The Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Our liturgy is found in the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355.
Prelude Advent Chorales
J.S. Bach
Please stand.
Hymn #56 O come, O come Emmanuel [vv.5-8] The Opening Acclamation Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. The Collect for Purity 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. Amen. Song of Praise
S186
The Song of Mary
[Sung by the choir]
My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me, * and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel,* as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
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Collect of the Day Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Please be seated. THE WORD OF GOD The First Reading A Reading from the Prophet Micah [5:2-5a] You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 1
Psalm 80:1-7
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; * shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up your strength and come to help us. 3 Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 4 O LORD God of hosts, * how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; * you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, * and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. The Second Lesson A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews [10:5-10] When Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)." When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please stand.
Hymn #277 Sing of Mary, pure and lowly The Gospel:The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke [1:39-45] Response: Glory to You Lord Christ. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 2
For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." The Gospel of the Lord Praise to You Lord Christ. Please be seated.
The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Please stand.
The Nicene Creed BCP 358 Prayers of the People Priest:
As we keep awake for the coming of the Lord, let us pray for the church and the world, that God may prepare a light for our path:
Intercessor: We give thanks for gathering us together in this community; grant your church a listening spirit and a watchful eye that we may make good use of this holy time and bear witness to your presence hidden among us. [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming We give thanks for the resources you have given our nation; grant us wisdom to share them generously and to be the light in darkness for all who are hungry in body, mind, and soul. [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming Grant that our leaders and the leaders of all nations use their powers wisely and compassionately. Strengthen those who are struggling for justice and stability throughout the world. Guide us toward the unity, peace, and freedom that we find only in you. [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming. Comfort those who are separated from their loved ones during this holiday season. Watch over those who are travelling, and those who have nowhere to go. Shelter the homeless and guide those who are lost. [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming Give your healing grace to those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially those for whom the holiday season is a time of loss, and those we now name, silently or aloud. [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming Watch over our children, that they may know the peace, as well as the excitement, of your presence. [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming Gather into your joyful presence those who have died especially those whom we now name, silently or aloud . . . [Pause] O Come, Emmanuel, Your people await your coming. Priest: O Rising Sun, brightness of light eternal, sun of justice, come and shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Glory to you forever. Amen. The Confession The Peace Announcements Anthem
BCP 360
Magnificat
John Ireland
Please stand.
Hymn
#475 God Himself is with us 3
Celebrant Response Celebrant Response Celebrant Response
THE HOLY COMMUNION The Lord be with you And also with you. Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God our thanks and praise
We praise you and we thank you, O holy and living God, Creator of heaven and earth, for the gift of a world full of wonder and for our life, which comes from you. By your power you sustain the universe; through Jesus Christ you gather us into one great family. Therefore with all who serve you on earth and in heaven, we praise your wonderful name as we sing: Sanctus
Missa Marialis
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of our Lord. Hosanna in the highest. O God, from before time you made ready the creation. Through your Wisdom, your Spirit moved over the deep and brought to birth the heavens: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; growing things, both plants and animals; and finally humankind. You made us in your image, male and female, to love and care for the earth and its creatures as you love and care for us, your children. You graced us with freedom of heart and mind, but we were heedless and willful. You took us by the hand, and taught us to walk in your ways. And although you led us with cords of compassion and bands of love, we wandered far away. Yet as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. Then you acted anew in Creation. In order that we might see and know the riches of your grace, your Spirit entered into Mary, the maiden of Nazareth, that she might conceive and bear a Son, the holy child of God. The world had waited long in pain and hope, and at last our Savior came to birth, fulfilling the promise of the reign of God in love. Living among us, Jesus loved us. He yearned to draw all the world to himself, yet we would not. We were heedless of his call to walk in love. At last the time came for him to make the sacrifice of himself, and to be glorified by you. On the night before he died, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and 4
gave it to them, saying: Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again he gave thanks to you, and gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. As we gather to share the bread and the cup, we remember his loving gift to us: We remember his death on the cross, We proclaim the resurrection to new life, We await the return of Christ in glory. And we join together in the love of Christ to give thanks and praise to you, our God. Here at this table, we offer to you all that you have made: this bread and this cup, our time and our selves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your love and your blessing on all we offer here. Breathe your Spirit onto these gifts of bread and wine, to make of them the Body and Blood of Christ. Let your Spirit who broods over the whole creation dwell within us. Gather us to be your holy people, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made. Draw us, O God, to your heart at the heart of the world. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. AMEN. As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray, The Lord’s Prayer At the Breaking of the Bread The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. After a brief silence, all say together: We are one bread, one body. We love one another as Christ loves us. Agnus Dei
Missa Marialis
O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace. 5
The Gifts of God for the People of God. The Holy Communion You are invited and welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. You are welcome to receive prayers of healing with laying on of hands after receiving communion. Anthem Quia respexit humilitatem
from J.S.Bach's Magnificat
For he has regarded the low estate of his hand maiden. For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed . Please stand.
Hymn #265 The Angel Gabriel The Prayer of Thanksgiving: Celebrant: Let us pray We have heard your word, O God, and we have broken bread together. May this be a sign for us that you are very near, that we are your people, nourished and loved by you. Never forsake us, but be the light around us and our firm ground; and even more be our future, our father, today and forever. Amen. The Sending forth of the Eucharistic Visitors: In the name of this congregation I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body because we share one bread, one cup. Amen. The Blessing May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Hymn #437 Tell Out My Soul Dismissal Postlude Sortie
Guilmont
Celebrant & Preacher The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Assisting Priest The Rev. Adolfo Moronta Organist Peter Roberts Featured Soloist Anaiz Reynoso-Roberts Lectors 8AM Mary Baker, Barbara Wiggins 10AM Arlene Grant, Jean M. Bradford Intercessor: Delores Brathwaite Eucharistic Ministers 8AM Brinda Bradley 10AM Melanie Jackson, Alison Munsch Acolytes 10AM Lauren Reid, Anna Kristina O’ Hanlon, Harrison Richards, Ivana Richards, Maya Daughtry, Shane Daughtry Ushers 10AM Sam Brown, Anna Kristina O’ Hanlon, Nikolas O’ Hanlon, James Heffner, Michael Heffner Healing Team: Judy Hutton, Cecilia Peagler, Arlene Roberts Grant, Lisa Daley Eucharistic Visitors Arlene Grant, Sandy McAllister Nursery Care is available during the 10:00 AM service. Vestry Greeter Trisha McGuinness Coffee Hour Hosts: Pre-Christmas Coffee Hour Assistant The Welcoming Committee 6
If you are visiting with us for the first time, we welcome you to Grace Church! Our liturgy is found in the Book of Common Prayer. Our communion is open to all baptized Christians. Please take the time to fill out one of our visitor cards which the ushers have available. Your presence is a blessing to us; may our worship together be a blessing to you. The altar flowers are given by Margaret Broomfield Parkinson in thanksgiving for her family
Grace Church Prayer List: We hold the following people in prayer: Corine Bradley, Norene Bueti, Bernice Burton, Cynthia Cole, Inez Dale, Jimmy Delaney, Carol DiGilio, Vincent Doria, Bill Dunphy, Cathy Dunphy, Sandra Esannason, Lydia Green, Mary Haidvogel The Hambas Family, Sylvia Howard, Ivy John, Evgeniy Kaufman, Manoris Long, Paxton Louis, Janice Moore, Giovanna Mustac, Selena Perry, Gladstone Reid, Leroy Reid, Renee Reid, Uriel Reid, Phil Sawyer, Marilyn Seimia, Norman Stanton, Susan Stanton, Natasha Vodyanitskaya, Marthe Watkins Bethel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: Verna Brown Cedar Manor, Ossining: Robert Auld Sarah Neumann, Mamaroneck: Nellie King Serving in the Armed Forces: Kenny Duffy, Denny J. Edmondson, Christopher P. Halstead, David Packer, Sgt. Christopher Vigliotti, Gunnery Sgt. Les Yearwood. Please call the Parish Office or contact Sandy Gadsden McAllister if you would like to place someone’s name on our prayer list Birthdays December 23rd December 24th December 25th
Sylvia D. Brown Ruyde Breach, Charles H. Smith Mary W. Jackson, Amy Auld Owens
Anniversaries December 28th
Christopher and Lindsey Larson
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In the effort to communicate to the congregation about our progress toward meeting our 2018 Stewardship Goal, the below chart shows Total Pledges for January - Nov (actual vs. budget) for Grace and La Gracia. This chart will be updated each month.
We are $16,021 behind
Jan - Nov 300,000 275,000 250,000 225,000 200,000 175,000 150,000 125,000 100,000 75,000 50,000 Budget
Actual
2018 Stewardship Goal: $290,850 % Goal Achieved: 86% (we should be at 92%)
Announcements for the Week of December 23rd THIS WEEK AT GRACE Sunday, December 23rd ECW Raffle Drawing during Coffee Hour 11:30 AM Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 12:30 PM We Welcome in Holy Baptism Lucas Reyes Monday, December 24th Parish Office Closed 4:00 PM Family Service with Christmas Pageant 7:00 PM Fiesta de la Natividad de Nuestro Señor 10:00 PM Festival Service of Holy Eucharist
11:30 AM
Tuesday, December 25th Parish Office Closed LUW Holiday Celebration Meal – Parish Hall Wednesday, December 26th Parish Office Closed No DTM Concert at Grace
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Thursday- December 27th 9AM-3PM Parish Office Open 12:05 PM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel 7:30 PM Santa Eucaristía in the Church Friday, December 28th 9AM- 3PM Parish Office Open
What’s New: Thank You! To all who participated in our informal caroling in front of Grace Church on Saturday, December 15th. THANKS & BLESSINGS: On behalf of Lifting Up Westchester Board of Directors, I thank the parishioners who have generously donated 72 gift cards to be placed in the holiday grocery bags of some of the 288 families who will be celebrating Christmas. Last year, we donated 55 gift cards. Because we are a community who deeply cares about our brothers and sisters less fortunate than us, these gifts will bring something special to their tables. Without the gift card, a little bit of joy would be missing. Well done, Grace/La Gracia! Linda Gallo TODAY: Pledge forms are available in the back of the church and pledges will be accepted through the end of the year. The Vestry needs to know the 2019 pledge amount as they prepare the 2019 budget to be approved at their December meeting. We will be distributing a list of people who have pledged; if you see an error, please contact the Parish Office or Charlotte Roberson. Stewardship Campaign update: As of December 16th Total number of pledges (Grace & La Gracia): 178 Total pledge amount (Grace & La Gracia): $284,607.40 TODAY: ECW RAFFLE DRAWING Tickets are six for $5.00 Drawing held today during coffee hour. The proceeds are going towards Samaritan House Gift Cards. TOYS FOR GRACE & LA GRACIA – Every year La Gracia distributes toys to children on January 6th., the Feast of Epiphany/Three Kings Sunday. Please see Fr. Adolfo about ways you can contribute toys or financial donations for this tradition. Thank you. The Winter Angelus is available in the church and on our website. With many thanks to all who contributed to this edition. It truly is a blessing to be able to tap into so many of the activities of Grace/La Gracia on a quarterly basis in a single publication. The deadline for the Spring Angelus is February 15.
Looking Ahead: The Parish Office: Holiday Hours CLOSED: Friday December 21st (afternoon), December 24th, 25th and 26th OPEN: Thursday December 27th and Friday December 28th (9AM-3PM) CLOSED: Monday December 31st, Tuesday January 1st, and Wednesday January 2nd. OPEN: Thursday January 3rd and Friday January 4th
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Christmas Eve – Our services will be at 4:00 PM – Family Service with the Christmas Pageant; 7:00 PM – in Spanish; and 10:00 PM Festival Eucharist with Candlelight with a performance of Christmas anthems will begin at 9:45 PM. December 30th: A Celebration! As we move to the end of the year, we will be wishing farewell to our Interim Pastor, Mother Judith Lee. We will celebrate her ministry with us on December 30th, in a Bi-Lingual service (11 AM) for all members. It is the only service that day. As a congregation, we will party after the service. We are asking ALL parishioners to participate in a pot luck meal. As your choice, you can bring wither a main dish, a salad or dessert. Signup sheets will be posted outside of the Parish Hall. If you have any questions, please speak with Linda Gallo. Hoping you will be there! Book Club Update: After cancelling our December meeting, we will discuss both We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride and The Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford when we meet on Tuesday, Jan 8 at 7 pm in the church library. Interested in the Book Club? Contact Karen Odom at
[email protected] S.A.G.E.: Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. Due to the New Year holiday we will meet on the second Wednesday for this month only. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year. Best wishes for the holidays! Marie Barrow General Information: Elections: Annual Parish Meeting: January 27, 2019 Positions open for Election: Junior Warden (Michael Heffner was appointed by the Vestry to serve until the 2019 Annual Parish Meeting) Vestry: One 2-year term (Michael Heffner’s seat) Three 3-year terms (Expiring terms: Irene Alves, Sorraya Sampson Elliott, Karen Odom) Qualifications for serving on Vestry 1) Must be a pledging member of Grace/La Gracia for at least 24 months. 2) Must be confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church 3) Must attend service regularly. 4) Must be able to attend the Vestry meetings regularly (currently scheduled on the 4 th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm.) Qualifications for voting [By Laws: Section 4. Qualifications for Voting] Persons of the age of 18 years or more who have been baptized, are communicants of the Episcopal Church, belong to the Parish, are regular attendants of its worship and have contributed to its support for at least twelve (12) months prior to the Annual Election or Special Meeting at which they are in attendance, shall be qualified to vote. For the January 2019 election, eligible voters must have pledged for both 2018 and 2019. Records will be updated before January 15, 2019.
Advent and Christmastide at Grace / La Gracia Sunday December 23rd December 24th
Fourth Sunday of Advent 11:30 AM – Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord 2:30 PM Pageant participants arrive; lunch provided 4:00 PM Family Service with Christmas Pageant 7:00 PM Fiesta de la Natividad de Nuestro Señor 10
December
30th
December 31st January 6th
10:00 PM Festive Service of Holy Eucharist Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (transferred) 11:00 AM Bi-Lingual Service: Celebration of our ministry with Mother Judith. 10 PM – Midnight The church will be open for private prayers. Feast of the Epiphany 10:30 AM & 2:00 PM, Distribution of gifts for children
Sundays in January January 6th Feast of the Epiphany/Three Kings Sunday: Sunday School Classes meet Father Adolfo Moronta, Celebrant & Preacher Distribution of gifts for our children after the 10 AM and 12:30 PM services January 13th Father Adolfo Moronta, Celebrant & Preacher: Sunday School Classes meet Meet Father Chip Graves January 20th Father Chip Graves – Celebrant and Preacher 10 AM – Family Service Meet and Greet the candidates for election after all the services Cecil Henry’s 99th Birthday January 27th Annual Parish Meeting: Sunday School Class meet J2A attend the meeting; rite 13 host Game Day for the children
Vestry Highlights December 18, 2018 Resolved ✓ Approved 2019 budget, with the provision that the Vestry will develop a 5-year plan for financial stability by December 2019 ✓ Approved a Personnel Policy Manual ✓ Appointed the Honorable Delores Brathwaite to be the Compliance Officer for 2019 Discussion ✓ Shared responses to the question: What do you value most about serving on the Vestry? ✓ Thanked Amy Auld Owens and Karen Odom, whose terms are ending and who will not seek re-election ✓ Commended the staff for their accomplishments in building up the mission and ministry of Grace Church during 2018.
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The Right Reverend Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop The Right Reverend Allen Kumho Shin, Bishop Suffragan The Right Reverend Mary Glasspool, Assistant Bishop The Reverend Dr. Judith Lee, Interim Pastor The Reverend Adolfo Moronta, Associate Priest Peter Roberts, Director of Music of Grace Church Juan Carlos Abreu, Director of Music of La Gracia Donna Louis, Youth Ministry Coordinator Maria Campos, Secretary Taurino Juárez, Sexton
The Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 33 Church Street White Plains, New York 10601 914-949-2874 www.gracewhiteplains.org VESTRY Joseph C. Gallo, Senior. Warden Michael Heffner, Junior Warden Hillary Fleming, Treasurer Sorraya Sampson Elliott, Clerk Class of 2018: Irene Alves, Karen Odom, Amy Auld Owens, Sorraya Sampson Elliott Class of 2019: Trisha McGuinness, Marisol Ortega, Charlotte Roberson Class of 2020: Daisy Calderon, Hillary Fleming Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God’s love in Christ through our life together and our service to the wider community. All are welcome.
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