderful Counselor points to the Messiah as King, a king who will direct and guide, and carry out a plan of action but also One the world will know as loving and compassionate; One who cares about each and every one of us and the smallest details of our lives.

Mighty God refers to His divine power. He spoke, and the earth, sun, moon and stars came into being. He parted the seas, stopped the waves, and performed miracles that we talk about to this very day.

Everlasting Father indicates that His grace and mercy are never ending, and that He will never leave us or forsake us. Ever.

Prince of Peace reminds us that only through Jesus Christ we will have true peace of mind and soul. Faith in Christ brings peace with the Father, and it is on believers that Gods favor of peace will rest.Take a moment now to think about these elements of Gods nature, and why we have peace in His completeness.