The Prelude: Noel Grand Jeu et Duo, D’Aquin & Lo How a Rose, Brahms
The Bidding
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.
It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants; for Jesus’ sake. For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation—-the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, who has poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Beloved in Christ, in this Christmastide, let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this Holy Child, and let us make this place glad about our carols of praise.
But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city.
And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.
Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all.
Amen.
The Station at the Lady Chapel
Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what God has done for me, alleluia.
Be joyful in God, all you lands; sing the glory of God’s Name; sing the glory of God’s praise.
Let us pray.
Father in heaven, by your grace the Virgin Mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honour the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
The Solemn Procession
The Processional Hymn: 83 (vs. 1-3), O come all ye faithful, Bulletin, p. 22
The Station at the Christmas Crèche
Baby Jesus will be carried to the crèche by Aidan Mahon.
The glory of the Lord has been revealed:
And all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.
Let us pray.
O God our Creator, to restore our fallen race you spoke the effectual word, and the Eternal Word became flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mercifully grant that as he humbled himself to be clothed with our humanity, so we may be found worthy, in him, to be clothed with his divinity; who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.
The Processional Hymn: 83 (vs. 4-6), O come all ye faithful, Bulletin, p. 22
The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
Dear friends in Christ, on this most holy night, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image. Many thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant. Twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges. One thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel. In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the City of Rome. The forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; the whole world being at peace: Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary. Tonight is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
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.
The Liturgy of the Word
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 Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Psalm: Cantate Domino, Psalm 96
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 a-/mong the /nations * and his /wonders a-/mong 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 mag-/nificence 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 in-/to his /courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the /beauty of /holiness; * let the /whole earth /tremble be-/fore 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 there-/in.
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.
Part B
13 He will judge the /world with /righteousness * and the /peoples /with his /truth.
The Second Lesson: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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Sequence Hymn: 94, While shepherds watched their flocks by night, Bulletin, p. 23
The Gospel: Luke 2: 8-20
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
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 favours!"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 Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Christ.
The Sermon: The Rev’d. Hank Tuell
The Nicene Creed
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
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.
You have entrusted the Church with good news of great joy for all people: Inspire the witness of our parish community that we may spread the light of Jesus’ love to all humanity.
(Pause for silent prayer)
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.
(Pause for silent prayer)
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.
(Pause for silent prayer)
Glory to God in the highest heaven;
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Fill St. John’s Church with hospitality and generosity, that we may care for one another and for all people, and celebrate the joy of your presence in our humanity.
(Pause for silent prayer)
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, remembering silently or aloud those whom we carry on our hearts. We give thanks for shepherds and all the vigilant that 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. Grant them a place in your everlasting Kingdom
(Pause for silent prayer)
Glory to God in the highest heaven;
and peace to God’s people on earth.
The Concluding Collect
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 forever.
Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
The Welcome and the Announcements
The Liturgy at the Altar
The Offertory Anthem: In the Bleak Midwinter
The Offertory Hymn: 79, O little town of Bethlehem, Bulletin, p. 24
The Great Thanksgiving - A
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
The Sanctus & Benedictus: S-125
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 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:
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 honour and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever.
The Great Amen
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:
In German
Vater Unser, der Du bist im Himmel, geheiligt werde Dein Name, Dein Reich komme, Dein Wille geschehe, wie im Himmel, so auch auf Erden, unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute, und vergib uns unsere Schuld, wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern, und führe uns nicht in Versuchung, sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen. Denn Dein ist das Reich und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit, Amen.
In Hindi हे हमारे स्वरगिक पिता, तेरा नाम पवित्र माना जाए, तेरा राज्य अाए, तेरी इच्छा जैसे स्वर्ग मे॑ पूरी होती है॑,
वैसे पर्िथ्वी पर भी हो, आज हमे॑ उतना भोजन दे, जो हमारे लिए आवश्क है, हमारे अपराध शमा कर,
जैसे हम दूसरो के अपराध शमा करते है, हमारे विश्वास को मत परख पर॑तु हमे शैतान से बचा.
The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
The Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Fraction Anthem: S-161
The Invitation
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
The Communion
Note: As mandated by The Bishop, only the Celebrant will administer Communion (Bread Only). The Clergy’s hands have been properly washed and sanitized. Please wait to be directed.
The Communion Anthem: Star Child
The Communion Hymn: 101, Away in a manger, Bulletin, p. 25
The Post Communion Prayer
Let us pray.
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 Solemn Prayer Over the People
Father of all, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we who have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The acolytes will now bring the Christmas light into the congregation. All are invited to light their candles at this time.
After the dismissal, the candles may be extinguished.
The Candlelight Hymn: 111, Silent night, holy night, Bulletin, p. 26
The Blessing
May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness.
Amen.
May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the
Savior’s birth, fill you with joy and make you heralds of the Gospel.
Amen.
May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favour.
Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever.
Amen.
The Recessional Hymn: 87, Hark! The herald angels sing, Bulletin, p. 27
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
After the dismissal, the candles may be extinguished and deposited in receptacles at the back of the church.
The Postlude: Chaconne, L. Couperin