St Patrick's Church, Dalkey Christmas Day, 2018 1
PROCESSIONAL HYMN 184 1. Unto us is born a Son, King of quires supernal: see on earth his life begun, of lords the Lord eternal, of lords the Lord eternal. (Men) 3. This did Herod sore affray, and grievously bewilder, so he gave the word to slay, and slew the little childer, and slew the little childer. 2. Christ, from heav n descending low, comes on earth a stranger; ox and ass their owner know, becradled in a manger, becradled in a manger. (Women) 4. Of his love and mercy mild this the Christmas story; O that Mary's gentle child might lead us up to glory, might lead us up to glory. 5. We adore him A and O, Cum cantibus in choro, let our merry organ go, benedicamus Domino, benedicamus Domino. THE CHRISTMAS GREETING I bring you good news of great joy: a Saviour has been born to you. Alleluia! Unto us a child is born, a son is given. Alleluia! India Roche places the Christ-child in the crib. Hear the words of St Luke: When the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one to another, Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. So they hurried, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia! We worship and adore him. Alleluia! 2
Lord Jesus, Light of light, you have come among us. Glory to God in the highest! THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE The Christ candle is lit by Amelia Ackland, from the Peace Light, which is carried by Matilde Cooper & Sean Coffey WELCOME CONFESSION Christ the light of the World has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins. Silence Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness to stand in your presence as your children. For we have sinned: 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 self-interest 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. ABSOLUTION 3
HYMN 155 Ding dong! merrily on high In heaven the bells are ringing; Ding dong! verily the sky Is riv n with angel singing: Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen, And iö, iö, iö, By priest and people sungen: Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers: THE COLLECT OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD PROCLAIMING & RECEIVING THE WORD THE FIRST READING Isaiah 52: 7-10 Read By Ági Duffy HYMN OF THE GRADUAL 166 Joy to the world, The Lord is come! 4
Let earth receive her King; let ev ry heart prepare Him room, and heav n and nature sing. Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns! Let all their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness. and wonders of his love. ACCLAMATIONS Today Christ is born: Alleluia! Today the Saviour has come: Alleluia! Today the angels sing on earth: Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest. THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:1-14 ADDRESS THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The response to Lord in your mercy is hear our prayer. The prayers conclude with: Almighty God, grant that through our prayers, our lives may radiate the presence of Christ, to all who dwell on earth, for he is our Lord for ever and ever. Amen. 5
THE PEACE 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. And also with you. OFFERTORY HYMN 172 (Collection is for the work of Bishop s Appeal) 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; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. God of God, Light of Light, Lo, He abhors not the Virgin s womb; very God, begotten, not created: See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh; We to the Christ Child bring our heart s oblations. Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, fain we embrace Thee, with awe and love; Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly? 6
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, in the highest: Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: CELEBRATING AT THE LORD S TABLE The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us. 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. Father, Lord of all creation, we praise you for your goodness and your love. When we turned away you did not reject us. You came to meet us in your Son, welcomed us as your children and prepared a table where we might feast with you. In Christ you shared our life that we might live in him and he in us. He opened wide his arms upon the cross and, with love stronger than death, he made the perfect sacrifice for sin. Lord Jesus Christ, our redeemer, on the night before you died you came to table with your friends. Taking bread, you gave thanks, broke it 7
and gave it to them saying, Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Lord Jesus, we bless you: you are the bread of life. At the end of supper you took the cup of wine, gave thanks, 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; do this in remembrance of me. Lord Jesus, we bless you: you are the true vine. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ: dying, you destroyed our death, rising, you restored our life; Lord Jesus, come in glory. Holy Spirit, giver of life, come upon us now; may this bread and wine be to us the body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. As we eat and drink these holy gifts make us, who know our need of grace, one in Christ, our risen Lord. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity: with your whole Church throughout the world we offer you this sacrifice of thanks and praise and lift our voice to join the song of heaven, for ever praising you and saying: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. 8
Thanks be to you, our God, for your gift beyond words. Amen. Amen. Amen. THE LORD S PRAYER THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD The Celebrant breaks the Bread. Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. All who seek God and a deeper life in Christ are welcome to receive Holy Communion. You may also come forward for the Rector to pray for God s blessing on you. To signify that you want a blessing rather than communion, cross your arms in a X over your chest. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER BLESSING May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and May, and the peace of the Christ Child be yours this Christmas. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen. The word was made flesh, and lived among us; and we saw his glory. John 1: 14 RECESSIONAL HYMN 160 1. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King; 9
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all you nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! 2. Christ, by highest Heav n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. 3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild, He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die. Born to raise each child of earth, Born to give us second birth. THE DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. 10
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The Collection from the Christmas Day Service goes towards: Church of Ireland Bishops Appeal Bishops Appeal is the Church s World Aid and Development Programme. It was set up in response to the commands in the Bible to bring good news to the poor and relief to the suffering. Examples of recent projects include: Emergency funds have been released to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to support their work responding to over half a million Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar and seeking refuge in Bangladesh. Funds have been sent to CMS Ireland for food, water, shelter and medical supplies for displaced people in South Sudan. Similarly we have released funds for South Sudanese refugees in 5 refugee camps in Uganda. Cassava production for subsistence farmers in Kenya; Rain water harvesting in rural communities in Uganda; Soya farming cooperatives in Togo; Vocational Training for Youths in Sierra Leone where there is a 70% unemployment rate; Women s vocational training in Ghana; Teacher training in Uganda; Water purification programme in a regularly flooded community in India Water and sanitation programmes in Burkina Faso; Wheelchairs for people with cerebral palsy in Uganda. Mother-Child HIV prevention in Malawi HIV/AIDS programmes in Mozambique and India Thursday SERVICES FOR THE WEEK 10.30am the sick Eucharist & Holy Baptism with prayers for Sunday 9.00am 10.15am Eucharist Favourite Readings and Hymns 12