The Parish of Hythe The Churches of St John the Baptist & St Anne! Unto 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!" Luke 2. Christmas in the Parish at St Anne s & St John s - 2014 Service information for Christmas & New Year 1
Services for Christmas & the New Year DAY DATE MEETING TIME NOTES Sunday 21 st Nine Lessons & Carols 18:30 St John's Church Tuesday 23 rd Christmas party & crib service 16:00 St Anne s Church Wednesday 24 th Christmas party & blessing of the crib 16:00 St John's Church Christmas Eve Christmas Mass 21:00 St Anne's Church Midnight Mass 11:30 St John's Church Thursday 25 th Holy Communion 08:00 St John's Church Christmas Day Christmas Morning Service 10:00 St John's Church Sunday 28 th Holy Communion 08:00 St John s Church Holy Communion 09:00 St Anne s Church Parish Eucharist 10:30 St John's Church Said Evensong 18:30 St John's Church Sunday 4 th Holy Communion 08:00 St John s Church Holy Communion 09:00 St Anne's Church Morning Worship 10:30 St John's Church Epiphany Carol Service 18:30 St John's Church We wish you a Very Happy Christmas and many blessings in the New Year. St John s Hall office will be closed during the period 24 th December to 5 th January. There will be no Morning or Evening Prayer in St John s from the 29 th December to 2 nd January or from 5 th to 12 th January, both dates inclusive. Please look at the notice board at the back of the church for any additional notices over the Christmas period and the New Year. Your prayers are asked for the young people s House party at Avon Tyrrell from 26 th December to 3 rd January. Common Texts, Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Reproduced by permission. Scripture texts are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Prayers are reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright 2002 Consultation on Common Texts. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Licence number to reproduce Hymn Lyrics - CCL No.520448. Service information for Christmas & New Year 2
Sunday - 21 st December 4 th Sunday of Advent In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. WHEN WHERE WHAT WHO 08:00 St John s Holy Communion: Revd. Jo Elvidge 09:00 St Anne s Holy Communion: Revd. Jeff Watson 10:30 St John's Parish Eucharist: Celebrant Revd. Jo Elvidge Preacher Revd. Jeff Watson 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7. 1-11,16 Margot Lewis 2nd Reading: Romans 16. 25-27 Trish Murphy Gospel: Luke 1.26-38 Read by the Clergy Intercessions Jill James Hymns 26, 33, 484, 41. 18:30 St John s Nine Lessons & Carols Revd. Jo Elvidge See the order of service Communion: Everyone is welcome at the altar rail at the time of communion. If you normally take the bread and wine in your own church you are welcome to do so here. If you prefer to receive a blessing, please carry the service booklet with you as a sign for the servers. Service information for Christmas & New Year 3
Readings for the 4 th Sunday of Advent The Collect for Today God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Post Communion Prayer Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-38 Hear the Gospel of the Lord Glory to you O Lord In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Service information for Christmas & New Year 4
Notices Booklet Christmas 2014 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you O Christ Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th December - Crib Services DAY WHEN Tues 16:00 Weds 16:00 WHERE WHAT WHO St Anne s Christmas Party & Crib Service Revd. Jo Elvidge St John s Christmas Party & Blessing the Crib Revd. Jo Elvidge! Service information for Christmas & New Year Everybody of all ages, both children and adults are invited to the party to enjoy a glass of mulled wine, squash and mince pies. Children are invited to dress up as a shepherd, wise man or another nativity character, as they listen to the story of the Nativity and sing carols in this special Christmas service in which we will bless the Crib and remember the story of the birth of Jesus, Saviour of the world. 5
Wednesday 24th December - Services for Christmas Night You are invited to join with others to celebrate Holy Communion in either of our two churches in preparation for Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus. WHEN WHERE WHAT WHO 21:00 St Anne s Christmas Mass Revd. Jo Elvidge 23:30 St John s Midnight Mass Revd. Peter Murphy & Revd. Jo Elvidge 1 st Reading: Isaiah 52. 7-10 Bob Lowther 2 nd Reading: Hebrews 1. 1-12 Diana Gribble Gospel: John 1. 1-14 Read by the Clergy Readings for Christmas night The Collect for Christmas Night Eternal God,who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of your heavenly glory; 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. Post Communion Prayer 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. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen Service information for Christmas & New Year 6
Gospel Reading for Christmas Night John 1. 1-14 Hear the Gospel of the Lord Glory to you O Lord 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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 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. This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you O Christ Service information for Christmas & New Year 7
Christmas Day 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. WHEN WHERE WHAT WHO 08:00 St John s Holy Communion: Revd. Jo Elvidge 10:00 St John's Family Service Chris Lund & Revd. Jo Elvidge Preacher Sue Blomley 1st Reading: Isaiah 9. 2-7 Ann Heslop 2nd Reading: Titus 2. 11-14 June Smith Gospel: Luke 2. 1-20 Read by the Clergy Service information for Christmas & New Year 8
Readings for Christmas Day Collect for Christmas 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 Post Communion prayer 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 Gospel reading: Luke 2. 1-20 Hear the Gospel of the Lord Glory to you O Lord 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 Service information for Christmas & New Year 9
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!" 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 O Christ Service information for Christmas & New Year 10
Sunday 28 th December 1st Sunday of Christmas Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. WHEN WHERE WHAT WHO 08:00 St John s Holy Communion: Celebrant Revd. Jo Elvidge Preacher Sue Blomley 09:00 St Anne s Holy Communion: Celebrant Revd. Jo Elvidge Preacher Sue Blomley 10:30 St John's Parish Eucharist: Celebrant Revd.Jo Elvidge Preacher Sue Blomley 1st Reading: Jeremiah 31. 15-17 Pat Hill 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1. 26-29 Marian Wride Gospel: Matthew 2. 13-18 Read by the Clergy Intercessions Ann Heslop Hymns Joy to the World*, 391, 198, 163. 18:30 St John s Said Evensong Revd. Jo Elvidge Service information for Christmas & New Year 11
Readings for the first Sunday of Christmas The Collect for today Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Post Communion Prayer Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Gospel reading: Matthew 2: 13-18 Hear the Gospel of the Lord Glory to you O Lord Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, Out of Egypt I have called my son. When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had Service information for Christmas & New Year 12
been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you O Christ Joy to the world - Hymn for 10:30 service - 28th December Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the earth! the Saviour 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. No more let sins and sorrows 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. 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. Service information for Christmas & New Year 13
Sunday 4 th January Epiphany ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2 WHEN WHERE WHAT WHO 08:00 St John s Holy Communion: Revd. Jo Elvidge 09:00 St Anne s Holy Communion: Revd. Jo Elvidge 10:30 St John's Morning Worship: Chris Lund 18:30 St John s Epiphany Carol Service: Revd. Jo Elvidge Readings for Epiphany Sunday The Collect for today O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; 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. Post Communion Prayer Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Service information for Christmas & New Year 14
Gospel reading: Matthew 2:1-12 Hear the Gospel of the Lord Glory to you O Lord In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you O Christ Service information for Christmas & New Year 15
Notices Booklet Christmas 2014 To help you plan your prayers during the Christmas period Parish Prayer List At a time when we celebrate the birth of Christ, please remember in your prayers those of our congregation, friends and relatives who are unwell, or have suffered a recent bereavement. Sunday Monday Barbara Scriven Barbara Rostill Tuesday Heather Cruickshank Val Wright Joyce Dowell Wednesday Olive Van Der Plank Sue Uglow Mary Moat Thursday Rachel Davies Marian Richiardi Doreen Taylor Friday Michael Whittington Bev Ormerod Trevor & Wanda Nash Saturday Peggy Holland Edna Springthorpe Hal Andrews*!!! A happy & peaceful Christmas to all in St John s & St Anne s If you are visiting the Church for the first time and have enjoyed joining with us in our Christmas celebrations, we hope to see you again. We wish you a happy & peaceful Christmas - from the church members of St John s & St Anne s. Service information for Christmas & New Year 16