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Home , Altarpiece, Ghent Altarpiece, Nativity (Christus), Nicene Creed

The Rev’d Anthony Charles Dinoto +, Rector The Rev’d Steven E. Hulme + Rector Emeritus The Rev’d Joan P. Phelps + Pastoral Associate Staff Laura J. Stefanski, Asst. to the Rector; Dr. John P. Anthony, Organist + Choirmaster Faithe Emerich, DYEM; Alphonsine Mwizerwa, Sexton; Susan Worgul, Treble , Elizabeth J. Shaw, Financial Secretary Officers and Vestry Members Pamela Dolin, Senior Warden; Chip Flanagan, Junior Warden; David Rutherford, Treasurer Rosemarie Querns, Clerk; Vestry: June Cordeau, Chester Fairlie, Patsy Fowler, Martin Karu Carol Kensel, Elizabeth Kimble, Gina Lincoln, Dick Miller, Leslie Sollima 400 Main St., P.O. Box 810, Niantic, CT 06357-0810 Parish Office Tel: 860-739-2324 Office Email: [email protected] Parish Office Hours; Mon.-Fri. 8:45 am-12:45 pm. St. John’s Website: www.stjohnsniantic.org Father Dinoto’s Email: [email protected] Rector’s Cell: 860-460-8076

The : by 1432 This image from the famous , St. Bavo’s Cathedral, represents John the Baptist, whom believe was to have been the last prophet. A stately green cloak covers his origianl costume, the ascetic camel hair tunic that he wore when preaching the doctine of on the banks of the Jordan. As was customary in medieval images, he points to the Messiah with his right index finger. In the book that rests on his knees, one can make out the word CONSALAMINI (take comfort), which begins a prophecy in the book of that was interpreted in the as a reference to John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist was the patron of St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent.

An antique, smaller scale replica of the Ghent Altarpiece is located on the side here at St. John’s. It is from Father Dinoto’s personal collection and was purchased from the now defunct Episcopal John the Baptist Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. December 6, 2020

Niantic, Connecticut

The Rev’d Anthony Charles Dinoto + Rector IV

The Rev’d Gary Sturni +

Celebrant

Prelude Of the Father’s love begotten W. Held Opening Celebrant Blessed the Lord who forgives all our sins. The Offering Envelopes and other offerings may be placed in the offering plate. People His mercy endures forever.. The Offertory Anthem Rejoice, rejoice, believers for Purity The celebrant Lord, have mercy people have mercy celebrant Lord, have mercy Eucharistic Prayer B Collect for the Second Sunday of scripture insert The Holy, holy, holy Lord, of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Prayer at the Advent Wreath by Celebrant in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. +This morning, the Second Sunday of Advent, we light a second candle, the Candle of Peace The Lord’s Prayer on the Advent Wreath. May it light our way as we continue our journey of anticipation and The Celebrant- Christ, our is sacrificed for us. expectation of the birth of the Messiah, as foretold by John the Baptist. People- Therefore, let us keep the feast. The Invitation to Celebrant The gifts of God for the . Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in you hearts by faith with The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 40:1-11 thanksgiving. Happy are they who come to the table of the Lamb. The Psalm Psalm 85 scripture insert Communion Meditation Comfort, comfort ye my people The The Second Letter of Peter 3:8-15a Post-Communion Prayer said by all Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted Gospel The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark 1:1-8 us as living members of your Son our Savior Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food The Father Gary Sturni+ in the of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us The Nicene strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. our Lord. AMEN. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only , eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from The Blessing + and 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 he came down from heaven: by the power of the he became incarnate from The Postlude Ye watchers and ye holy ones W. Held the Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under ; 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 reetings and welcome to St. John’s Parish to those who are visiting and have chosen to Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in One Holy worship with us as we journey through the holy season of Advent. and Apostolic . We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the of the dead,+ and the life of the . St. John’s parish is made up of: children, teenagers, young adults, seniors, grandparents and parents with children; we’re married, straight, LGBTQ+, single, divorced; we’re , people of color, from a variety The Prayers of the People Form III of ethnicities, employed and retired. Some of us are lifelong Episcopalians. Many of us were raised as The Confession of Sin Roman Catholics; some of us were raised in Protestant churches and for some of us, St. John’s is our very Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by first church. We’re committed to being “a place of WELCOME and a place of BELONGING”; everyone is welcome here just the way God created you. what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; We have not loved our neighbors as our selves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your A special “THANK YOU” to Father Gary Sturni who is celebrating and preaching in my place this morning Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, as I come to the end of my annual retreat. to the glory of you Name. Amen. . The Absolution + Faithfully, The Peace The people exchange a simple verbal/non-physical sign of Peace

Greetings and Notices: News of Birthdays, Anniversaries or other milestones are welcome. Father Anthony C. Dinoto + Rector

Christmas 2020 Blessing and Lighting the Christmas Eve, December 24th Advent Wreath

Our Worship Schedule is below. Celebrant

Today, this First Sunday of Advent, we light the Candle of HOPE on the th Advent Wreath. May it light our way as we begin our journey of CHRISTMAS EVE - DEC. 24 anticipation and expectation of the birth of the Messiah.

4:30 pm A FESTIVAL PRELUDE W/ORGAN and BRASS Let us pray together.

All 5:00 pm HOLY OF THE INCARNATION Almighty and eternal God, as we await the coming of our Savior, give us Silent Night sung by candlelight. the courage to hope. Help us to see your plans of redemption

and reconciliation for our lives, for this community and for

the world. Through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, who is the source of our HOPE and our salvation. Amen. Overflow seating with live feed in the Parish Hall.

Celebrant Due to the Pandemic there will be NO Christmas Day Holy Eucharist Bless this Advent Wreath, dear Lord, and let it be for us, a symbol of our anticipation and our hope as we await the day of your incarnation.

Father+ Son+ and Holy Spirit+. Amen.

Christmastide Concert The Advent Wreath Tradition

The Advent Wreath is a that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Church. The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th Century. Sunday, January 3, 2021 Advent, from the word adventus meaning “arrival”, is the 4-week period to Christmas, the Feast of the . It is commended to us 3:00 p.m. by the Church as a time to ponder and remember the great that More detailed information to follow – save the date. Our Lord made for us by coming to us at his incarnation. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, and rose from the dead for us at his

resurrection.

During the Season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday until all of the candles, including three candles, one rose colored candle and a fifth, white or “Christ Candle”, are lit on Christmas Eve. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of the . The First purple candle is the Candle of HOPE. The Second, a purple candle, is the Candle of PEACE, the Third, rose colored candle, represents JOY, lit on what traditionally was known as Gaudete Sunday from the Latin word meaning “to rejoice”. The Fourth Candle, purple in color, represents LOVE. The fifth, white candle,

the “Christ Candle”, is lit on Christmas Eve. of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river

Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with RCL December 6, 2020 camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate COLLECT locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more Traditional powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop MERCIFUL GOD, who didst send thy messengers the down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 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 liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Contemporary 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 for ever. Amen.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 40:1-11 "COMFORT, 0 comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see Scripture Text Bulletin Insert No. RCL 202049B-RCL. The Scripture quotations are from the it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." A voice New Revised Standard Version of the , copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are and Psalter translation are from The , 1979. grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass Printed in the U.S.A. B Copyright© Church Publishing Incorporated i!!!;CHURCH PUBLISHING Q INCORPORATED 301003-2 withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows 12 The LORDwill indeed 13 Righteousness shall go upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the grant prosperity, * and before him, * and peace flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get our land will yield its shall be a pathway for you up to a high mountain, 0 Zion, herald of good tidings; increase. his feet. lift up your voice with strength, 0 Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord God comes with might, and his 2 Peter 3:8-lSa arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will DO NOT IGNORE this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are and gently lead the mother sheep. like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Refrain Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass Show us your mercy, 0 Lord, away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved and grant us your salvation. with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 from the Book of Common Prayer way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming 1 You have been gracious 9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set to your land, 0 LORD,* ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? you have restored the fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land. But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens good fortune of Jacob. and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, 10 2 You have forgiven the Mercy and truth beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be iniquity of your people * have met together; * found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, and regard and blotted out all righteousness and peace the patience of our Lord as salvation. their sins. have kissed each other. s I will listen to what the 11 Truth shall spring up Mark 1:1-8 LORDGod is saying, * from the earth, * and THE BEGINNING of the good news of Jesus Christ, the for he is speaking peace righteousness shall look Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am to his faithful people down from heaven. sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your and to those who turn way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare their hearts to him. the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,"' John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism

Niantic Prayers of the People Form III

An Act of

Father, we pray for your holy ; These prayers are said silently That we all may be one.

In the Name of God, Father+, Son +, and Holy Spirit+. Amen. Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth That your Name be glorified by all people. stand in awe of him. We pray for all , , and ; Lord Jesus, in Spirit I join myself with all those who in your holy That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and catholic Church offer sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving in the . celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Unite us, we pray, with your REAL PRESENCE. Show us your mercy, pardon, and blessing and We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of fill us with faith, love and repentance. Strengthen and sustain us the world; by your grace that we all may be one, and follow you. That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

May the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be a fountain of Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; blessing, nurture and sustenance, now and forever. Amen. That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed ; Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your who have entered into joy; May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.