christmas eve
december 24, 2023 7 pm
PRELUDE:
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #83 O Come All Ye Faithful (v.1-3,6)
Opening Acclamation
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
the word of god
old testament 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; 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 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 96:1-4, 10-13
1 Sing to the | Lord a · new | song; *
sing to the | Lörd, | all the · whole | earth.
2 Sing to the | Lord and · bless his | Name; *
proclaim the good news of his sal | va · tion 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 | äll | gods.
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.
13 He will judge the | world with | righteousness *
and the | peoples | with his| truth.
new testament 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation: #100 Joy to the World (v1,4)
The Gospel: Luke 2:1-20
Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
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.
Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
the homily: the rev. terry mcgugan
PRAYERS of the people
On this most Holy Night, O Father, we give you heartfelt thanks, for giving us the matchless gift of your Son––Jesus––born for the salvation of the world.
We thank you for establishing your Church, that nations would stream to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
We pray that, amid all the injustice, unrest, and brokenness of this world, our confidence would be renewed in the Prince of Peace––who has come to set all things right under his most gracious rule.
We pray for the sick and the suffering, the destitute and discouraged, the homeless and the homebound, the lonely and languishing, any in need or trouble that we remember before you now:
May they sense your presence, Emmanuel, God with us, Savior in suffering.
And we thank you for all the blessings of this life, including those we name now:
May we acknowledge you as the giver of all good gifts, the source of life itself, and bestower of every blessing.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
the holy communion
The Peace & Offertory Sentence
Through Christ let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his Name. But do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:14, 15
OFFERTORY MUSIC: Magnificat in G Charles V. Stanford
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden:
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Doxology
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children.
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:
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 honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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
Celebrant breaks Bread; silence is kept.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
communion music
Silent Night arr. Philip Stopford
Verse 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.
Verse 2
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Verse 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.
O Holy Night
VERSE 1
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
CHORUS 1
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
VERSE 2
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Post-Communion Prayer
Let us pray.
God our Father,
on this night you have made known to us again
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;
confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him
until the day dawns and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
candle lighting
Hymn: Silent Night
Verse 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.
Verse 2
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Verse 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
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 favor. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
recessional hymn: #87 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
The Dismissal
Jesus said: “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Let us then go in the peace of Christ this holy night and let the light of hope burn bright within us.
Thanks be to God!
Postlude: Joy To The World arr. by Fred Bock
christmas flower dedications
In remembrance of Ken Berry, Phillip (Buddy) Russell, Robert (Robin) Russell, and George Russell, Jr. by Fran Berry
In Thanksgiving for my grandchildren Tina, Jack and Brody
In thanksgiving for Ian, Moira and Megan and in remembrance of Diane Silcott by Cyndy McRae
In Thanksgiving for our children by The Bowermasters
In remembrance of the best family a person could have had growing up: Jean and Chet Sudan and Uncle Ernie Batchelder by Jeanette Sudan
In Memory of Joe and Jean Dunne
In remembrance of the Miller family and the Green family by Lizzie and John Green
In remembrance of our beloved mother and grandmothers, Betty and Audrey, and beloved husband and father, Paul. By Debbie, Sophie and Peter Jonas
In remembrance of Butch Potvin by Kathy and Dan Russ
In remembrance of Gladys Relyea Moore by Kathy and Dan Russ
In remembrance of Peronelle Schiesswohl by Kathy and Dan Russ
In thanksgiving for the for the wedding engagements of Lydia to Bradford and Zech to Kiley
In remembrance of Donna McBride by Kathy and Dan Russ
In remembrance of Randy Robbins by Kathy and Dan Russ
In remembrance of William E Fischelis by Tranda Fischelis
In remembrance of Marnie Cummins Bruso by Tranda Fischelis
In remembrance of Marian and C. Bertrand Schiultz by Tranda Fischelis
In remembrance of John & Corny Kerr by The Stein Family
In memory of my beloved husband Jack and our precious families, by Margaret Peck
Given in loving memory of Leigh Bagley by Alice Bagley
In remembrance of Uncle Kenton ...... and in celebrating the marriage of Michael and Rebecca Brown (guess how many) by Rebecca Gage Brown
In loving memory of Walter and Carolyn Shefchyk; in thanksgiving for family and friends
Altar flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Frank Egbert by Lee & Gail Egbert
In memory of Ron Wilburn, dearly loved and missed by his family and friends
In thanksgiving for family and friends at Christ Church by Christina Beaton
In remembrance of Chloe Shellady by grandparents Gordon and Vee Henderson
In remembrance of my beloved husband Hilliard Moore by Allison Moore
In thanksgiving for all my family, for Christ Church, and for all my friends by Allison Moore
In the remembrance of Lloyd Charles by Kathryn Charles
In loving memory of Charles P. James II and thanksgiving for the birth of Palmer Addison James, daughter of Charles P. III and Christa James
In remembrance of Kaki Kolb by Graham Kolb
In loving memory of Joe Ruybal by Anne and Zack Ruybal
In thanksgiving for Carter and Emilie Jones by Kimberly Jones
In celebration of our 50 years of marriage by Betty & Dick Riddell
In remembrance of Mary V Okes by the Sid Okes family