We’re so glad you’ve joined us at Saint Michael today. We’d love to get to know you better, so please take a moment to fill out the welcome card, either physically or digitally, that can be found on this page or in the pew back in front of you. Our Welcome Team members are in the hallways today to help you with anything you need.
Today begins the Holy Season of Advent, so please make a note of all the special offerings we have. These include the Advent Festival at 10 a.m. and our special service of Advent and Lessons & Carols at 4 p.m. Next week, join us for our Nativity Pageant, and then in two weeks for our special service of Christmas Lessons & Carols. Please pick up a Sunday News handout if you haven’t already and join us for our special programming whenever you can.
We have multiple ways to give over the next month, including I Believe In Angels, a Christmas program that invites all of us to sponsor angels (children and seniors) at Jubilee, or through Heart of Giving, Christmas cards that provide tangible benefits for Mission and Outreach initiatives. You’re also invited to sponsor flowers for our Christmas services with a donation of any amount. Please make donations by December 12 to be included in the Christmas Altar Flowers Memorial bulletin.
As we prepare to worship together, I invite you to take a moment and center yourself on God’s presence. Worshiping, learning, and giving together help us grow closer to who God created us to be, and you’re part of that work. May God bless you today and every day, and I hope to see you again very soon!
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Scan the QR Code to fill out the welcome card, sign up for emails, and register for Saint Michael 101. saintmichael.org/welcome
The First Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The service begins on page 355 of The Book of Common Prayer. Hymns may be found in the blue hymnal in the pew rack.
The Word of God
Prelude
Variations on Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele Georg Böhm
Welcome
Entering Procession (standing, sung by all) Hymn 68
“Rejoice! rejoice, believers” Llangloffan
The Opening Acclamation and Collect for Purity (standing)
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant 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.
Song of Praise (standing, sung by all) Hymn S 102
“Holy God, Holy and Mighty”
The Collect of the Day (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to
Georg Böhm was a tremendously influential organist and composer in central Germany during his lifetime. Among his students was the young Johann Sebastian Bach. Böhm’s enduring legacy rests primarily on his development of the chorale partita, a genre that combines variation form with chorale preludes. This morning’s prelude is one of his larger chorale partitas and takes as its theme the melody of hymn #67.
Children ages three through eight are invited to meet a member of our ministry staff by the pulpit to be escorted to children’s chapel; they will return to the congregation following the Peace.
Chanted by the Choir.
judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lesson (seated) Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm (seated) Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me, * “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Now our feet are standing * within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity with itself; To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, * the assembly of Israel, to praise the Name of the LORD. For there are the thrones of judgment, * the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: * “May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls * and quietness within your towers. For my brethren and companions’ sake, * I pray for your prosperity.
Because of the house of the LORD our God, * I will seek to do you good.”
Sequence Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“O Come, O come Emanuel” Veni, veni, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
The Gospel (standing) Matthew 24:36-44
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon (seated) The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
The Nicene Creed (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: Form II (standing)
Celebrant Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Lector I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for Sean, our Presiding Bishop; for George and Wayne, our Bishops; for this gathering; ___, and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church. In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
Lector I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.
Lector I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Lector I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Lector I ask your prayers for the departed, especially ___. Pray for those who have died.
Lector Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Parish Prayers of the People
As of November 12, 2025
James Albergo
John Aldridge
Rami Angir
Kathryn Anschutz
Linda & Greg Austin
Don Baty
Larry Been
Barbara Hart Bell
Shirley Blackman
Len Bourland
Dianna Bowen
Elise Broer
Helen Bustamante
Cosette “Coco” Cathey
Carolyn Cochran
Jean Coleman
Carlos Cuellar
Sonja Elliston
John Ferguson
Terese Finitzo
Sandy Wilkinson Ford
Joel Forrest
Jean Fuller
Curtis Green
Jody Guenther
Amy Heller
Roberto Hernandez
Josh Hight
Earle Hill
Barbara Hornback
Jack Hubbell
Wade Hyde
Ada Lynn Jones
Lynne Kent
John Khoury
Danny Landeros
Frank Lauinger
Kenneth Lindh
Tom Luce
Leigh Ann McCartin
Celia Smith McGrath
Sarah Margaret Mannes
Dimitri Margetis
Janie Meyer
Tink Moir
John Morelock
Heather Nemec
John Oncken
Bob Paddock
Jerry Lee Price
Paul Rogers
Celso Rocha
Joe Sando
Arden Showalter
Brad Smith
Chandler Wade Smith
Dianne Smith
Fadey Suleiman
Byrd Teague
Travion Waites
John Wieden
Jack Winlow
Mary Wolf
Hannah Wood
A special year-end gift continues to equip Saint Michael with the resources needed to do God’s work in the world and helps take care of our excellent staff.
Celebrant Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and g rant 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.
Confession of Sin and Absolution (kneeling)
Celebrant 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.
Celebrant 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 (standing)
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements (please be seated)
The Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem (sung by the Tenors and Basses of the Saint Michael Choir)
Zion hört die Wächter singen Johann Sebastian Bach
Zion hört die Wächter singen, Das Herz tut ihr vor Freuden springen, Sie wachet und steht eilend auf.
Ihr Freund kommt vom Himmel prächtig, Von Gnaden stark, von Wahrheit mächtig, Ihr Licht wird hell, ihr Stern geht auf.
Nun komm, du werte Kron,
Herr Jesu, Gottes Sohn!
Hosianna!
Wir folgen all Zum Freudensaal
Und halten mit das Abendmahl.
Zion hears the watchmen singing Her heart leaps up with joy; She wakes and rises quickly.
Her Bridegroom comes from heaven gloriously, Strong in grace, mighty in truth, Her light grows bright, her star arises.
Now come, O precious crown, Lord Jesus, God’s Son Hosanna!
We all follow
To the hall of joy
And partake in the evening meal.
- Anonymous
Presentation Hymn (standing, sung by all) Hymn 380, v. 3
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” Old 100th
This beloved movement from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme is often known as the “Sleepers Wake” chorale. Written in 1731 for the 27th Sunday after Trinity, it sets Philipp Nicolai’s 1599 hymn—a vision of watchmen calling the faithful to joyful anticipation of Christ’s coming.
All baptized persons of any age regardless of their denomination and tradition are welcome to share in the banquet of the Lord’s Supper.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant L ift 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.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to g ive thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
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:
Sanctus and Benedictus (standing, sung by all) Hymn S 129
“Holy, holy, holy”
Please kneel as you are able.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to e vil 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.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
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.
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 g lory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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.
All are invited to come forward to the Communion rail at the direction of our ushers. Stand or kneel at the rail as you are able, and receive the wafer in the palm of your outstretched hands. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, clasp your hands in front of you with your palms down. Receive the wine by drinking from the chalice as it is offered to you, or by retaining the wafer, to dip lightly into the chalice for yourself. If you are not receiving, you may cross your arms over your chest and receive a blessing. If you are unable to physically come to the rail, please indicate to an usher that you would like to receive Communion at your seat.
Composed in 1865 when Gabriel Fauré was just nineteen, this work won first prize in a composition competition at the École Niedermeyer in Paris. Setting a French paraphrase of Jean Racine’s Latin hymn, the piece reveals the lyrical elegance and harmonic warmth that would define Fauré’s later style. Though a student work, the Cantique already demonstrates his gift for blending clarity, serenity, and devotional beauty, making it one of his most enduring sacred compositions.
The Breaking of the Bread (kneeling, sung by all) Hymn S 152
“Alleluia, Christ our Passover”
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Hymn (sung by all) Hymn 53
“Once he came in blessing” Gottes Sohn ist kommen
Communion Anthem (sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Cantique de Jean Racine
GabrielFauré
Verbe égal au Très-Haut, notre unique espérance, Jour éternel de la terre et des cieux, De la paisible nuit nous rompons le silence: Divin Sauveur, jette sur nous les yeux.
Répands sur nous le feu de Ta grâce puissante; Que tout l’enfer fuie au son de Ta voix; Dissipe le sommeil d’une âme languissante Qui la conduit à l’oubli de Tes lois!
Ô Christ! sois favorable à ce peuple fidèle, Pour Te bénir maintenant rassemblé; Reçois les chants qu’il offre à Ta gloire immortelle, Et de Tes dons qu’il retourne comblé.
Word of the Highest, our only hope, Eternal day of earth and the heavens, We break the silence of the peaceful night; Saviour Divine, cast your eyes upon us!
Pour on us the fire of your powerful grace, That all hell may flee at the sound of your voice; Banish the slumber of a weary soul, That brings forgetfulness of your laws!
O Christ, look with favour upon your faithful people Now gathered here to praise you; Receive their hymns offered to your immortal glory; May they go forth filled with your gifts.
- Jean Racine 1688
The Post-Communion Prayer (kneeling, spoken by all)
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 (kneeling)
The Dismissal (standing)
Deacon Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Departing Procession (standing, sung by all) Hymn 61, v. 1 & 3
“Sleepers, wake! A voice astounds us” Wachet auf
Postlude
Rhapsody on Helmsley Lloyd Webber
Written around 1955, today’s postlude is based on the wellknown hymn tune Helmsley, which draws its theological content from the Book of Revelation’s imagery of the Day of Judgment. It was dedicated to John Churchill, then organist at St Martinin-the-Fields church.
Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE # M - 402151.
7:30 AM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
9 AM
Traditional Church
Joy! A Children’s Service
Saint Michael Chapel NOV 30
10 AM Education for All Ages
11 AM
Contemporary Church
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
5:30 PM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
sunday at Saint Michael
EDUCATION CLASSES
Sundays | 10 a.m. | 2nd floor of the Education Wing Please enter and exit the Education Wing from the south entrance on Colgate Ave.
Adults
Faith And Practice | Life in Christ Room 201 | Led by the Rev. Robin Hinkle
This series explores how we can know and experience God, showing that the Christian view engages both head and heart.
Bible Series | Isaiah in Advent Room 203 | Led by the Rev. Ken Brannon
Explore biblical and early Church teachings on Heaven, Hell, and life after death, clarifying the scriptural vision from popular ideas.
Saint Michael 101 | Faith & Reason Room 200 | Led by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso
Those who are new to our church or interested in membership will learn about Saint Michael’s mission and purpose.
