HOLY COMMUNION 11 pm Christmas Eve

SERVICE OUTLINE: Service Date: 12/24/2020
11 pm Christmas Eve - HOLY EUCHARIST RITE II
(In One Kind \ with Prayer of Spiritual Communion) 

​4 Hymn Prelude: "Hark! The Herald Angel Sing"
                             "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
                             "The First Noel"
                             "Silent Night"
Bell Ringing

Opening Hymn  83 "O Come, All Ye Faithful"  Verses 1, 2 +3
Opening sentences pg. 355 Book of Common Prayer
Gloria   pg. 356 Book of Common Prayer
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.
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.
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.

The Collect
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 WORD of GOD
 
The First Lesson:    Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation, 
who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins 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.
 
Lector: The Word of the Lord
Response: Thanks be to God
 
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96  Cantor: Tom Wells        
                   "Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord"
 
The Second Lesson:   Hebrews 1:1-12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made 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."
 
Lector: The Word of the Lord
Response: Thanks be to God
 
Sequence Hymn: 94  "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night"

The Gospel: John 1:1-14        - Fr Mike
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
Response: 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.

Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord
Response: Praise to you, Lord Christ
 
Sermon - Fr Mike
Prayer before the Sermon: Lord, you have promised that when two or three gather in your name you will be present with them. We depend on that promise today and pray that you will move among us. Lord, we pray that have you inspired Mike's preparation, that you will enliven his presentation and that you will empower our application. Amen

The Nicene Creed  pg. 358 Book of Common Prayer

The Prayers of the People:  Form VI (with additions) pg. 392
Lector: In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
(Silence)
Lector: For all people in their daily life and work;
Response: For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

Lector: For this community, the nation, and the world;
Response: For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

Lector: For the just and proper use of your creation;
Response: For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

Lector: For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
Response: For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

Lector: For the peace and unity of the Church of God
Response: For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

Lector: For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and Mark, our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers;
Response: For all who serve God in his Church.

Lector: For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
(Silence)
Let us turn our hearts to those in need in our Parish and pray for those whose need our prayer.
I invite your petitions
(Silence)
Lector: Hear us, Lord;
Response: For your mercy is great.

Lector: We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
(Silence)
Lector: Let us turn our hearts to the blessings which we have received as a Parish and thank the Lord for all His blessings.
I invite your thanksgivings
(Silence)
Lector: We will exalt you, O God our King;
Response: And praise your Name for ever and ever.

Lector: We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
I invite your petitions
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Response: Who put their trust in you.

Lector: We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
(Silence)
Lector and People together:
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. Amen

The Peace:  pg. 360 Book of Common Prayer
The Collect for Stewardship  (Book of Common Prayer 259)
(as we cannot pass the collection plate at this time we pray this prayer to keep us mindful of the needs of Christ Church and our responsibility for stewardship)
 
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the
needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for
your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the
account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards
of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God,
for ever and ever;
Amen.
 
HOLY EUCHARIST RITE II
(All Recited)
Setting of the Table  (soft organ music)
The Great Thanksgiving  (Eucharistic Prayer A) 
Sursum Corda (recited) pg. 361  Book of Common Prayer
The Preface "It is a good, right and joyful thing...
Sanctus  "Sanctus" R. Proulx recited
Service continues on pg. 362 Book of Common Prayer
Holy and gracious father...

The Memorial Acclamation:
"Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again"

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.

The Breaking of the Bread - pg. 364 Book of Common Prayer
Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Response: Therefore let us keep the fest. Alleluia
Lamb of God: "Lamb of God"
The Gifts of God...

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion, from The Prayer Book for the Armed Services:
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
 
Communion Hymn: 115  "What Child is This" organ music only

Service continues on pg. 365
After Communion:
"Let us pray:
Eternal God, heavenly Father...

The Blessing
Closing Hymn: 100 "Joy to the World the Lord Has Come" verses 1+2
Benediction Jude 24 - 25 (New King James Version)
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.  AMEN

Dismissal: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

Postlude " Angels We Have Heard On High"