Bach's Magnificat in D Major

13 December 2009 - Advent 3C Sermon - Rejoice!

Advent III Sermon
13 December 2009
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
The Rev. Peter M. Carey

Rejoice in the Lord always.
I was asked by a young theologian recently “what is worship,” and I offered up that worship is what we do at church, we might dress up a bit, we gather, we sing, we pray, we greet one another, we hear about the story of God and God’s people. We may listen to some reflection on the Word of God. We confess, we remember Jesus’ work of redemption for us, we break bread, we sing, and we go have snacks. Actually, my answer was a bit briefer. “What is worship?” At the end of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, he offers these words, “rejoice in the Lord always.” “Rejoice.” “Always.” What is worship? Well, we should rejoice in the Lord always. Of course, we hope we do this here at church, but when we awake, and we realize we have been offered the gift of this day, we rejoice. When we drive along the highway and see the brilliant sun shining on the mountains, we rejoice. When the house is being pounded by rain, we rejoice. When we are called by a friend in need, we also rejoice.

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Let your gentleness be known to everyone

Phillippians 4:4-7


Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Remembering Thomas Merton and Karl Barth who died 41 years ago

Rising in darkness, let us all keep watching

Rising in darkness,

let us all keep watching

let psalms provide our source of meditation

And sing with all our strength

hymns of adoration

to our Creator bring.

As we might praises

bring a holy ruler

so may we sing

your heavenly courts to enter

There with the saints to join

now and ever after

blessing on us confer.

Grant, blessed God head

this our prayer at dawning

that we reflect the goodness of your Presence

Your beauty shines, O Light,

O Sun, O Radiance

glory re-echoing.

~ Gregory the Great (6th century

New every morning is the love

New every morning is the love

Our wakening and uprising prove;

Through sleep and darkness kindly brought,

Restored to life and pow'r and thought.

New mercies, each returning day,

Come down around us while we pray;

Old fears are gone, old sins forgiven,

New thoughts of God, new grace from heaven.

If, in our daily lives, our minds

Think to bless all we meet and find,

God's City will come down to the earth;

Treasure untarnished, holy birth.

Hear us, O God, in your dear love,

Let our prayers rise to you above,

And help us, this and every day,

To live as truly as we pray.

Words: John Keble, (19thC) adapted

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~The Rev. Peter M. Carey

"Stir it up" Sunday with Bob Marley

This coming Sunday, we have the Collect which calls upon God to "stir up your power" and come among us...so, I'm preparing for our Lectionary Bible study by listening to Bob Marley...a good balm for the Monday morning grumpiness!


~The Rev. Peter M. Carey


The Collect for Advent III
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.