Dec 20, 2009: Advent 4
Incumbent: The Rev’d
Sherman Hesselgrave
Music Director:
Becca Whitla
Coordinators:
Joyce Barnett,
Elizabeth Raybould
and Jennifer Canning
Celebrant: Jim Ferry
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: Tsmindao Ghmerto
Trisagion from the Republic of Georgia
✜ 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
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!
One: John told everyone that they must change the way they live with each other.
All: Is it time yet?
Children:(shake heads) No, not yet!
One: Joseph said, “God has blessed you.”
All: Is it time yet?
Children: (shake heads) No, not yet!
One: Elizabeth said, “Mary’s baby is God’s promised one.”
All: Is it time yet?
Children: (shake heads) No, not yet!
One: Mary said, “I am going to have a baby that will share God’s love with everyone.”
All: Is it time yet?
Children: (shout) Very soon!
✜ Hymn (All rise, in body or spirit): This Little Light Of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Let it shine around the world,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine around the world,
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
✜ 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
O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the saviour. Make our hearts leap with joy, and fill our mouths with songs of praise, that we may announce glad tidings of peace, and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.
✜ The Hebrew Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a
Reader: Merylie Wade-Houston
A Reading from the Book of . . .
Reader: Hear what the Spirit says to God’s people
All: Thanks be to God Silence
✜ Gradual Hymn: “Blessing of the Creche” Ian Sowton, Sandra Sears
All rise, in body or spirit, for the hymn and Gospel.
✜ Holy Gospel: Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
Readers: Susie Henderson and Jim Love
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: Elizabeth, Jennifer and Joyce with the children of Holy Trinity present a news flash from Bethlehem.
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: A Candle is Burning Words: Sandra Dean, 1986
Music: James R. Murray 1887
1. A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
2. A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
3. A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
4. A candle is burning, a candle of love,
a candle to point us to heaven above.
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth,
for Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.
✜Prayers of the People: In our prayers today, we remember: in the Anglican Cycle: Myanmar; in the Diocesan Cycle, Campaign Against Child Poverty 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: Jim Ferry
Presider: Let us gather at God’s table.
Grown-ups, are you here? Say Amen.
Grown-ups: Amen
Presider: Children, are you here? Say Amen
Children: Amen.
Presider: For the saints who are with us, say Amen.
All: Amen.
Presider: With all God’s creation, say Amen.
All: Amen.
Presider: God most loving, God most wonderful, when there was nothing, you began creating everything in beauty and goodness. When Miriam saved her brother Moses, they endured to lead their people Israel to freedom; When Samuel heard God’s voice in the night, he said “yes” and became God’s helper; when Mary heard the angel’s call, she joined with you and turned the world upside down; and so with all God’s children the whole creation sings this song of joy:
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!
Presider: God most loving, God most wonderful, when the world
needed you, you came as Jesus, the child of our hope; when he was twelve, Jesus explained the Bible to the teachers in the temple; when he was a grown-up, he brought the children close to him. When children got sick, he came to them and made them better; when people were hungry, a boy offered his bread and fish so Jesus could feed them.
Because you love us, O God, you invite us to come together around your table as Jesus gathered with friends for supper on the night before he died.
Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and shared it with them, saying: Take and eat; this is bread for the journey—my body, given for you. Do this to remember me.
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and shared it with them saying: This is the cup of blessing—my blood shed for you and for all people. Do this to remember me.
Remembering Christ’s dying, let the people say Amen. Amen!
Celebrating Christ’s rising, let the people shout Amen. Amen!
Looking for Christ’s coming again. let the people sing Amen. Amen!
God most holy, God most motherly,
pour out your Spirit upon this bread and wine
so we may become a community of love, joy, and friendship.
May we taste and see your gift of life, shared at this table, shared with the world, here and everywhere, now and always,
and let all the people say Amen. 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 Anthem:
Be Still and Know that I am God
✜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: “Go tell it on the Mountain”
African-American Spiritual
Chorus: Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere,
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.
1. While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it . . .
2. The shepherds feared and trembled
when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Saviour’s birth!
Go, tell it . . .
3. Down in a lonely manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent our salvation
that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it . . .
✜Dismissal
Please join us after the service at the back of the church for a light lunch.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 20, 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:
Dec 27 – Christmas I:1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
January 3 – Epiphany : Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
January 10 – Baptism of the Lord: Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
January 17 – Epiphany 2: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
A Toronto tradition since 1938. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present this charming hour-long nativity pageant.
December 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
Crafting Memory Workshops
Create Your Own Remembrance Cards: Winter 2010
Dates: Monday evenings: February 1,8,15, 22, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: $175 (includes four workshops and materials)
Location: Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square, Toronto Eaton Centre
Leaders: Susie Henderson, Joyce Barnett
Description:
Every session, we will reflect on loss, learn new craft techniques and work on a personal set of cards
to mark our own bereavement journeys. Come and share your stories of bereavement with others who have experienced grief, in a safe and supportive environment. Create your own set of remembrance cards and a unique home-made book. Learn some new paper craft and mixed media techniques. See the Remembrance Card Gallery for examples.
Participants will be invited to bring pictures and embellishments to decorate their cards and to use these artifacts in sharing personal stories of bereavement. No art experience is required and materials are provided.
All are welcome.
To register or for more information please contact
Joyce Barnett
Phone: 416-698-5183
E-mail: craftingmemory@gmail.com
Website: www.craftingmemory.com World Café Vestry Follow-up
Dear Friends: Last week I updated you on the strategic planning process for Holy Trinity. One of the task groups was working on a draft mission and vision statement. They have considered the feedback from the Saturday morning of the World Cafe Vestry Weekend and subsequent conversations and offer the following statements as a starting place for further dialogue. The planning group hopes to bring a mission & vision statement to the February Vestry for ratification.
There are two other groups working on a values statement and a statement of strategic directions, which will be brought forward once we have achieved some consensus on mission & vision. Please share your reactions with the committee by passing them on to Chris Lind or Sherman Hesselgrave so we can all see how this is unfolding.
Christopher Lind on behalf of the World Cafe Vestry Planning team
DRAFT MISSION
STATEMENT & VISION STATEMENT
2 December 2009: Mission Statement
The Church of the Holy Trinity is a justice seeking faith community in the Anglican tradition in the heart of Toronto.
Vision Statement
In 2019, we will be a growing, vibrant and diverse community offering a hospitable place to grow spiritually. We will engage in meaningful and creative worship and action that supports advocacy for justice and love for the world in its beauty and its brokenness.
Labyrinth Solstice Walk
At this, the darkest time of the year, we invite you to join Friends of Labyrinth Community Network to walk a labyrinth together.
Monday December 21, 2009 12:00 Noon
Toronto Public Labyrinth: Trinity Square Park 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
Visitors are warmly welcome at Holy Trinity.
If you would like to leave a record of your visit or make a request, please complete this form and place it in the collection plate.
Name:
Telephone:
Email:
Request/Comment:
KAIROS PETITIONS: Petitions are available at the People Presence Desk. Please help the campaign to reverse cuts to KAIROS – Canads’s Ecumenical Justice Coalition.
Announcements for the Bulletin: A great way to share information with the community!! Please get your announcement for the bulletin to Becca by Monday for the following Sunday – thanks!
