St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 6050 North Meridian Street I Indianapolis, IN 46208 317.253.1277 I stpaulsindy.org St. Paul’s Indy seeks to be a place in which all people discover God, and a deep sense of mission and purpose. We want to walk this journey with others. We want to be a place where anyone can have a renewed, reconciled and loving relationship above, TOTS PARENTS’ GROUP, with childcare for ages 5 and with Jesus Christ. Whoever you are and whatever your background, there is a place younger, meets the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month. for you at St. Paul’s. Building I Creating I Transforming I Renewing below, MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP volunteered - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - at Gleaner’s Food Bank, preparing 1,182 “backsacks.” Children at risk of hunger take these home from school on Fridays to WEEKLY WORSHIP SERVICES provide some nutritional food for them over the weekend. SUNDAY 7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist This spoken Eucharist uses traditional language (Rite I) from The Book of Common Prayer. approximately 45 minutes 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist This Eucharist has a steady pace and energy, with two readings and accompaniment by our Intergenerational Choir. Kids Word (a sermon alternative) is offered for children age 3 and up. Those who wish to participate leave after the Gospel and return during the Peace. approximately 60 minutes I Nursery open for infants-3 year olds Note: Sunday School classes for children and youth, as well as an adult formation offering (held in between the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services) are at 10:15 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist This liturgy has a contemplative quality, three readings, and honors the tradition of fine choral singing with hymns and psalms led by St. Paul’s Adult Choir. Kids Word (a sermon alternative) is offered for children age 3 and up. Those who wish to participate leave after the Gospel and return during the Peace. approximately 75 minutes I Nursery open for infants-3 year olds WEDNESDAY 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Healing Service This spoken service uses The Book of Common Prayer and is held in the Chapel. The laying on of hands for healing is an optional offering; a priest will pray with and anoint those who wish. approximately 45 minutes Gluten-free communion wafers are available at all services. above, Fun for all ages at the ANNUAL ST. NICK PARTY, with dinner, crafts, cookie decorating and a visit from St. Nick! A Festival of Lessons & Carols right, The CHRISTMAS FAMILIES PROJECT, sponsored by our Faith in Action committee, provided for 100 children-in-need from Indianapolis Public School 15. DECEMBER 24, 2015 5:00 P.M. more pictures at stpaulsindy.org/photos Welcome Welcome, Guests! St. Paul’s is a joyful Christian community that welcomes all those who yearn for hope and meaning in their lives. You are welcome here, whether you come with faith or doubt, answers or questions; whether you are a cradle Episcopalian or have no idea what that means. We invite you to participate fully in our worship as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Sing the Christmas carols, and respond to the prayers and readings. Or, if you prefer, sit back quietly and allow God’s Spirit to speak to you in the way that feels most comfortable. Whatever your background, whatever you are seeking, there’s a place for you here. Welcome, Children! You are welcome as full participants in our worship. Parents who desire nursery care for infants and toddlers will find the nursery across the courtyard in the Parish Center. Need assistance? Reading glasses and hearing enhancement devices are available from an usher. Restrooms: The women’s room is in the hallway near the nametags; the men’s room is around the corner near the elevator; the gender-neutral restroom is next to Roberts Library. PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIP AS YOU ARE ABLE Although there are customary postures (such as standing and kneeling) in Episcopal worship, you are invited to be seated at any point, according to your needs and comfort. Please turn cell phones and pagers off or silence them. The Nativity of our Lord: Christmas Eve A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols This beautiful service was instituted by Archbishop Edward Benson at Truro Cathedral in England. It is based on a medieval vigil liturgy. The service has become well known throughout the world as many parishes, chapels, and cathedrals sing their own service of Lessons and Carols. To mark the Christmas Season, lessons are read by laity and clergy, with carols and hymns sung by the choir and congregation. The scriptures and hymns all combine to express the fulfillment of God’s promise in the good news of great joy for all people, which is the birth of Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Prelude at 4:30 p.m. Christmas Music for Organ Glory to God in the Highest Max Reger Settings of “Lo, how a Rose” John Ferguson Anton Heiller Johannes Brahms Sonata in C Adagio, Allegro, Adagio, Presto G. P. Telemann Rachel Gerhardt, violin Prelude and Fugue in G (BWV 541) J. S. Bach 1 As the choir stands, the people stand, as they are able. Hymn 102 Irby Stanza 1– Treble Solo; Stanzas 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6– Sung by all A Bidding Prayer Dear People of God: In this Christmas Season, let it be our delight to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger. Let us hear the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us through the holy Child Jesus, and let us make this place glad with our carols of praise. 2 But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world, for peace and justice on earth, and for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city. And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in Jesus’ name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who yearn for the love of God made known in the Lord Jesus Christ. Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore. And now, to sum up all these petitions, and the prayers in our hearts, let us pray in the words which Christ himself has taught us, saying: 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 Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen. The people remain standing, as they are able, and sing the hymn with the choir. Hymn 92 Personent hodie 3 The people are seated for the lessons and anthems and stand, as they are able, for the hymns The Invitatory Anthem Ding dong, merrily on high David Willcocks Ding dong! Merrily on high E’en so here below, below, In heav’n the bells are ringing: Let steeple bells be swungen, Ding dong! Verily the sky And io, io,io, Is riv’n with angel singing. By priest and people sungen. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! Pray you dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! First Lesson Genesis 3:1-15 Adam and Eve rebel against God and are cast out of the Garden of Eden. Reader: Isaac Thuesen Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Anthem Adam lay ybounden Frank Boles Adam lay ybounden, Ne had the apple taken been, Bounden in a bond: The apple taken been, Four thousand winter Ne had never our lady Thought he not too long. A been heavené queen. And all was for an apple Blessed be the time An apple that he took, That apple taken was, As clerkes finden Therefore we moun singen, th Written in their book. Deo gracias! Anon. 15 Century Second Lesson Genesis 22:15-18 God promises to faithful Abraham that by his offspring shall the nations of the earth be blessed. Reader: Audrey Johns Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Anthem Christ the Apple Tree Stanford Scriven The tree of life my soul hath seen, For happiness I long have sought, Laden with fruit, and always green: and pleasure dearly I have bought: The trees of nature fruitless be I missed of all; but now I see Compared with Christ the apple tree. `Tis found in Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel: I’m weary with my former toil, By faith I know, but ne’er can tell, Here I will sit and rest awhile; The glory which I now can see Under the shadow I will be, In Jesus Christ the apple tree.