Welcome to Christmas Day December 25, 2013, 10:30 am O come let us adore him Welcome to visitors! To help us get to know you we would love for you to fill out one of the Connection Cards that you will find hanging on the pew in front of you. You can hand it to our ministers, Tim or Beverley, as you leave today. LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available at the back of the church.
The Gathering of the Community Welcome Celebrant: Carol The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And also with you. O Come, All Ye Faithful Please stand. 1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the king of angels 2 God of God, Light of light, Lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb. Very God, begotten not created. Refrain O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord. 3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: Glory to God, Glory in the highest. 4 See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear. We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps. 5 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be all glory given: Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. 2 Glory to God in the highest 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. Collect for Christmas Day Please be seated. Almighty God, who gave your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and to be born of the virgin Mary, grant that we, being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through the same Lord Jesus Christ, ever one God, now and for ever. Amen. Lighting of the Advent Candle Celebrant: Christ is the Light of the world. A light no darkness can extinguish. Reading Hebrews 1:1-4 Reader: Charlotte Nissenbaum 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our people by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 3
Carol Joy to the World Please stand. 1 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. 2 Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns, Let us our 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 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. 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. Please remain standing for the Gospel. Gospel Matthew 1:18-25 Reader: Trevor Smith Reader: The Holy Gospel is written in the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew beginning at the first verse. Glory be to thee, O Christ. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 3 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Reader: 4 This is the Gospel of Christ. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
Christmas Message The Rev. Tim Haughton Have questions about this baby, or Christian faith? Spiritually exploring? Our Christian basics courses - Alpha and A Life Worth Living are being offered in Winter and Spring 2014. Go to littletrinity.org/events for the schedule. The Apostles' Creed Please stand. Celebrant: Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say, I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Prayers of the People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Please sit or kneel. Led by: John Howitt Leader: Dear sisters and brothers, God has come into our midst in Jesus. God's word has taken our flesh. That all may know God's presence bringing us together, it is fitting that our flesh should call to God in holy words of petition, saying: Lord, have mercy. That the feet of each of us might be made beautiful through our proclamation of peace at table, desk and lathe, as well as in every place where violence threatens, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. 5
Leader: Leader: Leader: Leader: Leader: Leader: That the word which conquers darkness might enlighten the blindness which keeps Christ's followers separated and at odds, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. That our celebration of God`s first-born might inquire and quicken in us protection and nurture of all human life, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. That God`s dwelling among us might lead us to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, and support those who minister to them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. That the power of the word might fill our hearts and minds, so that the gospel be preached with greater courage and strength to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. That the love of God following upon love might work for the healing of the sick especially..., let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. O God, the source of all light, your word dispels our darkness, and speaks to our hearts. As we praise you, we beg that your power overwhelm us, that all the world might find us the more perfect ministers of your presence. Thus may you be glorified this Christmas Day and for ever in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Confession and Absolution Celebrant: Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites them to his table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God s forgiveness. 6 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 neighbours as ourselves. 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 upon 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. Offertory Worship Angels from the Realms of Glory Please stand. Red Book#93 The offering plate we pass is a way for members of Little Trinity to contribute out of their financial resources to God s work. This is work that goes on right here in downtown Toronto and around the world. If you are new or visiting please do not feel obligated to give, but know that the opportunity to give to God s work is open to everyone. The Prayer over the Gifts Celebrant: Gracious God, all things come from you, and you teach us to be generous with what we have. We pray that our gifts may be wisely used for the ministry of the gospel and the relief of those in need, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. The Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. 7
Communion The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Please sit or kneel. Celebrant: Celebrant: Celebrant: 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. We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. He is your living Word, through whom you have created all things. By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh of the Virgin Mary and shared our human nature. He lived and died as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. In fulfillment of your will he stretched out his hands in suffering, to bring release to those who place their hope in you; and so he won for you a holy people. He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows, and to give up his life on the cross, that he might shatter the chains of evil and death, and banish the darkness of sin and despair. By his resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence. We praise you that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Now with all creation we raise our voice to proclaim the glory of your name. 8
Celebrant: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth of your glory are full. Hosanna hosanna hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Holy and gracious God, accept our praise, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread and gave you thanks, saying, Take, and eat: this is my body which is broken for you. In the same way he took the cup, saying, This is my blood which is shed for you. When you do this, you do it in memory of me. Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we offer you this bread and this cup, giving thanks that you have made us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of your holy Church. Gather into one all who share in these sacred mysteries, filling them with the Holy Spirit and confirming their faith in the truth, that together we may praise you and give you glory through your Servant, Jesus Christ. All glory and honour are yours, Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Church, now and for ever. Amen. The Lord's Prayer Celebrant: 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, 9
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. The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant: We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world. God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life. Communion Celebrant: The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. All those who have placed their trust in Jesus as Saviour and Lord are welcome to the Lord's table. Please follow the sidespeople to the outer aisle and gather around the rail from the front to the back. Return to your pew from the centre aisle once your whole group has received communion. Songs During Communion Away in a Manger Red Book #95 See Amid the Winter s Snow Red Book #119 1 Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Angels We Have Heard on High 3 Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King. 2 Shepherds why this jubilee Why your joyous strains prolong What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song 10 4 See Him in a manger laid Whom the choirs of angels praise Mary Joseph lend your aid While our hearts in love we raise
Prayer after Communion Please remain standing. Celebrant: Generous Creator, in faith and joy we celebrate the birth of your Son. Increase our understanding and our love of the riches you have revealed in him, who is Lord now and for ever. Amen. Doxology Celebrant: Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen. The Blessing and Dismissal Celebrant: The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen. Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please stand. Closing Carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing Red Book #112 Assisting in the Service This Morning Duty Warden: Trevor Smith Sidesperson: Elena Vandenberg Sound Board: Ed Vandenberg Chancel Guild: Elena Vandenberg Worship Leader: William Van Geest Refreshments: Elaine Dodsworth-Lever Sexton: Brian Johnson The Advent / Christmas basket arrangements are given to the Glory of God by Elfrieda, Vern and Anne Marie Heinrichs, in loving memory of Ceci Heinrichs (1965-1975). 11
The Little T Community We are a welcoming community in the heart of old-town Toronto. We welcome people from all walks of life, whether you are spiritually searching, wanting to deepen in Jesus, or are looking for a new church community. Our desire as a church community is to be transformed by God s Grace to impact our families, our work places, our city and our world. Little Trinity Anglican Church 425 King Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1L3 t 416-367-0272 f 416-367-0274 e admin@littletrinity.org Administrator Office Hours: M-Th, 9:30-3pm Prayer Chain: e prayerchain@littletrinity.org t Ext. 333 The Rev. Tim Haughton: e thaughton@littletrinity.org t Ext. 228 The Rev. Beverley Williams: e bwilliams@littletrinity.org t Ext. 223 www.littletrinity.org 12 "Little Trinity Church" Little Trinity recycles all print material. @Thaughto