The Nativity of our Lord, Holy Eucharist, Rite II, December 24, 2022 10:30pm
Prelude
The Procession: Hymn 83
O Come, All Ye Faithful
1 O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come, and behold him,
born the King of angels;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
2 God from God,
Light from Light eternal,
lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
only-begotten
Son of the Father; [Refrain]
3 Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God,
glory in the highest; [Refrain]
4 See how the shepherds,
summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither
bend our joyful footsteps; [Refrain]
5 Child, for us sinners
poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee, with love and awe;
who would not love thee,
loving us so dearly? [Refrain]
6 Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing; [Refrain]
Word of God
Opening Acclamation
Prayer Book 355
The people standing, the Celebrant says
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn of Praise: 96
Angels We Have Heard on High
1. Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing through the night,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their brave delight.
Refrain:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tidings did you hear? [Refrain]
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]
4. See him in a manger laid,
whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while we raise our hearts in love. [Refrain]
The Collect of the Day
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light:
Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God,
in glory everlasting. Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
The Congregation is seated for the lessons.
The First Lesson
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness–
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
The Psalm
Psalm 96 read responsively
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
2 Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
10 Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the Lord when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.
13 He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.
The Epistle
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce
impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
For The Sequence: Hymn 107
Good Christian friends, rejoice
1. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
2. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss;
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door,
and we are blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
3. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
The Holy Gospel
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
People Glory to you, Lord Christ
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see– I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
[When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]
The Sermon
The Rev. Patrick Sanders
The Nicene Creed
Prayer Book 326
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.
Prayers of the People
December 24, 2022
Congregation may kneel or stand for the prayers. The peoples’ responses are printed in bold.
Presider: Gracious and Loving God, in Jesus you have filled all humanity with your divine life: Hear our prayers of joy and thanksgiving as we offer our supplications to you, saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Litanist: You have entrusted the Church with good news of great joy for all people: Inspire our witness that we may spread the light of Jesus’ love to all humanity. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Let your power and compassion guide those who exercise authority on earth, that they may be servants of peace, bringing comfort and security to all who are vulnerable. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Embrace with your eternal protection all who are poor: refugees and the displaced, those threatened by violence, and families with no place to call their home. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Fill this community with hospitality and generosity, that we may care for one another and celebrate the joy of your presence in our humanity. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to God’s people on earth.
We entrust to your divine grace all for whom we pray, especially for those we now mention aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause); all those serving our country at home and abroad; and those on our prayer list. We give thanks for shepherds and all the vigilant who work while others sleep. Hear our grateful thanksgiving for all the gifts and blessings in our lives. We entrust into your eternal arms those who have died, especially those we now remember aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause). Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Presider: Loving God, the joyful message of the angels fills us with gladness as we celebrate the coming of the Christ child to live among us in vulnerable humility: Let your divine light so dwell within us, that we may treasure your words, ponder them in our hearts, and continue the work of Christ’s incarnation in our day, through Jesus our Savior, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Confession
Prayer Book 330
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
Silence may be kept.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen.
The Bishop when present, or the Priest, stands and says
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. Amen.
The Peace
Prayer Book 332
All stand. The Celebrant says to the people
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Announcements
Oblations brought forward (congregation stands)
Offertory “Lullay My Liking” by Gustav Holst
Presentation Hymn (set to tune 618)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A
Prayer Book 361
The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest,
faces them and sings or says
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift 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.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
The Celebrant adds an additional prayer (Proper Preface) followed by
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 S129
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer of Consecration
The Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil 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.
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:
Celebrant and People say together
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
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 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 glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer Book 364
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold
to say,
People and Celebrant
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 Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread as a period of silence is kept.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Communion of the People
Wherever you are on your journey of faith you are welcome at this table.
For the Communion:
Hymn 82: Of the Father’s Love
1 Of the Father’s love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
2 O that birth for ever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race;
and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
3 Let the heights of heaven adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
powers, dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
4 Christ, to thee with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be;
honor, glory and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
Hymn 109 : The First Noel
1. The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Noel , Noel , Noel , Noel ,
born is the King of Israel.
2. They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]
3. And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]
4. This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]
5. Then entered in those wise men three
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. [Refrain]
6. Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
that hath made Heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought. [Refrain]
Post Communion Hymn: 111 Silent Night
(kneeling, candles lit and lights out)
1. Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
3. Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayer Book 366
Celebrant Let us pray.
Celebrant and people
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing
Retiring Procession: Hymn: 100
Joy to the world!
1. Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2. Joy to the world! the Savior reigns;
let us our songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
The Dismissal
Celebrant: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Messiah.
People: Thanks be to God.
Very Special Thanks to those serving:
5:00 pm
Readers: Margaret Murdock and Jane Glenn
Chalice Bearers: Sandy Joiner and Alan Young
Ushers: Derrick Hudson and Bubba Lang
10:30 pm
Readers: Christine Scarborough and David Delk
Chalice Bearers: Derrick Hudson and Kerry Hudson
Ushers: Rod Rishel and Dunny Green
Steven Jenkins and Alane Young, Vergers
JT Anglin, Organist, Choirmaster
The Rev. Scott Williams, Deacon
The Rev. Patrick Sanders, Rector
Christmas flowers are given to the Glory of God by
Vicky Reed in loving memory of Byron Reed
Leslie & Gordon Stanfield in honor of Ann Milsted, Sue Cassady, and all the Altar guild and flower guild members
Patricia Lukas in loving memory of John Lukas
Karen Pace in honor of Madeline McGuffee
The Dulaney Family in loving memory of Ida McCullough Dulaney, Marland Dulaney, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Lenwood S. Sawyer, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Earl Cronich
John Hansen in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Merle Hansen
Edward & Cleta Ellington in loving memory of Kate Ellington and Judge and Mrs. Edward Gaines
Jim & Judy Joest in loving memory of Kay Joest
Alane & Allan Young in thanksgiving to God
Ann Milsted in loving memory of David and Mary Frances Milsted
Ann Milsted in honor Penelope Khammar
Derrick & Kerry Hudson in loving memory of Cooper David Hudson
Derrick & Kerry Hudson in honor of Jonah & Dillevelyn Hudson
Rosario Feth in loving memory of Joe & John
Richard Paul Maxwell in loving memory of James M. Maxwell, Jr., & Estelle Hawkins Maxwell
Gail Louise Hendrickson in loving memory of Robert “Bobby” Rothe and in honor of Joe and Marjorie Hendrickson
