Welcome To
Food for the Soul
December 3-5, 2024
The leader or a designated person may say a blessing over the food:
Grace at Meals (Book of Common Prayer)
Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all your mercies, and
make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
or
Bless, O Lord, your gifts to our use and us to your service; for
Christ's sake. Amen.
or
Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you
give us food to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
For these and all his mercies, God's holy Name be blessed
and praised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day:
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 Sunday of Advent)
SCRIPTURE READING
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 21:25-36
Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Jesus speaks of redemption drawing near despite the turmoil. How do we, as Christians, find hope in chaotic times?
Jesus talks about paying attention to signs (e.g., the fig tree). What “signs of hope” do you see in the world around you? How can you participate in fostering them?
Jesus calls his followers to “be on guard” and to pray. How can prayer and spiritual disciplines help us navigate the challenges of life?
PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS
Leader: I now invite your prayers, intercessions & thanksgivings either silently or aloud.
(about 30 seconds for prayer & reflection)
Let us take a moment to pray for any birthdays, anniversaries special occasions or intercessions requested
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Leader: 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.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: 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
The service of prayer is now concluded. You are welcome to stay and linger, get to know one another, or depart in peace.
The Prayers: Holy Communion
Leader: Let us offer all that we are and all that we have to God as we pray. After each of the following bidding, I will pause, and I invite you to lift up your own prayers either silently or aloud.
Let us pray for the Universal Church, its members, and its mission
For the Nation and all in authority
For the welfare of the world
For the concerns of this local community
For those who suffer and those in any trouble
In the fellowship of all Saints, we pray for those who have died
For the forgiveness of our sins, and the will to turn toward justice.
Leader: Continuing to pray for ourselves and our many ministries in the world, at this time it is our Houston Canterbury tradition that we ask one another: How may we pray for you this week? You are encouraged to turn to one another.
***We also celebrate any birthdays & special celebrations at this time***
Pastor: May Almighty God receive all the prayers of our hearts, fulfilling our desires and petitions as may be best for us. 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.
Leader:The Peace of God be always with you.
People: And also with you!
(Let us exchange a sign of Christ’s peace.)
Leader:Offer to God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving and make good our vows to the Holy One.
This is a time when we offer up our gifts to God, which God has given to us. You are encouraged to consider a monetary donation here or signing up to offer your time and talents using the sign up page here if you have not already done so.
HOLY COMMUNION Eucharistic Prayer from Enriching Our Worship
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God,
source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation.
Your Spirit moved over the deep
and brought all things into being:
sun, moon, and stars;
earth, winds, and waters;
and every living thing.
You made us in your image,
and taught us to walk in your ways.
But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;
and yet, as a loving parent cares for her children,
you would not forget us.
Time and again you called us
to live in the fullness of your love.
And so this day we join with Saints and Angels
in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,
lifting our voices to magnify you as we say together:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death
and to reveal the riches of your grace,
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,
that she might conceive and bear a son,
Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,
healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself
yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross
the sacrifice of his life,
and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us,
Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.
Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,
and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,
who was and is and is to come,
we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts
that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.
Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth
and make us your new creation,
the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us, with all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to you be honor, glory, and praise,
forever and ever. AMEN.
And now, Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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, forever and ever. Amen.
The Priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Priest: Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia!
The table of bread and wine is now to be made ready. It is the table of company with Jesus, and all who love him. It is the table of sharing with the poor of the world, with whom Jesus identified himself. It is the table of communion with the earth, in which Christ became incarnate. So come to this table, you who have much faith and you who would like to have more; you who have been here often and you who have not been for a while; you who have tried to follow Jesus, and you who have failed; Come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.
**If you are drawn by what you have seen and heard here & think you may want to become part of the community of Christ, we invite you to consider the sacrament of Baptism. We encourage you to have a conversation with the priest after the service, and learn more here on our website.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
All: Blessed Jesus, at this table, you have been for us both host and meal. Now send us forth to extend our tables and to share your gifts until that day when all feast together at your heavenly banquet Amen.
MISSION & BLESSING
Priest: Beloved, what is our mission?
People: Our mission is to seek and serve Christ in all persons, across our campuses and beyond.
Priest: As you go seeking and serving Christ in all persons, wherever you may be, the blessing of God Almighty; the Eternal Source, the Word, and the Spirit be with you this day and always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Leader: Go in peace to serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!
This is a time when we offer up our gifts to God, which God has given to us. You are encouraged to consider a monetary donation here or signing up to offer your time and talents using the sign up page here if you have not already done so.
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Eucharistic Prayer 2, Enriching Our Worship
From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB164103.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.
Blessing: The Book of Occasional Services (2018), 12