Welcome to Worship at St David’s

The setting today is Archer

The music is at the entrance.

9.30 am Sung Eucharist(APBA 2nd Order)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Come, thou Redeemer of the earth,and manifest thy virgin birth:let every age adoring fall,such birth befits the God of all.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

Music: Puer Nobis Nascitur CP 49

Begotten of no human will,but of the Spirit, thou art stillthe Word of God, in flesh arrayedthe Saviour, now to us displayed

From God the Father he proceeds,to God the Father back he speeds,runs out his course to death and hell,returns to God’s high throne to dwell.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,and darkness breathe a newer light,No more shall night extinguish dayWhere love’s bright beams their powers display’

O Jesu, virgin-born to theeeternal praise and glory bewhom with the Father we adore,and Holy Spirit, evermore.

St Ambrose, tr. JM Neale. and others

An Acclamation

Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Blessed be God’s Kingdom,

now and for ever.The Greeting

The Lord be with you And also with you.

A seasonal sentence

This child will be great, and will be called the

Son of the Most High. He will reign over the

house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom

there will be no end. Luke 1.32–33

The Prayer of Preparation

Let us pray.Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: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.

The Lord comes, bringing to light things nowhidden in darkness, and disclosing the purposesof the heart.Silence may be kept

Let us open our hearts and prepare for hiscoming, confessing our sins in penitence andfaith.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Merciful God,our maker and our judge,we have sinned against youin thought, word, and deed,and in what we have failed to do:we have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves;

we repent, and are sorry for all our sins.Father, forgive us.Strengthen us to love and obey youin newness of life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Absolution.

Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith:pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodnessand keep you in eternal life,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘Lord, have mercy’ (Kyrie eleison)

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

TRISAGION

Holy God, Holy and mighty, holy and im-mortal, have mer-cy on us.

The Prayer of the Day

Gracious God, whose eternal Word took flesh among us when Mary placed her life at the service of your will:prepare our hearts for his coming againand keep us steadfast in hope,that we may be ready for the coming of his kingdom;

for his sake, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

The Angel Gabriel tells Mary about the birth of Jesus

Reading from the Old Testament

2 Samuel 7.1-11, 7.16

1 Now when the king was settled in his house,

and the Lord had given him rest from all his

enemies around him, 2 the king said to the

prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a

house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

tent.’ 3 Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that

you have in mind; for the Lord is with

you.’ 4 But that same night the word of the

Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant

David: Thus says the Lord : Are you the one to

build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived

in a house since the day I brought up the

people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I

have been moving about in a tent and a

tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about

among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak

a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel,

whom I commanded to shepherd my people

Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a

house of cedar?’ 8 Now therefore thus you

shall say to my servant David: Thus says the

Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture,

from following the sheep to be prince over my

people Israel; 9 and I have been with you

wherever you went, and have cut off all your

enemies from before you; and I will make for

you a great name, like the name of the great

ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place

for my people Israel and will plant them, so

that they may live in their own place, and be

disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict

them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time

that I appointed judges over my people Israel;

and I will give you rest from all your enemies.

Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the

Lord will make you a house. 16 Your house and

your kingdom shall be made sure for ever

before me; your throne shall be established

for ever.

Hear the word of the LordThanks be to God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord:

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

Who has looked with favour on his lowly

servant:

from this day all generations will call me

blessed;

For the Psalm

The Song of Mary

The Almighty has done great things for me:

and holy is his name.

God has mercy on those who fear him:

from generation to generation.

The Lord has shown strength with his arm:

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones:

and lifting up the lowly.

God has filled the hungry with good things:

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel:

to remember the promise of mercy,

The promise made to our forebears:

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen

The reading from the New Testament

Romans 16.25-27

25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you

according to my gospel and the proclamation

of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of

the mystery that was kept secret for long

ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the

prophetic writings is made known to all the

Gentiles, according to the command of the

eternal God, to bring about the obedience of

faith— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus

Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.

Hear the word of the LordThanks be to God.

GRADUAL HYMN

Hark! the angel greets the maiden,

“Christ is born, if thou believe,

solace of the sorrow-laden,

ransom of the sin of Eve.”

Music: Gabriel’s Message CP 242

Lowly in her lowly dwelling,

with a holy virgin fear,

to the glorious angel telling

God’s high grace, she bow’d her ear.

So the Spirit came upon her;

moved as o’er the ancient deep;

gave her—O the unearthly honour!

God for her own Son to keep.

Jesu Maker, Jesu Brother,

lift me, gently leading on,

from the bosom of thy Mother

to thy Cross, and then thy throne.

EW Benson 1829-1896

The Lord be with youAnd also with you

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to LukeGlory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

The Gospel reading

Luke 1.26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was

sent by God to a town in Galilee called

Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man

whose name was Joseph, of the house of

David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he

came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured

one! The Lord is with you.’ 29 But she was

much perplexed by his words and pondered

what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The

angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for

you have found favour with God. 31 And now,

you will conceive in your womb and bear a

son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will

be great, and will be called the Son of the

Most High, and the Lord God will give to him

the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will

reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of

his kingdom there will be no end.’ 34 Mary said

to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a

virgin?’ 35 The angel said to her, ‘The Holy

Spirit will come upon you, and the power of

the Most High will overshadow you; therefore

the child to be born will be holy; he will be

called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative

Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a

son; and this is the sixth month for her who was

said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be

impossible with God.’ 38 Then Mary said, ‘Here

am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me

according to your word.’ Then the angel

departed from her.

For the Gospel of the LordPraise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

The sermon

Let us together affirm the faith of the Church

We believe in one God,the Father, the almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.

the Nicene Creed, all standing

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 salvationhe came down from heaven,was incarnate of the Holy Spiritand the virgin Maryand became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose againin 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,who with the Father and the Sonis worshipped and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholicand apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for theforgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLELet us pray for the world and the Church.

PRAY for the Church that it may be filled with the joy and peace of God as it makes ready to celebrate the birth of our Saviour;For all Christians that in the busyness of these days they may make time to dwell on the wonder of God’s love declared in the birth of the Holy Child at Bethlehem;

For all the followers of Christ that they may joyfully respond to God’s will with the face and obedience of the Blessed Virgin Mary;Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.Strengthen, O Lord, your whole Church in the faith and service of Christ and give grace to Geoffrey our bishop and to all ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

PRAY for the leaders of the nations that they may strive for the ending of disputes, the reconciliation of differences, and the cancellation of debts;For all people of the United States;For the people of Australia at this time of uncertainty that they may work together for the good of all;Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide, O Lord, all nations in the way of justice

and peace, and endue with your wisdom

Elizabeth our Queen and all who bear

authority in this and every land.

Pray for all followers of Christ in this

community that as Christmas approaches, they

may model themselves on the obedience of

Mary so that Christ may find a home in their

hearts; For families separated and for friends and loved ones stranded overseas because of the corona virus restrictions;Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep in your care, O Lord, our families, our

friends, and our neighbours, and all whose

lives are linked with others.

Keep in your care, O Lord, our families, our

friends, and our neighbours, and all whose

lives are linked with others.

PRAY for welfare organisations and volunteer

workers facing extra demands made upon

them at this time;

For farmers harvesting their crops;

For all who have begun their holidays and for

all travellers on our roads;

For all who have left school or University and

are looking for jobs;

For all fighting bushfires and for all working to

prevent bushfires.

For all women who are expecting babies and

in particular for those who must bear their

children in strange and unwelcoming places;

For all who need our prayers, for all who have

asked us to pray for them, and whom we

name in our hearts-

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Comfort and sustain, O Lord, all who are in

sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble;

Pray for all who, having heard and tried to

follow the command of God in this world,

have now come to the fullness of life in him,

and for all the faithful departed;

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord;

R. And let light perpetual shine upon them.

Remember, O Lord, all who have died in the

peace of Christ; remember also in thy

compassion those who die without faith and

without hope; and deal with us all according to

your great mercy.

God, you have promised to hear our prayers.

Grant that what we have asked in faith, we

may by your grace receive; through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

We are the body of Christ.His Spirit is with us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.And also with you.

THE GREETING OF PEACE

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord:unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;tender to me the promise of his word;in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

OFFERTORY HYMN

Music: Woodlands CP 362

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name:make known his might, the deeds his arm has

[done;his mercy sure, from age to age the same;his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might:powers and dominions lay their glory by;proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to

[flight,the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word:firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lordto children’s children and for evermore.

Timothy Dudley-Smith b. 1926based on Luke 1, 46-55 in The New English Bible.

The gifts of the people

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.Through your goodness

we have these gifts to share.Accept and use our offerings for your gloryand for the service of your kingdom.

Blessed be God for ever.

The Lord be with you.And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere, mighty Creator, everliving God.We give you thanks and praise for your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who was looked for by the prophets, heralded by the Baptist, announced by an angel, born of the Virgin Mary, and revealed at last to men and women of every race.

By his death on the crossand rising to new life, he offered the one true sacrifice for sin and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people.Therefore with angels and archangels,and with all the company of heaven,we proclaim your great and glorious name,for ever praising you and singing:

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.

Merciful God, we thank you for these gifts of your creation, this bread and wine, and we pray that by your Word and Holy Spirit, we who eat and drink them may be partakers of Christ’s body and blood.*

On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread;

and when he had given you thanks he broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying, Take, eat. This is my body given for you.Do this in remembrance of me.’ ***

After supper, he took the cup,and again giving you thanks he gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you.

This is my blood of the new covenant shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ ***

Christ has died.Christ is risen.Christ will come again.

The memorial acclamation

Therefore we do as our Saviour has commanded: proclaiming his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again, we celebrate, with this bread and this cup, his one perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit, unite us in the body of your Son, and bring us with all your people into the joy of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father, in songs of never ending praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen.

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray,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 trialand deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and theglory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

As this broken bread was once many grains which have been gathered together and made one bread:

so may your Church be gatheredfrom the ends of the earth into your kingdom.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Come let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION

Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us your peace. (2x)

Anthems

Wake, O wake! with tidings thrillingBy R Shepherd b 1949

Motet

God for whom we wait,we thank you that you have fed us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation.As we joyfully await your Son,keep us ever watchfulthat we may be ready to stand before himon the day of his coming.

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Most loving God,You send us into the world you love.Give us grace to go thankfully and with couragein the power of your Spirit.

Today, 20 December at 6-00 pm Service Of Lessons and Carols

Christmas Eve 6pm Children’s service with CommunionChristmas Day 8 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. Eucharist

Saturday December 26 8.30 a.m. St. Stephen’s day Eucharist

Sunday December 27 9.00 a.m. Eucharist BCP

Monday 28 December 8.30 a.m. Holy Innocents Eucharist BCP

Sunday January 3, 9.00 a.m. Eucharist APBA

Sunday January 10 9.00 a.m. Eucharist APBA

(8 a.m., 9.30 am and 2.30 p.m. services resume January 17)Tuesday Holy Communion resumes January 12 at 8 a.m.

Long ago, prophets knewChrist would come, born a Jew,come to make all things new;bear his People’s burden,freely love and pardon.

CONCLUDING HYMN(Brief organ interlude before and between each verse)

Music: Personent Hodie CP 58

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!When he comes, when he comes,who will make him welcome?

God in time, God in man,This is God’s timeless plan:he will come, as a man,born himself of woman,God divinely human.

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!When he comes, when he comes,who will make him welcome?

Mary, hail! Though afraid,she believed, she obeyed.in her womb God is laid;till the time expectednurtured and protected.

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!When he comes, when he comes,who will make him welcome?

Journey ends! Where afarBethlem shines, like a star,stable door stands ajar.Unborn Son of Mary,Saviour, do not tarry!

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!

Jesus comes! Jesus comes!We will make him welcome!

F Pratt Green 1903-2000

Blessing

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:In the name of Christ. Amen.

You are invited to stay for a cup of coffee or tea and toast in the supper room.

Postlude:Magnificat

BWV 733 JS Bach 1685-1750