SERVING ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 31st)

8:00 AM

Usher Ann Cooper
Usher Stephanie Cooper

First Reading Janet Murry
Psalm Dar Hoover
Second Reading Evan Cooper

Chalice Vic Cooper
Chalice Dar Hoover


10:00 AM

Usher Joan Marchant
Usher Caroline Prasad

First Reading Lizz Beitzel
Psalm Andy Tomat
Second Reading Kevin Griswold

Chalice Bob Nelson
Chalice Sandi Nelson

BRAIN TEASER ANSWER: St. Paul was originally named Saul. His name was changed after he became a Christian.

Readings:
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS: DECEMBER 31, 2006


THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY (CHRISTMAS I)

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE FIRST READING

Isaiah 61:10-62:3
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

THE PSALM

Psalm 147 or 147:13-21 Page 804 or 805, BCP
Laudate Dominum
1

Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!

2

The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

3

He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.

4

He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.

5

Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.

6

The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.

7

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.

8

He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;

9

He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.

10

He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.

11

He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;

12

But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.

13

Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;

14

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.

15

He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.

16

He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.

17

He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.

18

He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?

19

He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.

20

He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.

21

He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!

THE SECOND READING

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

THE GOSPEL

John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

NOTE: The entire Advent IV and Christmas Eve and Day Schedules are posted below.
Blessed Christmas.


Advent IV (December 24th in AM):

8:00 AM

Usher: Blake LaMar
Usher: Ann Cooper
First Reading: Ann Cooper
Psalm: Blake LaMar
Second Reading: Evan Cooper
Chalice: Vic Cooper
Chalice: Stephanie Cooper


10:00 AM

Usher: Sandi Nelson
Usher: Bob Nelson
First Reading: Lizz Beitzel
Psalm: Susan Mulledy-DeFrank
Second Reading: Gwen Fleischer
Chalice: Susan Mulledy-DeFrank
Chalice: Dawn Switzer

Christmas Eve at 5:00 PM

Usher: Elizabeth Pringle
Usher: Sandy Pringle
First Reading: Sandi Nelson
Psalm: Lizz Beitzel
Second Reading: Robert Nelson
Chalice: Dar Hoover
Chalice: Sandi Nelson

Christmas Eve at 10:00 PM

Usher: Andy Tomat
Usher: Bob Dennison
First Reading: Susan Mulledy-DeFrank
Psalm: Andy Tomat
Second Reading: Bob Dennison
Chalice: Clergy
Chalice: Susan Mulledy-DeFrank

Christmas Day at 10:00 AM

Usher: Bob Nelson
Usher: Sandi Nelson
First Reading: Janet Murry
Psalm: Gwen Fleischer
Second Reading: Needed
Chalice: Janet Murry
Chalice: Clergy

By popular requests, here are the readings for this wonderful ending of Advent and celebration of our Lord's birth. I hope to see you this Sunday or Monday.

God's Peace in the Evening,

Bob


ADVENT IV

Collect

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.


Psalm 80:1-7 Page 702, BCP
Qui regis Israel

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.

Hebrews 10:5-10
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

"Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God'
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me)."
When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


Luke 1:39-55
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."]

CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY

Collects for Both Celebrations

Christmas Eve

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Christmas Day

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-4,6-7

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.


Psalm 96 Page 725, BCP
Cantate Domino

1
Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.

2
Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.

3
Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.

4
For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.

5
As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.

6
Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!

7
Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.

8
Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.

9
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.

10
Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."

11
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

12
Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.

13
He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.

Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

SERVING SUNDAY ON ADVENT III (DECEMBER 17, 2006)

8:00 AM

Usher Ann Cooper
Usher Stephanie Cooper
First Reading Blake LaMar
Psalm or Response Janet Murry
Second Reading Val Ellis
Chalice Vic Cooper
Chalice Kathy Van Orden

10:00 AM

Usher Elizabeth Pringle
Usher Robert Nelson
First Reading Lizz Beitzel
Psalm or Response Sandi Nelson
Second Reading Jeanne Kipp
Chalice Sandi Nelson
Chalice Susan Mulledy-DeFrank

Readings for ADVENT III

THE COLLECT

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.


Zephaniah 3:14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away the judgments against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors
at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the LORD.

THE PSALM OR RESPONSE TO THE FIRST READING

Canticle 9 Page 86, BCP

The First Song of Isaiah Ecce Deus

Isaiah 12:2-6

Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.

For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.

Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.

And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;

Make his deeds known among the peoples; *
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.

Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
and this is known in all the world.

Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 3:7-18

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people

Sunday, December 10,2006

8:00 AM

Usher Elizabeth Chinyee
Usher Dar Hoover
First Reading Valorie Ellis
Psalm Janet Murry
Second Reading Velda Ishizaki
Chalice Janet Murry
Chalice Kathy Van Orden

10:00 AM

Usher Susan Mulledy-DeFrank
Usher Sandi Nelson
First Reading Lizz Beitzel
Psalm Gwen Fleischer
Second Reading Elizabeth Pringle
Chalice Bob Nelson
Chalice Caroline Prasad

Readings for Sunday

ADVENT II: DECEMBER 10, 2006

The Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Baruch 5:1-9

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;
put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,
"Righteous Peace, Godly Glory."
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;
look toward the east,
and see your children gathered from west and east
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went out from you on foot,
led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you,
carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low
and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree
have shaded Israel at God's command.
For God will lead Israel with joy,
in the light of his glory,
with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

Canticle 16 Page 92, BCP
The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus Deus

Luke 1: 68 79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Philipians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"