Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Prelude: Ritournello on Liebster Jesu, Wir sind Her Aaron David Miller Juliana Witt, organ
Processional Hymn Please stand and join in singing #718 in the blue hymnal God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
#718 verse 1 God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
#718 verse 2 Thy love divine hath led us in the past, in this free land by thee our lot is cast; be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way.
#718 verse 3 From war s alarms, from deadly pestilence, be thy strong arm our ever sure defense; thy true religion in our hearts increase, thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
#718 verse 4 Refresh thy people on their toilsome way, lead us from night to never-ending day; fill all our lives with love and grace divine, and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen
Celebrant: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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. People: Amen.
Please join in singing #720 in the blue hymnal The Star Spangled Banner Vs. 1
O say can you see by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray.
Celebrant: O judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy, and especially for those who served in our Armed Forces. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share in the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Amen.
First Lesson: Sirach 44: 1-15 A Reading from Sirach The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valor; those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; and those who spoke in prophetic oracles; those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people s lore;...
... they were wise in their words of instruction; those who composed musical tunes, or put verses in writing; rich men endowed with resources, living peacefully in their homes all these were honored in their generations, and were the pride of their times. Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise.
But of others there is no memory; they have perished as if they had never existed; they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them. But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children s children.
. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake. Their offspring will continue forever, and their glory will never be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation. The assembly declares their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.
The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
The appointed Psalm of the day: Psalm 131 Sung by the Choir and Congregation
Choir: Repeat with Congregation
Cantors: O Lord I am not proud; I have no haughty looks. 2 I do not occupy myself with great matters, or with things that are too hard for me. 3 But I still my soul and make it quiet like a child upon its mother s breast; my soul is quieted within me. 4 O Israel wait upon the Lord, from this time forth for evermore. Antiphon
Choir & Congregation:
Second Lesson: Hebrews 12: 1-2 Reading from Hebrews The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Please stand and join in singing #608 in the blue hymnal Eternal Father, Strong to Save (vs. 1-4)
#608 verse 1 Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave, who bidd st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.
#608 verse 2 O Christ, whose voice the waters heard and hushed their raging at thy word, who walkedst on the foaming deep, and calm amid its rage didst sleep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.
#608 verse 3 Most Holy Spirit, who didst brood upon the chaos dark and rude, and bid its angry tumult cease, and give, for wild confusion, peace; O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.
#608 verse 4 O Trinity of love and power, thy children shield in danger s hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe er they go; thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ Gospel: Mark 12: 28-34 The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, Which commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Then the scribe said to him, You are right, Teacher, you have truly said that he is one, and besides him there is no other ; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all your strength, and to love one s neighbor as oneself, this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
When Jesus saw he answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Gary Nicolosi The Forgotten War
The Nicene Creed page 358 in the Book of Common Prayer (Please 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 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 worshiped 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.
Prayers of the People
Leader: Eternal God, you are the shepherd of our souls and the giver of everlasting life. On this day when we commemorate and commend to you those who lived and died in the service of others, we give thanks that you gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world, and that you lead us by his Spirit into the paths of righteousness and peace. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us remember the courage, devotion to duty and the self-sacrifice of the men and women in our Armed Forces: may they find healing from the wounds of war and peace in their own lives. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us remember those who were wounded in the fight; those who fell in battle and are buried at sea or in some corner of a foreign field; and especially those whom we have known and loved, whose place is forever in our hearts. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us remember those who were our enemies and whose dead lie also in a living tomb of everlasting remembrance. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us remember those who came back; those whose lives still bear the scars of war; those who lost sight or limbs or reason; those who lost faith in God and hope for humanity. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us remember the sick and the suffering, and all who are in any sorrow or grief that God may wipe away their tears and grant them peace. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us remember the continuing grace of God whose love holds all souls in life, and to whom none is dead but all are alive forever. Lord of the nations, People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant: In memory of those who died, may we be better men and women; and in gratitude to God, may we live as those who are not their own but who are bought with a price; through Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Amen.
Celebrant: They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. People: We will remember them.
Celebrant : Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbors
Celebrant and People: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
Celebrant and People: 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 delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. People: Amen.
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you. Please share a sign of Christ s peace with your neighbors.
Announcements Please be seated
Offertory: I Vow To Thee My Country Words: Cecil Spring-Rice Music: Gustav Holst/arr. James Kirkby [THAXTED] Sung by the Nativity Choir
Please stand and sing as the Offering is brought forward Hymn #400 verse 7: Let all things their creator bless, and worship him in humbleness, O praise him, Alleluia! Praise God the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One: O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Great Thanksgiving Book of Common Prayer, p. 361 Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Celebrant: 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 said or sung.) 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:
Please join in singing # WLP 858 Sanctus (American Folk melody)
# WLP 858 Sanctus (Cont d)
Celebrant: 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: Celebrant and People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Celebrant: 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 for ever. People: AMEN.
Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Celebrant and People: 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.
Please join us in singing the Fraction Anthem WLP 875 Alleluia, Christ our Passover (words on screens)
Fraction Anthem Choir: Be known to us, Lord Jesus, in the breaking of the bread. All:
Fraction Anthem #2 Choir: The bread which we break, alleluia, Is the communion of the body of Christ. All:
Fraction Anthem #3 Choir: One body are we, alleluia, For though many we share one bread. All:
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God.
The Invitation to Communion All who seek God are welcome to the Lord s Table to receive the Bread and Wine of Christ s Body and Blood. Even if you do not seek God, God seeks you. For those with special needs, you may receive either the Bread or Wine, standing or kneeling. You may also receive a gluten free wafer upon request. If you would prefer a blessing instead of communion, fold your arms across your chest.
Communion Music Your Hands, oh Lord, In Days of Old Plumptre & Cooman. Op. 509
Communion Hymn Please join in singing 667 in the blue hymnal Sometimes a Light Surprises
# 667 verse 1 Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; it is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings: when comforts are declining, he grants the soul again a season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.
# 667 verse 2 In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue the theme of God's salvation, and find it ever new; set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say, let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.
# 667 verse 3 It can bring with it nothing but he will bear us through: who gives the lilies clothing will clothe his people, too: beneath the spreading heavens no creature but is fed; and he who feeds the ravens will give his children bread.
# 667 verse 4 Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear, though all the fields should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there; yet, God the same abiding, his praise shall tune my voice; for, while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.
Celebrant: Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our Armed Forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Amen.
Celebrant and People: 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 Celebrant: God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the nation and the world, peace and concord; and to us and all his servants life everlasting. And the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and always. People: Amen.
Recessional Hymn Please stand and join in singing 594 in the blue hymnal God of Grace and God of Glory
# 594 verse 1 God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power; crown thine ancient Church s story; bring her bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
# 594 verse 2 Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways! From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise: grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
# 594 verse 3 Cure thy children s warring madness, bend our pride to thy control; shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom s goal, lest we miss thy kingdom s goal.
# 594 verse 4 Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.
Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Postlude: Fantasia on America, the Beautiful - Rex Koury, tune MATERNA, by Samuel Ward Juliana Witt, organ