Author: Roger Lamb

December 14, 2025
Third Sunday in Advent
Holy Eucharist, Rite II

9:00am Family Holy Eucharist Service
11:00am Choral Holy Eucharist Service
Procession In, standing Lo, He Comes Hymnal 57
The Opening Sentences The Book of Common Prayer 299
Song of Praise The Trisagion Hymnal S100
The Collect
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.
The First Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-10
Note: Many scholars divide this book of prophecy into three parts, representing three different time frames. This, often referred to as second Isaiah, is addressed to the exiles in Babylon and offers a new vision of returning home. Advent, likewise, is where we return home, like the Holy Family, to greet the coming Christ.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God. He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Canticle 15: The Song of Mary Magnificat, to be read in unison
Note: Mary’s song, the Magnificat, is a song of deep joy for not only what God has done for her or in her, but for what God will do through her for the sake of the world. That makes it our song as well, a song of both being blessed and being a blessing.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Epistle: James 5:7-10
Note: This letter gives us a bit of a sobering note in the overall anticipatory joy of all the readings. It encourages patience. God may not act as quickly as we would like. Things happen in the world which challenge our understanding of God. This letter urges us to trust in God and to practice that trust in the way we lead our lives.
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Sequence Hymn, standing Sleepers, Wake Hymnal 61, vs. 1
The Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
Note: While John wonders about Jesus while he sits in prison, Jesus rejoices in both the wonderous acts of Jesus’ own ministry and in the great example and work of John himself, the forerunner of the gospel.
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
The Homily The Rev. James B. Stutler, D. Min
Followed by silence for reflection
The Holy Communion
Rite II, Prayer B
The Nicene Creed, standing BCP 358
The Prayers of the People, kneeling or standing
Greetings and Announcements
The Confession of Sin BCP 359
The Peace, standing BCP 360
The Holy Communion
Rite II, Prayer B
The Offertory Mary, Can I Hold Your Baby? Choir
The Doxology, standing
The Great Thanksgiving
The Sursum Corda BCP 367
The Sanctus Hymnal S114
The Canon, kneeling or standing.
THE GREAT AMEN BCP 368
The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364
Breaking of the Bread BCP 364
Fraction Anthem
Choir Meditation Carols
Post Communion Prayer, kneeling or standing BCP 365
Commissioning of Eucharistic Visitors
Priest: On behalf of this congregation, I give you these holy gifts, that those in whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
People: We send you forth with the body and blood of Christ.
Recessional Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice Believer Hymnal 68
The Blessing
The Dismissal Response BCP 366
Thanks be to God.

Processional Song
Opening Sentences,
Book of Common Prayer 355
The Liturgy of the Word
The Collect of the Day
A Reading / Psalm
Song
The Gospel
Sharing the Good News
The Creed
The Prayers
The Confession & Absolution
The Peace BCP 360

Welcome & Announcements
The Holy Communion
Offertory
The Great Thanksgiving:
The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364
The Breaking of the Bread
The Administration
Communion Song
Post Communion Prayer
BCP 365
The Blessing
Song for the Procession Out
The Dismissal BCP 366

WE PRAY FOR:
Our Parish Family, especially
U BOBBY, DAVID, GLORIA, MARK, CARY, MISSY, LESLIE, BILL, AMANDA, DOTTIE, LINDA, PAIGE, CLAIRE, MARGE & ALAN, JOAN, VICTOR, CAROLE, JUDITH, JOHN T, ANN, AL, JEAN, HUBIE, AMANDA, ROBIN, KIM, TED, REBA, FRAN, DAKOTA, MARGARET, JOANN, and DEACON JUDITH.
U FR . JAMIE.
U THE MINISTRIES OF ST. CLEMENT’S.
U HEIDI AND RUSS, missionaries to Chile and for the variety of ministries & lives they impact.
Those in the Armed Forces, especially
U DAVID, AMANDA, NICK, BRANDON, MAGGIE, STEPHEN, NATHAN, LAUREN, GAVIN, & TY.
Others needing Intercessory Prayer:
U HEALING: DIANE, SANDRA, RYAN, DAN, MARTHA, PAM, PEGGY & FAMILY, KATHLEEN, STEVE, PATTI, JUSTIN, ADRIAN, MICHAEL, THE PEOPLE OF MAUI, ELVIE, ROB, SONJA, MOLLY, BRUCE, KRISTI, RAYMOND, GRACE, LESLIE, PAUL, LIZ, JOE, MISTY, LORI, CATHY, JEFF, JOANN, KASEY, CAROL, GORDAN, BEVER LY, LUPINA, LORA, KENNY, COLT, ANDREW, DONALD, LORELLA, KATHY, PRISCILLA & LARRY, LIZ, DAVID, KAREN, JASON, LAURIE, MARKHAM, MARTIN, TOMMY, GEORGE, RUBY, RICH, TOBY, BECKY, LINDA, LIBBY, BETH, GISELA, DONNA, JOY, JAN, PERRY & CHRISTY, KATHY, ROBIN, ANALISA, CHAD, CATHY, MICHELLE, KAY, CURTIS, SCOTTIE, YA YA, KIRSI ANN, BONNIE, LEO, SCOTT, RICHARD, JOY, BILL, LEVI, GRACE, CHUCK, STAN’S BROTHER, SAM, & SHERRY.
U COMFORT: THE LOEFFLER, BARRE, AND CROFT FAMIES.
U ARBOR: The Congregants at The Arbor.
WE GIVE THANKS FOR ALL OUR BLESSINGS.
Please take the bulletin home and pray for these concerns during the week.
Parish family & intercessory prayer requests stay on the list for two months unless extended, updated, or deleted sooner. Armed forces requests stay for one year. Notify the church office at 770-345-6722 or Trish Cole at 770-377-4348 to update requests. Prayer request cards are in church pews or call the church office.

The Bright Promise of Advent
This Sunday has traditionally been known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means joy or joyful from the Latin. We signify its difference from the other Sunday in Advent by lighting the rose colored candle. And there is reason to be joyful as we move closer to Christmas.
However the joy we experience is something different from simply being happy. We are sometimes happy when we get what we want or what we think we deserve. Joy, in this Advent sense, is about anticipating something wonderful is going to happen. Joy is more of a posture or an orientation about life than a momentary feeling which may or may not last very long.
So, Advent joy is knowing we are on a journey toward the deeper presence of God. That is what the prophet Isaiah is speaking of when he talks about the highway through the wilderness where even “fools” won’t be able to get lost. Advent joy is about encouraging one another along the way.
Advent joy is about joining the great project of God announced by John the Baptist. It is about singing with Mary the words of the Magnificat as the promise of God’s grace and mercy and righteousness.
This Sunday we celebrate Advent as a bright promise which envelopes us and leads us in a new direction toward a new life.
Jamie X

Please join us immediately after the services today for Hospitality across the parking lot in Davis Hall!
The Angel Tree gifts are due TODAY! Please drop off your gifts in the Narthex. Gifts will be distributed next week. The children of Cherokee County appreciate your thoughtfulness immensely!
COHI Adult Education Series TODAY
12/14 10:15am Community of Hope International (COHI) is offering an 8-class adult education series. The next class is 12/14 at 10:15 a.m. in Davis Hall. The speaker is Erica Schneider, and she will be discussing Never Alone Food Pantry.” Join us in a journey in learning how to do extraordinary things!
The next COHI speaker will be January 11, 2026.
DOK & ECW Combined Christmas Party Today at 4:00pm. Bring children’s socks or underwear, or feminine hygiene products to give to MUST Ministries. There will be a gift exchange, so bring a $20 gift for that event.
Lessons & Carols choral and reading service TODAY AT 6:00pm.
Tuesdays
The Men’s Group 11:30am at IHOP, 3010 Northside Parkway, Canton
Contact: stclementsmensgroup@gmail.com
The Way Bible Study 1:00-3:00pm in Davis Hall. We study the previous Sunday’s readings. For more information, please contact Susan Gensel at 706.273.9187.
The Way will not meet on January 6, 2026.
Wednesdays
Rector’s Bible Study
12:00pm on Zoom
Holy Eucharist 6:15pm
Thursdays
Grief Share 10:30am In the Vestry Room
Path to Shine 2:00-5:00pm in Davis Hall. This is a school children’s mentoring group.
Fridays
Centering Prayer 12:30pm in the Ministry Center. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. If interested, please contact Fr. Jamie (770.324.2035) or Diane Hodgins (850.338.8540).
Looking toward Advent & Christmas:
12/14: Festival of Lessons & Carols 6pm
12/17: Blue Christmas Service 6:15pm
12/21: Evensong Service 6:30pm
12/24: Christmas Eve Services 5:00pm and 8:00pm
12/25: Christmas Day Service 10:30am
Father Jamie’s Advent Word Series:
12:/7: Joy/Cara
12/14: No meeting due to COHI speaker
12/21: Love/Agape
Father Jamie’s Advent Sermon Series:
12/14: Advent: A Bright Promise, Advent as a Direction
12/21: Advent Character, Advent as the Person I am
Online Giving is available through our website www.stclementscanton.org or by the Vanco app.
Want to get involved?
Not sure where to start? Contact Brad Vaughan, and he will help you find out. Email Brad at braford,vaughan.25@gmail.com, or call 931.265.6087
Office Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am—2pm
Wednesdays: 9am-11am
Please call before coming to make sure someone is in the office.
Scan to visit our website

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Rev. Dr. James B. Stutler, rector
Rev. Peter Waggoner, Deacon
770-324-2035 Email
frjamie@stclementscanton.org

Liz Bouis, Parish Administrator
Gloria Blackburn, Parish Assistant
770-345-6722
Email
stclements@stclementscanton.org

Serving Today:
VPOD: Bill McArthur
Crucifer/1st Server: Dell Lyons
Epistle Torch: Jack Ferraro
Gospel Torch/Bells: Doug Blackburn
LEM: Doug Blackburn
Reader: Moetki Sharp
Teller: Jamie Lyons

Birthdays this week:
JoAnn Barre 12/14
Jill Bledsoe 12/15
David Cain 12/16
Cate Stewart 12/19
Amber Stovall 12/20
Ann Thompson 12/20

Anniversaries this week:
No known anniversaries this week.

TREASURER’S SUMMARY
as of September 2025
Pledges YTD $ 160,140
Total Income $ 273,960
Total Expenses $ 270,870

December 14, 2025
The Third Sunday in Advent
A highway shall be there, and it shall be called
the Holy Way

Welcome Visitors!
If you are visiting for the first time, let us know you are here by filling out a visitor’s card and ask an usher about a gift we have for you in the
narthex (foyer).

WEEKLY SERVICES & MEETINGS

Regular Sunday Services //9am Contemporary //11am Traditional
First Sunday of each month// 10am Combined Service

MONDAY
Al-Anon//12:00pm
TUESDAY
COHI //10:00am
Men’s Group, IHOP//11:30am
Bible Study: The Way//1:00pm
Alcoholics Anonymous//8:00pm
WEDNESDAY
Morning Prayer (online)//9:00am
Rector’s Zoom Bible Study//12:00pm
Women’s AA//12:00pm
Holy Eucharist//6:15pm
Bible Study//7:00pm (1st & 3rd weeks)
EYC//7:00 pm (1st & 3rd weeks)

THURSDAY
Grief Share//10:30am
Path to Shine// 2:00pm
Al-Anon//7:00pm
Alateen//7:00pm

FRIDAY
Morning Prayer (online)//9:00am
Service @ the Arbor//10:30am
Women’s AA//12:00pm
Centering Prayer//12:30pm

Address: 2795 Ridge Road, Canton GA 30114
Mailing address: PO Box 36, Holly Springs, GA 30142
Phone 770-345-6722 | Web www.stclementscanton.org

Those Who Serve Today

VPOD: Morgan 11:00 LEM: Carr

Jamie X

The Altar Guild
Dates are available for flower dedications for someone or some event special to commemorate. See the flowered notebook in the narthex and cost is $50. Please contact Trish Cole (770)-377-4348 or trishcole4@gmail.com

Utility Assistance Program
The Utility Assistance Program branch of the Outreach Committee is looking for a few more members who would be willing to man the phones once every other month. For more information, please contact Fran Lepore at 770.842.9108.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is also looking for new members. Your commitment is one weekend per month, and Trish Cole will train you and answer all your questions! Please contact her at (770) 377-4348 or trishcole4@gmail.com.
Online Giving is available through our website www.stclementscanton.org vanco app.
Welcome Team!
Do you have a warm smile and a heart for hospitality? We’re looking for friendly face to join our Welcome Team! Contact the office at 770.345.6722 for more information.
Want to get involved?
Not sure where to start? Contact Brad Vaughan, and he will help you find out. Email Brad at bradford,vaughan.25@gmail.com, or call 931.265.6087
Meal 6:45pm
EYC 7:00pm
Bible Study 7:00pm Continuing the study of Twelve Extraordinary Women exploring the lives and faith of women who changed the world through God’s grace. In the Vestry Room.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors
11/5 10:30am. Davis Hall. All members should
attend the meeting
Women’s Group/Inbetweeners
05/13 11:00a.m. J. Christopher’s, 1437 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton. Susan Gensel is the lead contact at
hickoryfarms@comcast.net
Book Club
11/11 1:30pm Discussing “Other Birds” by Sarah Addison Allen. Contact: Sallee Macknik
sallee_m@yahoo.com or (770) 714-6340
Daughters of the King 05/11 1:00pm in the Vestry Room to discuss a song by Jelly Roll. Contact Trish Cole trishcole4@gmail.com
ECW
11/18 7:00pm meeting via Google Meet. Contact Wanda Carr at wandakiddcarr@gmail.com.
ECW
05/19 7:00pm meeting in Davis Hall Contact Wanda Carr at wandakiddcarr@gmail.com.
Town Hall Meeting
11/03 After the potluck luncheon in Davis Hall. All should attend for an overview of current outreach activities including an update on Project Ball Ground Outreach.
Internet Note: If you use the internet in the church, there is new login information:
Password: caught7014alert
PIN: 72967805
Our Parish Cares for You
Our church offers a variety of Parish Care Ministries to provide support in times of need.. For more information, please pick up a brochure from the narthex of the church.
Office Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00am-2:00pm
Wednesdays 9:00-11:00am
Please call before coming to make sure someone is in the office.
Grief Share
This session of Grief Share is complete. The
Thursday
Path to Shine 2:00-5:00pm in Davis Hall. This is a school children’s mentoring group.

TUESDAY Bible Study- The Way // 1:30pm
Men’s Group, IHOP // 11:30am
Alcoholics Anonymous // 8:00pm

THURSDAY
Path to Shine // 2:00pm to 5:00pm

FRIDAY Morning Prayer (online) // 9:00am
Service @ The Arbor // 10:30a.m
Women’s AA // 12:00 noon
Centering Prayer // 12:30pm

The figure of the mysterious servant appears at least four times in Isaiah. In a narrative around 500 years prior to the birth of Jesus, the parallels with his life are remarkable. He has been sent by God to save, he is entirely faithful and obedient, and he suffers for the sake of his mission.

WEDNESDAY Morning Prayer (online) // 9:00am
Women’s AA // 12:00pm.
Rector’s Zoom Bible Study // 12:00 noon
Holy Eucharist // 6:15pm
Meal // 6:45pm
EYC // 7:00pm 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
Bible Study // 7:00pm

2017-2018 Sunday School Teachers
Grace Place 1 (Pre-School to Pre-K) Junior Anchors (Middle School)
Jennifer Morgan Katie McDonald
Chad Morgan Carlotta Ford
Jenny Cain
Grace Place 2 (K - 1st Grade) Senior Anchors (High School)
Pam York Lori Flynn
Open Position David Ford
Grace Place 3 (2nd – 3rd Grade) Substitutes
Nancy Bennett Melissa McCarty, Scott McCarty,
Open Position Tim Woltering
Grace Place 4 (4th – 5th Grade) Please take a minute to pray for these
Danette Schilling volunteers and thank them for giving
Chris Emerson of their time and talents!

Coming soon! We are in the process of working on a new Parish Directory. This one will be online, so it can be updated easily, and it wi include photos. Katie McDonald and Amanda Cerniglia will be spearheading this project and will be conducting some sessions to help everyone get onboard with the project. Stay tuned.

MUST Ministries is requesting little boy's and little girl's underwear and socks in all sizes. Please keep this consideration in mind when you make your MUST food contribution.
MUST Ministries is always looking for boys and girls socks and underwear. Need will be high in this back-to-school period. Online Giving is also available to MUST Ministries.

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