St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Welcome We are delighted you are here. Whoever you are and wherever you might be on your spiritual journey, we hope your experience here will encourage and strengthen you. We are sure that your presence here today strengthens and encourages others. Every weekend we offer several different services of worship (Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall, and Sunday at 8, 9 and 11:15 a.m., and 5:30 and 8 p.m.), each with its own character. At 9 a.m. Sunday, there are two services happening simultaneously–one in the main church, and the other in the smaller brick chapel known as “Palmer Hall.” The 9 a.m. service in Palmer Hall involves conversational instruction about the worship experience in a more intimate space. The service in the main church is intended to be equally welcoming, without conversational instruction, and the setting feels to some more transcendent. Both of these services have important roles for children, and people of all ages are most welcome at any of our services. You might enjoy experimenting, in order to find the service that is most helpful to you. All are welcome to receive Communion. In the pew racks are instructions about receiving the bread and wine, but please do not worry about “doing it right.” The important thing is simply that you know that God welcomes you, and there is no telling how God might reach you in Communion. Just be open. You are always welcome here. Gary D. Jones, Rector Christmas Day December 25, 2018 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two & Carols 10:30 a.m. In order to prepare for worship and allow for private prayer, we ask that silence be observed upon entering the nave. Prelude Prelude on What Child is This Richard Purvis Hymn 83 O come, all ye faithful vv.1-3, 6 as marked with an asterisk. Adeste fideles Sung by all, standing. THE WORD OF GOD Opening Acclamation The Book of Common Prayer, page 355 Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for Purity Said by all. Prayer Book, page 355 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. Hymn 96 Angels we have heard on high Sung by all. Gloria 1 The Collect of the Day Prayer Book, page 212 Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. Silence is kept. 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 First Lesson Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7 Please sit. King James Version The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Silence is kept. Psalm 96:1-4, 11-12 Sung by the choir. arr. Gerre Hancock 1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the whole earth. 2 Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. 4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; he is more to be feared than all gods. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein. 12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the LORD when he comes, when he comes to judge the earth. Silence is kept. Hymn 115 What child is this Sung by all, standing. Greensleeves 2 The Gospel John 1:1-14 Please remain standing and face the reader of the Gospel. King James Version Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. The Sermon The Rev. Penny A. Nash Please sit. The Nicene Creed Said by all, standing. Prayer Book, page 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. 3 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. The Prayers of the People, Form III Prayer Book, page 387 Celebrant Let us pray for the Church and the world. Please kneel. The Leader and People pray responsively. Leader Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; People That we all may be one. Leader Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; People That your Name may be glorified by all people. Leader We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons; People That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments. Leader We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; People That there may be justice and peace on the earth. Leader Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; People That our works may find favor in your sight. Leader Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; People That they may be delivered from their distress. Leader Give to the departed eternal rest; People Let light perpetual shine upon them. Leader We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy; People May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom. Leader Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.