The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
CHRISTMAS EVE Wednesday, December 24, 2014 5:00 p.m.
A Service for the whole family with A Christmas Pageant and Holy Communion ______
The Reverend David T. Andrews, Jr., Celebrant David Christopher, Organist
BCP refers to the Book of Common Prayer. Hymns marked # and service music marked S are found in the Hymnal 1982. Hymns marked (LEVAS II) are found in Lift Every Voice and Sing.
VOLUNTARY
OPENING HYMN # 83 (vs 1-3, 6) “O Come, All ye Faithful” Adeste Fideles
1) O come, all ye faithful, 2) God from God, Light from light eternal, joyful and triumphant, lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb; O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; only begotten Son of the Father; come, and behold him, born the King of angels; 3) Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; REFRAIN: glory to God, glory in the highest; O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him, 6) Yea, Lord we greet thee, O come let us adore him, born this happy morning; Christ the Lord. Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; CALL TO WORSHIP
For many centuries, the Prophets of old times told how God would send the Christ, the Messiah, to save the world from sin and make it possible for all people to live together in peace. Two thousand years ago, the Messiah came, in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Since that time, Christians have gathered every week in Church and Sunday School to worship him, to learn about the good he did for us when he lived on the earth, and how he helps us now; and we learn how to follow him always, as our Lord and Savior. Now, let us once again hear that wonderful story of Jesus’ birth, and celebrate his coming to us.
HYMN # 107 “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” In dulci jubilo
1) Good Christian friends, rejoice 2) Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ is born today; Jesus Christ was born for this! ox and ass before him bow, He hath opened heaven’s door, and he is in the manger now. and we are blest for evermore. Christ is born today! Christ was born for this!
3.) Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save!
THE CHRISTMAS STORY
The congregation is invited to sing the carols as indicated.
"Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah"
HYMN #102 (verses 1 and 2) "ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY"
Once in royal David’s city He came down to earth from heaven, stood a lowly cattle shed, who is God and Lord of all, where a mother laid her baby and his shelter was a stable, in a manger for his bed: and his cradle was a stall; Mary was that mother mild, with the poor, the scorned, the lowly, Jesus Christ her little child. lived on earth our Savior holy.
-2- "The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary"
SOLO “Song of Mary” Katherine Young (Mary)
HYMN #79 (verses 1 and 5) "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM"
O little town of Bethlehem, O holy Child of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! descend to us, we pray; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep cast out our sin and enter in, the silent stars go by; be born in us today. yet in thy dark streets shineth We hear the Christmas angels the everlasting Light; the great glad tidings tell; the hopes and fears of all the years O come to us, abide with us, are met in thee tonight. our Lord Emmanuel!
"St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus"
HYMN #115 (verses 1 and 3) "WHAT CHILD IS THIS?"
What child is this, who, laid to rest, So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? come, peasant, king, to own him; Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, the King of kings salvation brings, while shepherds watch are keeping? let loving hearts enthrone him.
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
"The angel Gabriel appears to the shepherds"
HYMN #87 (verses 1 and 2) "HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING"
Hark! the herald angels sing Christ, by highest heaven adored; glory to the newborn King! Christ, the everlasting Lord; Peace on earth and mercy mild, late in time behold him come, God and sinners reconciled! offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; join the triumph of the skies; hail the incarnate Deity. with the angelic host proclaim Pleased as man with man to dwell; Christ is born in Bethlehem! Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the herald angels sing Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King! glory to the newborn King!
-3- "The shepherds go to the manger"
HYMN #96 (verses 1 and 3) "ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH”
Angels we have heard on high, Come to Bethlehem and see singing sweetly through the night, him whose birth the angels sing; and the mountains in reply come, adore on bended knee echoing their brave delight. Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
"The wise men are led by the star to Jesus"
HYMN #128 (soloist on verses 2-4, all on refrain) "WE THREE KINGS"
1) We three kings of Orient are, 5) Glorious now behold him arise, bearing gifts we traverse afar, King and God and Sacrifice; field and fountain, heaven sings alleluia: moor and mountain, alleluia the earth replies. following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!
"St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation"
ANTHEM “Away In A Manger” Cheyenne Cotman, Soloist
ANTHEM “Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What A Wonderful Child” Traditional Zoey Rogers and Gracie Haskell, soloist
A WORD OF GREETING
HYMN # 99 “Go, tell it on the mountain” Go Tell It on the Mountain
Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
1) While shepherds kept their watching 2) The shepherds feared and trembled o’er silent flocks by night when lo! above the earth behold, through-out the heavens rang out the angel chorus there shone a holy light. that hailed our Savior’s birth.
3) Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. PEACE The peace of Christ be always with you. And also with you.
OFFERTORY “Nova, nova” Robert Powell
HYMN # 105 “God rest you merry, gentlemen” God Rest You Merry
1) God rest you merry, gentlemen, 3) “Fear not, then” said the angel, let nothing you dismay; “Let nothing you affright: remember Christ our savior this day is born a Savior was born on Christmas Day, of a pure virgin bright, to save us all from Satan’s power to free all those who trust in him when we have gone astray. from Satan’s power and might.” O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, 4) Now to the Lord sing praises, O tidings of comfort and joy. all you within this place, and with true love and charity 2) From God our heavenly Father each other now embrace; a blessed angel came this holy tide of Christmas and unto certain shepherds doth bring redeeming grace brought tidings of the same: how that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Celebrant continues 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. God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the lord. 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.
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, 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 Andrew and Matthew 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.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional text) BCP 364
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, Alleluia.
When all have received communion and are at their places, candles are illuminated.
-6- COMMUNION HYMN # 111 “Silent night, holy night” Stille Nacht
1) Silent night, holy night, 2) Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright shepherds quake at the sight, round yon virgin mother and child. glories stream from heaven afar, Holy infant, so tender and mild, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; sleep in heavenly peace. Christ, the Savior is born! Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ, the Savior, is born!
3) 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.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O God, we glorify you, for by the power of your Spirit, Christ is born in us. Now, strengthened by this sacrament, may we joyfully reflect Christ’s presence in all that we are and all that we do; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
BLESSING
May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness. Amen.
May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.
May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
HYMN # 100 “Joy to the world! The Lord is come” Antioch
1. Joy to the world! The Lord is come: 2. Joy to the world! The savior reigns; Let earth receive her King; let us our songs employ Let every heart prepare him room while fields and floods, rocks, and heaven and nature sing hills and plains and heaven and nature sing repeat the sounding joy and heaven and heaven and nature sing. repeat the sounding joy repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
-7- 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow; 4. He rules the world with truth and grace nor thorns infest the ground; and makes the nations prove he comes to make his blessings flow the glories of his righteousness far as the curse is found and wonders of his love far as the curse is found and wonders of his love far as, far as the curse is found. and wonders, wonders of his love.
DISMISSAL Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord Thanks be to God.
VOLUNTARY “Joy to the World” Craig Phillips
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PARTICIPANTS IN THE PAGEANT
Mary...... Katherine Young Joseph...... Michael Casey Gabriel...... Cheyenne Cotman King I...... Isabel Casey King II...... Kelly Young King III...... Deborah Kraak Soloist for “Away in a Manger”...... Cheyenne Cotman Soloists for “Jesus, What A Wonderful Child”...... Zoey Rogers and Gracie Gaskell Camel...... David Rickman Page...... Sabrina Cruz Stage Hand...... Calec Perez Cruz Parent Helper - Angels and Kings...... Lucia Robinson, Anne Gibson Parent Guide - Shepherds...... Jazmyn Holt, Anita Young
SHEPHERDS ANGELS Dolores Cotman Tierney Casey Alan Cruz Elena Cruz Jose Cruz Sylvana Cruz Jazmyn Holt Gracie Gaskell Jayden Reynolds Zoey Rogers Riley Robinson Sabrina Simmons Anderson Young Anita Young NARRATOR William Young Cynthia Oates Geoff Sawyer
A Special THANK YOU to All Parents and Friends who assisted with this evening’s production
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