Dec 6, 2009: Advent 2
Incumbent:
The Rev’d Sherman Hesselgrave
Music Director:
Becca Whitla
Coordinator:
Bill Whitla
Homily: Nola Crewe
Celebrant: Ann Griffin Sunday School: Jennifer Canning
Welcome to the Church of the Holy Trinity. We are delighted to have you with us this morning. Holy Trinity is an accessible, justice-seeking, and queer-positive community in the heart of downtown Toronto. Our services are planned and led by lay people – volunteers from our community. Communion is celebrated by our Incumbent or one of our non-stipendiary priests who are members of the community. We try to use language in our worship which includes us all, and we encourage the extensive participation of each person in the worship and life of the Church. At the Peace we move about freely, greeting one another. During the offertory hymn we will move to create a circle around the altar for the Prayers of the People and Communion – all are welcome to share in communion (the Eucharist) as they feel comfortable. Please fill out the Newcomers Form in the bulletin if you wish to be contacted.
10 Trinity Square, Tor, Ont, M5G 1B1
Tel:(416) 598-4521
email: ht@holytrinitytoronto.org
www.holytrinitytoronto.org
THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY
✜ Welcome
✜ Opening Meditation: O Virtus Sapientiae Hildegard of Bingen
O strength of Wisdom who, circling, circled enclosing all in one lifegiving path, three wings you have: one soars to the heights, one distills its essence upon the earth, and the third is everywhere. Praise to you, as is fitting, O Wisdom.
✜ Greeting:
All: May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
✜ Advent Wreath Lighting
The first candle will be lit in silence. We respond by singing:
One: Jeremiah told the people God would send a special leader.
All: Is it time yet?
Children:(shake heads) No, not yet!
One: Isaiah said there is going to be a baby that will share God’s love with everyone.
All: Is it time yet?
Children: (shake heads) No, not yet!
One: Malachi told the people that they must love God and each other.
All: Is it time yet?
Children: (shake heads) No, not yet!
One: Anna said that she was waiting for the child who would save
the people of God.
All: Is it time yet?
Children: (shake heads) No, not yet!
✜ Hymn (All rise, in body or spirit): Love the Only Song – Gordon Light
✜ The Collect for Purity
All: All loving God to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you 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 praise your holy name; through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
✜ Shema:
One: Moses said: Hear O Israel, Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one. You shall love Yahweh our God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
All: Jesus said: This is the first commandment of all. And the second is this:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
✜ Confession:
One: For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us pray to God. Silence
One: God in your mercy:
All: Hear our prayer.
One: We are a forgiven people: God’s spirit is free among us.
All: Thanks be to God.
✜ The Exchange of Peace
It is our custom to move about to exchange the peace. Please be mindful that it is flu season. Concerns about flu mean some people are uncomfortable shaking hands and/or hugging. A smile and nod, or the sign of peace “V” are other suggested alternatives.
One: The Peace of Christ be always with you:
All: And also with you.
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
✜ Collect for the Day: Let us pray… Silence
Out of the embrace of mercy and righteousness, you have brought forth joy and dignity for your people. O Holy One of Israel. Remember now your ancient promise: make straight the paths that lead to you, and smooth the rough ways, that in our day we might bring forth your compassion for all humanity. Amen.
✜ The Hebrew Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4
Reader: John Gardham
A Reading from the Book of . . .
Reader: Hear what the Spirit says to God’s people
All: Thanks be to God Silence
✜ Musical Offering: This memory (N. Reinhold, 1992 SOCAN)
In memory of the 14 women murdered in Montreal on December 6, 1989.
Early that morning, cup of coffee in her hand
Kissed her mother on the cheek – said ‘I’m more busy than I’d planned.
I’ll be coming home a bit late, but could you keep some supper warm
Oh, just another busy day.
Early that morning, getting ready by the door
Kissed her lover on the cheek – said ‘I’ll be coming back for more.
Oh, how I love you – we’ve got so much to live for, baby …
Oh, I’ll be coming home real soon.
But it could’ve been me, just as easily.
Could have been my sister – left there to bleed.
Oh it could have been my father or my brother done the deed.
Oh no …don’t let me lose this memory.
Later on that evening turn on my TV,
listen as they’re talking about the news of a shooting spree.
Fourteen young women shot dead in Montreal…
Oh it’s a killing of us all. Yes, it’s the killing of us all.
And it could’ve been me/you – just as easily…
Could have been my lover/your sister – left there to bleed.
Oh, it could have been my/your father or my/your brother done the deed.
Oh, no … don’t let me lose this memory.
Response: Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away
Epistle: : Philippians 1:3-11 Reader: Nancy Whitla
Reader: A Reading from . . .
Reader: Hear what the Spirit says to the Churches
All: Thanks be to God Silence
✜ Gradual Hymn: All rise, in body or spirit, for the hymn and Gospel.
“O Ancient Love” #17
✜ Holy Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 Reader: Rachel Zacharias
Reader: May God be with you
All: And also with you
Reader: The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to . . .
All: Glory to Christ our Saviour
after the reading
Reader: The Gospel of Christ
All: Praise to Christ our Saviour
✜ Homily: Nola Crewe
LITURGY OF THE BREAD AND CUP
We gather in a circle around the altar to share the gifts of bread
and wine and other offerings, the symbols of our common life. All
are welcome. You may also remain seated and, if you wish, communion will be brought to you. Financial offerings may be placed in the large basket on the pedestal in front of the altar. You may also join the many who give by Pre-authorized Donation; simply request a PAD form from today’s Coordinator.
✜ Offertory Hymn: “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying”
tune: Ascension (HH Bancroft), words: Milligan
1. There’s a voice in the wilderness crying, a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway, a highway for our God:
the valleys shall be exalted, the lofty hills made low:
make straight the crooked places where God, our God may go.
2. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up to the heights in song!
Proclaim to the desolate people the One who will heal all wrong.
Like the flowers of the field they perish, and all human works decay,
the power and pomp of the nations shall pass like a dream away.
3. But the word of our God endureth, the blessed child will come;
Christ comes to save the nations, from war, and strife, and wrong:
God shall feed the flock like a shepherd, the lambs so gently hold;
to pastures of peace will lead them, and bring them safe to fold.
✜Prayers of the People: In our prayers today, we remember: in the Anglican Cycle: Western Mexico; in the Diocesan Cycle, Officers of the Diocese of Toronto and the San Esteban congregation here at Holy Trinity. The community now offers its prayers, both spoken and unspoken. Please keep your prayers brief.
✜The Great Thanksgiving Presider: Ann Griffin
Presider: May the Holy One be with you.
All: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
Presider: Let us give thanks to our Creator.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Thanksgiving and honour, praise and glory and wisdom, for ever be to you, Source of all being. You formed us in your own image: male and female you created us. And when we turned from you, you sent holy women and men in all ages to renew the promise of freedom and plenty stored up for us in your realm: Sarah and Abraham, Miriam and Moses, Deborah and David, to guide us in your Way. With them and with all your saints, we give thanks and proclaim the glory of your name.
All: Holy, holy, holy One!
God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of God.
Hosanna in the highest!
We give thanks to you because you sent Jesus the Christ, in the fullness of time, born of a woman, to share our human nature, to live among us and die on a cross that was made by us.
Therefore we give you praise.
All: Glory to you for ever and ever.
On the night of betrayal, Jesus Christ took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his friends saying, “Take, eat: this is my body, broken for all. Do this for the recalling of me.”
Jesus also took the wine, blessed it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for all. Whenever you drink it, do it for the re-calling of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Recalling Christ’s death, proclaiming the resurrection, and looking for Christ’s coming again in glory, we offer you, Eternal and Holy One, this bread and this wine. Send your transforming Spirit upon us, and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be one body and one holy people, in Jesus Christ our Liberator.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, O Source of all Life, now and for ever.
Amen.
Please do not dip the bread into the wine. The bread and wine will be passed around the circle, but if you prefer you may receive at the gluten-free station at the altar.
✜The Saviour’s Prayer O God, our Mother and Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your reign 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 trial and deliver us from evil.
✜Communion Hymn: There is a flower Springing
1.There is a flower springing from tender roots it grows,
from Eden beauty bringing, from Jesse’s stem a rose,
on his green branch it blows; a bud that in cold winter
at midnight will unclose.
2. That Mary, rose so holy, the dream by prophets seen,
who in a stable lowly above her child did lean
so gentle and serene; this was Isaiah’s vision,
the tree of living green.
✜Glory to God: Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God, from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. AMEN.
✜Closing Hymn: “How the Worlds Longs for Your Birth”
words: Anna Briggs, tune: Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland
1. How the world longs for your birth, bearing news of human worth;
to our labour bring your mirth, Maranatha, come, Lord, come.
2. How the earth awaits your seed, parched and barren from our greed;
now to hallow it we need: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.
3. How we ache to know your peace; wars and weapons still increase;
bid our fears and hate to cease: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.
4. How our minds for healing long, broken bodies to be strong,
wounded hears to learn your song: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.
5. God, who sets your people free, God, who comes, our flesh to be,
now we wait, your reign to see: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.
6. To our darkness bring your light; fill our longing eyes with sight.
In our lives shine ever bright: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.
✜Dismissal
Please join us after the service at the back of the church for a light lunch. ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 6, 2009
WEEKLY NOTICES
Please note: On Sunday mornings, if you have any concerns related to personal safety, please speak with our Incumbent Sherman Hesselgrave, Nola Crewe, our curate or the caretaker on duty.
◆Assistive Hearing Devices are available at the rear of the church. This is an infrared system which works best if you face towards the front of the church.
◆Please help us keep tidy by picking up bulletins and hymn books after the service and returning them to the carts at the entrances of the church. Thanks
◆Prayers: Please feel free to light a candle at the chancel steps, or phone Sherman Hesselgrave with your special prayer requests.
◆Join Holy Trinity’s e-mail list! Contact Alison Kemper at:
<alisonkemper@yahoo.co.uk>
◆Scent Free Zone: Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, after-shave and highly scented personal hygiene products.
◆Personal Belongings should be kept with you at all times. Sadly we cannot ensure their safety.
Members, please help newcomers and visitors keep track of their belongings. Services
Sundays
10:30 – festive contemporary Eucharist in inclusive language with music
2:00 – San Esteban misa en español – Spanish service with the community of San Esteban.
Wednesdays at 12:15pm brief spoken Eucharist with informal discussion of the day’s readings
Parish Groups and Committees
◆Worship Committee: Contact: Lee Creal: 416-466-4216
◆Refugee Committee: Contact Gail Holland 905-427-9668
◆Congregational Care Committee: Contact: Sherman Hesselgrave
◆Property Committee: Contact: Jim Dolmage 416-531-26
Parish Activities and Announcements:
◆The Homeless Memorial is on the second Tuesday of every month at 12:00 outside the south doors of the church.
◆Please help keep our space looking sharp!!
If your committee has a meeting or you are using the space for something else, please leave the space as it was when you started.
Thank you very much.
◆Upcoming readings:
Advent 3: December 13: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Advent 4: December 20: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
Christmas Services at Holy Trinity
Christmas Eve: Thursday, Dec 24:
Bilingual Service in English/Spanish Children welcome
8:30 pm Gathering with mulled cider, hot chocolate, tamales and
other treats AND lantern making for the children
9:00 pm Carol singing
Please send a favourite carol or two to Becca:
bwhitla@holytrinitytonrot.org
9:30 pm Service begins with Mexican Posada children’s procession
Christmas Day Thursday Dec 25, 10:30 am – Simple and Intimate
A Toronto tradition since 1938. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present this charming hour-long nativity pageant.
December 4 – 6, 11-13, 18-20
Friday and Saturday evenings, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees, 4:30 p.m.
Suggested donation: $15 adults, $5 children.
Call 416-598-8979 to reserve. The Church is wheelchair accessible.
American Sign Language interpretation Saturday, December 5th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 13th at 4:30 pm.
www.holytrinitytoronto.org
email: christmasstory@holytrinitytoronto
USHERS NEEDED: The Christmas Story is still looking for people to help as ushers for the shows. It requires about 2 hours of your time and is a great way to see the show. If you would like to help please contact Doug Moffat in church or call him at 416-502-4165.
Canada’s First 9/11 Rendition to Torture: An Evening to mark International Human Rights Day, With Benamar Benatta
Special Guests: Marina Nemat and Nicole Chrolavicius Free
Wed, Dec 9, 7:15 pm Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
Echo Winter Concert today at 7:30 here at Holy Trinity
