If you missed the service, you can view Paul’s homily, here:
Morning Prayer, Rite II
The service printed here is from The Book of Common Prayer (BCP).
Opening Sentence: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
The Confession of Sin
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 Absolution
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Officiant: Lord, open our lips.
People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
All: 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!
Jubilate “Be joyful in the Lord” Richmond
Be joyful in the Lord, you lands, and serve God all your days; Come now and stand before the Lord with songs of love and praise.
Know this: the Lord is truly God and made us all to keep; We are God’s people, God’s alone, God’s people and God’s sheep.
Approach God’s courts with thankfulness; go through the gates with praise; Give thanks to God and humbly call upon God’s Name always.
Lord, you are good; your mercy stands forever strong and true, And so your faithfulness endures, age-old and ever new.
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 chanted by the cantor
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
17 And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
18 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Gloria Patri
The First Lesson Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence–
as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil–
to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn 543 (Third Song of Isaiah) “O Zion, tune thy voice” Eastview
O Zion, tune thy voice, and raise thy hands on high; tell all the earth thy joys, and boast salvation nigh. Cheerful in God, arise and shine, while rays divine stream all abroad.
He gilds thy morning face with beams that cannot fade; his all-resplendent grace he pours around thy head; the nations round thy form shall view, with luster new divinely crowned.
In honor to his Name reflect that sacred light; and loud that grace proclaim, which makes thy darkness bright; pursue his praise, till sovereign love in worlds above the glory raise.
There on his holy hill a brighter sun shall rise, and with his radiance fill those fairer purer skies; while round his throne ten thousand stars in nobler spheres his influence own.
The Second Lesson 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind– just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you– so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn 444 (Song of Zechariah) “Blessed be the God of Israel” Thornbury
Blessed be the God of Israel, who comes to set us free; he visits and redeems us, he grants us liberty. The prophets spoke of mercy, of freedom and release; God shall fulfill his promise and bring his people peace.
He from the house of David a child of grace has given; a Savior comes among us to raise us up to heaven. Before him goes his herald, forerunner in the way, the prophet of salvation, the harbinger of Day.
On prisoners of darkness the sun begins to rise, the dawning of forgiveness upon the sinner’s eyes. He guides the feet of pilgrims along the paths of peace. O bless our God and Savior, with songs that never cease.
Spoken by all: 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 Third Lesson Mark 13:24-37
Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Homily The Rev. Paul A. Bennett
Announcements
The Apostles’ Creed
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 Salutation
Officiant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Officiant: Let us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer Traditional
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.
Suffrages A
Officiant: Show us your mercy, O Lord;
People: And grant us your salvation.
Officiant: Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People: Let your people sing with joy.
Officiant: Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
People: For only in you can we live in safety.
Officiant: Lord, keep this nation under your care;
People: And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Officiant: Let your way be known upon earth;
People: Your saving health among all nations.
Officiant: Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
People: Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Officiant: Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People: And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
The Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Office Hymn 57 “Lo, He comes with clouds descending” Helmsley
Lo! he comes, with clouds descending, once for our salvation slain; Thousand, thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign.
Every eye shall now behold him, robed in dreadful majesty; those who set at nought and sold him, pierced, and nailed him to the tree, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see.
Those dear tokens of his passion still his dazzling body bears, cause of endless exultation to his ransomed worshipers; with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture gaze we on those glorious scars!
Yea, amen! let all adore thee, high on thine eternal throne; Savior, take the power and glory; claim the kingdom for thine own: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.
Prayers of the People
God has richly blessed the Diocese of Southern Ohio during thirteen years of ministry and leadership with the Rt. Rev. Bishop Tom Breidenthal. Today, our Prayers of the People are offered as a time to look back and a time to look forward as the Bishop enters into retirement on this Sunday the 1st day of Advent. In joy and sadness, we mark and celebrate the ending of his ministry with us as we gather in our Diocesan churches today to collectively pray for our bishop.
God, you call us from one season to the next. We look back to honor the journey, and we look forward following the path you lay before us. Receive our thanksgivings for Bishop Tom’s ministry as we pray: GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s grace and clarity with which he shared his intellectual and theological insights in his sermons, writings, teachings and poetry through which he has lifted us up as the people of God. May we continue to seek the wisdom of God together. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s acumen and understanding of the Church’s urgent call to re-imagine itself by fostering and supporting the creation of new faith communities, creating and inspiring news ways in which the people of God can walk with Jesus into their communities. Give us courage to continue to follow the movement of the Holy Spirit in our time. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s steadfast leadership in guiding our Diocese and the Episcopal church to a greater acceptance and inclusion of our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers opening the church’s doors wider to all of God’s children. Expand our hearts and minds to see the face of Christ in all people. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s unifying call in a time of division and bitterness in our nation; to discern the racism within us and embrace the Episcopal Church’s call to bring unity to that which separates us. We are called to follow the Way of Love remembering our Baptismal call to seek justice and respect the dignity of every human being. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s lifting up deacons and diaconal ministries that encouraged the people of God to follow Jesus Christ into their neighborhoods. Send us forth as your servants to love and serve our communities. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s unwavering pastoral presence that has offered empathy and compassion to so many. We are grateful for his willingness to share in both our joys and sorrows always offering God’s love in our life together in Christ. Let us continue to encourage each other and serve as companions on the journey. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s transparency and openness to share some of his challenges; offering up both personal vulnerability and humility, especially in his own recovery going forward. Help us to work towards healing and recovery in our own lives, communities, and in the world. GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
We have been blessed by Bishop Tom’s leadership and guidance in the midst of a global pandemic decisively prioritizing the health and safety of all. We pray for all who are in need of healing and courage during this time. (You may add your own prayers and petitions at this time, for the sick, for those in need, and for those who have died). GOD OF LOVE
Let us carry these blessings forward in our walk with Christ.
In thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received, with full and open hearts, we pray your blessing, O God of love, upon Bishop Tom, Margaret and their family, as they continue forward in their walk with Christ and we ask you to help the people of the Diocese of Southern Ohio enter the coming season with hope and gratitude for our common life and the promise of Christ’s presence with us in the name of God. Amen.
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.
The Dismissal and Grace
Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
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