The Fourth Sunday in AdventDecember 18, 2016, at Eleven o’clock in the Morning

We are glad you are here. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, and no matter where you are on the journey of life — you are welcome in this church. We invite you to participate in our worship service, or simply observe, as you wish.

We hope you will find Saint Paul’s to be a place of refreshment and renewal, where you experience the presence of the risen Christ. We have been serving Christ in this location for over two hundred sixty years. While our building is old and beautiful, our mission is contemporary and forward moving. Here you will find a people very much connected with the questions and struggles of modern life, of faith, and of following the way of Jesus.

We are a community called to serve those in need in our city, in our nation, and around the world. Here you will find ministries with and for children, youth, parents, seniors, singles, and families in all configurations and stages of life.

We invite you to share your contact information on a visitor’s card, located in each pew. Hand it to one of our clergy, an usher, or place it in the offering plate.

To all our Visitors & Guests

About Worship

If the liturgy (worship) of the Episcopal Church is unfamiliar, then we hope you will find this information helpful.

You are welcome in the Episcopal Church, and so the first and best resource we offer are your neighbors in the pews. Just say, "I'm visiting," and they will gladly help. The worship of the Episcopal Church is rooted in the practices of ancient Christianity. The structure of our services, the architecture of our building, the music, our physical postures, and participatory responses ALL hold rich meaning about our beliefs and are intentional expressions of our relationship with God.

• In this bulletin you will find:

Responses spoken by the people are printed in bold italics. Directions for the people are printed in italics.

• We encourage families with children to sit at the front of the Nave so that children can easily see and hear the liturgy.

• Children’s bulletins for readers and pre-readers are available from the ushers.

• Episcopalians customarily pray either standing or kneeling, so please do what you find most comfortable.

• Notify an usher if you require an assisted listening device or any other assistance.

• Restrooms are located in the parish hall. An usher will direct you.

About Receiving The Holy Communion

ALL who come in faith are invited to receive Holy Communion at Saint Paul’s.

• During communion, the people form two short lines in the center aisle at the steps. After receiving the bread and wine or a blessing at the altar rail, please exit through the door to the left of the altar and return to your pew via the side aisles.

• For those who may prefer not to receive communion at the main altar, a communion station is provided on the main floor to the right of the center aisle. If you are unable to receive at either station, the clergy will bring the bread and wine to your pew. Please notify an usher before the service begins.

• To receive a blessing at the altar rail without receiving Communion, cross your arms over your chest, palms on your collar, until the person on your left has received both the bread and the wine.

• If your children are in the nursery, you are invited to bring them to receive Holy Communion or a blessing.

Celebration of The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two

The Word of GodPrelude David McCarthy, C. S. Lang, and David Schelat

Three settings based on “Stuttgart”Mr. Shafer

Officiant Today we light the Fourth Candle of Advent, the Candle of Joy. When the angel Gabriel told Mary that a special child would be born to her, she was filled with joy. She sang a song that began with the words: “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Just as the birth of Jesus gave great joy to his mother, so his presence in the world gave joy to those who had none before. He healed them, and gave them hope and peace when they believed in him. We light the Candle of Joy to remind us that when Jesus is born in us, we have joy, and that through him there will be everlasting joy on earth.

The Fourth Candle on the Advent Wreath is lit.

Officiant Let us pray:

Thank you God for the joy you give us. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and every day, to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your joy with each other. We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.

At the Procession, Hymn 66 “Come, thou long-expected Jesus” Stuttgart

2 Is

4 By

3 Born

1 Come, thou

rael'sthy

thine

-

long

strengthpeo

own

ex

andple

e

-

-

pect

conto

ter

-

-

ed

sode

nal

-

-

-

Je

laliv

Spi

-

-

sus,

tion,er,

rit

-

-

-

-

born

hopeborn

rule

to

ofa

in

set

allchild,

all

thy

theand

our

peo

earthyet

hearts

ple

thoua

a

- free;

art:king,

lone;-

fromdear

born

by

ourde

to

thine

fearssire

reign

all

-

andof

in

suf- -

sinsev

us

fi

reery

for

cient

-

-

leasena

ev

mer

- us,tion,

er,

it

-

-

-

letjoy

now

raise

usof

thy

us

findev

gra

to

ourery

cious

thy

-

-

restlong

king

glo

ining

dom

rious

-

-

-

thee.heart.

bring.

throne.

2 Is

4 By

3 Born

1 Come, thou

rael'sthy

thine

-

long

strengthpeo

own

ex

andple

e

-

-

pect

conto

ter

-

-

ed

sode

nal

-

-

-

Je

laliv

Spi

-

-

sus,

tion,er,

rit

-

-

-

-

born

hopeborn

rule

to

ofa

in

set

allchild,

all

thy

theand

our

peo

earthyet

hearts

ple

thoua

a

- free;

art:king,

lone;-

fromdear

born

by

ourde

to

thine

fearssire

reign

all

-

andof

in

suf- -

sinsev

us

fi

reery

for

cient

-

-

leasena

ev

mer

- us,tion,

er,

it

-

-

-

letjoy

now

raise

usof

thy

us

findev

gra

to

ourery

cious

thy

-

-

restlong

king

glo

ining

dom

rious

-

-

-

thee.heart.

bring.

throne.

The Opening Acclamation

Officiant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The Collect for Purity

Officiant Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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.

Kyrie eleison S-96, by Franz Schubert

The Collect of the Day

Officiant The Lord be with you.People And also with you.Officiant Let us pray.

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. Amen.

The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 7:10-16

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”

Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

Lord, have mer cy.- Lord, have mer cy.- Christ, have mer cy.-

Christ have mer cy.- Lord have mer cy.- Lord

have mer cy.- Lord have mer cy,- have mer cy.-

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Plainchant, Tone I.2 Sung by the Choir

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.

16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, * the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.

17 And so will we never turn away from you; * give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

18 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

The Epistle Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

Hymn 265 “The angel Gabriel from heaven came” Gabriel’s Message

4 Of

1 The

3 Then

2 "For

an

now

gen

her,

gel

a

tle

Em

-

-

Ga

bless

Ma

man-

bri

ed

ry

u

-

-

-

-

el

Mo

meek

el,

-

-

from

ther

ly

the

-

-

hea

thou

bowed

Christ,

ven

shalt

her

was

- came,

head,

born

be,

his

all

"To

in

wings

gen

me

Beth

as

er

be

le

-

-

drift

a

as

hem,

-

-

ed

tions

it

all

-

-

snow,

laud

pleas

on

his

and

eth

a

-

eyes

hon

God,"

Christ

as

or

she

mas

- -

-

flame;

thee,

said,

morn,

"All

thy

"my

and

hail,"

Son

soul

Chris

said

shall

shall

tian-

he,

be

laud

folk through

"thou

Em

and

low

man

mag

out-

-

ly

u

ni

the

-

-

-

maid

el,

fy

world

-

-

en

by

his

will

- Ma

seers

ho

ev

fore

ly

er

-

-

Name."

ry,

told,

say

- -

- most

high ly- fa- vored- la dy,"- Glo ri- - - - a!-

The Holy Gospel Matthew 1:18-25

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Christmas Pageant

The congregation is invited to sing these carols:

“Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem” “Away in a manger”

O little town of Bethlehem, Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,how still we see thee lie! the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,the silent stars go by; the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

“Hark! The herald angels sing” “Joy to the world!”

Hark! The herald angels sing Joy to the world! the Lord is come:glory to the new-born King! let earth receive her KingPeace on earth and mercy mild, let every heart prepare him roomGod and sinners reconciled! and heaven and nature sing, Joyful, all ye nations, rise, and heaven and nature sing,join the triumph of the skies; and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.with the angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! The herald angels sing glory to the new-born King!

“We three kings” “O come little children” (Solo) We three kings of Orient are, All children in the congregation arebearing gifts we traverse afar, invited to join the cast at the manger.field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. “Silent night”O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; Silent night, holy night,westward leading, still proceeding, all is calm, all is brightguide us to thy perfect light! round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

The Nicene Creed Said by all, standing

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

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 salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in 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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People Kneeling, the Leader and People pray responsively:

Officiant With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

Leader For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Scott, our own Bishop; for our clergy, George, John, and Bill; and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For Barack, our President, and Donald, our President-elect; for the leaders of the nations; for Nathan and Nikki, our governors; for the leadership of the CSRA; and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this city Augusta, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, or in the air, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy. For our Diocesan Youth Programs, Columba House, and our Episcopal Campus Ministries at Valdosta

State and Georgia Southern Universities; and for parishes in our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, especially Jesus the Master in Tamboril, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For all those who are serving our country, at home and abroad, especially Dylan Luther, that they may be strengthened by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation; especially for Bill Speir, Bob Rordam, Linda Cross, Jimmy Long, Dot Aiken, Chris Putt, Keith Saunders, Theresa Capricci, Lewis Rutland, Tommy Garner, Scott Anderson, Morris Braswell, June Jones, Mary Jo Cercy, Dawson Heise, Natalie Chalker, Xavier Jeffers, Mary Bryant, Jim Baggott, Charlie Lass, Mary Black, Norm Haglund, Amanda Poole, Shannon Raymond, Sarah Rutherford, Jack McCraney, and for all those we remember in our hearts.

ThePeopleaddtheirpetitionsaloudorsilently.

Leader Let us pray to the Lord.People Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Leader For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed,

ThePeopletoaddtheirpetitionsforthedepartedaloudorsilently.

Leader Let us pray to the Lord.People Lord, have mercy. For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Defend us, deliver us, and in thy compassion protect us, O Lord, by thy grace. Lord, have mercy. In the communion of Saint Paul and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and

all our life, to Christ our God. To thee, O Lord our God.

Officiant Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

The Confession and Absolution

Officiant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

All Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Officiant Almighty 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.

The Peace All stand

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

The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Parish Greetings & Announcements The Reverend George D. Muir

The Holy Communion: Rite TwoThe Offertory Sentence Celebrant

The Offertory Music “There is no rose” (2016) Thomas Hewitt JonesKathleen Chandler, Soprano, and Rik Hokans, Tenor

The Saint Paul’s Choir

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu: Alleluia. For in this rose contained was Heaven and earth in little space. Resmiranda [a marvelous thing]. By that rose we may well see that He is God in persons three, Pariforma [equal in form]. The angels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excelsis Deo: Gaudeamus [let us rejoice]. Now leave we all this wordly mirth and follow we this joyful birth; Transeamus [let us go]. -- Anonymous 13th century text

Presentation Hymn “We give thee but thine own” Yattendon 46

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A

Celebrant The Lord be with you.People And also with you.

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

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

Celebrant It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

We give thee but thine own, What e'er- the gift may be:

All that we have is thine a

- lone, A trust, O Lord, from thee. A men.-

Sanctus and Benedictus S-130, by Franz Schubert

Please kneel as you are able.

Celebrant Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

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

Celebrant We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Celebrant And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Ho ly,- ho ly,- ho ly- Lord, God of power and might,

Ho ly,- ho ly,- ho ly- Lord, God of power and might.

hea ven- and earth are full, full of your glo ry.- Ho -

san na- in the high est,- Ho san- na- in the high est.-

Bles sed- is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Ho -

san na- in the high est.- Ho san- na- in the high - est.

All 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread and Invitation

Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Celebrant This is the table, not of the Church, but of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love him and for those who want to love him more. So, come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been here long, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. Come, because it is the Lord who invites you. It is his will that those who want him should meet him here.

Fraction Anthem S-164, by Franz Schubert

All who come in faith are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

The Communion Music

Organ Voluntary Variations on “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” Karen KeeneSarah Pritchard, Music Associate Emerita

Hymn 54 “Savior of the nations, come!” Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Je sus,- Lamb of God: have mer cy- on us. Je sus,- bear er-

of our sins: have mer cy- on us. Je sus,- re deem- er,- re -

deem er- of the world: give us your peace, give us your peace.

1 Sa

2 Won

3 Thus

4 Come,

vior

drous

on

O

-

-

of

birth!

earth

Fa

the

Oh,

the

ther's-

na

won

Word

sav

tions,

drous

ap

ing

-

-

-

come!

child

pears,

Son,

-

Vir

of

grac

who

gin's

the

ing

o'er

-

-

Son,

Vir

his

sin

make

gin

cre

the

-

here

un

a

vic

-

your

de

ted

t'ry

-

-

-

home.

filed!

spheres;

won.

-

Mar

Might

hence

Bound

vel

y

to

less

-

-

-

now,

God

death

shall

both

and

and

your

heav'n

Ma

hell

king

and

ry's

de

dom

-

-

earth,

son,

scends,

be;

-

that

ea

then

grant

the

ger

the

that

-

Lord

now

heav'n

we

chose

his

ly

its

-

such

race

throne

glo

a

to

a

ries-

birth.

run.

scends.

see.

-

Anthem “Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary” Italian Carol, arranged by Charles WoodThe Canterbury Choir

Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary! For so when he did meet thee, spake mighty Gabriel, and thus we greet thee. Come weal, come woe, our hymn shall never vary, Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary! Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary! Ave, ave Maria! To gladden priest and people, the angelus shall ring from every steeple, to sound his Virgin birth, Alleluia! Ave, ave Maria! Ave, ave Maria! Archangels chant Osanna, and Holy, Holy, Holy, before the infant born of thee, thou lowly, Aye maiden child of Joachim and Anna; Archangels chant Osanna. Archangels chant Osanna. - G. R. Woodward

The Post-Communion Prayer Said by all, kneeling

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing Celebrant

Hymn 56 (stanzas 1-5) “O come, O come Emmanuel” Veni, veni Emmanuel

The Dismissal

Celebrant Let us bless the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary Toccata on “Veni, veni Emmanuel” Andrew CarterMr. Shafer

2 O

3 O

5 O

1 O

4 O

come,

come,

come,

come,

come,

O

thou

O

thou

De

come,

Wis

come,

Day

sire-

Em

dom

thou

spring

of

-

-

man

from

Lord

from

na

- u

on

of

on

tions,

-

-

el,

high,

might,

high,

bind

- and

who

who

and

in

ran

or

to

cheer

one

som

d'rest

thy

us

the

-

-

cap

all

tribes

by

hearts

tive

things

on

thy

of

- Is

might

Si

draw

all

ra

i

nai's

ing

man

-

-

-

-

el,

ly;

height

nigh;

kind;

-

-

-

that

to

in

dis

bid

mourns

us

an

perse

thou

-

in

the

cient

the

our

-

lone

path

times

gloom

sad

ly

of

didst

y

di

-

-

ex

know

give

clouds

vi-

ile

ledge

the

of

sions

-

-

-

here

show,

law,

night,

cease,

un

and

in

and

and

til

teach

cloud

death's

be

- the

us

and

dark

thy

Son

in

ma

shad

self-

of

her

jes

ow

our

-

-

God

ways

ty,

put

King

-

ap

to

and

to

of

pear.

go.

awe.

flight.

peace.

-

Re joice!- Re joice!- Em man- u- el- shall come to thee, O Is ra- el!-

Greenery on the Altar

The greenery on the altar is given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Caroline and Madison, and was arranged by the Flower Guild.

Serving Today

The Reverend George D. Muir Celebrant and PreacherThe Reverend Dr. William K. Dolen Assisting PriestJohn Robertson, Perry Smith, Connor Smith, Ted Hussey Verger, Lectors,& Prayers of the PeopleJohn Clemens, Ranie Neislar Eucharistic MinistersMadelyn Heckathorn, Austin Porubsky, Claiborne Porubsky AcolytesNatalie Heckathorn, Beth Coleman, Johnny CookBryan Hawkins, Cindy Shields, Sid Shields, Rex Teeslink UshersBecky Wright, Mary Speir, Nancy Trefz, Ivey Harrison Altar GuildWright Montgomery Audio/Visual TeamMartha Scroggs Vestry Person of the Day

Parish Announcements

5:00 - 6:30 pm — Tonight: EYC will be held off-site. For more information please contact Ranie Neislar at rneislar@saintpauls.org.

5:30 - 6:15 pm — Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion. Rob Foster is our guest musician.

The Daughters of the King, an Episcopal Prayer Ministry, invites prayers for yourself and others. Attach your prayer request to the Advent Prayer Tree located in Tyler Hall. For information, contact Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau at spursleycrotteau@gmail.com.

The Vestry Nominating Committee is seeking candidates whom you believe would make outstanding Vestry members for Saint Paul’s. If you’d like to suggest someone, including yourself, please contact Dea Baldwin, Jr. Warden, at dbaldwin02@comcast.net. More information is available in Friday’s Weekly Postings (a printed version is available in the Narthex).

The Flower Guild will begin the Greening of the Church Friday, December 23, at 9:30 am. Contact Lynn Mays at lamaysmail@gmail.com or Clint Carroll at clintcarrollcc@gmail.com if you are interested in helping to decorate the church for Christmas.

Christmas Eve services will be held at 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm. A nursery is available for the 4:00 pm service. Christmas Morning service will be held at 10:00 am in the Chapel. The parish office will be closed Monday, December 26.

Holy Baptism is offered on Sunday, January 8. If you are interested in being baptized into Christ’s One Holy and Catholic Church, then please contact one of our clergy or the parish office, by Sunday December 25.

Do you love to read children’s books? The pre-Kindergarten classes need to read 1000 books. Come help our kids at Craig-Houghton meet that goal!! We are going to read every day at 10 am. Please contact Kathy Enicks at kge1726@aol.com or 484-433-4007 to find out more or to get on the schedule.

Saint Paul’s Church communicates by a weekly E-newsletter. Join our email list by contacting the parish administrator, Elisabeth Price, or scan the QR on the back of this bulletin.

Saint Paul's Church is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.The Church is open for prayer daily 9 am – 3 pm, Monday - Thursday, & 9 am – 12 pm, Friday.

The Church Office and Parish House are closed Saturdays as well as Sunday afternoons.www.saintpauls.org Tel: 706-724-2485 Join Our E-mail ListVisit our website

Sunday Schedule

8:00 - 8:45 am Holy Eucharist Rite I 8:45 - 9:30 am Continental Breakfast Tyler Hall 9:30 - 10:30 am Christian Formation for all Ages 10:30 - 10:45 am Coffee & Conversation Tyler Hall 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II Following the 11:00 am Service Lemonade on the Lawn 5:00 - 6:30 pm EYC (Episcopal Youth Community, Grades 6-12) 5:30 - 6:15 pm Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion with prayers for healing

Nursery care offered in the Children’s Ministry Center (CMC) 9:00 am - 12:30 pm.

The 11 am service is broadcast on WGAC 580 AM Radio and 95.1 FM Radio. Listen live on-line at http://wgac.com/listen-live/

Christmas & New Year’s SchedulesChristmas Eve 4:00 & 10:00 pm

Christmas Eve Festival Celebrations with Choir, Brass, & DrumsA nursery will be available for the 4:00 pm service.

The 10:00 pm service will be broadcast live on WGAC 580 AM and 95.1 FM

Christmas 10:00 amChristmas Eucharist in the Chapel with Carols

New Year’s Day11:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

5:30 pm Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion

Clergy and StaffThe Reverend George Muir, Interim Rector ext. 211 gmuir@saintpauls.orgThe Reverend John Jenkins, Assistant Rector ext. 205 jjenkins@saintpauls.orgKeith Shafer, Director of Music ext. 215 kshafer@saintpauls.orgRanie Neislar, Coordinator of Youth Ministries ext. 206 rneislar@saintpauls.orgMary Jackson, Facility Manager ext. 203 steward@saintpauls.orgMeredith Beach, Parish Accountant ext. 204 mbeach@saintpauls.orgElisabeth Price, Parish Administrator ext. 225 mailbox@saintpauls.orgMelissa Schultz, Music Associate Sarah Pritchard, Music Associate EmeritaHillary Bryant, Greg Maxie, and Terrell Edge, Sextons