The Prelude
Please stand as you are able
The Processional Hymn: 93, Angels from the realms of glory, Bulletin, Page 16
The Gloria in Excelcis
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
The First Lesson: Jeremiah 31: 7-14
Thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, "Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel." See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Psalm: Psalm 84: 1-8
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! * My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! * they will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! * whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, * for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, * and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, O God; * and look upon the face of your Anointed.
The Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Sequence Hymn: 100, Joy to the World, Bulletin, p. 17
The Gospel: Matthew 2: 13-15, 19-23
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."
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 own 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 worshipped 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
Let us pray for the human family:
Eternal Father, you entrusted to Mary and Joseph the life of your child, Jesus. Strengthen all parents and children in the bonds of love, peace, and faith. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the household of the Church:
Creator of life, make your church a fruitful vine to all who are reborn in the living waters of baptism. May we find ourselves continually nourished and refreshed at the table of Christ’s body and blood. Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those who suffer:
Consoler of the afflicted, sustain the homeless and the abandoned. Protect the widow, the widower, the orphan. Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for all in any need, especially those on our parish prayer list, including Houng (Gladys) Adams, Nicky Baxter, Rev. Keith Coates, Trevor Chase, Carole Cramer, George Cramer, William Feeney, and Mihaek Ginotes.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the families of this community:
God of love, like a mother you nourish us with your grace. Quicken in us the seed of Christ’s word, that we might reveal his life to the whole human family. Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those who have died:
We pray that you will lift them up to live forever. We also pray for you to comfort those who mourn. Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
The Concluding Collect
Gracious God, may your favour and blessing rest upon the family which you have gathered in the name of your child Jesus. Accept the prayers we offer in his name. So may your love embrace us, 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.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
The Welcome and the Announcements
THE LITURGY AT THE ALTAR
The Offertory Voluntary
Please stand, as you are able.
The Offertory Hymn: 107, Good Christian Friends Rejoice, Bulletin, p. 18
The Great Thanksgiving - A
The Sursum Corda
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 for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
The Sanctus & Benedictus: S-125
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
The Lord's Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:
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 Voluntary
The Communion Hymn: 115, What child is this, Bulletin, p. 19
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 Blessing
The Presider gives a blessing. At the conclusion, the people respond Amen.
The Recessional Hymn: 109, The first Nowell, Bulletin, p. 20-21
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Postlude
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