Welcome to the Cathedral Church of All Saints DIOCESE OF NOVA SCOTIA AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA December 24, 2012 Christmas Eve 4pm
Please excuse the shape we are in. We are currently in the midst of major restoration work to the Chancel and Sanctuary areas of our Cathedral; this will complete the work begun 3 years ago in the main body of the church and transept. As well our new Cathedral & Diocesan Center, in partnership with Shannex, is slated for opening in mid-january. A new year will bring a whole new look and functionality to All Saints - Christmas blessings and best wishes to all for a happy New Year! Prelude: "Walking in the Air" from The Snowman Howard Blake (b.1938) plus seasonal music by G.F. Handel (1685-1759); J.S. Bach (1686-1750) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Welcome The Lighting of the Advent Wreath with the Christmas Candle Reader: On this Holy Night we join the circle of our wreath with the candles of HOPE, LOVE, PEACE, and JOY. May the light of their flames cast away all doubts and fears in us and affirm God s promises of old. Reader: Tonight, we light our center candle as a sign that your promises have been fulfilled. Reader: To you is born this day, in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Tonight we celebrate the birth of Jesus, which transforms us and our world. Reader: [The center candle is lit.] May the light of this flame at the center of our wreath proclaim to one and all that Jesus has come to be at the center of our lives. ALL: Thanks be to God! Light in the midst of us, center of our story, give us courage to share your message of Hope, to live your example of Love, to strive for Peace within ourselves and in our world, and to celebrate with Joy the glory of this Christmas. Amen. HYMN 118 O come all ye faithful Vs. 1-4 COLLECT Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. As we have 4PM CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL 2012 2
known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Dear people of God: In this Christmas season, let it be our duty and delight to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger. Let us hear, and heed, in Holy Scripture the story of God s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us make this place glad with carols of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, for our forgiveness and our ability to forgive others, and especially for this country and this municipality of Halifax. And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name those who are poor and helpless, those who are cold, hungry, or oppressed; those who are sick and those who mourn; those who feel lonely or unloved; the aged and little children, as well as those who do not know the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore. Amen. (Priest) God bless us with his grace, forgive us of our sins, fill our hearts with peace; Christ give us the joy of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen. The First Reading: Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-25 God creates the heavens and the earth and gives birth to man and woman and fills them with his Spirit HYMN 123 Once in Royal David s City The Second Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 God promises to come to the rescue of his people and bring them comfort and hope. HYMN 136 While Shepherds watched their 4PM CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL 2012 3
flocks by night The Third Reading: Isaiah 7.10-25 The King Ahaz is given a vision of hope. A woman will have a child, who will bring God into our midst. HYMN 126 Away in A Manger The Fourth Reading: Luke 1:26-38 The Birth of Jesus is Foretold HYMN 120 O Little town of Bethlehem The Fifth Reading: Luke 2:1-7 The beginning of the story of the Birth of Jesus. HYMN135 Shepherds in the Field Abiding Vs. 1-2 [All Stand for the Proclamation of the Gospel] The Lord be with you And also with you. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke. (Luke 2:8-20) Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. HYMN 135 Shepherds in the Field Abiding Vs. 3-4 Blessing of the Crèche OFFERTORY HYMN 154 Joy to the World over the Gifts On this night we celebrate in word and music the great gift of your son, Emmanuel the God that comes to us, the God that dwells with us. The one who lightens the darkness of this world. By his example of love, may we be guided; by his generosity of spirit may we be moved to be generous to one another. By his call for peace and unity to all peoples may we be challenged. Bless now these gifts which we offer, even as you have so graciously gifted us. We pray in his name. Amen Eucharist for Christmas Eve Holy God, the beginning and end of all creation, we lift up our hearts this night to give you thanks and praise as we sing... Silent night, Holy Night... You willed all things into being; you established the foundations of the earth, seas and dry lands, mountain peaks and valleys deep. 4PM CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL 2012 4
You pierced the dark dome of heaven with your eternal light, suns and stars beyond numbering. You breathed your Spirit upon this sacred sphere and filled it with a myriad of life, dependant upon one another and upon you for survival; and you deemed it all to be good. All is calm all is bright... With your heavenly host who proclaim your glory we join our voices; Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! O God when the time was ripe you once more gifted us with the wonder of your creativity. Nurtured in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, you came to us in the innocence and vulnerability of a child. Cradled by lowly beasts, kept warm by their presence, and guarded by the compassion of Joseph, you fulfilled this night, the promises you had made known through the prophets of old. Human as we are, you came, willing to be dependant upon our human care and love. Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild Humble, gentle, and unassuming was his coming, yet kings were moved to seek him, while other rulers were troubled by the news of his birth. On this Holy Night we rejoice in this child in whom the fullness of your love was manifest. The very Word of God made flesh, full of grace and truth, born to deliver us from our sins, and redeem us from the powers of evil and terminal death. To save us from ourselves you chose to come down from heaven as one of us. Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. As he grew among us Jesus showed in loving those often unnoticed and forgotten by this world, the power that lies within us to transform life. Jesus took his message even to the cross where he would die, proclaiming in his great sacrifice the power of unconditional forgiveness. Yet death could not silence your Word, and in rising again he took his place at your right hand proclaiming justice and peace shall know no bounds. Your greatest gift to us, O God, came wrapped in swaddling clothes. 4PM CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL 2012 5
Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight... Rejoicing in all you have done for us, we proclaim the mystery of our faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again! Holy God, as you once visited us in the birth of Jesus, Come and visit us now, in this place, in this moment. Glories stream from heaven afar By the power of your Spirit sanctify this bread and wine, your heavenly banquet shared with us, transforming them into the Body and Blood of our Christ. We gather together no longer as strangers on this night, but as your family. We remember how Jesus, with his friends, took bread, blessed, and broke it, and shared it among them, saying, Take and eat, this is my body, offered for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, After supper, Jesus raised a cup of wine, blessed it, shared it, one to another, saying: Drink this, all of you, my blood is poured out for you and for all humankind for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born. O Blessed God, Emmanuel; by your birth amongst us heaven and earth are drawn together in harmony. Renew us in this Eucharist, so this weary world may once again rejoice in your eternal gift of Love. Illuminate our hearts and minds this night with the light that shone down on Bethlehem; dispelling all that darkens our lives and shadows us from you. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ; in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, source of all life, now and for ever. Amen. Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in 4PM CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL 2012 6
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. Celebrant: We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world. All: God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life. ALL are welcome to receive the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist, Bread alone, or to come forward for a blessing. Please receive a candle as you return to your seat. after Communion Father of all, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we who have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. CLOSING HYMN 138 Hark the Herald Angels sing The Deacon shall send us forth with these words: Depart in peace, and take with you the certain knowledge that God is always coming into the world. We will seek God, not simply in a long ago stable or ancient manger, but in the people we meet and the depths of our own hearts. May the blessing of Christmas make you a blessing to others; May the peace of the season pervade all that we do. Welcome the challenge of discipleship. We will offer ourselves as God s ministers. Go forth in hope, peace, joy, and love. Thanks be to God Organ Postlude: Fanfare on Mendelssohn by Willcocks HYMN 119 Silent Night Readers will share the light. Blessing 4PM CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL 2012 7
New Member Information Form 1. Please list the names of each family member in the space below: FAMILY SURNAME: NAMES : 2. Please give your mailing address and telephone number: 3, Email address 4. Would like Offering Envelopes or are you interested in Pre-Authorized Remittance? Envelopes: Yes No Pre- Authorized Remittance Yes No 5. Would you like a visit from the Dean? Yes No 6. Would you like a visit from a lay person? Yes No Please complete and return on the collection plate or give to a sidesperson. Thank you! Contact Us: Cathedral Church of All Saints Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Anglican Church of Canada 1330 Martello Street Halifax, Nova Scotia 902-423-6002 (tel) 902-423-1437(fax) cathedralchurch@eastlink.ca (Office email) cathedraldean@eastlink.ca cathedralchurchofallsaints.com (web) Music reproduced with permission under license #C19899 LicenSing Online Copyright Cleared music for churches