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O Come, Let Us Worship!
Advent 3
Lessons & Carols
Prepare the Way of the Lord!
Scriptures for Advent 3
Lessons & Carols
1: Genesis 2. 4-9, 15-25
2: Isaiah 9. 2,6-7
3: Isaiah 40. 1-11
4: Luke 1. 26-35,38
5: Luke 2. 1,3-7
6: Luke 2. 8-16
7: Matthew 2. 1-12
8: John 1. 1-14
As we gather, we recognize that we live, work and play in the traditional lands of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. We continue to commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building with our First Nations neighbours.
Welcome.
Advent 3: Scripture and Prayers
Philippians 4.4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always!
I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Advent Prayer for Rejoicing
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to joy.
Lift up our heads from the dust and adorn us with your righteousness, that we may rejoice and testify that our Lord has come;
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Advent Wreath Prayer Week 3 — Joy
Heavenly Father:
This third week of Advent, let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our life, in our world, or the people that we are with. It doesn’t depend on the gifts we give or the gifts we find under the tree. No earthly thing can ever give us complete joy.
Our joy comes from you.
That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph, is the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing. Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with.
Our joy is a gift.
It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season, as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
All:
A candle is burning, a candle of Joy
A candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
As joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
O come, let us worship.
Opening Carol: Once in Royal David’s City
Public Domain
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 meek and lowly
Lived on earth our Savior 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 be around.
My sisters and brothers in Christ, in this season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let it be our duty and delight to hear once more the message of the angels, and go in heart and mind to Bethlehem to see the Son of God lying in a manger.
As we mark once more the mystery of the Word made flesh, let us join with the song of angels and saints and make this place ring with our carols and hymns of praise.
But first, let us remember the poverty of the birth of the Prince of Peace, and pray for the poor, the cold, the hungry, and those among us who find that there is no room for them at the inn.
Let us remember the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, and pray for the oppressed, refugees, the isolated, and those on the edges of our society.
Let us remember that the Lord of Glory experienced the pain of life and death, and pray for the sick, the anxious, the weary, and the bereaved.
And remembering the promise that he shall reign forever and ever, let us pray for the rulers of the nations, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church, that we may be a sign that God’s rule on earth has already begun.
With joy in our hearts, let us hear again the story of the birth of Christ, and join with Mary and Joseph, with shepherds and wise men, and with all our forebears in faith in offering our worship.
Collect
Almighty God,
you wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored our human nature.
May we share the divine life of your Son Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to share our humanity, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Public Domain
O 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,
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Sing choirs of angels,
Sing in exaltation;
O, sing all ye citizens of
Heaven above.
Glory to God,
All glory in the highest;
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
1st Lesson: Genesis 2.4-9, 15-25
(The generations of the heavens and the earth, when they were created.)
Carol: When Long Before Time
Copyright Protected. Unable to post lyrics.
2nd Lesson: Isaiah 9. 2, 6-7
(The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.)
Carol: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Public Domain
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings;
Mild, He lays His glory by; Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth;
Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
3rd Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
(God’s people are comforted.)
Carol: There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying
Public Domain
There’s a voice in the wilderness crying, a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway, a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted, the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places, where the Lord our God may go!
O Zion, give voice to good tidings, ascend to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people the coming of their King.
The works of pride all perish, like flowers they shall decay;
the power and pomp of nations shall pass like a dream away.
4th Lesson: Luke 1. 26-35,38
(The birth of Jesus foretold)
Carol: Joy to the World
Public Domain
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
5th Lesson: Luke 2. 1, 3-7
(The Birth of Jesus)
Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Public Domain
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love;
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth!
6th Lesson: Luke 2. 8-16
(The shepherds and the angels)
Carol: The First Noel
Public Domain
The first Noel the angels did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel!
They lookèd up and saw a star,
Shining in the east beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so, it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel!
7th Lesson: Matthew 2. 1-12
(The visit of the wise men)
Carol: We Three Kings
Public Domain
We three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Oh – Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Glorious now, behold him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice!
Alleluia, alleluia,
Earth to the heavens replies.
Oh - Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
8th Lesson: John 1. 1-14 (The Word Became Flesh) The Gospel according to John:
Offertory Hymn: Away in a Manger
Public Domain
Away 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 you, 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 forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
Prayer over the Gifts:
God of hope, renew in us the joy of your salvation,
and make us a living sacrifice to you,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer #2
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 our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and Redeemer. He is your living Word, through whom you have created all things.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, he took flesh of the Virgin Mary and shared our human nature. He lived and died as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
In fulfilment of your will, he stretched out his hands in suffering, to bring release to those who place their hope in you; and so, he won for you a holy people.
He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows, and to give up his life on the cross, that he might shatter the chains of evil and death, and banish the darkness of sin and despair. By his resurrection, he brings us into the light of your presence.
Now with all creation, we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
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 God, accept our praise, through your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ; who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread and gave you thanks, saying, “Take, and eat: this is my body which is broken for you.”
In the same way he took the cup, saying, “This is my blood which is shed for you.
When you do this, you do it in memory of me.”
Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we offer you this bread and this cup, giving thanks that you have made us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.
We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of your holy Church.
Gather into one all who share in these sacred mysteries, filling them with the Holy Spirit and confirming their faith in the truth, that together we may praise you and give you glory through your Servant, Jesus Christ.
All glory and honour are yours, Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Church, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread:
God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
Amen
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Administration of Communion
Communion Carol: O Holy Night
Public Domain
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on our knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born,
O night divine! O night, O night! divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
with glowing hearts by His cradle, we stand.
So led the light of a star sweetly gleaming,
here came the wise men from orient land. T
he King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
in all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, He guardeth us from danger.
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King, your King! Before Him bend!
Prayer After Communion
Merciful God,
May this eucharist free us from our sins, fill us with unending joy, and prepare us for the birthday of our Saviour.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord now and forever. Amen
Carol: Silent Night
(Lighting of Candles)
Public Domain
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother, and child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav'nly hosts sing “Alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!"
Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Announcements
Blessing:
May the God of infinite goodness, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your hearts with holiness; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Dismissal
Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!
The recording ends