Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Prelude: On Jordan s Bank the Baptist s Cry Juliana Witt, organ
Processional Hymn Please stand and join in singing #448 in the blue hymnal O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (vs. 1-3, 6)
#448 verse 1 O love, how deep, how broad, how high, how passing thought and fantasy, that God, the Son of God, should take our mortal form for mortals' sake.
#448 verse 2 For us baptized, for us he bore his holy fast and hungered sore; for us temptations sharp he knew; for us the tempter overthrew.
#448 verse 3 For us he prayed; for us he taught; for us his daily works he wrought: by words and signs and actions, thus still seeking not himself, but us.
#448 verse 6 All glory to our Lord and God for love so deep, so high, so broad; the Trinity whom we adore for ever and for ever more.
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 All Glory be to God on High: #421 (vs. 1-3)
# 421 verse 1 All glory be to God on high, and peace on earth from heaven, and God s good will unfailingly be to all people given. We bless, we worship you, we raise for your great glory thanks and praise, O God, Almighty Father.
# 421 verse 2 O Lamb of God, Lord Jesus Christ, whom God the Father gave us, who for the world was sacrificed upon the cross to save us; and, as you sit at God s right hand and we for judgment there must stand, have mercy, Lord, upon us.
# 421 verse 3 You only are the Holy One, who came for our salvation, and only you are God s true Son, who was before creation. You only, Christ, as Lord we own and, with the Spirit, you alone share in the Father s glory.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray.
Celebrant: Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. People: Amen.
First Lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7 A Reading from Isaiah. The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
Thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth-- everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29: God the Omnipotent! King, Who Ordainest Nativity Choir
Second Lesson: Acts 8:14-17 A Reading from Acts. The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Please stand and join in singing hymn #132 in the blue hymnal When Christ s Appearing Was Made Known (vs. 3 & 5)
# 132 verse 3 Within the Jordan s sacred flood the heavenly Lamb in meekness stood, that he, to whom no sin was known, might cleanse his people from their own.
# 132 verse 5 All glory, Jesus, be to thee for this thy glad epiphany: whom with the Father we adore and Holy Ghost for evermore.
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Gary Nicolosi God s Beloved
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.
Litany for the Baptism of Christ
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism your light shines upon us, giving us the fullness of salvation. Help us to show your light to all we meet today. Lord of glory, People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism you showed us the way of humility. Strengthen us to serve you in humility all the days of our life. Lord of glory, People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism you cleansed us from our sin, making us children of your Father. Give us the grace of being a child of God to all who seek you. Lord of glory, People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism you sanctified creation and opened the door of repentance to all who are baptized. Make us servants of your gospel in the world. Lord of glory, People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism you revealed to us the glorious Trinity when the voice from heaven proclaimed, This is my beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit descended upon you like a dove. Renew a heart of worship within all the baptized. Lord of glory,. People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism you healed our wounded nature and restored us to new life. Heal the sick, comfort the sorrowful, soothe the suffering and make whole those who are broken. Lord of glory, People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O Christ, by your baptism you call us into eternal companionship with you. Have mercy on those who died in the faith of the Church and those whose faith is known to you alone. Lord of glory, People: Hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep us, your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord People: Amen.
Celebrant : Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
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 Wade in the Water Traditional Spiritual Nativity Choir
Please stand and sing The Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving: Book of Common Prayer, page 367 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.) 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 The Sanctus # S130 in the blue hymnal From Deutche Messe, F.P. Schubert (1797-1828), Arr. Richard Proulx (b. 1937)
# S130 Sanctus
Celebrant: We give thanks to you, O God for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son.
Celebrant: For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior 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.
Celebrant: On the night before he died for us, 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.
Celebrant: 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.
Celebrant: Therefore, according to his command, O Father: Celebrant and People: 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, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
Celebrant: 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.
Celebrant: Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of 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.
Celebrant: 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 say:
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 S164 in the blue hymnal From Deutche Messe, F.P. Schubert (1797-1828), Arr. Richard Proulx (b. 1937)
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 Sérénade from 3 Pieces, Op. 15, No. 1 by Agathe Backer-Grøndahl (1847-1907) Juliana Witt, piano
Communion Hymn Please join in singing hymn #120 in the blue hymnal The Sinless One to Jordan Came (vs. 1-6)
#120 verse 1 The sinless one to Jordan came, and in the river shared our stain; God s righteousness he thus fulfilled, and chose the path his Father willed.
#120 verse 2 Uprising from the waters there, the Father s voice did then declare that Christ, the Son of God, had come to lead his scattered people home.
#120 verse 3 Above him see the heavenly Dove, the sign of God the Father s love, now by the Holy Spirit shed upon the Son s anointed head.
#120 verse 4 How blest that mission then begun to heal and save a race undone! Straight to the wilderness he goes to wrestle with his people s foes.
#120 verse 5 O Christ, may we baptized from sin, go forth with you a world to win: grant us the Holy Spirit s power to shield us in temptation s hour.
#120 verse 6 On you may all your people feed, and know you are the Bread indeed, who gives eternal life to those that with you died, and with you rose.
Celebrant: Let us pray. ALL: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
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 Celebrant blesses the People: People: Amen
Recessional Hymn Please stand and join in singing #637 in the blue hymnal How Firm a Foundation (vs. 1-5)
#637 verse 1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?
#637 verse 2 "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed! For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
#637 verse 3 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
#637 verse 4 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
#637 verse 5 "The soul that to Jesus hath fled for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake, I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Postlude: Canzon V in C by Matthias Weckmann (1621-1674) Juliana Witt, organ