THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS December 31, 2017 Holy Eucharist: Rite II at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 am *For 10:30 a.m. service only *Prelude: David Carrithers Opening Procession: *Of the Father s love begotten Hymnal 82 Opening Acclamation Book of Common Prayer (BCP) 355 Gloria in Excelsis: *Angels we have heard on high Hymnal 96 v.1 The Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. THE FIRST READING: ISAIAH 61:10-62:3 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 147:13-21 BCP 804 13 Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; * praise your God, O Zion; 14 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; * he has blessed your children within you. 15 He has established peace on your borders; * he satisfies you with the finest wheat. 16 He sends out his command to the earth, * and his word runs very swiftly. 17 He gives snow like wool; * he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. 18 He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; * who can stand against his cold? 19 He sends forth his word and melts them; * he blows with his wind, and the waters flow. 20 He declares his word to Jacob, * his statutes and his judgments to Israel. 21 He has not done so to any other nation; * to them he has not revealed his judgments. Hallelujah! THE SECOND READING: GALATIANS 3:23-25; 4:4-7 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *Sequence Hymn: How bright appears the Morning Star Hymnal 497
THE HOLY GOSPEL: JOHN 1:1-18 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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ. The Sermon The Rev. Aaron D. Raulerson The Nicene Creed BCP 358 Prayers of the People Form II BCP 385 Confession of Sin and Absolution BCP 360 The Peace BCP 360
THE HOLY COMMUNION The Offertory: David Carrithers All stand *The Doxology Hymnal 380 v.3 The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B BCP 367 *Sanctus BCP 367 Hymnal S128 The Lord s Prayer BCP 364 The Fraction Anthem BCP 364 Hymnal S154 Gluten-free: Please indicate your need to the priest when receiving and a glutenfree wafer will be given. *Communion Music Solo Liz Riehl Let all mortal flesh keep silence Congregation: Hymnal 324 Away in a manger Congregation: Hymnal 101 What child is this Congregation: Hymnal 115 Postcommunion Prayer BCP 366 The Blessing Announcements *Closing Procession: Joy to the world! Hymnal 100 The Dismissal BCP 366
SERVING TODAY 8:00 a.m. LECTOR: Charlotte French, David Carrithers Server: Andy Hunter SERVING TODAY 10:30 a.m. USHERS...Hollis Babb, Matt Morris GREETERS...Maggie Muegge, TBA CRUCIFER.............Marsha Babb TORCH BEARERS...N/A SERVER...Marsha Babb EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS...Gloria Kilner, Jackie Camper GOSPEL BOOK...Gloria Kilner CLERGY CROSS.....N/A LECTORS...Brian Marr, Shari Harrison INTERCESSOR...Jim Coleman SOUND...TBA ALTAR GUILD. Jennifer Moore, Kelly Auman, Anita Duncan NURSERY...Drew Hunter CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL..... N/A YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL.... N/A CHILDREN S CHURCH...N/A COUNTERS...TBA VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH....Ray Klaver LIVING GENEROUSLY PLEDGE CAMPAIGN UPDATE Epiphany s Campaign Team would like to thank the families who have made a pledge to the General Fund for 2018. If you have not yet completed a pledge card and intend to do so, you may put it in the offering plate, mail it in, or bring it to the office. You may also call your pledge into Epiphany s Financial Assistant, Charlene Mason, at 256-582-4897, or e-mail your pledge to Charlene@EpiphanyGuntersville.org. Wonderful things are in store for Epiphany s ministries in 2018. Your gifts are appreciated! 2018 Pledged by Dollar Range As of December 29, 2017 $2,425 or less* - 45 $2,425 - $4,999.99-25 $5,000 - $9,999.99-15 $10,000 - $19,999.99-3 Total Number of Pledges 88 Total Dollar Amount of Pledges $ 287,056 Average Pledge $ 3,262 *Represents a tithe (10%) for a family of four with an annual income of $24,250. If you have questions concerning the origin of this baseline amount, please ask Fr. Aaron or Lamar Auman, Treasurer.
Rector s Corner Happy New Year! In the season of New Year s resolutions, consider A Prayer of Self- Dedication (BCP p. 832) as a good start! Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 2017 Budget Status as of Sunday 12/24/2017 Pledge Plate Total Budgeted to date $268,628 $51,003 $319,631 Received to date $258,774 $49,067 $307,841 (includes Prepaid Pledges) -$ 9,854 -$ 1,936 - $ 11,790
Week of December 31 thru January 7 Today Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. Nursery 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Monday Office Closed Wednesday Healing Service 11:30 a.m. Centering Prayer 1:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Nursery 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. Volunteers TBA Children and Adult Programs 6:30 p.m. Choir 6:30 p.m. Thursday Finance Budget Meeting 6:00 p.m. Friday Men s Breakfast and Bible Study 7:00 a.m. Room In The Inn Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Volunteers TBA Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Lectionary Class 9:30 a.m. Nursery 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Children s Church 10:30 a.m. Sr. EYC 5:00 p.m.
Let us know who you are by signing the Guest Book located on our Visitor s Table at the entrance to the Nave. See an Usher or Greeter for assistance. Devices are available to aid the hearing of the service either with ear buds for each ear or to slip over one ear if you currently wear a hearing aid. The flowers on the altar are dedicated to the Glory of God and In thanksgiving for our family and friends by Vince and Kay Meleski. The candles on the altar are dedicated to the Glory of God. IN OUR PRAYERS For all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit, especially for: *OUR PARISH FAMILY: Missy Sanderson, Tiffany Martin, King Nye, Bill Black, Mary Davis, Arlyne Black, Rachel Warnes, Hootie Woodall, Ada Perkins, Ann Marie Batts, Barbara Nye, Ellie Werden, Susan Foster, David Carrithers *OUR EXTENDED PARISH FAMILY: Tommy Guay (Shari Harrison s son-in-law), Katherine Bosi-Graham (Jim Coleman s friend), Madeleine Bains, (Ellen Perryman s daughter), Shirley Kime (Jenna Andrews s grandmother), Michelle Gardner (Bryce & Cheri Blair s daughter), Wells Warren (Priest of the Diocese), Kim Calvert & family (friends of Epiphany s parishioners), Louise Mason (Charlene Mason s mother-n-law), Regina Hayes, (Marsha Babb s friend), Rose Lyles (Cindy Bowling s mother), Susan Burroughs (Ray Klaver s friend), Bob Moses (former parishioner), Nancy Martin (Ginny McCrary s friend), Becky Cibula (Barbara Gardner s daughter), Launa Raspilair (Bickie Raspilair s daughter-in-law), Bob Payne (Bickie Raspilair s brother-in-law), Johnny Branum (Ann Branum s son), Sally Dunn (Marina Dunn s sister-n-law), Susan Stephenson (Donna Burrows daughter) **REMEMBERING: PARISH FAMILY BIRTHDAYS: December 31 thru January 6 Micky Gaines, Rick Cooley, Tara Smith OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY: Our companion dioceses of Alaska and the Virgin Islands and their bishops, Mark and Ambrose. DOK PRAYER REQUESTS: There are Daughters of the King Prayer Request cards available in the pew. Prayer requests should be placed in the prayer box at the back of the nave. The daughters pray every day. *Names will remain on the list for two months unless otherwise requested. Prayer Concern names can be submitted by placing a note in the office door mail slot or e- mailing the church office. When submitting prayer concerns, please give person s full name, the reason for prayer need, sign your name and indicate the person s relationship to our parish. **Names of the deceased will appear for one month after date of death.