Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Prelude: Restoration Raymond H. Haan Juliana Witt, organ
Processional Hymn Please stand and join in singing 518 in the blue hymnal Christ is Made the Sure Foundation (vs.1-4)
#518 verse 1 Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone, chosen of the Lord, and precious, binding all the Church in one; holy Zion's help for ever, and her confidence alone.
#518 verse 2 All that dedicated city, dearly loved of God on high, in exultant jubilation pours perpetual melody; God the One in Three adoring in glad hymns eternally.
#518 verse 3 To this temple, where we call thee, come, O Lord of Hosts, today; with thy wonted loving-kindness hear thy servants as they pray, and thy fullest benediction shed within its walls alway.
#518 verse 4 Here vouchsafe to all thy servants what they ask of thee to gain; what they gain from thee, for ever with the blessed to retain, and hereafter in thy glory evermore with thee to reign.
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 Gloria in Excelsis S278 in the blue hymnal
# S278 Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
# S278 Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
# S278 For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray.
Celebrant: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. People: Amen.
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:7-9 A Reading from Jeremiah. The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
Thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel. See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
The appointed Psalm of the day: Psalm 126 When the Lord Turned Again Adrian Batten, Arr. & Ed. Crawford Thoburn Sung by Small Ensemble
Second Lesson: Hebrews 7:23-28 Reading from Hebrews The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but Jesus holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Please join in singing 371 in the blue hymnal Thou Whose Almighty Word (vs. 1 & 2)
# 371 verse 1 Thou, whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard, and took their flight; hear us, we humbly pray, and, where the Gospel day sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light!
# 371 verse 2 Thou who didst come to bring on thy redeeming wing healing and sight, heal to the sick in mind, sight to the in-ly blind, now to all humankind, let there be light!
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark People: Glory to you, Lord Christ Gospel: Mark 10:46-52 The readings are also printed in the bulletin.
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, Son of David, have mercy on me!
Jesus stood still and said, Call him here. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Take heart; get up, he is calling you. So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, What do you want me to do for you?
The blind man said to him, My teacher, let me see again. Jesus said to him, Go; your faith has made you well. Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Wayne V. Whitney
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.
Prayers of the People
Leader: For the Church of the living God throughout the world, and especially for the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Arizona, and the Church of the Nativity, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For all church leaders who proclaim the word of truth, especially Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael our Presiding Bishop, Kirk our Bishop, Jennifer our Bishop-elect, and all clergy of this diocese, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For all who walk in the way of love as followers of Jesus, and especially for the members of this parish, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For the selection of the next Rector of this parish, that the Holy Spirit will guide the Vestry in its decision-making to choose the right candidate, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For Donald our President, Doug our Governor, the members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and for all judges and elected leaders in our nation, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Celebrant: For scholars and research workers, for writers and poets, and for all who pursue the truth to the benefit of humanity, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For the sick and the suffering, the lonely and the bereaved, and for all who are in any grief, pain or sorrow in body or mind, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For all who have passed from this life in faith, and for all whose faith is known to God alone, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy.
Celebrant: 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 you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. People: Amen.
Celebrant : Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbors
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: Et in Terra Thomas Juneau Sung by the Nativity Choir
Please stand and sing as the Offering is brought forward Hymn #400 verse 7 Let all things their creator bless, and worship him in humbleness, O praise him, Alleluia! Praise God the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One: O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Great Thanksgiving Book of Common Prayer, p. 361 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 or sung.) 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 # S127 Sanctus in the blue hymnal Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Please join in singing # S127 Sanctus in the blue hymnal Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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.
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 we proclaim the mystery of faith: Celebrant and People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Celebrant: We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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 pray:
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 S155 in the blue hymnal Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
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, kneeling or sitting. 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 My Jesus I Love Thee with Etude by F. Chopin A. Gordon, Arr. Marilyn Reimer Juliana Witt, piano
Communion Hymn Please join in singing 567 in the blue hymnal Thine Arm, O Lord in Days of Old (vs. 1-3)
# 567 verse 1 Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old was strong to heal and save; it triumphed o'er disease and death, o'er darkness and the grave. To thee they went, the blind, the deaf, the palsied, and the lame, the leper set apart and shunned, the sick with fevered frame.
# 567 verse 2 And lo! thy touch brought life and health, gave hearing, strength, and sight; and youth renewed and frenzy calmed owned thee, the Lord of light: and now, O Lord, be near to bless, almighty as of yore, in crowded street, by restless couch, as by Gennesaret's shore.
# 567 verse 3 Be thou our great deliverer still, thou Lord of life and death; restore and quicken, soothe and bless, with thine almighty breath: to hands that work and eyes that see, give wisdom's heavenly lore, that whole and sick, and weak and strong, may praise thee evermore.
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 688 in the blue hymnal A Mighty Fortress is Our God (vs. 1-4)
# 688 verse 1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: for still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
# 688 verse 2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing: dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabbaoth His Name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.
# 688 verse 3 And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us: the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.
# 688 verse 4 That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth: let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, his kingdom is forever.
Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Postlude: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 720 J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Juliana Witt, organ