THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MASSACHUSETTS
REMONT TREET OSTON 138 T S , B , MA 02111 617-482-5800
WWW.STPAULBOSTON.ORG
MORNING PRAYER EXTENDED ADVENT VII DECEMBER 20, 2020
VOLUNTARY - Prelude on Veni Emmanuel
WELCOME – Deacon Cynthia Pape
Throughout the service, the people remain muted, but join in the responses in bold in the bulletin, voiced by Michael Baenen.
PENITENTIAL ORDER
Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21.28
Let us confess our sins.
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore and strengthen us through our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
May the God of love and power forgive us and free us from our sins, heal and strengthen us by the Holy Spirit and raise us to new life in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY
O Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Reveal among us the light of your presence so that we may behold your power and glory. Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.
All music printed by permission in accordance with ONE LICENSE, License #A-707998. Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-707998. All rights reserved.
Please remain muted and join in the singing, which is led by members of the Schola.
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OPENING HYMN “The angel Gabriel from heaven came” The Hymnal 1982, #265 Gabriel’s Message
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THE WORD OF GOD
PSALM 89:1-4, 19-26 – led by Deacon Cynthia Pape
1 Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing; * from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness. 2 For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; * you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens. 3 “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; * I have sworn an oath to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your line for ever, * and preserve your throne for all generations.’” 19 You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: * “I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people. 20 I have found David my servant; * with my holy oil have I anointed him. 21 My hand will hold him fast * and my arm will make him strong. 22 No enemy shall deceive him, * nor any wicked one bring him down. 23 I will crush his foes before him * and strike down those who hate him. 24 My faithfulness and love shall be with him, * and he shall be victorious through my name. 25 I shall make his dominion extend * from the Great Sea to the River. 26 He will say to me, ’You are my Father, * my God, and the rock of my salvation.’
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity one God, As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
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CANTICLE (Led by the Schola. Please sing along at home). The Song of Mary: Magnificat The Hymnal 1982, S242
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FIRST READING – read by David Eche Romans 16:25-27
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
O ANTIPHON Carole-Jean Smith, Collection of O Antiphons for Extended Advent season. (Sung by Schola)
VII
Arise…and come away…for the winter is past….
O, Gaudium Nostrum, whose cosmic laughter makes the stars burn and our hearts burn and our minds leap in delight at discovering you everywhere, surprise us anew.
Come, O our joy. Entwine us in your dancing.
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GOSPEL – proclaimed by Deacon Cynthia Pape Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON – The Very Rev. Amy McCreath
ADVENT AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Leader: I hear a voice in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. "
People: I believe every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; I believe the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain, I believe the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. This is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, 7
Who gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. I believe those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
PRAYERS OF THE ASSEMBLY – led by David Eche
In joyful expectation let us pray to God, our Saviour and Redeemer.
O Wisdom from the mouth of the Most High, you reign over all things to the ends of the earth: come and teach us how to live. Lord Jesus, come soon.
O Head of the house of Israel, you appeared in the fire of the burning bush and you gave the law on Sinai: come with outstretched arms and ransom us. Lord Jesus, come soon.
O Branch of Jesse standing as a sign among the nations, all rulers will keep silence before you and all peoples will summon you to their aid: come, set us free and delay no more. Lord Jesus, come soon.
O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, you open and none can shut; you shut and none can open: come and free the captives from prison. Lord Jesus, come soon.
O Morning Star, bright Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Lord Jesus, come soon.
O Emmanuel, hope of the nations: come and save us, O Anointed One. Lord Jesus, come soon.
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You are invited to type prayers and thanksgivings into the chat section while we sing one verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.
O come, Desire of nations bind in one the hearts of all mankind; Bid thou our sad divisions cease and be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.
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.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the Saviour. Make our hearts leap with joy and fill our mouths with songs of praise, so that we may announce glad tidings of peace and welcome your Christ into our midst. Amen.
Awaiting Christ’s coming in glory and 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – The Very Rev. Amy McCreath
ANTHEM – The Schola From Cantata 61 J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Siehe, Siehe - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door; I will come in and dine with them and they with me." (Rev. 3:20)
Öffne dich - Open yourself, O heart, for Jesus comes and enters in. I am but dust and earth, but God doesn't hesitate to reveal joy to me so that I myself may be God's dwelling place. How blessed am I!
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FINAL HYMN “Soon and very soon” LEVAS, #20 Andrae Crouch
Please remain muted and join in the singing, which is led by the Schola.
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SENDING PRAYERS
PRAYER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
BLESSING OF MANNA COMMUNITY
DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Our liturgy today is from the Anglican Church of Canada: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year Prepared by the Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett for the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee of the Anglican Church of Canada Authorized by The General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada, 2019.
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Music Notes from our Music Director
The story told by the last two musical pieces in this service mirrors the Gospel lesson for today. There is an announcement, a knock, followed by a believer's response, an invitation to enter. The closing hymn "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King" is one of expectation; of peering into an unknown. The solos immediately preceding the final hymn define some of that unknown, and tell how God stands at the door and knocks. God comes to us and knocks at the door of our hearts. Then the believer lets God in. "If you open the door, and let me in, we can eat together," says God. The aria starts by the believer asking her own heart to open itself entirely, to provide a dwelling place for God. Then, if you listen closely you can hear a duet between the singers and the instrumental music. In the first part, the bass sings about knocking at the door while the organ places block chords to resemble the action of knocking. Then in the aria, the soprano sings three rising notes "Open yourself" sings the soprano. The bass line in the organ plays the same notes a few beats later. There is a musical conversation between the believer and God in the aria and accompaniment, but you need to be attentive to hear it. The bass line in the organ moves along with a lilting, joyous pace. The conversation between the believer and God is joyous above all, a product of a lively relationship. In our service today, following the personal message of the music by JS Bach, we sing Andraé Crouch's popular hymn "Soon and very soon." By singing the hymn at the end, we can express our conversation with God in a more overt way, by singing and moving together even though we are separated by many miles.
Leaders of Worship
Presider The Rev. Cynthia Pape Preacher The Very Rev. Amy McCreath Music Director Louise Mundinger Cantor/Soloist Leo Balkovetz Jason Dyer Marissa Dyer Anne Moore Jameson Wells
Zoom Hosts Rhea Ranno Ken Farmer
Voice of the People Michael Baenen
Reader David Eche
Usher Jeffrey Seamans
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The Cathedral Church of St. Paul Prayer Page
“A Prayer of Waiting” by Elissa Cottrell In my anxiety, reassure In my impatience, endure In my discomfort, soothe In my frailty, strengthen In my waiting, remain
“US gun violence: too many people have died in 2020 – and COVID played a larger part than you think.” Read article here
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we lift up the Episcopal Chaplaincy at Harvard, the Lutheran Episcopal Chaplaincy at MIT, the Society of St. John the Evangelist, as well as Hospital Chaplaincies & Healthcare Chaplains.
We pray for our fearless Bishops Gayle Harris and Alan Gates. Grant wisdom and stamina as they lead us to the greater expression of Christ, individually and collectively.
We pray for the souls of those who have passed in our lives. Be with the friends, family members, or distantly connected who have left this earth. For Pamela Pleasant’s brother-in-law, Aziz, who passed from pancreatic cancer For the beloved soul Jim Butler’s wife, Susan Butler
We pray for Mother Earth and all that it sustains during this pandemic. Care for and protect those disproportionately affected by environmental contamination, and those put most at risk of COVID because of it. Read more here.
We give thanks for those finishing up the academic terms. Despite all that the pandemic has exhausted and complicated, bless all students who have braved the year to find the rest that comes to them this upcoming season
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Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston Sunday Morning Congregation Covenant Created September 2018
We embrace Christ’s call to respect the dignity of each person, knowing ourselves as equally beautiful and equally in need of God’s grace. When in doubt, we will choose love, rejecting the individualism and violent competitiveness that are rampant in our world.
On Sunday mornings, our shared intention is to worship God. We seek to be transformed by Jesus, who is present in the Word, the sacraments, and each person here, so that we may be the face of Christ to one another and in the world. This calling is precious, and we know it will be costly. While held within the beauty and order of Anglican liturgy, we open ourselves to being divested of prejudices, assumptions, and rigidity.
To help one another walk to freedom in Christ, we will: • welcome new people joyously, • allow ordained and lay leaders to focus on the ministry to the whole congregation to which Jesus calls them, holding individual requests and church ‘business’ until after the service, • incorporate a variety of voices and perspectives into our worship life, through welcoming preachers and presiders from an array of genders, cultures, and social locations; encouraging and training new members to participate in liturgical ministries; and making space in our prayers for individual petitions, • train and designate members of the congregation to respond to those in distress or particular need during worship, and to take the lead in any situations where safety is uncertain, • while celebrating that some people have particular, holy callings to help others in hardship, on Sunday mornings we will refer those in financial need to cathedral staff and/or help them brainstorm ways to find what they need, rather than giving out cash, • pause twice a year to reflect on our experience living into this covenant and adjust our practices if needed, acknowledge and work through conflict, and rejoice in what Christ is doing in our midst, •strive to be good listeners and grow as a spiritual community through mutual prayer.
As a cathedral congregation, we strive to embody the justice and openness to brave change to which our diocese is committed through its mission strategy.