STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
TODAY AT ST. MARY’S
Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be to Him forever!
Prayer on Entering the Church
I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear I will worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before me, that with a clear mind I may glorify thee forever, One Divine Power worshipped in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Flowers on the Altar In memory of Clarence and Bessie Mahon by their families of Peggy and grandchildren Micheal, Ian and Kathleen
Nursery (for infants and toddlers) is available in Good Shepherd Nursery. Leader: Elizabeth D
Godly Play in the Children’s Worship Centre for children 3 – 6 years. “Today’s story is ‘Daniel’ Daniel 6:4-23. Leaders: Clara D, Sandra D.
Faith Quest kids (ages 7-13) start their Advent Rotation today, focusing on Mary and Elizabeth. Len G will lead and Eleanor M will shepherd this Pray per View workshop. Memory Verse. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
Coffee & Fellowship Following the service, please join us for a cup of tea or coffee in the Upper Hall. Coffee Hosts: Yvonne and Christian S.
COURAGEOUS GRANDPARENTING SMALL GROUP STUDY at St. Mary’s today in the Lower hall after the service.
MORNING PRAYER AT TEN O’CLOCK
Prayer Book, Page 6-15, Psalm 118, Isaiah 19:19-25, Romans 15:5-13
HOLY COMMUNION AT HALF-PAST TEN
Opening Hymn: # 375 At the Name of Jesus
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 them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, it all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR Lord Jesus Christ said: Hear O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it:
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in ours hearts, we beseech thee.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer with the Children
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice 20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will save my flock, they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.
R. / Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 100 (Prayer Book p.457)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
The Epistle: Ephesians 1:15-23
SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.
R. / Thanks be to God.
Hymn: #515 Thou art the Way: to Thee Alone
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Response before the Gospel: Glory be to thee, O Lord
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Response following the Gospel: Praise be to thee, O Christ.
Sermon
Nicene Creed
I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-be- gotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all worlds; God, of God; Light, of Light; Very God, of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; Through whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, The Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.
Intercessions (Response: Lord, Hear our prayer.)
Offertory Hymn: # 628 O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
Invitation, Confession and Absolution
YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead the new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him.
COME unto me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St Matthew 11. 28.
God so loved the world, that he gave his only- begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. St John 3. 16.
Hear also what Saint Paul saith.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1. 15.
Hear also what Saint John saith.
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. 1 St John 2. 1, 2.
Great Thanksgiving, Peace, Prayer of Humble Access
THE Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts;
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
It is meet and right so to do.
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Creator and Pre- server of all things.
THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee and saying:
HOLY, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of thy
glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
BLESSED is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
BLESSING and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took Bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all, of this; for this is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy Bread of eternal life and Cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded; And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy Communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.
Amen.
THE peace of the Lord be always with you; And with thy spirit.
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, Trusting in our own righteousness, But in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy So much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, Whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, So to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, And to drink his Blood, That our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, And our souls washed through his most precious Blood, And that we may evermore dwell in him, And he in us. Amen.
Communion Hymn: # 519 The Lord’s My Shepherd
Post Communion Prayer (Prayer Book p. 85, 86)
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 them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee that thou dost graciously feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; assuring us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are living members of his mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom.
And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. And although we are unworthy, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, agood will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.
Announcements
Dismissal: Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. R/Thanks be to God.
Hymn # 379 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
Please observe a moment for silent prayer
This week at St Mary’s
Wednesday
10:30 am Mom and Tots Group
Thursday
9:30 am Woman’s Time Out Bible Study
Saturday
9:30 am Community Kitchen
Next Sunday
10:00 am Morning Prayer
10:30 am Holy Communion / Family Service
Readings for next Sunday are as follows: Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7,16-18, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37
THE WORD OF THE LORD: TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
PARISH LIFE NOTES
Advent Prayer Vigil
This Saturday, December 2, 12.00 – 5.00 p.m. An afternoon of prayer and silence including a series of reflections on the theme “My House Shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt. 21.13). Everyone is invited and warmly encouraged to attend. Our schedule is as follows:
12:00 Noon Day Prayers and Holy Communion
12:30 Silence
1:00 First Address:
“My House Shall be called a House of Prayer”
( Matthew 21.13)
1:30 Silence
2:00 Second Address: Building a House of Prayer Part 1
2:30 Silence
3:00 Third Address: Building a House of Prayer Part 2
3:30 Silence
4:00 Evening Prayer:
“The O Antiphons – A Service of Hope and Expectation for Advent.”
Stewardship Update. Thank you to everyone who picked up the stewardship letter and pledge card last Sunday. The remainder were mailed out this week. If you did not receive a letter, please speak to Alan S after the service this morning. We will be gathering in the pledges at the service next Sunday. In this season of stewardship. let us pray for one another: ALMIGHTY God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honour thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Brrr…. it’s cold out there! Please help us keep everyone warm by putting adult’s and children’s mittens and gloves on the Mitten Tree on the landing. We will take them to our community mission project at Soul’s Harbour Kitchen. Thanks for your support.
The Fundraising Poinsettias are coming! Beautiful Canadian-sourced plants will be delivered on Wed 13 December and are at a cost of $14.00 each. St. Mary’s will realize a profit of $4.50 per plant sold. Plan your holiday decorating and gift-giving around these and help out St. Mary’s too. See Jacky S to reserve yours and don’t miss out. Stay connected for further info.
Next Sunday, Dec.3 – A finger food lunch will follow the service. Please bring finger food to share
St. Nicholas Day Parish Party Saturday, December 9, 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. An afternoon of tea, snacks, visiting, activities including packing baskets for Women of the Dawn Counseling Centre Project Kid Care Christmas Dinner, worship, blessing the baskets, a visit from St. Nicholas and supper in the upper hall. YOU ARE INVITED TO BRING A GIFT OF TOYS, BOOKS, CLOTHING FOR A CHILD BETWEEN THE AGE OF 3 AND 15 FOR THE WOMEN OF THE DAWN PROJECT KID CARE. An event for adults and children of all ages. Invite your family, friends and neighbors. RSVP to Yvonne @ 306-522-6052 or stmarysanglican@sasktel.net. If you would like to help out please sign signup sheet on landing.
Light and Peace Fridays in Advent (December 8, 15, 22). Intergenerational, supper at 5:45 pm. followed by book study, baking, music making, crafts, games, concluding with Family Compline. RSVP to Yvonne @ 306-522-6052 or stmarysanglican@sasktel.net.
Advent Outreach: At our St. Nicholas Party on December 9th we will be assembling gift baskets for the Women of the Dawn Counseling Centre Project Kid Care Christmas Dinner. Donations of gifts ($15-20) of toys, books, and clothing for a child between the age of 3 and 15 can be brought to the Party or placed in a marked bin on the landing. If you prefer, you can give a monetary donation to St. Mary’s marked for Project Kid Care. Donations should be received by Dec. 10.
Women of the Dawn Project Project Kid Care Christmas Dinner will be held at St. Mary’s on Thursday, Dec. 14 starting at 5 pm. Members of St. Mary’s Parish Family are invited.
Worship Service at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre – will take place next Sunday, Dec.3, at 1:30 pm. in the chapel. A team from St. Mary’s leads the service and porters residents to the chapel. We invite you to share in this outreach. Please call Rem Walker @ 352-6442 for more information.
Regina Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah on December 16th, 8:00pm at Knox Metropolitan United Church. More information and tickets phone 306 586 955 or REGINASYMPHONY.com