CHRISTMAS EVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST ALL SAINTS CHURCH SAINT ANDREWS, NB DECEMBER 24, :30 PM

Transcription

1 CHRISTMAS EVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST ALL SAINTS CHURCH SAINT ANDREWS, NB DECEMBER 24, :30 PM

2 Prelude The Huron Carol Church of St. Andrew Choir Opening Hymn O Come, all ye faithful 1. Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels: Oh come, let us adore him; Oh come, let us adore him; Oh come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 2. God of God, Light of light, Lo, he abhors not the Virgin s womb; Very God, begotten, not created. 3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: 'Glory to God in the highest!' 4. See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks draw nigh with holy fear; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: 5. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: The Greeting Celebrant: Brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome on this holy night. We have come together in the presence of God our Father to rejoice in the gift of Jesus to us as the light of the world, to hear and receive the story and message of the coming of Christ, and to offer to God our thanksgiving in prayer and song. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. People: And with your spirit.

3 Gloria in Excelsis Celebrant: Glory to God in the highest, All: And peace to his 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. Kyrie All: Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. The Collect for Christmas All: Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. As we have known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Proclamation of the Word A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every warrior s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

4 Psalm 8, read responsively by verse 1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, a nd You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen even the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! A Reading from the First Epistle of Saint John Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us.

5 Gradual Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night 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 Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born! 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! 4 Silent night! Holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing "Alleluia" to our King: Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born. The Holy Gospel Reader: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John. All: Alleluia, alleluia. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.. the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor

6 of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. The Gospel of Christ. All: Alleluia, alleluia. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. The Nicene Creed Celebrant: Let us confess our faith as we say, All: I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is seen and unseen. I 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. I 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. I believe in one holy catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Duet The Sermon Offertory Hymn On Christmas Day Rev. Dinesh & Mignonne Gomes Rev d Dinesh Gomes O little town of Bethlehem 1 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. 2 For Christ is born of Mary and, gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

7 3 How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in. The Intercessions Rev d Jane Doull For loving us enough to be born among us we thank you, God. For all that we are, for all we can yet become, because of this wondrous birth we thank you, God. For your passionate, and persistent word of peace and justice and liberation for all we thank you, God. For the faith families where we find and share caring, healing, hope and welcome we thank you, God. For each relationship, each community, each time and place, each chance encounter where we glimpse and feel your loving presence... we thank you, God. As Jesus came to feed the hungry, and welcome the lonely, and raise up the poor, may we join in this work--that all may have food and shelter and safety and love. May there be peace and comfort for all who mourn losses old and new this evening, including those among us, and those known to us. May there be care and consolation for those who are ill, at home or in the hospital, including those not well enough to go out for Christmas Eve. May the song of the angels be heard by those who, like the long-ago shepherds, must work this Christmas. On this holy night may all our Christian sisters and brothers around the world welcome the Christ Child in safety and peace. As we welcome the Prince of Peace, may peace come especially to Bethlehem and Nazareth and Jerusalem--and may there be peace among all nations and all faith communities. Wrap your arms of love around all who are suffering, all who are

8 alone, all who are homeless, all who are refugees. We pray for ourselves, that we may receive your gifts of peace and joy and be forever changed. By the light of your star, may we see with new eyes, and by the warmth of the manger, may our hearts grow warm and tender like yours, may our spirits glow with your unquenchable light. With joy in our hearts, may we live out your love for one another, your love for all beings and your love for this troubled but beautiful world. In the name of Jesus, your greatest gift who teaches us to pray together in beloved community: All: 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. Hymn Away in a Manger 1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2 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. 3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there. The Confession Celebrant: Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. Let us turn to the light and confess our sins. Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness to stand in your presence as your children. We have sinned:

9 Forgive and heal us. The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus. Forgive our disobedience to your will. We have sinned: Forgive and heal us. Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger. Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. We have sinned: Forgive and heal us. The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem. Forgive our selfinterest and lack of vision. We have sinned: Forgive and heal us. The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King. Forgive our reluctance to seek you. We have sinned: Forgive and heal us. The Absolution May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour forgive us our sins and make us holy to serve him in the world, Amen. The Peace Celebrant: Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. The Peace of the Lord be always with you. All: And with your spirit. Prayer at the Preparation of the Table All: Word made flesh, life of the world, in your incarnation you embraced our poverty: by your Spirit may we share in your riches. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Celebrant: And now we give you thanks because, in the incarnation of the Word, a new light has dawned upon the world; you have become one with us that we might become one with you in your glorious kingdom. Therefore with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your holy name,

10 evermore praising you and saying, All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Celebrant: We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, 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, Father, according to his command, All: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory; Celebrant: And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. All: Amen.

11 The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant: We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world. All: God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life. Celebrant: The gifts of God for the People of God. All: Thanks be to God. All who come to the Lord s Table with repentance and faith are welcome to receive the Sacrament our Lord s Body and Blood. Communion Hymn It came upon a midnight clear 1 It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven's all gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. 2 Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. 3 And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing! 4 For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing. Post Communion Violet in the snow Church of St. Andrew Prayer After Communion Celebrant: God our Father, in this night you have made known to us again the 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.

12 All: To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. The Blessing Celebrant: Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with his grace to trust his promises and obey his will; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit rest upon you this holy night and remain with you always. All: Amen. Closing Hymn Joy to the World 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing, And heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing. 2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding Joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations Prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love. The Dismissal Celebrant: To you, O Christ, Word of the Father, we have offered our lowly prayers and humble thanks; for love of our human race you most wonderfully chose to be born of Mary, and to take our nature as nevermore to lay it by; so that we might be born again by your Spirit and restored in the image of God; to whom, one blessed Trinity, be given all honour, might, majesty and power, now and for ever. Let us depart in peace. All: In the name of the Lord. Amen. Thank you for being with us on this holy night; special thanks to all those who have participated as leaders of our worship. There is no formal collection tonight, but donations for the St. Andrews Food Bank may be placed in the plates at the back of the church. Envelopes from particular churches will be sorted and taken to the proper treasurer.