
A House of Prayer for all People and the Episcopal Church in Colorado
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
December 3, 2023 | 10:30 am
Welcome to Saint John’s Cathedral! We are glad you are here. If you are new to Saint John’s please see this time as one of connection and restoration. Our prayer is that you encounter God as you participate in today’s service. Before the service begins, please take a moment to silence your electronic devices. Hearing Impaired guests: Hearing Loop Installed. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.
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THE WORD OF GOD
VOLUNTARY
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
Johann Sebastian Bach
MATIN RESPONSORY
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Sung by the choir.
I look from afar; and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out to meet him and say: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel? High and low, rich and poor, one with another. Go ye out to meet him and say: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel? Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, tell us, art thou he that should come? Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come to reign over thy people Israel. I look from afar: and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out to meet him and say: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?
All stand for the procession.
AN ADVENT PROCESSIONAL
Come thou Redeemer of the earth, and manifest thy virgin birth: Let eve’ry age adoring fall such birth befits the God of all. REFRAIN
Begotten of no human will, but of the spirit thou art still. The Word of God in flesh arrayed, the promised fruit to man displayed. REFRAIN
The virgin womb that burden gained with virgin honour all unstained; the banners there of virture glow; God in his temple dwells below. REFRAIN
Forth from his chamber goeth he, that royal home of purity, a giant in two-fold substance one, rejoicing now his course to run. REFRAIN
From God the Father he proceeds, to God the Father back he speeds; his course he runs to death and hell, returning on God’s throne to dwell. REFRAIN
O equal to thy Father, thou! Gird up thy fleshly mantle now; the weakness of our mortal state with deathless might invigorate. REFRAIN
Thy cradle here shall glitter bright and darkness breathe a newer light, where endless faith shall shine serene, and twilight never intervene. REFRAIN
All laud, eternal Son, to thee whose advent sets thy people free, whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Ghost for evermore. REFRAIN
OPENING ACCLAMATION
THE CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION
Minister Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
A moment of silence is kept.
Minister 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. |
Presider | 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. |
THE TRISAGION
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
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 for ever. Amen.
All sit.
THE FIRST LESSON
Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence–as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil–to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
Lector | The Word of the Lord. |
People | Thanks be to God. |
PSALM 80:1-7, 16-18
Saint Martin’s Psalter
Sung by the choir.
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. |
16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, * the son of man you have made so strong for yourself. |
17 And so will we never turn away from you; * give us life, that we may call upon your Name. |
18 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. |
THE SECOND LESSON
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind–just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you–so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lector | The Word of the Lord. |
People | Thanks be to God. |
All stand for the proclamation of the Gospel.
THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
All sing the Alleluia then repeat after the verse.
Verse | Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help. |
THE GOSPEL
Mark 13:24-37
Minister | The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. |
People | Glory to you, Lord Christ. |
Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Minister | The Gospel of the Lord. |
People | Praise to you, Lord Christ. |
All sit.
THE SERMON
All stand.
THE NICENE CREED
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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.
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
After each petition is said
Watching and waiting, |
we pray to you, O Lord. |
After the final intercession is said
We pray for those celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, saying, O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Presider
O God, who from the heavens rains down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before thy marvelous deeds: Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and stand without blame before thy Son, Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
O God, who from the heavens rains down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before thy marvelous deeds: Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and stand without blame before thy Son, Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
THE PEACE
Presider | The peace of Christ be always with you. |
People | And also with you. |
All sit.
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THE HOLY COMMUNION
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Sleepers, Wake!
Felix Mendelssohn
Sleepers, wake! A voice is calling, it is the watchman on the walls: thou city of Jerusalem! For lo! The Bridegroom comes! Arise, and take your lamps! Hallelujah! Awake! His kingdom is at hand! Go forth, go forth to meet your Lord!
All stand.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Eucharistic Prayer B
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
The people remain standing.
Presider
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us our of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father:
We remember his death.
We proclaim his resurrection.
We await his coming in glory.
We proclaim his resurrection.
We await his coming in glory.
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the Ever-Blessed Virgin Mary; Blessed John, our patron; and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
Silence.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Presider and People
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Presider breaks the consecrated bread.
AGNUS DEI
Mass in E
Jeffrey Smith
Sung by the choir.
THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Following the invitation to Communion, the Ministers and People receive the Sacrament. For those desiring to receive wine, it is available from the common Cup or you are invited to leave the wafer in your open palm and a chalice minister will intinct for you.
COMMUNION ANTHEM
Keep your lamps
André Thomas
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, the time is drawing nigh. Children don’t get weary ‘til your work is done. Christian journey soon be over, the time is drawing nigh. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, the time is drawing nigh.
HYMN 454
Jesus came, adored by angels
Lowry
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
If there are Eucharistic Visitors to be sent forth, the Presider says to them
In the name of this congregation, we send you forth bearing these Holy Mysteries, 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 all share in one bread, one cup.
THE BLESSING
May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with life everlasting. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
HYMN 73
The King shall come
St. Stephen
THE DISMISSAL
Minister | Go in peace, watching and waiting. |
People | Thanks be to God. |
VOLUNTARY
Sortie (fughetta)
Theodore Dubois
PRESIDER
The Reverend Canon Broderick Greer
Canon Precentor
PREACHER
The Very Reverend Richard Lawson
Dean
DEACON OF THE MASS
The Reverend Jack Karn
Deacon for Community Partnerships
ASSISTING CLERGY
The Reverend Canon Katie Pearson
Canon Pastor
MUSICIANS
Dr. Michael Boney
Director of Music and Organist
Mr. Joseph O’Berry
Associate Director of Music and Organist
Saint John’s Cathedral Choir
ALTAR GUILD
Robin Van Atta
Director
SACRISTAN
Annie Zander