Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yv8p7hny
Drop down dew from above, you heavens,
and let the clouds rain down the Just One;
let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior. Isaiah 45
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,
God of the beginning and the end times:
As we make this journey through Advent,
we remember that your time is different from our time.
We must stay awake and pay attention
because your peace is not our peace,
and your ways are not our ways.
We do not know the hour or the day
when you are coming,
but we know that we must be watchful
for all the ways you will appear.
Even as we remember this beginning,
we know that you will be with us to the end.
With hope, peace, joy, and love we pray. Amen. CWC, alt.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Samuel J Stone
Tune: Aurelia https://tinyurl.com/ydkbuc46
1. The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation,
By water and the word;
From Heav’n he came and sought her
To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.
2. Elect from ev’ry nation,
Yet one o’er all the Earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With ev’ry grace endued.
3. ‘Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forever more;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
4. O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee;
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales, the bride
With thee, by living fountains,
Forever shall abide!
PSALMS
Psalm 78 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uq2kpk3)
1 Hear my law, O my people *
incline your ears unto the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable *
I will declare hard sentences of old;
3 Which we have heard and known *
and such as our fathers have told us;
4 That we should not hide them
from the children of the generations to come *
but to shew the honour of the Lord,
his mighty and wonderful works that he hath done.
5 He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law *
which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children;
6 That their posterity might know it *
and the children which were yet unborn;
7 To the intent that when they came up *
they might shew their children the same;
8 That they might put their trust in God *
and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments;
9 And not to be as their forefathers,
a faithless and stubborn generation *
a generation that set not their heart aright,
and whose spirit cleaveth not stedfastly unto God;
10 Like as the children of Ephraim *
who being harnessed, and carrying bows,
turned themselves back in the day of battle.
11 They kept not the covenant of God *
and would not walk in his law;
12 But forgat what he had done *
and the wonderful works that he had shewed for them.
13 Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers,
in the land of Egypt *
even in the field of Zoan.
14 He divided the sea, and let them go through *
he made the waters to stand on an heap.
15 In the day-time also he led them with a cloud *
and all the night through with a light of fire.
16 He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
17 He brought waters out of the stony rock *
so that it gushed out like the rivers.
18 Yet for all this they sinned more against him *
and provoked the most Highest in the wilderness.
19 They tempted God in their hearts *
and required meat for their lust.
20 They spake against God also, saying *
Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness?
21 He smote the stony rock indeed,
that the water gushed out, and the streams flowed withal *
but can he give bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
22 When the Lord heard this, he was wroth *
so the fire was kindled in Jacob,
and there came up heavy displeasure against Israel;
23 Because they believed not in God *
and put not their trust in his help.
24 So he commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven.
25 He rained down manna also upon them for to eat *
and gave them food from heaven.
26 So man did eat angels’ food *
for he sent them meat enough.
27 He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven *
and through his power he brought in the south-west-wind.
28 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust *
and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
29 He let it fall among their tents *
even round about their habitation.
30 So they did eat, and were well filled;
for he gave them their own desire *
they were not disappointed of their lust.
31 But while the meat was yet in their mouths,
the heavy wrath of God came upon them,
and slew the wealthiest of them *
yea, and smote down the chosen men that were in Israel.
32 But for all this they sinned yet more *
and believed not his wondrous works.
33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity *
and their years in trouble.
34 When he slew them, they sought him *
and turned them early, and enquired after God.
35 And they remembered that God was their strength *
and that the high God was their redeemer.
36 Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth *
and dissembled with him in their tongue.
37 For their heart was not whole with him *
neither continued they stedfast in his covenant.
38 But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds *
and destroyed them not.
39 Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away *
and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
40 For he considered that they were but flesh *
and that they were even a wind that passeth away,
and cometh not again.
41 Many a time did they provoke him in the wilderness *
and grieved him in the desert.
42 They turned back, and tempted God *
and moved the Holy One in Israel.
43 They thought not of his hand *
and of the day when he delivered them from the hand of the enemy;
44 How he had wrought his miracles in Egypt *
and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
45 He turned their waters into blood *
so that they might not drink of the rivers.
46 He sent lice among them, and devoured them up *
and frogs to destroy them.
47 He gave their fruit unto the caterpillar *
and their labour unto the grasshopper.
48 He destroyed their vines with hail-stones *
and their mulberry-trees with the frost.
49 He smote their cattle also with hail-stones *
and their flocks with hot thunderbolts.
50 He cast upon them the furiousness of his wrath,
anger, displeasure, and trouble *
and sent evil angels among them.
51 He made a way to his indignation,
and spared not their soul from death *
but gave their life over to the pestilence;
52 And smote all the first-born in Egypt *
the most principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham.
53 But as for his own people, he led them forth like sheep *
and carried them in the wilderness like a flock.
54 He brought them out safely, that they should not fear *
and overwhelmed their enemies with the sea.
55 And brought them within the borders of his sanctuary *
even to his mountain which he purchased with his right hand.
56 He cast out the heathen also before them *
caused their land to be divided among them for an heritage,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
57 So they tempted, and displeased the most high God *
and kept not his testimonies;
58 But turned their backs, and fell away like their forefathers *
starting aside like a broken bow.
59 For they grieved him with their hill altars *
and provoked him to displeasure with their images.
60 When God heard this, he was wroth *
and took sore displeasure at Israel.
61 So that he forsook the tabernacle in Silo *
even the tent that he had pitched among men.
62 He delivered their power into captivity *
and their beauty into the enemy’s hand.
63 He gave his people over also unto the sword *
and was wroth with his inheritance.
64 The fire consumed their young men *
and their maidens were not given to marriage.
65 Their priests were slain with the sword *
and there were no widows to make lamentation.
66 So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep *
and like a giant refreshed with wine.
67 He smote his enemies in the hinder parts *
and put them to a perpetual shame.
68 He refused the tabernacle of Joseph *
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;
69 But chose the tribe of Judah *
even the hill of Sion which he loved.
70 And there he built his temple on high *
and laid the foundation of it like the ground
which he hath made continually.
71 He chose David also his servant *
and took him away from the sheep-folds.
72 As he was following the ewes great with young ones he took him *
that he might feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
73 So he fed them with a faithful and true heart *
and ruled them prudently with all his power.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 78, Part I: Tetherdown
1 My people, give ear, attend to my word,
2 in parables new deep truths shall be heard;
the wonderful story ancestors made known
3 to children succeeding by us must be shown.
4 In our instructions we gladly record
the praises, the works, the might of the LORD,
5 for he has commanded that what he decreed
be taught to generations that succeed.
6 Let children thus learn from history’s light
to hope in our God and walk in his sight,
7 the God of their forebears to fear and obey,
and ne’er to forget his deeds nor turn away.
8 The story be told, to warn and restrain,
of hearts that were hard, rebellious, and vain,
9 of soldiers who faltered when battle was near,
10 who kept not God’s covenant nor walked in his fear.
Part II: Old 104th
11 God’s wonderful works to them he had shown,
12 marvelous deeds those before had known;
13 he made for their pathway the waters divide,
14 his glorious pillar of cloud was their guide.
15 He gave them to drink, relieving their thirst,
16 and forth from the rock caused water to burst;
17 yet faithless they tempted their God, and they said,
18-20 “Can he who gave water supply us with bread?”
21 God’s rage was kindled because they forgot
22 to hope in their God, and trusted him not;
23 yet gracious, he opened the doors of the sky
24 and rained down the manna in richest supply.
25 With bread from on high their need he supplied,
and more did he do when thankless they sighed;
26 the strong winds commanding from south and from east
27-28 he sent them abundance of quail for their feast.
29 Though well they were filled, their folly they chose;
30 till God in his wrath o’erwhelmed them with woes;
31 he slew of their strongest and smote their young men,
32-33 but still unbelieving they sinned even then.
34 Because of their sin he smote with his rod,
35 and then they returned and sought for their God;
their rock and redeemer was God the Most high,
36 yet false were their praises, their promise a lie.
Part III: Houghton
37 Not right with their God in heart and in will,
they faithlessly broke his covenant still;
but he, in compassion, reluctant to slay,
forgave them and oft turned his anger away.
38 His pity was great, though often they sinned,
39 for they were but flesh, a swift passing wind;
40 yet though his compassion and grace they beheld,
they tempted and grieved him and often rebelled.
41 They limited God, the Most Holy One,
and hindered the work his grace had begun;
42 the hand that was mighty to save they forgot,
the day of redemption remembering not.
43 Ungrateful and blind, no longer they thought
of wonders and signs and mighty deeds wrought,
44 Of how all the rivers of Egypt ran red,
45-50 and plagues in God’s anger were heaped on their head.
51 They thought not of how, their freedom to gain,
in Egypt’s abodes the first born were slain,
52 and how all God’s people were led forth like sheep,
the flock he delighted in safety to keep.
Part IV: Laudate Dominum
53 Unharmed through the sea, where perished their foe,
he caused them with ease and safety to go;
54 his holy land gaining, in peace they were brought
to dwell in the mountain the Lord’s hand had bought.
55 He gave them the land, a heritage fair;
the nations that dwelt in wickedness there
he drove out before them with great overthrow
and gave to his people the tents of the foe.
56-57 Again they rebelled and tempted the Lord,
58 unfaithful, they turned to idols abhorred,
59 and God in his anger withdrew from them then,
60-61 no longer delighting to dwell among men.
62 He gave them to death in battle, although
his glory and strength were scorned by the foe;
63 their young men were fallen, their maidens unwed,
64 their priest slain in battle, none wept for the dead.
65 Then mercy awoke, the Lord in his might
66-68 returned, and the foes were scattered in flight;
again to his people his favor he showed
69 and chose in Mount Zion to fix his abode.
70-71 His servant he called, a shepherd of sheep,
from tending his flock, the people to keep;
72 so David their shepherd with wisdom and might
protected and fed them and led them aright.
PRAYER
God of pilgrims,
strengthen our faith, we pray.
Guide us through the uncertainties of our journey,
and hold before us the vision of your eternal kingdom,
made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people!
says your God.
Speak compassionately to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her that her compulsory service has ended,
that her penalty has been paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins!
A voice is crying out:
“Clear the Lord’s way in the desert!
Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God!
Every valley will be raised up,
and every mountain and hill will be flattened.
Uneven ground will become level,
and rough terrain a valley plain.
The Lord’s glory will appear,
and all humanity will see it together;
the Lord’s mouth has commanded it.”
A voice was saying:
“Call out!”
And another said,
“What should I call out?”
All flesh is grass;
all its loyalty is like the flowers of the field.
The grass dries up
and the flower withers
when the Lord’s breath blows on it.
Surely the people are grass.
The grass dries up;
the flower withers,
but our God’s word will exist forever.
Go up on a high mountain,
messenger Zion!
Raise your voice and shout,
messenger Jerusalem!
Raise it; don’t be afraid;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
Here is the Lord God,
coming with strength,
with a triumphant arm,
bringing his reward with him
and his payment before him.
Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock;
he will gather lambs in his arms
and lift them onto his lap.
He will gently guide the nursing ewes.
HYMN: Johann Olearius; trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Genevan 42nd https://tinyurl.com/ycu9v5zb
1. Comfort, comfort ye my people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them,
Tell her that her sins I cover,
And her warfare now is over.
2. For the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all to true repentance,
Since the kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey,
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet him,
And the hills bow down to greet him.
3. Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign;
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That his Word is never broken.
READING: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
Brothers and sisters, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to stay away from every brother or sister who lives an undisciplined life that is not in line with the traditions that you received from us. You yourselves know how you need to imitate us because we were not undisciplined when we were with you. We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked night and day with effort and hard work so that we would not impose on you. We did this to give you an example to imitate, not because we didn’t have a right to insist on financial support. Even when we were with you we were giving you this command: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, they shouldn’t eat.” We hear that some of you are living an undisciplined life. They aren’t working, but they are meddling in other people’s business. By the Lord Jesus Christ, we command and encourage such people to work quietly and put their own food on the table. Brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged in doing what is right. Take note of anyone who doesn’t obey what we have said in this letter. Don’t associate with them so they will be ashamed of themselves. Don’t treat them like enemies, but warn them like you would do for a brother or sister.
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This verifies that the letter is from me, as in every letter of mine. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
HYMN: Norman MacLeod
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2543wadt
1 Courage, brother! do not stumble,
though your path be dark as night;
there’s a star to guide the humble:
trust in God, and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
and its end far out of sight;
foot it bravely; strong or weary,
trust in God, trust in God,
trust in God, and do the right.
2 Perish policy and cunning,
perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
trust in God, and do the right.
Some will hate you, some will love you,
some will flatter, some will slight;
heed them not, and look above you:
trust in God, trust in God,
trust in God, and do the right.
3 Simple rule and safest guiding,
inward peace, and inward might,
star upon our path abiding,
trust in God, and do the right.
Courage, sister! do not stumble,
though your path be dark as night;
there’s a star to guide the humble:
trust in God, trust in God,
trust in God, and do the right.
READING: Matthew 24:29-35
Jesus said, “Now immediately after the suffering of that time the sun will become dark, and the moon won’t give its light. The stars will fall from the sky and the planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then the sign of the Human One will appear in the sky. At that time all the tribes of the earth will be full of sadness, and they will see the Human One coming in the heavenly clouds with power and great splendor. He will send his angels with the sound of a great trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from the four corners of the earth, from one end of the sky to the other.
“Learn this parable from the fig tree. After its branch becomes tender and it sprouts new leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you know that the Human One is near, at the door. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 12:2-6
(BCP 2019/James Turle)
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 be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
PRAYERS CWC
God of hope,
we come to you as our waiting time begins—
this “already but not yet” time.
We look forward just a few weeks
and prepare to celebrate your coming years ago.
We remember to prepare for your coming again.
We pray in hope.
God of peace,
as part of the preparation for your coming,
may we begin to beat our swords into plowshares.
May we dismantle our weapons of mass destruction,
and rid ourselves of our stockpiles of fear.
May we sow seeds of connection rather than discontent.
May we teach peace to the nations
who continue to study war, including our own.
We pray for your peace.
God of joy,
lead us in the joyful work of making peace.
May we seek ways to feed those who hunger,
to bind up those who are wounded,
to get treatment for all who are addicted,
to find housing for all who need it,
and provide protection for any who are not safe.
May our joy be rooted in your promises
to care for the stranger,
to release the captive,
to bring good news to the poor,
and to let the oppressed go free.
We pray for such joy.
God of love,
a joy so deep and wide will surely expand our hearts.
So today as we pray for those we love already—
family, friends, neighbors, colleagues—
we pray also for those who are harder for us to love—
family, friends, neighbors, colleagues.
Love isn’t easy,
so we ask for your strength and guidance.
We pray to love well.
As we journey toward Bethlehem
to meet you at the manger once again,
may we not forget to look for you
all around and at all times—
wherever we encounter
your hope, peace, joy, and love.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Setting by Eric Wyse:2
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;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
God of all generations,
though signs and seasons change,
your promise is faithful
and your word will never pass away.
Give us courage and strength
as we watch and wait
for Jesus Christ, our redeemer,
who is coming in glory to reign. Amen. CWC
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
CWC Connections Worship Companion, ed. David Gambrell © Westminster John Knox Press
1998 Draft Roman Sacramentary, © ICEL, 1998
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 78 is a revision of the metrical version in Psalter, 1912. The canticle is from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2025 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 