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Advent 3 2022 abrgd
Guest Speaker
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Scripture
Playlist

As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, 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.     

 

Call to Worship:  

 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has
Anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted.

Isaiah 61. 1

O Come, Let Us Worship

              

Collect
God of power and mercy,
you call us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son.
Remove those things which hinder love of you,
that when he comes, he may find us waiting
in awe and wonder for him who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen. 

 

My Soul Proclaims Your Glory, Lord
(CP#363)

My soul proclaims your glory, Lord,
my spirit sings with thankful voice,
for you my lowly prayer have heard:
in you, my Saviour, I rejoice.  

Nations unborn will bless your name,
giver of boundless grace to me,
in every age you are the same;
you make the humble whole and free.  

You have made bare your mighty arm
to break the yoke of selfish power,  
and lift your broken ones from harm,
bursting the gates of greed’s proud tower.  

You fill the hungry mouths with food,
and show the poverty of wealth.
Your ancient vow you have made good,
and raised your children to new health.  

Glory to God, all being’s Spring,
to God the Word, salvation’s voice,
to God the Spirit, praise we sing;
with all the ages we rejoice. 

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Matthew 11. 2-11

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of
our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord.  Amen.

 “Discovering Joy” 

Does anyone remember this?
I first heard it at a church camp… (I’ve Got Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart)          

This week, the secular media appears to be in harmony with the Christian Church theme of Advent, for this week in sharing stories of JOY.          

On my favorite radio station this week, there was an interview with a family relating how a year ago, just before Christmas, his father had died.  

He shared how this had affected his young son in the death of his grandpa. So, this year they convinced their Strata to relax the regulation around how soon they could put up their outdoor Christmas decorations. The father shared with the Strata Council how his son asked if they could put up their lights early so, he could feel joy through the lights of Christmas.  

My immediate thoughts went to the intro music to our sermon today. ‘I’ve got joy in my heart.’   Irrespective of age, seeing the first string of lights at Christmas always brings a sense of joy to our hearts.  

The gospel opens with these words from John, who is in prison as he nears his death, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”          

The question continues to this day, only the context is not the same.          

Yet, the question remains how can we trust the message?          

Or will there be joy?          

In many ways, our Christmas lights and decorations are an announcement of the question: ‘Are You the One?’  

Or, in a more positive manner, ‘Jesus is the one who has come to save us. Our lights serve as a reminder of this good news.’          

Our readings on this Sunday, remind us with a variety of images of this good news.          

Beginning first with The Song of Mary:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.”  

Then Isaiah and Matthew share with the world today the celebration of the God who brings healing for the people experiencing all sorts of issues in our personal lives, and in the lives of others.          

Just this week, witnessing a mechanical, robotic-type walking chair for a young woman with cerebral palsy being able to walk independently, without the aid of others! The expression of joy on her face and in her voice, in sharing her good news was so moving.          

Technology has made giant steps in the area of assisting people with disabilities.          

On this Island, we have had Camp Easter Seal for generations. The number of young and old, alike, who have been able to find joy and build relationships with others is beyond what we can count.     

With reference to John’s question to Jesus, if ‘he might be the long-awaited one.’  
I love Jesus’ answer. It is like one of those ‘come and see moments.’

  • The blind receive their sight.

  • The lame walk.

  • The lepers are cleansed.

  • The deaf hear.

  • The dead are raised.

  • And the poor have good news brought to them.  

And, the world would say, ‘That’s ok; that was then. What evidence do you have for us today, that we should put our trust in Jesus?’  

Or, what has changed in the world, or what evidence do you have showing life and goodness in peoples’ lives and in the world today? What evidence do we have?

We have the evidence of being a community of faith.  

Part of me wants to say: Let me count the ways.

In the background, you can see ‘The angel tree for collecting toys to be distributed here in the Cowichan Valley.  And, the reverse advent calendars which are grocery boxes being prepared to distribute for use during that long stretch of time between receiving cheques in December, and the end of January.  

The questions of doubt come from the part of the world who only sees a glass half-empty, not half-full.
(I confess. I have great difficulty with the part of the world who only sees a “half-empty” glass.) 

My initial answer might be: we are making a difference in the world because we are a community of faith.
It is Faith that brings us to work and witness in the Gospel.
A community of faith which gathers around the sacrament of grace, who are sent into the world in service.  

One of those signs, I noted this week, was when I placed our family’s gifts under the Angel Tree, noting just how many people had been there before me.  

The other lessons, today, are also admonitions of JOY which we should hang our hat on.  

Psalm 146:

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.  
Their hope is in the Lord their God because he is the one who made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.  

Then, there is the list of hope from the Prophet Isaiah.

Statements like:

  • Be strong, do not fear!

  • Here is your God.

  • He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense.

  • He will come and save you.  

Monday of this week, we were watching the classic, ‘Miracle on 34th Street’.   It is in those classics that we have the opportunity to see joy through the eyes of children.

Today with a theme of joy through the Gospel today we share in this joy as we wait with Mary, reminding ourselves that Jesus came to teach us how to love and serve all, causing the world to sing and shout for Joy.          

The children in our introduction to the sermon today give us a sense of true hope for the world. You can hear the joy in their voices, and the joy in our voices, if we care to join with them…..            

When Mary says:

'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord'.

I hear her saying: I’ve got joy, joy, joy in my soul!
We have joy in our souls. 

Thanks be to God.  Amen.

 

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 our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
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.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified. 
He 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.

Let Us Pray

As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence,
let us pray for a world that yearns for joy and new hope.  

Gracious God,
we rejoice in the gifts of your Spirit.
Equip the global church to magnify
your love and peace in every land.
We pray for work of the Primate World Relief Development Fund (PWRDF). 

God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer. 

Abundant God,
we rejoice in your creation.
Revive lands we have squandered and depleted.
Make gardens flourish in cities and neighbourhoods.
Cleanse polluted air and water so
living things may breathe, drink, and praise you. 

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.  

Righteous God,
we rejoice in your justice.
End racism and oppression.
Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted.
Reconcile nations and peoples in conflict.
Help us pray for our enemies

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.  

Healing God,
we rejoice in your compassion.
Comfort any in distress because of worry, illness, or loss. 
In our Parish we pray for: 
Roy & Gail; Daryl & Sue; Roy; John; Daryl & Joyce; Sheila; Geoff;
Carolyn; Catherine; Adriel, Michelle, and those on our hearts. 
Strengthen and protect health care workers, rescue teams,
crisis counsellors, and all who risk themselves to keep others safe. 
We pray for our children and hospitals, and for all who care for sick children,
those who care for the many children in hospital with breathing illnesses.

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.  

Abiding God, we rejoice in your company.
Give us calm and patient hearts as we gather
with family and friends.
Keep us mindful of those for whom this season is not happy.
Console the grieving and surround them with loving support. 

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.  

Faithful God,
we rejoice with Mary, Mother of our Lord,
and with all the saints, that your mercy endures for all generations.
Look with favour on those who have died and
lead us to joyfully sing of your everlasting promises. 

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.  
  

God of our longing,
you know our deepest needs.
By your Spirit,
gather our prayers and join
them with the prayers of all your
children.
In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.
 


As our Saviour taught us, 
We pray:

Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation, but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

Merciful God,

God of promise,
We give you thanks for the banquet you prepare for us
as we share together, in your word and sacrament.

Merciful  God, 
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.
 

The Blessing

May the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our lord.

And may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always Amen.