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Rite Two
December 22, 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Officiant begins the service with one or more of the following sentences of Scripture;
or with the Service of Light, and continuing with the appointed Psalmody;
or with the versicle “O God, make speed to save us.”
Advent
Watch, for you know not when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning; lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.Mark 13:35, 36
Advent
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Isaiah 40:3
Advent
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5
Evening
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2
Evening
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:2
Evening
Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.Psalm 96:9
Evening
Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.Psalm 74:15,16
Evening
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.Psalm 16:7,8
Evening
Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name.Amos 5:8
Evening
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.Psalm 139:10,11
Evening
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12
The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “O God make speed to save us.”
Confession of Sin
The Officiant says to the people
Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Officiant and People together, all kneeling
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by 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 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, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”
The Invitatory and Psalter
All stand
OfficiantO God, make speed to save us.
PeopleO Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant and People
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
The following, or some other suitable hymn, or an Invitatory Psalm, may be sung or said
O Gracious Light
Phos hilaron
O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Then follows
The Psalm or Psalms Appointed
8
Domine, Dominus nosterBCP p. 5921O Lord our Governor, *how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2Out of the mouths of infants and children *your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5What is man that you should be mindful of him? *the son of man that you should seek him out?
6You have made him but little lower than the angels; *you adorn him with glory and honor;
7You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *you put all things under his feet:
8All sheep and oxen, *even the wild beasts of the field,
9The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10O Lord our Governor, *how exalted is you Name in all the world!
84
Quam dilecta!BCP p. 7071How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
3Happy are they who dwell in your house! *they will always be praising you.
4Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
5Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6They will climb from height to height, *and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *hearken, O God of Jacob.
8Behold our defender, O God; *and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10For the Lord God is both sun and shield; *he will give grace and glory;
11No good thing will the Lord withhold *from those who walk with integrity.
12O Lord of hosts, *happy are they who put their trust in you!
At the end of the Psalms is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
The First Lesson
Gen. 3:8-15
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The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
12
A Song of Creation
Benedicite, omnia opera DominiSong of the Three Young Men, 35-65
Invocation
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
I. The Cosmic Order
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *O heavens and all waters above the heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *drops of dew and flakes of snow
Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
II. The Earth and Its Creatures
Let the earth glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, *O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *and all you flocks and herds.
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
III. The People of God
Let the people of God glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Doxology
Let us glorify the Lord:Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *sing praise and give honor for ever.
In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
The Second Lesson
John 3:16-21
A Reading from the Gospel According to John.
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
17
The Song of Simeon
Nunc DimittisLuke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
The People stand or kneel
OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
Officiant and People
The Lord’s Prayer
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 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 Lord’s Prayer
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.
Then follows one of these sets of Suffrages
A
V.Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.And grant us your salvation.
V.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.Let your people sing with joy.
V.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R.For only in you can we live in safety.
V.Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.Let your way be known upon earth;
R.Your saving health among all nations.
V.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
B
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of [___________ and] all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Sundays
Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, one of these prayers for mission is added
O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here may be sung a hymn or anthem.
Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.
Before the close of the Office one or both of the following may be used
The General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. 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.
Then may be said
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Officiant may then conclude with one of the following
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.2 Corinthians 13:14
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Romans 15:13
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20,21