The First Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2025 at 10 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist
The Word of God
Advent is a time of waiting, preparation, and expectation. Note that many congregational responses are different in this season.
Prelude
Please stand as the clergy and choir process in to the tolling of a bell. The first candle of the Advent wreath is lit.
Hymn 56 vv. 1-2 O come, O come, Emmanuel
Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.
People You come to your people and set them free.
The Collect for Purity BCP 355
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 your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Service music (identified with an S before the hymn number) can be found in the front section of the blue hymnal. Please join in singing
Hymn S-92 Kyrie
Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The
Lord be with you.
People And
also with you.
Celebrant Let
us pray.
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.
The Collect for Welcoming
O God, you made us in your own image and love all that you have made. Grant that the people of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church may have loving hearts, curious minds, and open doors, to be truly welcoming to all sorts and conditions of people, that all who seek after you may find you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
The First Reading Isaiah 2:1-5
The word
that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days
to come the mountain of the Lord’s
house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and
shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to
it.
Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to
the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways
and
that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth
instruction,
and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations,
and shall
arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into
ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not
lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
The Word of
the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Psalm 122 Setting by David Hurd
Sung by the choir.
1 I was
glad when they said to me, *
“Let us go to the house of
the Lord.”
2
Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3
Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
4
To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, *
the
assembly of Israel, to praise the Name of the Lord.
5
For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the
house of David.
6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
“May they prosper who
love you.
7
Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8
For my brethren and companions’ sake, *
I pray for your
prosperity.
9
Because of the house of the Lord our God, *
I will
seek to do you good.”
The Second Reading Romans 13:11-14
You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
The
Word of the Lord.
Thanks
be to God.
Please stand for the singing of the hymn and the reading of the Gospel.
Hymn 615 Thy kingdom come!
The Gospel Matthew 24:36-44
The Holy Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory
to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
The
Gospel of the Lord.
Praise
to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Dr. James Beck
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. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People Common Worship
The Leader and People pray responsively, all kneeling
Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer.
That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord. God of love, hear our prayer.
That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord. God of love, hear our prayer.
That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures, and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord. God of love, hear our prayer.
That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick, and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord. God of love, hear our prayer.
That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord. God of love, hear our prayer.
That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord. God of love, hear our prayer.
Let us commend the world, which Christ will judge, to the mercy and protection of God.
Silence. The Celebrant adds specific intercessions and a concluding Collect.
The Confession and Absolution
The Deacon or Celebrant says
Let us confess our sins to God.
Minister and People
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 Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
<>p The Celebrant stands and offers the absolution.pThe Peace
All stand. The Celebrant says to the people
The
peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And
also with you.
The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Welcome and Announcements
The Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem O Day of Peace that Dimly Shines | Proulx
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving Prayer C, BCP 369
Celebrant The
Lord be with you.
People And
also with you.
Celebrant Lift
up your hearts.
People We
lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let
us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It
is right to give God thanks and praise.
God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise. Glory to you for ever and ever.
At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home. By your will they were created and have their being.
From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another. Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace. By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.
And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
The Congregation joins in singing.
Sanctus Wonder, Love & Praise 785
The People stand or kneel. The Celebrant continues
And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, 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, gave thanks, 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.”
Remembering
now his work of redemption, and offering to you this
sacrifice
of thanksgiving,
We
celebrate his death and resurrection,
as we await the day of
his coming.
God of our holy and righteous forbears, Redeemer and mother of Israel, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name. Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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 Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept. Then the congregation joins in singing
Fraction Anthem S-161
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation
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.
Hymn 64 O Heavenly Word
Post-Communion Prayer
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.
The Blessing
Hymn 73 The King shall come
The Deacon, or the Celebrant, dismisses the people with these or similar words
Go in peace to
love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks
be to God.
Postlude
Serving Today
The Ministers: All members of the congregation
Celebrant: The Rev. Margaret McGhee
Deacon: The Rev. Dr. Yvonne Amanor-Boadu
Preacher: The Rev. Dr. James Beck
Lector: Allison Dollar
Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Glenn Horton-Smith and Mason Weber
Crucifer and Candle Lighter: Mason Weber
Music Director: Couri Reinholtz
Ushers: Pat Pesci and Ginny Beck
Altar Guild: Mary Sier and Patti Sexton