ST. COLUMBA
ANGLICAN-UNITED CHURCH
PO Box 1260, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0
Office Phone: 250-949-6247
E-mail: admin@stcolumbaporthardy.ca
Minister Rev. Christine Muise
E-mail: cmuise@bc.anglican.ca
Wardens: Robert Fyles& Priscilla O’Neil
Treasurer: Judy Fyles
Music Ministry: Roldan Yuipco
Video: Ammie Yuipco
Community Partner: Cathie Wilson
www.stcolumbaporthardy.ca
Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2023
Anglican Holy Eucharist
†††††
Mission Statement
As followers of Jesus the Christ, our church is a community called to love, honour, worship,
and serve God. We invite others to share our Christian journey as we grow in faith and
engage in ministry in our town and mission in our world.
~ Leader: regular font
~ All: bold font
~ Sung words: bold italics
~ Asterix* stand as you are able
Welcome
Land Acknowledgement
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD
In this time and in this place, we gather on the ancestral lands of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples.
From many places and many peoples we come to this house in prayer.
In this time and in this space, we are not alone for we meet in the presence of the living God.
We meet in the presence of the living God.
In this time and in this place, we are not alone for the Risen Jesus stands in our midst.
The Risen Jesus stands in our midst.
In this time and in this space, we are not alone for the wind of the Spirit moves in and through us.
The wind of the Spirit moves in and through us.
In this time and in this place, we gather with the whole company of heaven: here heaven and
earth are one.
In this time and in this space heaven and earth are one.
In this time and in this space as the nights lengthen and the days are dim:
we light this candle to remind us that our Light comes.
In this time and in this place as we wait for Jesus, who is Peace for the world,
we light this candle to remind us that our Peace comes.
In this time and in this space, we gather together, one people in Jesus Christ.
In this time and place, we are one people in Jesus Christ.
In the name of God: Creator, Saviour, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
*Advent Hymn: VU 7 Hope Is a Star (Verse 2: Peace)
Peace shines as the solitary star.
Faith is the inner light.
You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,
and illumine the pathway home.
Centering Stillness
Let us hold this moment open to the Spirit of God.
(silence)
*Hymn: VU 1 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, great God of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind,
O Bid our sad divisions cease,
and be for us our Prince of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Collect
THE STORY OF FAITH IS PROCLAIMED
Hutlilala’s! Listen as God’s Word is proclaimed!
Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 Psalter
Lord, you were favourable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
Let me hear what God will speak, for the Lord will speak peace to the people, to the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts.
Surely salvation is at hand for those who fear God, that glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good, our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before the Lord, and make a pathway for God.
Epistle: 2 Peter 3: 8-15a
*Hymn: (VU 883) CP 100 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Comfort, comfort ye my people;
speak ye peace; thus says your God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
bowed beneath oppression's load;
speak ye to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover,
and her warfare now is over.
Hark! The herald's voice is calling
in the desert far and near,
calling all to new repentance
since the reign of God is here.
Oh, that warning call obey!
Now prepare for Christ a way;
let the valleys rise to meet him
and the hills bow down to greet him.
Make ye straight what long was crooked;
make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits Messiah’s reign.
For the glory of the Lord
now o’er earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that God’s Word is never broken.
May God be with you!
And also with you!
The Holy Gospel of Jesus the Christ according to Mark.
Glory to you Christ our Saviour.
*Gospel: Mark 1: 1-8
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you Jesus the Christ.
Sermon Reflection
Intercessions
Mission story
Let us offer our prayers to the source of all love and all life,
At the bidding: God of Love;
Please respond: “Hear our prayer.”
Confession and Absolution
The grace-filled shadows of Advent offer us the opportunity to explore our human complexities through the lens of God's saving love. Trusting in God's promises let us confess our sins:
Jesus, forgive us our sins. Forgive the sins we can remember and the sins we have forgotten. Forgive the wrongs we have done and the good we have failed to do. Forgive the times when we have been weak in the face of temptation, and those when we have been stubborn in the face of correction. Forgive the times when we have been overly proud, and those when we have failed to boast of your works. Forgive the harsh judgements we have made, and the undue leniency we have shown. Forgive the lies we have told and the truths we have avoided. Forgive us the pain we have caused, and the over-indulgence we have practiced. Jesus have mercy on us and make us whole.
[Adapted from the Early Irish (from A Celtic Primer p. 95)]
May the God of all healing and forgiveness draw you close, pardon and cleanse you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and show you the glory of the Word made flesh, Jesus the Christ. Amen
The Peace
The God who holds heaven and earth as one sent to us the Prince of Peace: peace in the Church, peace among nations, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts.
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
*Offertory hymn: VU 18 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying
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 God, our God, may go!
O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
get thee up to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
the coming of their King.
Like the flowers of the field they perish,
like grass our works decay,
the power and pomp of nations
shall pass like a dream away.
But the word of our God endureth,
the arm of the Lord is strong;
God stands in the midst of nations,
and soon will right the wrong.
God shall feed the flock like a shepherd,
the lambs so gently hold;
to pastures of peace will lead them,
and bring them safe to fold.
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 God, our, God may go!
*Responsive Hymn: VU 10 Prepare the Way of the Lord (3x)
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Make a straight path for Him,
Make a straight path;
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Prayer over the Gifts
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
May God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to our God.
Let us give thanks to the Creator of all.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we should praise you, ...
... And so we gather around your table, with all the saints and with all Creation, we sing the hymn of your unending
love.
Holy, Holy. Holy God of Power and Might
Heaven, Heaven, Earth, Earth,
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed, Blessed. The One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Blessed, Blessed. The One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Jesus took bread, when he had given thanks, ...do this to remember me.
Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Recalling Christ’s death and resurrection, ....Through Christ our Redeemer, in the power of the Spirit, all praise and
glory be yours, Creator God, now and for ever. Amen.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
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 for ever. Amen.
Sharing of the elements
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us Light in the midst of us Bring us light and life
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
(the elements will be distributed for common consumption)
Doxology
All your works praise you, O Lord.
And your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, bring life to others; we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
*Hymn: VU 96 Will You Come and See The Light
Will you come and see the light from the stable door?
It is shining newly bright, though it shone before.
It will be your guiding star, it will show you who you are.
will you hide, or decide to meet the light?
Will you step into the light that can free the slave?
It will stand for what is right, it will heal and save.
By the pyramids of greed there's a longing to be freed.
will you hide, or decide to meet the light?
Will you tell about the light in the prison cell?
Though it's shackled out of sight, it is shining well.
When the truth is cut and bruised, and the innocent abused,
will you hide, or decide to meet the light?
Will you join the hope, alight in a young girl's eyes,
of the mighty put to flight by a baby's cries?
When the lowest and the least are the foremost at the feast,
will you hide, or decide to meet the light?
Will you travel by the light of the babe new born?
In the candle lit at night there's a gleam of dawn,
and the darkness all about is too dim to put it out:
will you hide, or decide to meet the light?
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Three-fold Amen!
Announcements:
Please remember to bring in canned or dry goods for our community cupboard and blessing box.
Focus: Gazette Hampers
Dec 12 Church Council 6:30 PM
Dec 16 at 1 PM “Then Let Us Sing” sing along for new hymns in an upcoming new United
Church hymn book.
Dec 21, 7 PM Vigil for Peace
Dec 24, 7 PM Christmas Eve Service
Liturgical resources from:
https://bc.anglican.ca/resources/worship-resources/pages/authorized-liturgies
Liturgy of the Islands and Inlets: Advent 2
Music copyright:
Words for hymns reprinted, podcast or streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A720359 or CCLI License # 11033010. All rights reserved.
Voices United 7 Hope Is a Star (When God is a Child) Words: Brian Wren, 1985, Music: Joan Collier Fogg, 1987. Words and music copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 words (#11259) and music (#11261). All rights reserved.
Voices United 1 O Come, O Come Emmanuel Words: from the Latin antiphons for Advent ca. 9th century; translator John Mason Neale, 1851 and others Music: 15th century plainsong melody arrangement: Healey Willan. Words copyright © The Church Pension Fund. Arrangement: Concordia Publishing House Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 Words (#28165). All rights reserved. Music copyright, public domain.
Common Praise 100 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Words: Johannes G. Olearius (1611-1684); translation: Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), alt. Music: Melody Geneva 1551; Harmony: Claude Goudimel (1505-1572) Revised Alain Mabit (19??- ) Words and music: Public domain.
Voices United 18 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Words: Copyright, public domain. Music copyright © 1938 Henry Hugh Bancroft (1904-1988), estate administrated by Brian Burrows. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#308CW21). All rights reserved.
Voices United 10 Prepare the Way of the Lord Words: Isaiah 40:3; adapt. Michael Burkhardt, 1990 Music: Michael Burkhardt, 1990. Words and music copyright © 1992 MorningStar Music Publishers. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#117711). All rights reserved.
Sanctus and Benedictus (Kentigern Setting) Tune: © 1988 WGRG c/o Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 words (#38031). All rights reserved.
Voices United 96 Will You Come and See the Light Words: Brian Wren 1989; Music: Traditional Scottish melody; arr. Valarie Ruddle 1993. Words and arrangement copyright © 1993 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 words (#30237) and music arrangement (#9389) or CCLI License # 11033010 (5575532). All rights reserved.
