Holy Family Episcopal Church
Blue Water
Holy Family Episcopal Church
Blue Water
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Lessons Appointed for the Fourth
Sunday of Advent
The 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.
The Readings
Praying the Gospel
Gracious God, we thank you for the great things you have done for us as we await the birth of your son, our Savior. Amen.
Service Information
Service Schedule
12/08/24 Advent Lessons and Carols
Officiant Rev. Mary Shortt
12/15/2024 Antecommunion
Rite 2 @ 9 a.m.
Officiant:
12/22/2024 Holy Eucharist
Rite 2 at 9 a.m.
Officiant: Rev. Mary Shortt.
12/24/2024 Festival Eucharist Rite 2 at 8:30 p.m.
Officiant: Rev. Mary Shortt
12/29/2024 Antecommunion
Rite 2 at 9 a.m.
Officiant: Jacquie Ebelt
ADVENT
The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.”
The season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the "coming of Christ" from three different perspectives: the physical nativity in Bethlehem, the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer, and the eschatological Second Coming
The Fourth Sunday in Advent
The Fourth Sunday of Advent, the culmination of the season's journey, radiates with the profound and transformative theme of love. As the fourth candle is kindled on the Advent wreath, its luminous glow symbolizes the culmination of the spiritual journey, where the radiant beacon of love dispels the shadows of doubt and fear, heralding the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
Love, in the context of Advent, transcends mere affection or sentimentality. It embodies a profound and abiding sense of divine love that emanates from the heart of God, permeating the world with its transformative power. This love finds its ultimate expression in the incarnation of Christ, whose advent heralds the revelation of God's boundless love for humanity and the redemption of a broken world.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent beckons believers to embrace the transformative power of love, inspiring them to reflect on the profound significance of Christ's birth as the ultimate expression of divine love. It serves as a poignant reminder that, amidst the complexities and challenges of life, there exists a transcendent love that surpasses all human understanding, offering solace and restoration to weary souls.
God of unconditional love, you have given us the greatest gift ever - the ultimate sacrifice of love - your son Jesus Christ. Loving God, we thank you for your unconditional love that offers us grace in the midst of our sin. Help us to show the same love to those around us. Let us be conduits of kindness and forgiveness. Fill us with your Holy Spirit who guides us as we wait for the return of your Son. Thank you for loving us so, Amen.
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