C alvary Episcopal Church

Calvary Episcopal Church

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The Second Sunday of Advent "Growing Faith in Christ Through Worship and Community"

Sunday, December 10, 2017 8:00 AM -Rite I Eucharistic Prayer 1 * Year B www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church

Prayer for the Mission of Our Parish

Growing Faith in Christ Through Worship Join us for Worship

Loving God, Through your grace guide us, the people of Calvary Episcopal Church, to joyfully carry out our mission of growing faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may develop a living faith that deepens our understanding of you and strengthens our awareness of the needs of others. May we be a transforming light within our parish and within the community. All this we ask in the Name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Communion Services Sunday: 8 AM and 10:15 AM Tuesday: 7 AM Wednesday: 9:30 AM Thursday: 1PM (Michealsen) 5:45 PM (Calvary) Join us for Study Adult Bible Study Classes Wednesday: 10:15 AM Sunday: 9:10 AM Children’s Christian Ed Sunday: 10 AM VBS: Jul/Aug 4th

Adult Christian Ed Monday of the Month: 7 AM

4th

Book Study Group Monday of the Month: 3 PM Spiritual Enrichment Seasonal Retreats

Join us in Our Outreach Programs Hesed House/PADS Mission Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry Literacy Programs International Mission Assistance Meal Assistance Join us in Fellowship Whenever we are together

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The Calvary Family is pleased to WELCOME you as we begin our exploration of the path leading to the birth of Christ during the season of Advent. On Sundays, we normally have two distinct liturgies (services). Both include the Eucharist (Communion). During Lent, our 8 AM Sunday Service celebrates the Eucharist with the words of our traditional Rite I liturgy from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The 10:15 AM Service uses the more contemporary language of our Rite II Liturgy. During the Season of Pentecost, both Sunday services follow the Rite II Liturgy. Nursery care is available during the 10:15 AM Service as well as Sunday School for children and youth. Adults and Children of all ages are welcome to all the services at Calvary. We encourage you to try each of them and see which service fits you best. At Calvary, we believe that each member of our congregation should have an opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist. We pray that these worship experiences will be a wonderful way to connect all parishioners through a community of faith, hope and compassion at a church that welcomes all of God’s children. Please complete a visitor’s card found in the pew rack and place it in the collection tray. We invite you to join us following the service for coffee and fellowship in the south end of the Education Wing.

The Reverend Michael D. Rasicci, Rector 222 South Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510-2564 (630) 879-3378 * [email protected] www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church 3|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Our Responsibility: What better evidence exists to prove the Grace and Love of our Lord, Jesus Christ than the childhood development of our children? At Calvary, we take that responsibility very cheerfully, yet extremely seriously. Our Director of Youth Christian Ed, Adam McCluskey is a graduate of the General Theological Seminary in New York and completed his studies as a Seminarian at St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church in New York City. Adam is well trained for his role. The entire staff at Calvary as well as those volunteers directly responsible for your son or daughter’s Christian Education are subject to a background investigation and must complete the Keeping God’s Children Safe Program. Your child’s safety is as important to us as is his or her Christian Education. Your active participation is not only welcome, but is essential to your child’s Christian development!

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH Nursery Care: Nursery Care is available for infants and toddlers during the 10:15 AM Sunday Service. Youth Christian Education: Youth Christian Education begins at 10:00 AM on Sunday. Our program provides the foundation for a life guided by Christ, emphasizing “love thy neighbor” and service to others. The program is focused on building new relationships and emphasizing that church is fun and that God loves everyone, without exception. Here, we invite all children and families into our ministry. At Calvary, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve God by teaching and forming the next ambassadors of the church. You are always welcome; please join us! First Holy Communion: Youth participation in preparation for their first Holy Communion is coordinated by the Director of Youth Christian Education. Adults should contact the Rector. Confirmation: Youth Confirmation is coordinated by the Director of Youth Christian Education. Confirmation for adults requires participation in Confirmation Classes scheduled in the Spring.


Contact Information Position Rector

Name Email Address Fr. Michael D. Rasicci [email protected]

Senior Warden Junior Warden Vestry Clerk

Brandon Crawford Erik Turner S&H Dalmasso

Treasurer Joe Nemedi Dir Youth Christian Ed Adam McCluskey Musician Office Manager Sexton

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Matthew Blanks [email protected] Dave Evensen [email protected] [email protected] Jeremy Barkei [email protected]

Tx. Number Ext W: (630) 879-3378 302 H: (630) 879-5178 C: (630) 338-7324 C: (312) 505-0299 C: (630) 621-7961 H: (630) 326-9860 H: W: C: C: W: C: C:

(630) 466-0168 (630) 879-3378 303 (330) 277-6368 (301) 221-0068 (630) 879-3378 301 (630) 215-3222 (630) 806-6171

H: H: H: C: C: C: H: W:

(630) 879-2323 (847) 742-4324 (630) 326-9860 (847) 774-9833 (630) 945-5652 (630) 639-7337 (630) 879-1539 (630) 879-3378 302

Ministries Buildings & Grounds Dave Sperry Christian Ed Adult Jennifer VanDuyn Communications Heather Dalmasso Finance Craig Keller Outreach David Bald Stewardship Joel Montgomery Welcome Care Comfort Patti Lackman Worship Fr. Michael D. Rasicci

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The Diocese of Chicago www.episcopalchicago.org (312) 751-4200 The Episcopal Church www.episcopalchurch.org (800) 334-7626 www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church Follow us on Facebook Receive weekly news via email or traditional mail


+The Word of God+ Advent 2

Rite 1

Please stand.

Opening Acclamation Priest: +Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Purity Priest: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Priest: Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Kyrie Eleison Priest: Lord, have mercy upon us. People: Christ, have mercy upon us. Priest: Lord, have mercy upon us. 6|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

The Collect of The Day Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Priest:

Isaiah foretells the end of the exile of God's people in Babylon. The Lord will pardon his people and lead them to freedom.

Let us pray.

Merciful God, who didst sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. People: Amen. Please be seated.

The First Reading LEM:

Isaiah 40: 1-11 A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Comfort,

O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the 7|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. LEM: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

The Gradual Psalm

Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13

[Prayed responsively – Please divide each verse at the asterisk*] 1

2

8

9

10

You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, * you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of your people * and blotted out all their sins. I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, * for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 8|Page

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If the Lord appears to be delaying his coming, it is only to give his people time for repentance. By leading lives of holiness, Christians ensure their readiness. 11

12

13

Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven. The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before him, * and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

The Second Reading

2 Peter 3:8-15a Reader: A reading from the Second Letter of Peter:

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. 9|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Please stand

The Holy Gospel

Mark 1: 1-8 +The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to

Priest: Mark: People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Priest: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise be to thee, O Christ. Please be seated

Homily – Fr. Rasicci 10 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Please stand

Profession of Faith

The Nicene Creed

All: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; 11 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People LEM: world.

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church and the

LEM: Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: Receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Diocese of Western North Carolina, its Bishop, clergy and faithful. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the ecumenical relationships between the churches in full Communion with the Episcopal Church: 12 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

We also pray for the organizations of our Companion Dioceses of Southeast Mexico and Renk, South Sudan. People: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. LEM: Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers, especially Justin of Canterbury, Michael our Presiding Bishop, Jeffrey our Bishop, and Mike our Rector, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments. People: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. LEM: And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to Roger Vogtmann and MaryAnn Kendall celebrating their birthdays. Are there others? And to those celebrating their anniversaries: Donald and Betty Cress. Are there any others? And to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. People: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. LEM: We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and every land especially Donald, President of the United States, and all federal, state, and local officials, that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world. People: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

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LEM: Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty. People: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord LEM: And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all those affected by the fighting in Afghanistan, the Sudan, Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, those listed in today’s bulletin, all those names in our intention books and on the Intercessory Prayer list and all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. Are there others? And the response, People: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord LEM: And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially Albert Rasicci, Mary Scarpitti, Clara Masiella, Nancy Vaccaro, all those who have died this past week in Afghanistan and Iraq from our military, the coalition forces, or the civilian population, and all those who have died this past week by violence, abuse or neglect. Are there others?... (pause) …. beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blesseds Thomas Merton, Karl Barth and of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. People: Amen. 14 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Prayer for Mission [The prayer for mission may be found on the inside cover of this bulletin]

Confession of Sin Priest: Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling. All: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; 15 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Priest: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Amen. Priest:

Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him.

God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The Peace Priest: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And with thy spirit.

Announcements

+The Holy Communion+ Offertory and Presentation of Gifts All: All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thy own have we given thee. 16 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

The Great Thanksgiving+ Eucharistic Prayer I [Please stand]

Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Priest: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up unto the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People: It is meet and right so to do. Priest: It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God. Because thou didst send thy beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

The Sanctus All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. 17 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. [Please kneel]

Priest: All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again. For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [Acolyte strikes the chime to remind us of Christ’s presence under the form of bread]

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.” [Acolyte strikes the chime to remind us of Christ’s presence under the form of wine]


Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same. And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood. And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly 19 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. All: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer Priest: say:

And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to

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.

Breaking of the Bread Priest: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, People: Have mercy upon us. Priest: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, People: Have mercy upon us. 20 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Priest: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, People: Grant us thy peace.

Prayer of Humble Access All: We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Invitation to Holy Communion Priest: 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. [In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. If you cannot receive the Body and Blood of Christ, you may come forward as others do and kneel at the Communion Rail, crossing your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing]

The Prayer After Holy Communion Priest: Let us pray. All: Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards 21 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Sending Forth Holy Communion Solemn Blessing Priest: May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. People: Amen. Priest: May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. People: Amen. Priest: May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with unending life. People: Amen. Priest: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. People: Amen. 22 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

THE ADVENT DISMISSAL Priest: Let us bless the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Calvary Community Connection Calvary connects with our community through its Mission of “Growing Faith in Christ through Worship and Community” every day. To learn more: Please continue reading!

CALVARY CURRENT Adult Christian Education This Week Sunday Adult Bible Study Continues Today at 9:10 AM. Adult Bible Study will be held this week on Wednesday at 10:15 AM. 2018 Altar Flowers. The signup list for 2018 Altar Flowers is now available in Memorial Hall. Please place your name on the list next to the date on which you wish to sponsor flowers. Also, you 23 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

should fill out an Altar Flower (postcard) Form which provides spaces to show how you would like your bulletin listing to read as well as the disposition of the flowers after Sunday services. You may submit your payment when you submit your Flower Form to the Parish Office, otherwise payment is due by the end of the month of the sponsorship. 2018 Stewardship Campaign has begun. Please, prayerfully consider what you will pledge to the parish and, ultimately, to God, of your time, your talents, and your treasure for our next year together. Our community of faith has been serving God and the world in and around Batavia for over 162 years. Won’t you consider making it possible to continue our growth and service as the Lord leads? We thank you for your patience, kindness and generosity.

Christmas Offering, Christmas Flowers and 2018 Altar Flowers. Envelopes for Christmas Flowers and your special Christmas Offering are now available in the pews. Please submit your Christmas Flower requests no later than December 17th. (The suggested minimum donation is $10.00) The 2018 Altar Flower Reservation List is now available in Memorial Hall. Please write your name on the reservation list next to your date of choice. If you are sharing the date with someone else, please write 24 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

both names on the list. We suggest you fill out the reservation postcard at the same time and either place it in the collection plate or forward it to the Parish Office. Payments for altar flowers ($50.00) may be submitted with the reservation but are due at the end of the month of the date requested. Batavia Toy Access. As we have in the past, Calvary is supporting the Batavia Toy Access which provides Christmas gifts to Batavia City and Township families in need. Please bring your unwrapped gift to Calvary and place it under the Christmas Tree in Memorial Hall no later than next Sunday the 17th so that we can get the gifts to the Access folks in time for their distribution before Christmas. Calvary Christmas Stockings This Christmas we are trying out what we hope will become a new tradition here at Calvary. An anonymous donor has provided Christmas Stockings for all the Calvary Kids which will be hung in the Education Hallway. (The stockings will be hung, not the kids) We have entered into an arrangement with Santa to fill these stockings on Christmas Eve between the morning services and the 5:00 PM Family Eucharist when no one is here at Calvary. (Santa does not like an audience peering over his shoulder.) Our kids will be able to check the stockings out after the Family Service. Another anonymous donor has offered to underwrite half of the cost by matching dollar for dollar all donations made for this event up to 25 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

$125.00. (The overall cost is expected to be $250.00) The special collection stocking for this is right outside of the Parish Office. Thanks.

CALVARY CREDITS Thank you, Bev and Dave Sperry (8 AM) and Jessica Murabito and Erich Keime (10:15 AM) for hosting Coffee Hour Fellowship last Sunday. Thanks to Ginger Arndt for organizing our very first Cookie Exchange last Sunday. Special thanks to those who baked and exchanged cookies for this event. Thanks to Calvary Youth for decorating this year’s Christmas Tree.

CALVARY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Calvary Study Group. The Calvary Study Group meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 3:00 PM in Memorial Hall. Led by Gary Leonard, the group reads, studies and discusses books across a wide spectrum of issues considered important today. The Group has just finished reading “They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky, a compelling story of the Lost Boys of the Sudan. Stay tuned for their next book selection. This group will next meet on February 26, 2018. Adult Bible Study. Calvary offers two opportunities to read and study the Bible in a small and friendly group setting each week. The Sunday group is led by Jennifer VanDuyn and meets the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday of each month between the two Eucharist Services starting at 9:10 AM. The Wednesday Group is led by Fr. Mike and meets on 26 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Wednesdays throughout the year. Wednesdays of each month.)

(The 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th

E-U Class. The official name of this class is Everything You Wanted to Know About the Church but Never Had the Time to Ask. Led by Fr. Mike, this class helps individuals gain a greater understanding of our church home and its place in the Episcopal Church of America and in the Worldwide Anglican Communion. It is an unscripted attempt to answer whatever questions are important to you. Held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 PM. Calvary Library. Our Library is open for business whenever the church is open. In it, you will find reference materials, various versions of the Bible, historical non-fiction, works of fiction as well as videos and books on tape of spiritually themed topics. The library, when it is unstaffed, is happily self-help with instructions detailing check-out procedures. When our Librarian, Amy Cooper or any of her volunteers, are at the Librarian’s desk, they will be happy to assist you however they can.

WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

1st Lesson

Response*

2nd

The Gospel

Isaiah 35: 1-10

85: 8-13

Luke 5: 17-26

Amos 5: 18-24

50: 7-15

Matthew 18: 12-14

Isaiah 40: 25-31 103: 1-10

Matthew 11: 28-30

Isaiah 41: 13-20 145: 1-4, 8-13

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Friday Saturday Sunday

Isaiah 48: 17-19 1

Matthew 11: 16-19

Sirach 48: 1-11

Matthew 17: 9-13

80: 1-3, 14-18

Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 126

1 Thess 5: 16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-28

The response is from Psalms unless otherwise noted.

Sunday Bible Lessons and Gospel. The Sunday Bible Readings are available in advance on the table outside of Rectors’ Hall.

OUR COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK Sunday Wednesday Thursday Saturday

Thomas Merton * Contemplative and Writer Karl Barth * Theologian St. Lucia * Martyr at Syracuse Juan de le Cruz * Mystic Ralph Adams Cram * Architect Richard Upjohn * Architect John LaFarge * Artist

1968 1968 304 1591 1942 1878 1910


Please hold these people in your daily prayers. We also ask that you pray for the forgotten, the poor and the oppressed.


Growing Faith in Christ- Through Community Special Collections. Each month, on the 4th Sunday, our Outreach Ministry directs a special “Red Bowl” collection be taken to support local, national or global charities or philanthropic initiatives. Our 2017 Collection Results are: January 24 February 19 February 26 March 26 April 23 May 28 June 25 July 23 August 27 September 3 September 24 October 22 November 26 December 24

Companion Dioceses √ ($400.00) Bishop’s Discretionary Fund √ ($258.00) World Mission Sunday √ ($244.00) Easter Baskets for Batavia √ ($309.00) Interfaith Food Pantry √ ($364.00) Mutual Ground √ ($ 99.00) Tri-City Health Partnership √ ($ 79.00) Tri-City Family Services √ ($ 204.00) Lazarus House √ ($ 151.00) Hurricane Victims- Episcopal Relief √ ($497) Food for the Poor √ ($125) CASA √ ($218) Chip-In √ ($134) Suicide Prevention Services

Rector’s Discretionary Fund. On the 3rd Sunday of each month, any money placed in the collection plate not designated by the giver as a pledge is directed to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. Fr. Rasicci has 30 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

provided direct payments to those in need to assist with transportation, medical, housing and food costs. Since 2011, $43,975 has been given to assist those in immediate need within our community. Compassion International.

Through the offices of Compassion

International, Calvary has supported children in Guatemala for over ten years giving over $4,000. Our support provides food and educational financial resources for the child to thrive. We are now supporting our second child in this program. Melany is 10 years old and lives with her brothers, sisters and parents in the State of Huehuetenango in western Guatemala. This program is supported by voluntary giving by parishioners. The collection jar is on a table outside of the Sunday School Room containing a display about Melany. Your giving is appreciated. Public Action to Deliver Shelter/PADS.

HESED House in Aurora

provides temporary shelter to those who would otherwise be homeless in the southern Fox Valley Region of Kane and Kendall County. Hesed House relies on a strong partnership between them and faith based and corporate sponsors who provide daily staffing of the shelter each evening. Calvary Hesed House rotation is the third Tuesday of every second month. We also routinely collect items essential to the operation of Hesed House as well as clothing for the guests. Our dates for 2017 were: January 17, March 21, May 16, July 31 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

18, September 19 and November 21 and were all successfully accomplished. The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. The mission of the Food Pantry is to provide food relief to the economically disadvantaged residents of Batavia and Batavia Township. The Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit, volunteer agency that is directed and operated by community and local church volunteers residing throughout the greater Fox Valley. Those who visit and use the Food Pantry are neighbors and friends and people with disabilities, seniors, low income families, and families who have lost their jobs. The Batavia Food Pantry has been in operation for over 30 years. Currently it serves over 1200 individuals monthly. This would not be possible without the active support of community volunteers like Calvary who donate people, time and money. We staff the Pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and Donna Womack is our Food Pantry Volunteer Coordinator.

Calvary Support of Other Faith Based OrganizationsThe following organizations are co-located in our church and provide the listed services or functions. The Just Food Initiative. JFI maintains their offices here at Calvary and schedules periodic demonstrations within our facility. The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization 32 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

of individuals committed to building just and sustainable food systems. The Batavia Islamic Center. Calvary has enjoyed a very friendly relationship with the Muslims of the Islamic Center for over 30 years. Both have shared celebrations and opportunities to learn and understand more about each other. In 2016, the Islamic Center joined Calvary in supporting the PADS Mission at Hesed House. What You Should Know Before You Give: Recognizing there is a tax advantage to charitable giving, and that giving requires detailed records, we routinely provide Giving Statements to parishioners and guests. In order to properly identify the donor, we ask that you provide a check or place your gift in a Special Giving Envelope found in each pew where you can indicate your name and address and how you would like the gift to be used. Or you may use a numbered envelope available to parishioners at the beginning of the year. If you give cash and want to receive tax credit for it, you should use a special or numbered envelope. Loose cash placed in the collection plate is provided to the general fund. Every 3rd Sunday, the Open Plate Collection (meaning loose cash) placed in the plate is directed automatically to the Rector's Discretionary Fund. During a special Red Bowl Collection (generally occurring on the 4th Sunday of the month), all gifts (checks and cash) are provided to the announced charity which is listed in the bulletin. And, as always, thank you for your generous financial support!



The Collection Bin Will Be in Memorial Hall

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Please Make Every Effort to Fulfill Your 2017 Pledge. Your Generosity is Appreciated!

In order to make your financial support of Calvary’s Mission a much easier process for your pledged and special holiday giving, consider using TITHE.LY. TITHE.LY may be obtained from your Apple or Android APP Stores.

www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church
