The Nativity of Our Lord 24 December 2014

Transcription

1 The Nativity of Our Lord 24 December 2014 ST. MARK S LUTHERAN CHURCH 1900 ST. PAUL STREET BALTIMORE, MD Phone: Fax: On the web at: stmarksbaltimore.org A Reconciling in Christ Congregation Staff Pastor Rev. Dale W. Dusman Cantor James Harp Administrator Stephen E. Kohler Sexton Jeffrey Spangler Deacons Ernest Lehr, Connie Lisch, Sue Romanic MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of St. Mark s Church is to embrace diversity, practice hospitality, and make known Christ s presence in Word and Deed. PARTICIPATING IN THIS LITURGY: Presider Deacon SubDeacon Thurifer Crucifer Torches Lector Prayer Petitioner Greeters Rev. Dale W. Dusman Rev. Ms. Sue Romanic Mr. Richard Spittel Mr. Stephen Kohler Mr. Harold Sachs Mr. John LeBon, Mr. Louis Flake Ms. Charlotte Floyd Pastor Thomas Davison Ms. Caroline Bahr, Ms. Christine Bentley Christmas Eve

2 24 December 2014 The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve THE HYMN The first verse will be sung by Gabrielle DeMers, Soprano On a long winter evening we gather to proclaim the coming of the light. Isaiah announces that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Paul reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. In the familiar account of Christ s birth, the evening sky is bright with the heavenly host singing, Glory to God in the highest. Amid our broken world we proclaim that the prince of peace is born among us. God comes to us in human flesh in Christ s body and blood so that we may be bearers of divine light to all the world. CAROLS for CONGREGATION and CHOIR

3 ANTHEM - The Assembly will please sit Candlelight Carol John Rutter How do you capture the wind on the water? How do you count all the stars in the sky? How can you measure the love of a mother, or how can you write down a baby's first cry? Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn. Gloria, Gloria in excelsis deo! Angels are singing; the Christ Child is born. Shepherds and wisemen will kneel and adore him, Seraphim round him their vigil will keep; Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep. Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger: Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay. Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation: A child with his mother that first Christmas Day. SOLO Marias Wiegenlied Natalie Conte, Soprano Max Reger Amid the roses Mary sits and rocks her Jesus-child, while amid the treetops Sighs the breeze so warm and mild. And soft and sweetly sings a bird upon a bough: Ah, baby, dear one, slumber now! Happy is Thy laughter, holy is Thy silent rest, lay Thy head in slumber fondly on Thy Mother's breast. Ah, baby, dear one, slumber now! HYMN ES IST EIN ROS Please refer to the following page

4 ANTHEM Welcome Yule! Hubert Parry THE HOLY EUCHARIST Welcome be Thou, heavenly King, welcome, born on this morning, welcome for Whom we shall sing: Welcome Yule! Welcome be ye, Stephen and John, welcome innocents, every one, welcome, Thomas, Martyr one: Welcome Yule! Welcome be ye, good New Year, Welcome, twelfth day, both in fere, welcome, saints, loved and dear: Welcome Yule! Welcome be ye, Candlemas, welcome be ye, Queen of Bliss, welcome, both to more and less: Welcome Yule! Welcome be ye that are here, welcome all, and make good cheer, welcome, all, another year: Welcome, welcome Yule! (15 th century English carol) THE HYMN - The Assembly will please stand - ANTHEM God is With Us BRENDAN SLIGER TENOR John Taverner God is with us. Hear ye people, even unto the uttermost end of the earth. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The people who dwell in the shadow of death, upon them the light has shined. For unto us a child is born! For unto us a Son in given! And the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be Counsellor! The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Christ is born! [Text from the Orthodox Great Compline for Christmas Eve]

5 GREETING P. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. C. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome! P. May the grace and truth of Christ be with you. C. And also with you! At this point a procession forms with the Deacon bearing the image of the Christ Child to be placed in the nativity scene at the side of the church. The congregation is asked to remain standing, and to join in singing the following hymn: THE HYMN PRAYER AT THE ALTAR P. Behold, the time of salvation is at hand. Prepare, O stable, the Virgin comes to give birth. Be glad and rejoice, O Bethlehem, land of Judah, for from you our Lord has shone forth as the dawn. Watch, you mountains and hills and all you lands around Judea, for Christ in His love for the world comes to save humanity which He created. A. Let us celebrate, O people, the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, and raising our minds on high, let us go in spirit to Bethlehem: and let us look at the Virgin as she hurries to the stable to give birth to our God, the Lord of all. C. For the upright He rises like a lamp in the dark: He is merciful, full of compassion and righteousness. P. Prepare, O Bethlehem, for He who is comes to be that which He was not, and He who formed all creation takes form, granting the world mercy. A. Let us celebrate, O people, the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, and raising our minds on high, let us go in spirit to Bethlehem, and let us look at the great mystery in the stable. C. Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high, but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth? P. The Lord draws near, expectation of the nations and salvation of the world. O city of Bethlehem, prepare the stable, and you shepherds and you magi make haste. Come, O you faithful, and look upon His glory, the glory that is His as the only Son of the Father. PROCESSION TO THE CRECHE

6 P. Be astonished, O heavens, and tremble with fear, and let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For behold, He who bears the whole world in the hollow of His hand is wrapped in swaddling clothes and received as a guest in a manger. Our Savior, the Sun, rising in the East, has visited us from on high, and we who were in darkness and shadow have found the truth: for the Lord is born of the Virgin, Light of light, Brightness of the Father. You have made the whole creation shine with joy! All that has breath praises You, the image of the glory of the Father. BLESSING OF THE CRECHE P. Thanksgiving and honor and glory to You, Almighty God, Who for our salvation gave Your only Son to be born in great humility of the Virgin Mary, His Mother. Accept and bless (+) to our use this Christmas crèche, that it may set before us the great love of the Savior, and bring us with the shepherds and the kings to pay our true devotion to Whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be all praise and worship, world without end. C. Amen. P. Heaven and earth are united today, for Christ is born! Today our God has come upon earth and humanity has gone up to heaven. Light has shone upon those in darkness, and has exalted the lowly who now sing with the angels: CANTICLE OF PRAISE PRAYER OF THE DAY Please refer to the following page. P. Let us pray. Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C. Amen. - The Assembly will please sit -

7 FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2 7 PSALM SONG 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 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. 1. Sing a new song to the Lord for He has worked wonders. His right hand and His holy arm have brought salvation. Antiphon. 2. The Lord has made known the salvation of our nations. He remembered His truth and love for the house of Israel. Antiphon. 3. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out our joy. Antiphon. 4. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the Lord. Antiphon. SECOND READING: Titus 2: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 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. Lector: Assembly: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Lector: Assembly: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. -The Assembly will please stand-

8 THE HYMN GOSPEL: Luke 2:1 20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 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. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 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." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

9 THE HYMN 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, heav'nly 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 your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth. Text: Joseph Mohr, ; tr. John F. Young, The Assembly will please sit CHORALE [Candles will be collected by the ushers.] J. S. Bach Ah, dearest Jesus, holy child, make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, within my heart and there recline, and make that temple ever Thine. SERMON - The Assembly will please stand - THE HYMN CREED Please refer to the following page. 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,

10 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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 INTERCESSION PEACE Petition response: Lord, have mercy. - The Assembly will please sit - ANTHEM Georg Friederic Handel from MESSIAH, For Unto Us A Child Is Born For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: an His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6] PRESENTATION OF GIFTS THE HYMN - The Assembly will please stand - 1. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. 2. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. 3. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss. 4. What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart. CRANHAM ANNOUNCEMENTS & OFFERING SENTENCE

11 OFFERING PRAYER HOLY, HOLY, HOLY A. Let us pray: C. Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. DIALOGUE THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE - The Assembly may kneel - MYSTERY OF FAITH PREFACE CONCLUSION OF THE THANKSGIVING

12 LORD S PRAYER LAMB OF GOD DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION All are invited to partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Distribution of the bread will take place at the head of the center aisle (in front of the font), with a chalice of wine to either side. You may receive the wine from the common cup or by intinction. Please return to your pew by the side aisles. We ask that the Choir be allowed to commune first. FRACTION P. Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. C. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia! P. When we eat this bread we share the Body of Christ; when we drink this cup we share the Blood of Christ. C. reveal Yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of the bread, as once You revealed Yourself to Your disciples. P. The gifts of God for the people of God... - The Assembly will please sit - DISTRIBUTION MOTET Hodie Christus Natus Est Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck Today Christ is born, Alleluia. Today the Savior has appeared, Alleluia. Today on earth the angels sing and the archangels rejoice, Noel. Today the just exult, saying: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia. Noel. [Second Vespers Antiphon for Christmas Day for the Roman Rite] - The Assembly will please stand -

13 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION D. Let us pray. Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal we have feasted on your grace. May your Word take flesh in us, that we may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C. Amen. - The celebrant and assistants now return to the Creche for the Last Gospel. - THE HYMN Please refer to the following page. GOSPEL JOHN 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

14 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. BLESSING P. May the good news that is Jesus, the Messiah, bring you great joy each day. Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C. Amen. THE HYMN Please refer to the following page.

15 DISMISSAL D. God is with us! Go in peace. Share the good news. C. Thanks be to God. Christmas Memorials & Honoraria In Memory of: VOLUNTARY From Variations on ADESTE FIDELIS, Finale Marcel Dupré Jeremy Parker by S. Jane Parker Our parents, by Marilyn & Phillip Bernache From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Norman Luther Hanson, Mary Reed Hanson, Anna Adkins Reed, Caroline Wagner Hanson, Charles Albert Hanson, Nancy Hanson Mayer by Barbara Hanson Pauline Dusman Fuhrman, George & Gertie Dusman, Grace Sperow, Angeline R. Hoen, Ann & Norman Miller, George Asendorf, Rev. Bryce & Eva Shoemaker, Charles & Betty Rouse, Bill, Mary Jane, and Myron Smith, Rev. Leonard Quiring by Rev. Dale Dusman Loved ones by Elsa Jane & Jack Siegmund Audrey Hoffmeyer, and Harry Hood Hoffmeyer by David Hoffmeyer Henry & Minnie Arnold, Jesse & Margaret Coles by Wateina A. Coles John & Wilna Dunlop by Marion E. Malcolm Ano Miller, Harold S. Miller, Donald E. Zimmerman, Don McBee by Gene Miller & Donald Zimmerman Timothy Cook by Caroline & David Bahr The Flowers at the Altar are given to the glory of God in memory loved ones by Joseph Blout; and by St. Mark s Estonian Congregation. The Bread, Wine, and Candles are given to the glory of God and in memory James Metz by Rev. Dale Dusman. Emilie N. Welsh by Ralph R. Welsh Paul Taylor by Richard Cerullo Wilfred Phillips, Julia Phillips, Gay D. Phillips, Hope Phillips by Joan Hoyle

16 Mary Elizabeth Meintel, Lee & Jules Hohman, Mary Regina Hohman, by Lee Hohman Marie and Samuel Landenberger, Janet and Garald Yaple, Bessie and Marshall Anzmann, Louise and Sherman Nevin, Carrie and Anna Katherine Lehr, Harry, Raymond, Ernest (Sr.), Lehr, Edward, Timothy, Larry Lehr, David Rittenhouse, by Dorothy & Herbert White The Appler and Ricketts families; my mom, Helen Margaret Hanzelman; and all the people and families that raised me, by Louise & Gil Ricketts George, Ernest, Francis Colletta by Andrew Colletta Bill & Brent Schlegel; Ross & Dorothea Kruse; Cal Moreland; Fallen Soldiers by Brad Schlegel My parents & grandparents; J. Bruce Innes, Jr. by Paul K. Walker My sons and grandchildren; Nicole and Margaret Walker; Carolyn Weiss; Pastor Dale Dusman by Paul K. Walker Catherine Lukemire Ratcliffe, Madison & Grace Ratcliffe by Sylvia Lukemire My children and their families, Stephen Kohler by Harold R. Sachs nnnnn We are extremely grateful to the members of our Choir: Soprano: Contralto: Tenor: Bass: Natalie Conte, Gabrielle DeMers, Margaret Shamer Diana Cantrelle, Connie Lisch, Jessica Hanel Satava, Suzi Surrey, Eiko Wolf William Clarke, Brad Schlegel, Brendan Sliger William Krim, Tim Kjer, John Lisch, Shawn McDowell, Ben Shaver Mildred & Ira Dwight Scott by Sylvia Lukemire The Sachs family, David Klein, Rev. Ernest Klein by Harold R. Sachs In Honor of: God s love for my family and friends, and my friend, Marion Robb, by Waetina A. Coles The John Malcolm Family, Beth & Tim Schoon by Marion E. Malcolm Carole Conors, Pope Francis by Gene Miller & Donald Zimmerman Andrew & Johanna Neale, Jonathan & Amy Bahr by Caroline & David Bahr The Congregation of St. Mark s Church by James Hicks My friends at St. Mark s by Andrew Colletta All Veterans, St. Mark s Choir by Brad Schlegel ANNOUNCEMENTS: We welcome everyone to this festival celebration of the Nativity of our Lord! Following the liturgy, everyone is invited to join us in Lehr Hall for the annual Christmas Reception. We are happy to have our visitors with us, and we welcome the opportunity to greet you! A very deep thank you to James Harp and the members of St. Mark s Choir! Thank you to all who so generously contributed to the decoration of the church, and to those who gave of their time to assist in the decorating of the church, and the cleaning of the brass, the placement of flowers, cooking for tonight s reception, and all else that enables us to so joyfully celebrate this feast! Pastor Dusman and the Staff take this opportunity to say Thank You to all who have remembered us with special kindness at Christmas. We, in turn, would extend to all members and friends our heartfelt wishes for a very happy and blessed Christmas!