Christmas Eve
CHRISTMAS EVE
Defendente Ferrari, Adoration of the Magi, ca. 1520, Italian, J. Paul Getty Museum
Join us at 3, 5, or 8 p.m. for a joyful Christmas celebration. All services will be in the church. The 5 p.m. service will be live streamed as well HERE.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Christmas Eve
Holy Eucharist Rite Two
Service from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Congregational participation in bold
Prelude
Opening Prayer
Gathering Music
“O Holy Night” Adolphe Adam, arr. Mark Hayes, Gail Wettstein, soprano
Welcome & Announcements
All standing for the fanfare and procession of the Cross
“O come all ye faithful” Adeste Fideles, arr. Willcocks, Words by J.F. Wade
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, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God, glory in the highest;
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP 355
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
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. Amen.
“Angels we have heard on high” Hymn 96:1
Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Collect of the Day BCP 212
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lessons BCP 357
Isaiah 52:7-10
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98:1-5
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 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.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
“O little town of Bethlehem” Hymn 79:1-2
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth!
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Luke 2:1-20, all standing
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
“O little town of Bethlehem” Hymn 79: 3
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
Sermon Bishop Gary Lillibridge
After the sermon, brief silence is kept for meditation on God’s Holy Word.
The Nicene Creed, all standing BCP 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 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
For the Holy Church of God throughout the world, that as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we may grow in holiness, we pray to the Lord...
Lord Jesus, be born in us anew!
For all those who do not yet believe in Christ and for those who have lost their faith, that they may know that the Savior is born for them, we pray to the Lord...
Lord Jesus, be born in us anew!
For peace in the world, that nations may resolve their conflicts by giving themselves over to Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray to the Lord...
Lord Jesus, be born in us anew!
For those who are alone or abandoned, for the oppressed and the hungry, the homeless, for the aged and forgotten, and for children who are unwanted, abused or neglected, we pray to the Lord...
Lord Jesus, be born in us anew!
For all the sick in our parish, for our military serving overseas, for all refugees and those who live with violence as their constant companion, that they may join their sufferings to the sufferings of Christ, we pray to the Lord...
Lord Jesus, be born in us anew!
For all those who have died, that by the power of Christ’s birth on earth, they may be reborn in heaven, we pray to the Lord...
Lord Jesus, be born in us anew!
Father, the birth of your Son renews our hope. As you answer our prayers, give us grace always to bear witness to Him before the world, we pray to the Lord...
For He is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
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.
God’s Absolution is pronounced
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. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
Offertory Sentence
Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
Offertory Anthem, all seated
“Christmas Night” John Rutter
Presentation of gifts, all standing
“Angels we have heard on high” All standing Hymn 96:3
Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The Great Thanksgiving BCP 367
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
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, by 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:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord” Hymnal S-125
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
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.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
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 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,
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.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
All baptized Christians are welcome at the Communion table. To receive the Bread, place one hand over the other with palms facing upward. To receive the Wine, hold the chalice at the bottom and intinct—lightly dip the bread into the wine.
Communion Music
“Of the Father’s love begotten” Hymn 82
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be
he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
O that birth for ever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race;
and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
Let the heights of heaven adore him; angel hosts, his praises sing;
powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
Christ, to thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be;
honor, glory and dominion, and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
“Away in a manger” Hymn 101
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
“The first Nowell” Hymn 109: 1-3, 6
The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought.
“Go tell it on the mountain” Hymn 99
Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth
rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Closing prayers, sitting or kneeling
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
At this time we will light candles in silence by placing the unlit candle into the lit candle so as to not drip wax. Remaining kneeling will then sing together:
“Silent night” All kneeling Hymn 111:1, 3
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
God’s blessing is pronounced followed by the procession of the cross.
Closing Hymn
“Joy to the world” All standing Hymn 100:1-2, 4
Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; let us our songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks hills and plains,
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, 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.
Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Musicians 5 p.m.
Youth Choir
Andrew Gignac and Lauren Eberhart, trumpets
Stephanie Smith, horn; David Deering, trombone
Josh Benninger, Director of Music, pianist, organist
Jennifer Holloway, Assistant Director of Music
Hymns from Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS) II and Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP) are reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-709130.