FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 1, 2024
Springwell Holy Eucharist

 

Call to Gather for Worship

 

Celebrant    ☩ Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People       And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever.

Amen.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden: 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.

 Celebrant             Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There are no other commandments greater than these.”

 

The Collect of the Day

 Celebrant             The Lord be with you.

People                 And also with you.

Celebrant            Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

 

 

Psalm 25:1-9 Let us say the psalm in unison

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

 

New Testament reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

 

THE GOSPEL
Luke: 2:15-35

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

People Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars; and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

After the Gospel, the Reader says, The Gospel of the Lord
People Praise be to thee, O Christ

SERMON
THE RIGHT REV. CARRIE HOFIEL
BISHOP OF MARYLAND

 

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

Celebrant and People together

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Celebrant Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, by saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

Leader For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls. For the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. People Lord, have mercy.

Leader For our Bishops and church leaders; for congregations and their leaders and people. For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. People Lord, have mercy.

Leader For this city of Baltimore, for every city and community; on our mountains and farms; and for holy places—and for those who live in all these places. For the residents and staff of Springwell and their families. For the good earth that God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. People Lord, have mercy.

Leader For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering. For Jackie, Joyce, John, Paul, Lynn, Carlton, Holly, Miles and Wanda; Arthur, Margie, Stuart, and all their families; for Sister Anne and Neil, and all others needing our prayers. Let us pray to the Lord.
People Lord, have mercy.

Leader For the people and peace of the Holy Land in the Middle East, and all the pe0ple of various tribes and nations who live there. For Hawaii and Canada; for Ukraine, poignantly and in particular; for peacemakers and for their success; and for those for whom we have promised to pray; for all of them and their concerns, let us pray to the Lord. People Lord, have mercy

Leader For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all those who remember them and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. People Lord, have mercy.

Leader For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the dearly departed, particularly, Georgia, Helen, Yvonne Murphy, Cynthia, Donald Actie, and all their families and loved ones. And, that we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. People Lord, have mercy.

Celebrant 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. People Amen.

 

 

A CONFESSION OF OUR SINS TO GOD

Celebrant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbors.
Silence will be kept.

Celebrant and People 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.

Celebrant Almighty God have mercy on you, ☩ forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in
eternal life. Amen.

 

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Celebrant Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head overall. Amen.

 

 

THE PEACE

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another
in the name of the Lord

 

 

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant It is indeed right and holy that we should—in all times and in all places—give thanks to you, Almighty Father. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. In fulfillment of his true promise, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; uniting peoples of many tongues in the confession of one faith, and giving to your Church the power to serve you as a royal priesthood, and to preach the Gospel to all nations. Therefore, we praise your name and join angels and archangels by saying:

All, spoken: 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 the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself. When we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you in your mercy sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night before his death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanks- giving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. ☩ Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. ☩ Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace. And at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ.
By him, and with him, and in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father,
now and forever. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

Celebrant The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

THE Celebrant will distribute communion to people in their chairs.

 

 

POST COMMUNION THANKSGIVING

Celebrant Almighty and ever-living God,

All We thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen

 

 

THE BLESSING

Celebrant Sisters and brothers, we go out into the world in peace. We live and walk as part of God’s beloved community. May God help us all to be of good courage, to hold on to what is good, and to return to no one an evil for an evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, aid the suffering; do justice, honor all people, and let our gentleness be known by everyone. May God, who raised our Lord Jesus from death, lift us up and restore us to wholeness. And may God bless us all, ☩ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

DISMISSAL
Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

 

 

THE RIGHT REV. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent was elected Bishop Co-Adjutor by the 238 Diocesan Convention at St. John’s Ellicott City on March 25, 2023. She was ordained and consecrated on September 16, 2023 at Washington National Cathedral, with Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves as the Chief Consecrator. After her consecration, she served as Bishop Coadjutor, working with the Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, and succeeded him as XV Bishop of Maryland on April 27, 2024.

Bishop Carrie came from the Diocese of Central New York. She worked as the youth minister at St James’, Skaneateles, as a conflict resolution trainer and consultant in educational settings until she entered Virginia Theological Seminary. After graduating in 2003, Bishop Carrie served in three small parishes, St. Paul’s, Syracuse, and then as the rector of St. Matthew’s, Liverpool for ten years. In 2017 she became a canon on diocesan staff serving in transition ministry and congregational development. She has served as a as a conflict resolution consultant for churches and a trainer in the College for Congregational Development.

Deeply committed to honoring the dignity of every human being, Bishop Carrie consistently attends to her own work around race, climate change, economic justice, and full inclusion of LGBTQAI+ persons, and is committed to helping the Church grow in these areas. She identifies her own core values of ministry as trust and relationships, truth and transparency, and compassion and faithfulness. Bishop Carrie and her husband, Keith have two young adult children, Will and Kate. They have two dogs and enjoy traveling, camping, kayaking, and hiking together. Her hobbies include making pottery in a community studio, reading, growing houseplants, antique/thrifting and practicing yoga.