CHRISTMAS DAY EUCHARIST DECEMBER 25, 2014 9 AM HOLY EUCHARIST RITE TWO SAINT PETER S EPISCOPAL CHURCH P.O. Box 464, Lewes, Delaware 19958 (o) 302.645.8479 ~ www.stpeterslewes.org ~ (f) 302.645.0986 Hours: Monday Friday 8:30am to 3:00 pm ~ One License A-709423
Opening Voluntary Noël Louis-Claude Daquin (1694 1772) Celebrant: People: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. THE COLLECT FOR PURITY BCP Page 355 Hymn of Praise Angels, from the realms of glory Hymnal 1982 #93 THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray. Almighty God, you have give your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. THE LESSONS First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns. The voice of your watchmen they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s people. People: Thanks be to God. Psalm 98 Cantate Domini Spoken Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things. With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory. The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations. He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing. Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord. Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * 2
the lands and those who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth. In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity. Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-12 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son; today I have begotten you? Or again, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God s angels worship him. Of the angels he says, He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire. But of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. And, In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end. Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s people. People: Thanks be to God. Sequence Hymn Good Christian friends, rejoice Hymnal 1982 #107 The Holy Gospel: John 1:1-14 Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ. 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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ. THE SERMON 3
THE NICENE CREED BCP Page 358 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 worshipped 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. INTERCESSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS Celebrant: My sisters and brothers on this most holy day of our Lord s birth, let us pray that we may find peace, joy, and contentment in this holy season by praying for ourselves and for all those in need of our prayers saying: Lord, hear our prayer. For the church of Christ, that it may faithfully proclaim the good news of salvation and may care for the needs of God s people in all corners of the world, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For peace in our troubled world, that they darkness of war and injustice may be replaced by the light of peace and love. We remember especially those who serve our country in the armed forces and diplomatic corps, especially Zachary Shea, Phillip Bergeron, Justin Nieve, Patrick Baker, Taylor Donahue, Dr. Mark Riddle, Dylan Porter, Warren C. Smith III, Pierson Roenke, Christopher Warden, Andrew Taylor, Daniel Prall, Rob, John Landry, and Ian Marecic. We pray also for their families and for all refugees. All this we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For the sick: in body, mind or soul; that their illnesses may be turned into health and their worries in rejoicing, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For those who labor on this day on behalf of others: doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and EMT s, pilots and drivers, and all those whose work prevents them from sharing this holy evening with those they love, we pray to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. We pray especially for Packard Biddle, Matt, Thomas & Dorothy Crowley, Joanne Price, Kelly, Jill, Jason, David, Eileen, Rob & Jane, Angie Rummel, Tara, The Rev Courier, Donna, Roger, Paul, The Gemmell Family, Gerry, Connie, Zachary, Ray Wilkinson, and Ted Hagy. Pray for those in any need or trouble. During the silence, the people are welcomed to give voice to those in need who are upon their hearts. We pray to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. In thanksgiving we remember the lives of those who have gone before us in the faith, especially The Rev Courier. That we, like them, may remain faithful to the end and live forever in the light of your 4
eternal glory. Comfort all who mourn and wipe the tears away from every eye. We pray to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Celebrant: Mighty God, mercifully hear the prayers of the people who have chosen as your own. Give us zeal in our ministries and joy in our work, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen CONFESSION OF SIN Leader: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. A period of silence is kept for personal reflection. Minister & 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. 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. The Celebrant concludes with an absolution. Almighty God have mercy on your, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power on the Holy Spirit, keep you in eternal life. Amen. THE PEACE Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you. (The ministers and people may great one another in the name of the Lord) THE LITURGY OF HOLY EUCHARIST Offertory Voluntary Suo Gân arr. Gerald Near (b. 1942) ( Sleep, child, on my bosom ) Presentation Hymn Christ, to thee with God the Father Hymnal 1982 #82, stanza 4 THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Eucharistic Prayer B BCP 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 our 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. Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, in the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. 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: 5
Sanctus & Benedictus Holy, holy, holy Hymnal 1982 #S114 The Celebrant continues 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. 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. On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had give 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. 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. Therefore, according to his command, O Father, Celebrant and People: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory The Celebrant continues 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. 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. 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 St. Peter and 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. 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. Amen. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, THE LORD S PRAYER BCP page 364 (It is the custom at Saint Peter s, for those who wish, to hold hands with each other during this prayer) THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD Fraction Anthem O Lamb of God Hymnal 1982 #S158 Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION 6
All God s people are welcome to receive the Holy Sacrament, including children. If it is difficult for you to come to the rail, please notify an usher and the Sacrament will be brought to you. The Laying-On-of-Hands for Healing is offered during communion in the side chapel. Communion Hymns In the bleak mid-winter Hymnal 1982 #112 POST-COMMUNION PRAYER BCP page 365 Celebrant & People: 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. 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. BLESSING Celebrant: My friends, life is short, and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind. And may the ONE who made us, and the ONE who loves us, and the ONE who travels with us, be with you and those you love this day and always. Amen. Closing Hymn Hark! the herald angels sing Hymnal 1982 #87 THE DISMISSAL Leader: People: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God. Concluding Voluntary In dulci jubilo, BWV 729 J.S. Bach (1685 1750) 7
CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEDICATIONS Richard & Tina Jundt in memory of Charles and Sada Jundt Buzz & Terri Klopp in thanksgiving for our children and grandchildren Judy Cousins in thanksgiving for Ed, Jon, David, loving family & friends, St. Peter s community Red & Barbara Moulinier in memory of the parents of the Moulinier & Kernan families Dean & Peggy Belt in memory of Dean C Belt, Jr Judy Cousins in celebration of Ed, Ralph and Joe Nancy Grasing and family in memory of loved ones The Graham Girls in thanksgiving for our parents, Jane & Victor Graham John Michael Sophos in memory of Michael Sophos, John & Cecelia Scott Kelsey, Howard & Helen Kelsey Enderlin, Marge Kelsey, Pat Kelsey Scharf Jeffrey Ross & Sheila Bravo in thanksgiving for Morgan & Austin Helen Murphy in memory of Stephen and Cornelius Murphy Marna Cupp s family in memory of Marna Cupp Amy Orr Lear & Jane Drevo in honor of our parents Amy & Bill Orr Amy Orr Lear in loving memory of my son, Rob Orr Robert Kovalcik & Bob Howard in memory of Frank Kovalcik and Barbara & Tom Bowden Tom Sturgis in memory of James Thomas and Frances Scarborough Sturgis anonymous in memory of Deborah D. Anthony Eleanor Hodges in thanksgiving for Dan & Rebecca and Ben & Brooke Holly Sullivan in memory of Dennis King Larry & Susan Hofer in thanksgiving for our children and grandchildren Natalie Kerr in honor of Seekers Volunteers, past and present Dave & Elinor Boyce in celebration of family, friends, and Christ s birth Dennis Fitch & Michael Kearns in memory of Donald & Margaret Fitch and Charles & Dorothy Kearns in thanksgiving for Missy Fitch Gavigan 8