Messiah - St.

Bartholomew Episcopal Church

SS George and Matthias Episcopal Church
Trinity Episcopal Church
The First Sunday of Advent
November 29, 2020
10:00 a.m.
(an online service)

The Rev. Isaac K.N.O. Bonney

The Rev. Robert F. S. Cristobal
The Rev. Raymond D. Massenburg
Introit Come Ye Thankful People Come
Opening Hymn O Come, O Come, Immanuel Pg 9

Opening Acclamation
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
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 forever.
Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Collect
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 forever.
Amen.

First Reading 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.

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Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Refrain: Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your continence
and we shall be saved.

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.

Second Reading 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.

Song My Lord, What a Morning Pg 9

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 The Holy Gospel 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.”

Homily Fr. Isaac K.N.O. Bonney

During the Creed unmute or press *6 on your phone to recite together.

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.

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 Prayers of the People
During the Prayers of the people unmute or press *6 on your phone to join in the responses.
Presider: Faithful God, stir up your strength and come to help us as we look for the
revealing of our Savior Jesus Christ; hear our prayers and strengthen us to the end as we
pray: Restore us, O God of hosts; show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be
saved.
We give thanks to you, our Loving God, for the grace you have given to us in Christ Jesus:
Enrich your Church in speech and knowledge of every kind that she may not be lacking in
any spiritual gift and may be awake, alert and blameless.
Restore us, O God of hosts; show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Make your name known, Infinite One, so that the nations might tremble at your presence:
Gather the elect from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven, and let everyone know that
humanity is the work of your hand and the sheep of your flock.
Restore us, O God of hosts; show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Come among us with great power and glory, O Shepherd of your people, shine forth and give
to all the earth the light of your presence.
Restore us, O God of hosts; show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Be near to this community, at our very gates and within our hearts, and do not hide your face
from us, that we may know your glory in the evening and at midnight and at cockcrow and at
dawn, and not be found asleep at the day of your coming.
Restore us, O God of hosts; show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Compassionate One, open the heavens and come down with your healing grace for those for
whom we pray, especially our sick and shut-in:
We give thanks for the grace and peace that come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ, offering our special gratitude for Your mercy.
May your angels gather your beloved into the day of your triumph as we remember those
who have died: Christine Bolden, Paul Gibbons, Carla Hairston, and COVID-19 victims.
Restore us, O God of hosts; show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

No one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, O Holy One;
you are the potter and we are the clay, the work of your hand: Shine forth upon your
creation, stir up your strength, and come to help us, as we put our trust in you, O Father,
through our Savior Jesus Christ in the power of your Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
The Peace
The Lord’s Prayer

The Blessing
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 You are the work of God's hands; clay lovingly molded by the creative Potter. God is faithful
and works for those who wait in faith.
Christ is near. Keep alert, keep awake, for the Son of Man comes to gather from the four winds,
from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
The Spirit strengthens you to the end so that you may be enriched, not lacking in any spiritual
gift as you wait for the revealing of our Savior Jesus Christ.
And the blessing of our surprising God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and awaken
you, now and forever. Amen.
Closing Song What a Fellowship Pg 9
The Dismissal
_______________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL INTENTIONS
Please pray for those in distress of body, mind or spirit: Marzelle, Laura,
Dianne, Renee, Sarah, Florence, Ted, Van, Pat M., Mary Hope, Shirley W.,
Covid-19 patients, Our Nation, Jean Anthony, Jacob Blake Jr., Louis Jordan.
Darryl Fleming, Adrian, George D., George and Matthias, and Trinity parishioners
December Birthdays: Derrick Watkins – 2 * Rev. Juan Reed – 14 * Carolyn Cooper - 17
Rev. Mary Tororeiy – 18 * Dolores Williams Wright -22 * Jacqueline Faniel - 23

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday Service at 10 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81276874031?pwd=S2xSVTJ4T0t1RWdFUjV5NSt1MFZ5UT09
Phone: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 812 7687 4031
Passcode: 902663
Passcode: 530031

SAVE THE DATE!

Email invitations have gone out. Please check you email, RSVP and plan to join us for…
“Lift Every Voice”
A virtual gathering in celebration of God’s love at work
in the Messiah-St. Bartholomew Community
Sunday, December 6, 2020 -- 4pm to 5pm

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We have missed being with our MSB family during 2020, and hope each of you will
plan to share in this time for fun and fellowship together from the comfort of your
home. Look for more information to come soon!
If you have any old MSB photos (circa 1980- 2019), please scan and email to:
messiahstbartholomew2@gmail.com

SS. GEORGE AND MATTHIAS NEWS

Thursday Evening Bible Study. Each Thursday at 7:00 p.m., our weekly Bible
Study reading will be taken from the assigned Gospel for the following Sunday.
Readings can be found at http://lectionarypage.net/. The Zoom link for our Bible
Study is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81914495508.

DIOCESAN NEWS
th
On December 5 , the Diocese will celebrate and say goodbye to Bishop Jeff Lee as
he retires. Please check your emails for logging on to Zoom and wishing the Lees
well.
On December 12th, the Electing Convention will elect our next bishop. Please keep
the EC in your prayers.

MSB EXPRESS
MSB, SS George and Matthias, and Trinity Worship Together in Advent.
It is the beginning of the new liturgical year (Afihyiapa- a blessed New Year). During Advent,
MSB will worship together with SS George and Matthias and Trinity Episcopal Church. For
the next four Sundays (all 4 Sundays of Advent), worship will begin at 10AM. The theme
is: “What are you waiting for?” Invite your family and friends to join us.
Zoom ID for the next two Sundays (Nov. 29 & Dec. 6) is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81276874031?pwd=S2xSVTJ4T0t1RWdFUjV5NSt1MFZ5UT09
Phone: 312- 626-6799
Meeting ID: 812 7687 4031
Passcode: 902663
Stewardship
I cannot think of a better time to think of Stewardship than during Thanksgiving.
Stewardship is managing someone else’s stuff. A steward then is the manager of resources
that belong to another. The glue that holds the relationship of steward and owner is that of
trust.

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 Stewards are entrusted to care or manage the resources that do not belong to the steward.
Faithful stewards manage the resources not for themselves, but for the purposes of the one
who has entrusted them.

In Christian stewardship, God entrusts the creation to people. In Genesis, Adam was
trusted to care for and protect the Garden. Tragically, Adam failed, resulting in shame,
fear, alienation, ruin and death. In the redemption of humanity, God not only forgives and
restores people to life, but to their role as the stewards of God over creation. In other
words, Christian stewardship is at the very center of our identity as human beings and as
Christians. Stewardship is not peripheral, but central. We are created and called, not to be
served but to serve, to give ourselves to the world, for the glory of God, just as Jesus gave
himself. Stewardship is who we are, and why we are here. The most common word in
Scripture for steward is “servant.” “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We are
the servants of the Lord, entrusted to manage God’s resources for God’s purposes.
Christianity does not have stewardship, it is stewardship.
Giving
We are so thankful that you have been faithful in your giving. I thank God for your
generosity and may God’s generosity shine in your life and family. May God’s abundance
overflow in your life.
Thanksgiving and an urgent sense of relationship
When were you hungry that we did not feed you?
Thanksgiving is the time that most of us make the intentional effort to express gratitude.
We tend to be a little more generous and thoughtful. However, as I continue to reflect on
Matthew’s illustration of the judgment scene in the 25 th chapter, I cannot help but wonder
whether the spirit of thanksgiving might inspire us to do more.

SERVICE HYMNS
1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Looking to my God’s right hand 8
When the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]
3 You will hear the Christian shout
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God’s right hand
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 MESSIAH-ST. BARTHOLOMEW EPISCOPAL CHURCH
8255 S. DANTE AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60619
(773) 721-3232
Email: messiahstbath@comcast.net

SAINTS GEORGE AND MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

164E, 111TH STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60628
(773) 468-1148
facebook.com/saints.george.and.matthias

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

125 E. 26TH STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60616
(312) 842-7545

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