Advent 3: Joy

Scripture Readings:
Luke 2:10

Sermon: 
Advent 3: Joy

Bible Memory Verse for December:
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast  [Hebrews 6:19a]

Readings for the Candle of Joy

Pastor:

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. _{[MT 2:9-10]}

Congregation:

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. _{[LK 1:41-44]}

Pastor:

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. _{[LK 1:46-48]}

Congregation:

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” _{[NE 8:10]}

[light the Joy candle]

All Together:

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. _{[PP 4:4]}

Advent 2: Peace

Scripture Readings:
Luke 2:8-14 

Sermon: 
Advent 2: Peace

Bible Memory Verse for December:
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast  [Hebrews 6:19a]

Luke 2:8-14 
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

READING FOR LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE:

Pastor:
For unto us a Child is born, 
Unto us a Son is given;
 And the government will be upon His shoulder.
 And His name will be called
 Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6]

Congregation:
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 [John 14:27]

Pastor:
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33]

Congregation:
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. [Matthew 5:9]

[Light the Peace Candle]

All Together:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:7]

Let us Pray:

Advent I: Hope

Scripture Readings:
1 Peter 1:3-5, & 13
Matthew 2:1-2

Sermon: Advent I: Hope

Bible Memory Verse for December:
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast
[Hebrews 6:19a]

Reading for Lighting the Hope Candle:

Pastor:
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. [1 Peter 1:13]

Congregation:
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, when we light the Candle of Hope. The Prophets who lived hundreds of years before Christ told the world of a New Hope: a Saviour, our Light in the Darkness.

Pastor:
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. [Isaiah 40:31]

Congregation:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6]

[Light the Hope Candle]

All Together:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Romans 15:13]

Pastor:
Let us pray

1 Peter 1:3-5, & 13
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 2:1-2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

The Armour of Light

Scripture Readings: 

Ephesians 6.10-20

Responsive Readings: 

Clementsport - 526 

Deep Brook - 736

Sermon: 

The Armour of Light

Bible Memory Verse for November: 

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, 

and he shall sustain thee: 

he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 

[Psalm 55:22]

The Collect

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace; that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle

Ephesians 6.10-20

My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth; and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked: and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Gospel

St. John 4.46-end

There was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way, thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend: and they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

Redeeming the Time

Scripture Readings:

Ephesians 5:15-21

Responsive Readings:
Clementsport - 520
Deep Brook - 525

Sermon:
Redeeming the Time

Bible Memory Verse for November:
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, 
and he shall sustain thee: 
he shall never suffer 
the righteous to be moved.      [Psalm 55:22]

THE EPISTLE. Ephesians 5. 15.
SEE then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Old & New

Scripture Readings:
Matthew 9:1-8 
Ephesians 4:17-32

Responsive Readings:
Clementsport - 519
Deep Brook - 646

Sermon:
Old & New

Bible Memory Verse for October:
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." [Psalms 119:11]

THE COLLECT. for Trinity 19
O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant, that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE EPISTLE.  Ephesians 4:17-32
THIS I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

THE GOSPEL.  Matthew 9:1-8
JESUS entered into a boat, and passed over, and came into his own city.  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  And, behold, certain of the Scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.  And Jesus, knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?  For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  And he arose, and departed to his house.  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.

The Roadblock

Scripture Readings:
John 12:42-46
John 5:41-44

Responsive Readings:
Clementsport - 551
Deep Brook - 756

Sermon:
The Roadblock

Bible Memory Verse for October:
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." [Psalms 119:11]

John 5:41-44
41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 12:42-46
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.