ST. JOHN’S OF LATTINGTOWN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The story, and all that goes with it, One thing that has changed since the first draws us like never before to this wonderful and Christmas is we are here, the church is here. yet haunting power of God’s incarnational love. That makes a difference. As God reaches out This is not just nostalgic, as important as to the world in love, it matters that we are here. past have been—both that first Because we are here, the story of God reaching Christmas in and our own personal out to God's people has changed. However, the histories—this is not what draws us most story now finds us living through this pandemic compellingly. After living through sadness, and the image of a closed manger like our disease, loss of jobs and death, what draws schools and businesses, and angels wearing Christians right now is hope: transformational masks may frightfully come to mind. Resist it! hope, and healing hope for our future. Because we are here, the church is the living body of Christ and we will never, ever walk in There is something in all of this that we want. darkness again. My take is—we want God to come and help us. We want God to heal this world, to bring peace The light of the baby has shined on us. and justice. We want things to get better; we We are all called to be a part of God's greatest want people to stop being mean and disrespect- gift to the world. However, our best hopes can ful; we want the Covid-19 vaccine to work; we only be fulfilled, when we reach out with God's want this birth of Jesus to happen again and to hands, and with God's voice. Now that we are keep happening here in our communities. We here, now that the church is here, we are part of want our life back. Is that even possible? the hope of Christmas. Of course, the Christmas story goes on, pandemic or no pandemic. The Yes! And the good news of Christmas is it can great miracle of the saving birth and life of Jesus and will happen. God has not deserted us; God continues. God is with us. God is for us. God has not left us alone. God still comes to us, comes to us. The light that Isaiah foretold, the pretty much as God did that first Christmas. light first seen fully in Bethlehem, that light is Fact is, the hopes and fears of all the years are still coming into the world. about the same now as they have always been. Life is more comfortable for some, less so for And now, the vestry, staff, Mother Catherine others, maybe more complicated for most. And and I wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas, still, God reaches out to us. and a very happy New Year! Christmas Blessings,

The Rev’d Mark L. Fitzhugh, Rector

1 Christingle The Film A festive welcome from Fr. Mark Fitzhugh, Rector and Mother Catherine Wieczorek, Curate

The Liturgy of Christingle Angel of : Sun of my soul, thou Savior dear, it is not night if thou be near.

Angel of Christingle: Indeed, His life is the light of mankind.

The Prophet of Christmas: Tonight, we prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child. The people of Israel longed for a King to come and lead them once again. However, this King who was to come would have no army, no great castle, and no riches. In fact, to everyone’s astonishment, this king, this long awaited Messiah, would be a mere infant. His throne would be a cow trough and his robing would be made of rags rather than silk. But, we prophets had long declared the world would be transformed by the humble beginning of a babe in a manger, and that kings themselves would come and kneel on a dirt floor to adore Him. So, tonight let us now go to Bethlehem with these kings, the Holy Family, the shepherds and the angels and enter into this sacred mystery we call Christmas.

The Prophets foretell the Messiah’s Birth Prophet of Christmas: Stop! Watch! Pay attention. Something incredible is going to happen!

Prophets: Where? When? Why? How?

Prophet of Christmas: Prepare the way of the Lord!

Prophet of Bethlehem: Make a path for our God in the desert.

Prophet of Christmas: Every valley shall be lifted up.

Prophet of Galilee: Every mountain and hill be made low.

Prophet of Christmas: The uneven ground shall become level.

2 Prophet of Jordan: Rough places shall become a plain.

Prophet of Christmas: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed.

Prophet of Jerusalem: All people shall see it together.

Prophet of Christmas: This is the promise of the Lord.

Prophet of Emaus: God’s promise shall be fulfilled.

The Angel speaks to Mary Prophet of Christmas: It’s one thing to believe in God and to pray to God. It’s quite another matter to have a message from God delivered to you by an angel. But Mary’s parents had taught her of such things knowing early on that their daughter was chosen by God to assist in a spectacular miracle. But even they couldn’t have imagined this...

Archangel Gabriel: In the sixth month, I was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.

Angel of Harmony: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the son you bear.

Angel of Love: He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,

Angel of Hope: and God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.

Angel of Joy: He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

Angel of Faith: and of His kingdom there will be no end.

Angel of Grace: For no word from God will ever fail.

Mary: How can this be, since I am a virgin?

Archangel Gabriel: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy and He will be called, Son of God.

3 Angels of Harmony & Love: For nothing will be impossible with God.

Mary: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.

Prophet of Christmas: And then the God bearer gave one of the most important speeches in human history.

Mary: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.

Prophet of Christmas: Then the angel departed from her.

Eve, Angel of Eden: When Adam and I left the garden, we knew a mother and child would bring us back.

Mary and Joseph find shelter in Bethlehem Prophet of Christmas: Do you see the road to Bethlehem? Mary and Joseph are on their way and we will go with them. Mary will be a mother and Joseph will be a father. There is a donkey for Mary to ride on, when she is tired and she can’t take another step. They are going to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. This certainly is an inconvenient time for them to make such a long journey. Can you imagine how they must have felt that night? They must have been excited and anxious. They must have been weary from travel. They must have worried about where they would stay.

Joseph: Sir, we are tired. Might you find room for us? My wife is with child.

Inn Keeper: There are thousands here in Bethlehem for the census. Can’t you see? Of course I have no room! You’ll find no shelter tonight!

Inn Keeper’s Good son: She can have my room!

4 Joachim: Yes, our grandson will find a room in every human heart!

Joseph: Mary, be not afraid. We will find a warm place for you to give birth. Look! Our donkey has gone ahead. Let’s follow him!

Mary: Look Joseph! It’s but a small stable yet it’s warm and smells of sweet hay. The barn animals have already fallen asleep. I’m sure they won’t mind if we borrow their straw to dress the trough.

Angel of Nativity Animals: The cow trough has been prepared as a throne.

Joseph: It’s a peaceful place, Mary. It seems so far away from the noisy crowds.

Prophet of Christmas: They were relieved to find a place to rest and they were filled with joy when their baby was born.

Angel of Generations: With The Christ Child's first breath this planet we call home changed forever. A miraculous love connecting all human beings and creatures, earth and stars would forever peel away the veil between this world and Heaven.

Angels share the Good News Prophet of Christmas: The shepherds were in the fields of Bethlehem quietly watching over their sleeping flocks, as they did every night, when suddenly they were blinded by a terrifically huge light from the Heavens. The shepherds jumped up from their straw mats and scrambled to their feet.

All Angels: Fear not shepherds!

Prophet of Christmas: Out of this glorious light walked the Angel of the Lord.

Angel of the Lord: Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord.

Guardian Angel of Shepherds: Children shall sing hymns of you as heroes

All Angels: This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.

5 Prophet of Christmas: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

Shepherds: Let us go to Bethlehem and find the Baby Jesus!

Prophet of Christmas: So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

Shepherds: We will go and tell the whole world what we have seen!

Angel of North Shore: He will guide your feet in the path of peace!

Angel of Lattingtown: Tonight, Lattingtown is Bethlehem and born in that town and ours, were these words...

Angel of Compassion: Love the Lord our God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Angel of Mercy: And love your neighbor as yourself.

Angel of Jerusalem: Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among all people.

The Three Kings follow the Star Prophet of Christmas: What kind of kings go on a fantastically long, hot and harrowing journey full of sandstorms and robbers to visit a baby in a shabby stable, that was of little consequence to the world? As if this wasn't all grim enough, they were forced to travel by night because the desert sun would have melted them and their camels.

But God had thought of that. Out of nowhere, a star appeared in the heavens that baffled the most brilliant minds. But, the Three Kings knew what is was. It would light their way straight to the world’s greatest treasure—a baby, that would save the world.

Indeed, in the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking;

King Gaspar: Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?

King Melchior: For we observed his star at its rising,

King Balthazar: We have come to pay him homage.

6 Prophet of Christmas: However, when King Herod heard about the birth of another king, he was jealous, and then, he was angry. He called together all the chief priests and scribes, and asked—

King Herod: Where is this Messiah to be born?

Chief Scribe: In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophets.

Prophet of Christmas: The Scribe had kept some news a secret from Herod. He feared the king’s wrath if he dared to tell him that there was talk that this infant was to become a servant king beloved by all.

King Herod: Bring me these wise men; these three kings! Now!

Prophet of Christmas: They appeared before King Herod and he learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.

King Herod: Go to Bethlehem and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him a visit.

King Gaspar: We had a dream

King Melchior: Herod wants to kidnap this baby king

King Balthazar: So he can keep his kingdom!

King Herod: I fear this child. A fear that has conquered only one heart—mine.

Angels of the Human Heart: Fear not Herod!

Angel of Wisdom: No power in the sky above

Angel of Self-knowledge: Or in the earth below

Angel of Divinity: Indeed nothing in all creation

Angel of Enlightenment: Will ever be able to separate us

Angel of Divinity: From the love of God

Angel of Devotion: That is revealed in

Angel of Transcendence: Christ Jesus,

Angel of the Wisdom: Our Lord 7 Prophet of Christmas: The Three Kings set out and when they saw where the star had stopped, they were filled with joy. Upon entering the stable, they saw the child in the lap of Mary, His mother. They knelt down and worshipped Him. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Angel of The Apple Ministry: Our gift to the baby Jesus from the Sunday School

Stable Owner: My Son, go and follow the light of this child!

Stable Owner’s Son: I will papa! I will serve our Savior!

Angel of the : Because of this holy birth, we now hold heaven in our hands. We can give it to others using this magical word Jesus spoke with each miracle—“ephphatha”—be open.

Prophet of Christmas: The Three Kings soon departed for their own far away lands to escape Herod’s plot and to bring the Good News to every corner of the earth. Meanwhile the angels, shepherds and Holy Family gathered ’round the Christ child.

Christingle Cast: We will protect this baby—the light of the world!

Lighting of the Christingle Candles Join all St John’s families and friends as we light our Christingle candles at home

Prophet of Christmas: Together, let’s now all light our candles. In the spirit of the Three Kings, we shall take the light of the Christ Child with us everywhere we go.

Anna: Look around you, there are many candles, but one light; each is the reflection of God, each the burning love of my grandson and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Angel of the Thistle: And our church which has held this light dearly for the last 100 years, will do so for the next 100 years!

Please stay tuned for Merry Christmas wishes from our children to yours at the end of this film

8 The Liturgy of the Table THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (all stand or sit)

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 our thanks and praise.

Celebrant It is a 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; by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, who was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we may be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. And so we join the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we say: Celebrant & Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, People heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

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:

All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

9 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. Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts. Let them be for us the Body and Blood of your Son. + And grant that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may be filled with your life and goodness.

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 forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Celebrant And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:

All 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, forever and ever. Amen.

10 BREAKING OF THE BREAD

The Presider breaks the bread.

Celebrant Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People Therefore let us keep the feast.

Celebrant The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by thanksgiving.

SHARE THE GIFTS OF GOD

Spiritual Communion is excerpted from Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book. © 2004 Forward Movement

The Book of Common Prayer reminds us that if one is unable to actually consume the consecrated bread and wine due to extreme sickness or disability, the desire is enough for God to grant all the benefits of communion (p. 457). When being present at a celebration of the Eucharist is absolutely impossible, this act of prayer and meditation can provide the means by which you can associate yourself with the Eucharistic Action and open yourself to God’s grace and blessing.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there, and I unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Saint Alphonsus Liguori

11 THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING

Fr Mark: May the power of the prophets and angels, the wonder of the shepherds and wise men, and the joy of the Holy Family be yours this Christmas. And the blessing of God the source of all Being, Incarnate Word and Holy Spirit, be yours this Christmas and throughout the New Year. AMEN

Fr. Mark: Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

The End and The Beginning Wishing you a Merry Christmas from the cast

12 Christingle Cast Prophet of Christmas (Narrator) Taylor Overstrom Angel of Advent Harper Fredericks Angel of Christingle Quinn Fredericks King Herod Jett Aston Scribe Philip Dilgard-Clark Inn Keeper Anthony Calheiros Innkeeper Sons Hayes and George Busconi Stable Owner Tyler Fox Stable Owner Son Brooks Fox

Good News Angels Angel of Harmony Meriwether Voris Angel of Love Virginia Sullivan Shepherd of the Blind James Sullivan Shepherd of the Homeless Gray Voris

Holy Family Mary Charlotte Dilgard-Clark Joseph Henry Davison Baby Jesus Max Gumprecht Anna, Mother of Mary Raynie Murphy Joachim, Father of Mary Jett Aston

Three Kings King Gaspar James Fox King Melchior Tyler Fox King Balthazar Will Busconi

13 The Prophets Prophet of Bethlehem Logan Moran Prophet of Galilee Keiran Moran Prophet of Jordan Travis Apple Prophet of Jerusalem Ford Apple Prophet of Emaus Isabella Dilgard-Clark

Angels of the Altar Archangel Gabriel Annesley Apple Angel of the Lord Lynnell Eatman Angel of Lattingtown Margaret Chambless Angel of the North Shore Charlotte Decker Guardian Angel of the Shepherds Zorie Hill Angel of Nativity Animals Audrey Aston Angel of the Thistle Blake Day Angel of Generations Gerda Andersen Angel of Epiphany Ellie Wieczorek Eve, Angel of Eden Sydney Apple Angel of the Children’s Apple Ministry Anna Vullin

Seraphim Angels Angel of Harmony Meriwether Voris Angel of Love Virginia Sullivan Angel of Hope Lilly Thompson Angel of Joy Grace Thompson Angel of Faith Harper Reuger Angel of Grace Scarlett Reuger Angel of Compassion Lally Argenti Angel of Mercy Virginia Argenti Angel of Jerusalem Virginia Chambless 14 Angels of the Human Heart Angel of Wisdom Davis Zarou Angel of Self-knowledge Piper Fredericks Angel of Divinity Eliza Woodhouse Angel of Enlightenment Caroline Myles Angel of Transcendence Penny Doerge Angel of Devotion Lucy Woodhouse Angel of Mindfulness Eliza Woodhouse Angel of the Transfiguration Lucy Woodhouse

Choir of Angels Angel of Empathy Amelia Decker Angel of Bethlehem Skylar Montenegro Angel of Optimism Lily Gumprecht Angel of Goodwill Nina Gumprecht Angel of Charity Maggie Blundin Angel of Integrity Kate Blundin Angel of Heroism Emilie Baldwin Angel of Gratitude Ava Reyes Angel of Courage Ashby Tomenson Angel of Honor Lily Schneider Angel of Generosity Anne Clark Angel of the Son Alia Scanlon

15 Shepherds of the Fields Shepherd of the Thistle Corby Day Shepherd of the Clergy Junie Clark Shepherd of Firefighters Jack Schneider Shepherd of Police Officers Peter “PJ” Tully, Jr. Shepherd of Doctors and Nurses Charlie Schneider Shepherd of Teachers Will Busconi Shepherd of Pets Hayes Busconi Shepherd of the Poor George Busconi Shepherd of the Homeless Gray Voris Shepherd of the Blind James Sullivan Shepherd of Good Samaritans Vaughan Reuger Shepherd of the Deaf Alex McAndrew Shepherd of Stuffed Animals Teddy Morse Shepherd of Leaders Raaf Murray Shepherd of Prosperity James Fox Shepherd of Equality Tyler Fox Shepherd of Happiness Brooks Fox

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