Welcome to our Holy Communion service. If you have received Holy Communion before in any church you are welcome to do so here this evening.

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1 Announcements Sunday 24th December 9am Holy Communion St Andrew s 10am Holy Communion St Andrew s 11.30am Service of the Word St Mary s Sunday 24th December 6pm Christmas Communion St Andrew s 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist St Mary s Monday 25th December 9am Christmas Commmunion St Andrew s 10am Christmas Commmunion St Andrew s 11.30am Christmas Commmunion St Mary s Tuesday 26th 10am Holy Communion St Mary s Wednesday 27th 10am Holy Communion St Andrew s Sunday 31st December 9am Holy Communion St Andrew s 10am Holy Communion St Andrew s 11.30am Holy Communion St Mary s Donation Envelopes If you are not currently using donation envelopes but would like to start, please contact the office or any Church Warden so that we can organise envelopes for 2018 for you. As we are a registered charity we can avail of the tax claw-back for all recorded giving over 250. Envelopes will be available at the Carol Services on 17th December. Thank you Welcome to our Holy Communion service. If you have received Holy Communion before in any church you are welcome to do so here this evening. Colouring materials and books are available for younger children this evening at the back of the church. We are an inclusive parish. Please take this service sheet home with you If you would like to receive information about events in the parish by please the office at sta@indigo.ie and put PARISH LIST in the subject line. Parish Office: (Mon-Fri 9-1) Fax: sta@indigo.ie Web:

2 LEIXLIP UNION OF PARISHES Financial Contributions St Mary s Church, Leixlip - St Andrew s Church, Lucan Our Church needs a steady, regular input of time, talents and finances. Why? So that we can carry out God s work and service within our community in an effective vibrant way. As a member of this Parish I/We would like to commit myself/ ourselves to contribute the equivalent of per week beginning from the 1st day of 20. My/Our preferred method of giving is : 1. Bankers order Monthly 2. Annual Payment payable in the month of 3. Weekly envelope scheme Name: Address: This commitment may be increased, decreased or cancelled by notifying the Financial Administrator To: Bank Standing Order The Manager Bank plc Branch Sort Code Number This is an instruction to: Create a new Standing Order Amend my existing standing order On / / and on the day or the nearest working day of each month thereafter and until further notice, please transfer the sum of from my account with you (No: ) and credit same to Leixlip Union Account (No: ) with the Lucan Branch of AIB Bank plc (Sort Code : ) IBAN - IE59AIBK (BIK: AIBKIE2D) Signed Name: Date:

3 Parish Office: (Mon-Fri 9-1) Fax: Web: Holy Communion 24th December 2017 Christmas Eve Welcome and Greeting Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting God, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Hymn 149 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head: The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes, I love thee Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my side Until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever, And love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there. Collect for Purity Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen. Gloria Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One. you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 8 1

4 Collect of the day Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Ministry of the Word First Reading The first reading is from the letter of Paul to Titus chapter 3 beginning at the 4th verse. When the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Gospel stand Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke chapter 2 beginning at the 1st verse. Glory to you, Lord Jesus 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 Saviour, 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! The Breaking of the Bread The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. We, being many, are one body for we all share in the one bread. The Communion Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Remember that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. Receiving of Holy Communion We welcome all who receive Communion in their own Church to receive the Holy Communion here, if that is your wish. Prayers after Communion God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem: may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord. Amen Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen. Blessing Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen. Hymn 152 See the shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem, gaze in wonder at the Son of God who lay before them: Wise men journey, led to worship by a star, kneel in homage, bringing precious gifts from lands afar, so, God is with us, round the world the message bring, He is with us, Welcome, all the bells on earth are pealing: The Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. 2 7

5 Ministry of the Sacrament Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us celebrate the feast. The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Father, Lord of all creation, we praise you for your goodness and your love. When we turned away you did not reject us. You came to meet us in your Son, welcomed us as your children and prepared a table where we might feast with you. In Christ you shared our life that we might live in him and he in us. He opened wide his arms upon the cross and, with love stronger than death, he made the perfect sacrifice for sin. Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, on the night before you died you came to table with your friends. Taking bread, you gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Lord Jesus, we bless you: you are the bread of life. At the end of supper you took the cup of wine, gave thanks, 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; do this in remembrance of me. Lord Jesus, we bless you: you are the true vine. 6 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ: dying you destroyed our death, rising, you restored our life; Lord Jesus, come in glory Holy Spirit, giver of life, come upon us now; may this bread and wine be to us the body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. As we eat and drink these holy gifts make us, who know our need of grace, one in Christ, our risen Lord. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity; with your whole Church throughout the world we offer you this sacrifice of thanks and praise and lift our voice to join the song of heaven, for ever praising you and saying: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Thanks be to you, our God, for your gift beyond words. Amen. Amen. Amen. Sit/kneel, the presiding minister says As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray 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, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever, Amen. 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. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Sermon sit 3 The Nicene Creed stand 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 of 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.

6 The Prayers kneel / sit As we gather to celebrate Christmas, let us pray to the living God. Lord God, thank you for our Church and its people, for our deacons, priests and bishops, and all who pray. Bless us all and strengthen us for your service so we can touch the world with your love. Lord God, we thank you for our world and all its beauty and blessing. Teach us your ways, your love and truth, and let your kingdom grow and flourish. Lord God, we thank you for our families, our neighbours and our friends, for the happiness of human love and sharing. We pray for your blessing on all those we love, whether present with us today or far away. Lord God, we thank you for health and strength, and pray now for your help and healing, wherever paople ache with pain and sorrow, lonliness and fear. Bless them in their need and surround them with love. Lord God, we thank you for lives well lived, and all who have guided us to you. We pray for those who have died and all for whom Christmas sharpens the loss of loved ones. 4 Lord God, we thank you for Christmas joy and all the opportunities to show our love for one another. May our love, rooted in yours, continue throughout the year. Merciful Father Accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Penitence Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. Lord, have mercy on us and write these your laws in our hearts. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, to intercede for us in heaven, and to bring us to eternal life. Let us therefore confess our sins in penitence and in faith, firmly resolved to keep God s commandments, and to live in love and peace with all. Confession Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen. The Absolution Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer of Humble Access We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen. The Peace All Stand Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Members of the congregation greet one another with a sign of peace. 5 Let us worship God in our collection Offertory Hymn 182 & Collection 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. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; christ the Saviour is born! christ the Saviour is born! 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 Minister says Accept, Lord, these our gifts, and use them for your purposes of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.