Welcome to St. John’s! We are so glad you are joining us at home online.All of the prayers & responses can be found bolded in this bulletin.

We hope you will join in from home!

Welcome The Rev. Candace Sandfort

The Word of God

Presider Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The Collect for Purity

Confession & Absolution Church of England BCPPresider

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

AllAlmighty God, source of all that is, and giver of every good gift. You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us.We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family. We have desired to live in freedom, while building walls between ourselves and others.We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while judging others based on the color of their skin, or cultural differences.Forgive us, Holy God.Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people.Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.Restore us in your image, to be the Beloved Community, united in our diversity; even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit, Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

The Presider says 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.

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St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThe Liturgy of the WordSecond Sunday after Christmas 3 January 2021 10 a.m.

Please join in singing at home

Gloria in Excelsis: Hymn 96, “Angels we have heard on high,” by Home Free

The Collect of the DayThe Presider says to the people

The Lord be with you.People And also with you. Presider Let us pray.O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah Coleen PorcherThus says the LORD:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;

proclaim, give praise, and say,"Save, O LORD, your people,the remnant of Israel."

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame, those with child andthose in labor, together;a great company, they shall return here.

With weeping they shall come,and with consolations I will lead them back,

I will let them walk by brooks of water,in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;

for I have become a father to Israel,and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,and declare it in the coastlands far away;

say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob,and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,

over the grain, the wine, and the oil,and over the young of the flock and the herd;

their life shall become like a watered garden,and they shall never languish again.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,and the young men and the old shall be merry.

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I will turn their mourning into joy,I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

I will give the priests their fill of fatness,and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,says the LORD. (31:7-14)

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

Please join us at home as we say the psalm in unison Psalm 84 Quam dilecta! Coleen Porcher

How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

The sparrow has found her a houseand the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,my King and my God.

Happy are they who dwell in your house! *they will always be praising you.

Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.

Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.

They will climb from height to height, *and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *hearken, O God of Jacob.

Behold our defender, O God; *and look upon the face of your Anointed.

For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *and to stand at the threshold of the house of my Godthan to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *he will give grace and glory;

No good thing will the LORD withhold *from those who walk with integrity.

O LORD of hosts, *happy are they who put their trust in you!

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians Paul Sugarman

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us

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in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. (1:3-6, 15-19a)

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

Please join in singing at home; words to sing along are on your screen

Sequence Hymn 87, “Hark! the herald angels sing,” Ferryhill Parish Virtual Choir from Scotland

The Gospel: Luke 2:41-52People’s response before the Gospel Glory to you, Lord Christ.The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.People’s response after the Gospel Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Reverend Candace Sandfort

Please join us at homeThe Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

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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 s/he is worshiped and glorified.S/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 People respond to each petition from their home.The Prayers of the People Paul SugarmanCelebrant At the dawn of this new year let us pray for the whole world. Leader Let us pray for the whole Human Family: People O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through

Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Leader Let us pray for peace among the Nations: .

People Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Leader Let us pray for Social Justice: People Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every

human heart to continue to seek justice for all black people in this country, and all who are unfairly incarcerated. We ask that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease;

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that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leader Let us pray for the conservation of Natural Resources: People Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us

fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may enjoy them and continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leader Are there others who need our prayers?

The People may add their own petitions silently or aloud from home. Please remember to unmute yourself, and then mute yourself again when finished.The Presider adds a concluding CollectAlmighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of this nation and our newly elected officials as we begin this new year; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Presider then saysAnd now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

All sayThe Lord’s Prayer

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 Blessing

Please join in singing at home; words to sing along are on your screen Closing Hymn 105, “God rest ye merry, gentlemen,” Ferryhill Parish Virtual Choir from Scotland

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The flowers today are given to the Glory of God by the Hallberg-White family

in memory of all those who have died from COVID-19

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Sunday, January 10th, is Epiphany SundayWe will celebrate this High Holy Day with incense & Spiritual Eucharist

and some special musical treats. Join us at 10:00!

THE STATE OF OUR UNION

LAST

YEAR @ this time 58 households had pledged

$202,132

THIS YEAR 49 households

have pledged $164,479

WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP! We are so grateful for what has been pledged, and so grateful for those we hope "Give thanks in all circumstances."  can still help us reach the $200,000 I Thessalonians 5:18 minimum we need to run St. John’s.

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Need a pledge card? Let Michelle know at the office and she’ll send one out to you pronto!

Pledging made easy: Just fill out your card and drop it in the mail or the mail slot next to the

Parish Hall door. OR use the “Online Payments” tab on our website to set up automatic pledge

payments on our secure Vanco page. OR easier yet, use this QR code which will go directly to our Vanco page to

pledge:

How to use the QR code: 1. Simply point your phone’s camera at the QR code below (don’t click!) 2. Tap the drop-down message that appears. 3. You will automatically be taken to our website’s “Online Payments” page.

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Here’s what you’ll see when you get to the VANCO page on our website:

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There are only two flower donation dates available until Easter (since we have no flowers in Lent, which begins mid-February):

January 17th January 24th

Flowers can be given to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, to remember a loved one, to give thanks for a blessing in your life—or anything else you like. Call Michelle to reserve one of these dates: 973-746-2474, then mail your $75 donation to St. John's or drop it in the mail slot outside the Parish Hall door OR EASIER YET: Quickly pay online on our website as you can see on the VANCO page above under “Flowers, weekly ($75)”

DismissalPresider Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

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