Month: December 2021

God came in Jesus of Nazareth to reveal the power of God’s love and healing. In the birth of Jesus, we realize that God shares life with us intimately. We meet God “in the flesh” of human struggle and most especially in the midst of human love. Christmas celebrates the incarnation of God; God “in the flesh of” human life.

At their entry into the church for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Celebrant (and other ministers) may make a station at a Christmas Creche. The figure of the Christ Child may be carried in the procession and placed in the creche. Other figures may also be brought in if desired.

Prelude: The First Noel, Harp solo

All Standing:

Processional Hymn: #79 O little town of Bethlehem

Celebrant: V. The glory of the Lord has been revealed.

People: R. And all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.

Let us pray.

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given us a new revelation of your loving providence in the Coming your Son Jesus Christ to be born of the Virgin Mary: Grant that as he shared our mortality, so we may share his eternity in the glory of your kingdom; where he lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two

The Word of God:

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of you Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen

When appointed, the following hymn or some other song of praise is sung or said, all standing

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you,

We give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

The Lessons: 

First Reading: Isaiah 62:6-12

Psalm 97

Second Reading: Titus 3:4-7

Hymn: Before/after the Gospel 102 Once in Royal David’s City, vs 1, then vs  2 after

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 2: [1-7], 8-2

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Homily:

The Rev. Lola Culbreath

On Sundays and other Major Feasts there follows, all standing

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 for 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 and the Son. With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

The Prayers of the People  

Deacon or leader

Come let us adore Christ, the Lord. Let us pray,

“Glorious Lord, grant us your peace.”

Christ the Lord, we humbly adore you: make joyful our hearts. Strengthen your Church with humility and faith that we might triumph over the power of evil.

Silence

Glorious Lord,

Grant us your peace.

Christ the Lord, we humbly adore you: you abhor neither the simple nor the lowly.

Shine your light on all the world that the nations may look upon your truth and find their salvation.

Silence

Glorious Lord,

Grant us your peace.

Christ the Lord, we humbly adore you: may all of creation burst forth in songs and praise.  May all the works of your hand glorify you.

You may add your own thanksgiving.

Glorious Lord,

Grant us your peace.

Christ the Lord, we humbly adore you: summon the people of the city to yourself.

May all of the distractions and heartache of our lives fade away in the joy of your presence.

Silence

Glorious Lord,

Grant us your peace.

Christ the Lord, we humbly adore you: you love us so dearly. Grant your healing grace to sinners, to the poor, to those in need of love. Open your arms to the sick and the lonely.

Add your own petitions

Silence

Glorious Lord,

Grant us your peace.

Christ the Lord, we humbly adore you: all glory be given to you. You blessed our earthly bodies with your birth; and you promise to raise us to new life by your death and resurrection.

Silence

Glorious Lord,

Grant us your peace.

Celebrant:

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of the Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, on God, in glory everlasting. Amen 

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Minister and People

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

Have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,

Celebrant:

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins though our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen

The Peace

Hymn: 89 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest, faces them and sings or says.

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 him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn 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.

The people stand or kneel.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, you only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciple, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ has risen.

Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

+ Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. + Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say.

Our Father, who ae 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 those

Who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

And the power, and the glory,

For ever and ever. Amen

The Breaking of the Bread

(Alleluia) Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; 

Therefore, let us keep the feast. (Alleluia)

The Gifts of God for the People of God. 

Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.

The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

(During Communion: Harp/Cello Duo, Silent Night)

Let us pray.

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May God, who sent his angles to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the gospel. Amen

+ The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever.

Amen 

Final Hymn: 87 Hark, the Herald Angles

Postlude: Harp and Cello Carol Medley

Nativity-The Birth of Jesus Christ
Year C
December 24, 2021

First Reading: Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Titus: 3:4-7
Gospel: Luke 2: [1-7], 8-20

Collect:

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

Good News of Great Joy

Gospel: Luke 2:1-7 (8-20)

Our Gospel has two parts. The birth of Jesus and the annunciation to the shepherds.

Joseph and Mary have traveled 90 miles to the city of Joseph’s ancestors: south along the flatlands of the Jordan River, then west over the hills surrounding Jerusalem, and on into the city of David called Bethlehem.

Joseph was a descendent from the house of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

For hundreds and hundreds of years, the people have been waiting for this very birth. The promise from God’s old prophets. (Isaiah 7:14) “Behold,” he wrote, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”. 

I never get tired of hearing about this miracle birth of the Messiah.

We are told over and over again, how the “Great I AM” Jesus has come to live among us.

A divine human and yet a fully human like you and I. 

This is how God intended it to be, a story that gets told for thousands of years, reminding us what a blessed birth it is, no matter… who tells the story about Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us!

I think of him as “divine” at Christmas, His baby face glowing with love, I smile, thinking how Jesus as a baby, like all babies look into his mother’s eyes, smiling down at him. 

My mind drifts to that little Holy Child, a child like you and I. He starts discovering things like his feet and playing with his toes, he is a baby, a divine baby, a Holy Baby.

As Jesus grew, he learned all that our Heavenly Father wanted Him to learn.

Isaiah wrote, “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Lord.” 

“The Jesus that cried with us, the Jesus that healed the crippled and made the blind see and the deaf to hear.” 

“The Jesus who prayed and taught his disciples… how to pray.”

“The Jesus who said “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life! (John 14:6)” 

The baby born tonight! A baby wrapped in a white cloth, being held by Mary, as Joseph looks over them. 

And so, it is at this time, when I, again see him as divine Emmanuel “God is with us! 

The manifestation of God himself…as Jesus. 

He wasn’t born in a temple, dripping with gold, but in a wooden structure with a grass roof, a place where life stock was kept.

The town of Bethlehem was where everyone came for the censes and because of that, they had no place to stay and Mary about to give birth to our savior. 

Joseph and Mary had nothing to worry about, they knew that all this had been planned out for them and this was how it was supposed to be told.

The Annunciation to Shepherds and Their Visit.

A star above, oh yes, the shepherds living in the fields…and the angel of the Lord stood before them, and startled them, by saying, “Do not be afraid; for see…I am bringing you good news of great Joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  

The angels, God’s messengers are sent to the shepherds, that the newborn Jesus has been born.

It tells us that God sent his messengers to those who were the recipients of his promise—not kings, theologians, or even relatives, but those whom a grown-up Jesus would love to gather under his wings: 

What I feel today and every year when I hear the Christmas story. That God meant it to be this way, and that the birth of Jesus Christ was a…wonderful gift to us, we are given hope, joy, love and peace, every year a re-do. 

Jesus will always bring good news and great joy to all the people. Jesus would “preach good tidings unto the meek” and would “bind up the brokenhearted,” and “proclaim liberty to the captives.” Isa 61:1

Isaiah, knew the wonderful things the Savior would do for us. The good tidings of the gospel teach us of His Atonement, which makes it possible for us to repent when we make mistakes. He suffered for each one of us. “Surely,” Isaiah wrote, “he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.

Conclusion:

As we celebrate Christmas this holiday, lets focus on the future and the gift given to us year after year.

Yes, as we look in the rear-view mirror of 2021, we pray for cures and healing of our nation and world, but we never forget the sacrifice of all the millions who lost their lives to the viruses, violence, natural disasters and those who still suffer. 

We also see all the good that happen this year and all the people and organizations that step up to help those in need. All the donations of gifts, food and kindness. This is what we are to be thankful for.

Good News:

Knowing we are never alone is a message of comfort and joy. When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” 

May the God of Hope fill you with 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)  

Amen

The Reverend Lola Culbreath

Sermon Advent 4^th, 2021
From: Celtic Treasure

You have been our strength, O God,
At the beginning of the day, you brought us from darkness into light. 
At the ending of the day, you lead us from busyness into stillness.
In earth’s cycles and seasons you offer us new life and fresh beginnings. 
Be our strength this day and the strength of the new beginnings in our world. 
Be our help, O God, and the help of those who cry out in need.

Micah 5;2-5A

As we await the birth of Christ, the readings remind us of the promises made to the house of, King David. The uniqueness of the prophecy is that it names Bethlehem where the Messiah will be born. The prediction also indicates that the Messiah will be representative of the poor classes of people. Micah also refers to a woman who is in labor and will bring forth the One who would draw the rest of Israel home. The savior would be great not only in his own time and place but for all the people in all times; That is our Jesus Lord.

When we read the readings from the Old Testament, we gain knowledge of the troubles that many were experiencing and look at today’s times. Advent is a time for Hope, Love, and Peace.

Psalm 80

The hope is for a better future, they ask that the Lord God of hosts; to show the light and to restore them. In today’s times with the pandemic still with us and the destruction from the Tornado in the mid-west and Kentucky, we are still asking to be restored. Give us the Spirit that we can do what we need to do, as we are today’s people of God; we can provide assistance to those that are hurting, this holiday season. We all are waiting for God’s salvation. But many more are struggling at this time, than ever before.

Hebrews 10:5-10

The letter to the Hebrews relates the hope for the restoration of Israel in the person of Jesus Christ. Burnt offerings did not take away the sins. The one thing that truly pleases God is our obedience and the desire to perform God’s will. This is what Jesus Christ comes into the world to do. Jesus comes bringing the reality; the self-emptying at the cross. He becomes the High Priest for the human race; it also sanctifies all those who put their trust in the Lord’s offering.

Luke: -45

In Luke’s gospel Mary shows her trust in what God expects from us in order to accomplish His work in the world. Mary is a great example of faith …. Mother of believers – much in the same way Abraham is the Father of a nation. But both launched out on a journey without maps or directions, just trusting in God fully with no assurances or guarantees. Their direction was from faith obedience became their paved path. The proper relationship of an obedient servant of God is one of praise and joy. 

God does not care from what station of life we come from He cares about our obedience, trust, and loving our neighbors. 

O God purify our hearts today, we pray, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming may find prepared within us a fit abode for his presence.

Amen

Sermon
Second Sunday of Advent
December 5, 2021
Year C

First Reading: Baruch 5: 1-9
Canticle 16: The Song of Zechariah
(Luke 1: 68-79)

Second Reading; Philippians 1: 3-11
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6

Collect:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and
prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and
forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen

Malachi 3:1-4

“See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord
whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple”.

The prophets, were sent as messengers to preach repentance and to bid God’s
people to prepare for salvation.

Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet who lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus
Christ.

(Isaiah 9:6) prophesies that Jesus Christ will come as a baby; Jesus is described
this way. “For a Child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rest upon
his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.”

And the Prophet (Malachi 3:1-4), proclaims that a holy messenger is on the way,
the prophet raises a question for all who proclaim God’s arrival with joyful
expectation. Are you ready?

Are We Ready?

For most of us, we are preparing for the Christmas season and it’s to be filled with
baking cookies, decorating, attending church services, and preparing for families
to come visit. But are we ready for the Messiah?

Some families haven’t seen each other in two years because of the pandemic.
Christmas to most, is a time of season with wonderful smells, sounds of laughter
and traditions, memories of past Christmas.

For some, Christmas can be overwhelming with loneliness and grief.
The prophet Isaiah’s message to us, in chapter 9 verse 6, The coming of the
Messiah, The One, is whom the gospel message centers on.
This verse can bring great comfort to all.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Advent means “Coming” and it prepares for Jesus’s coming.

Advent is a time when we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. It is a time
for preparation, for the birth of Jesus our Lord. It is also meant to be a time of
reflection and a time set aside to renew our connection to Him.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

In our Gospel reading today, you might ask… Why is John the Baptist in Advent?
Advent deals not only with Jesus’s first coming as a babe, but also with his Second
Coming at the end of salvation history. He is the last old covenant prophets and
he is here to pave the way for the coming of the Lord, his message and death.

Luke 3:3-6

He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words
of the prophet Isaiah.

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be
filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be
made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the
salvation of God.”

John the Baptist was coming to pave the way for the coming of the Lord. 
Our troubles are removed in love, when sin is pardoned.

Whatever weakens our reason…. impairs the tenderness of our conscience,
obscures our sense of God… and takes off the relish of spiritual things…that to us
is sin.

These types of things, put God second and we need to put God first in our lives, to
let God’s light, shine through us so much, that we can show the world a new and
better way. We need to be ready!

Advent opens wide the door of our faith, as we recognize the fullness of our
humanity: birth, life and death.

Advent, is also about what is to come and the joy preparing for the birth of Jesus,
born of Blessed Mary.

Jesus taught us, healed us and died for us, so that we might have life eternal.
We are reminded that Christ has come into the world and that Christ continually
comes into our world, as we get ready and open our hearts to Him this Advent
season.

Conclusion:

May the Lord prepare our hearts, by the teaching of his word and the convictions
of his Spirit.

The high and proud thoughts may be brought down, good desires planted,
crooked and rugged tempers made straight and softened, and every problem be
removed, that we may be ready for his will on earth, and prepared for his
heavenly kingdom.

The glad tidings of the coming of Christ were to be sent forth to the ends of the
earth.

Christ is the good Shepherd; he shows tender care for weak believers, and those
of a sorrowful spirit.

Each Advent season, the church offers us these weeks at the beginning of our
Christian year to remember, that we worship a God who loves the world enough
to become flesh and walk on this earth.

Good News:

Our God walked and talked among us in person of Jesus Christ, to teaches us
through his life and through his death, about his enormous love for the world.

The liturgical season of Advent, grants us the space at the beginning of our
Christian year, to remember and to anticipate the One who is the Messiah.
The One who has saved us from our sins, and who comes to offer hope to the
world.

We get these weeks to remember, that God is with us and we are ready.
Amen.

The Reverend Lola Culbreath