Welcome

All baptized persons are invited to receive Communion, also known as Holy
Eucharist, in the Episcopal Church. An usher will guide each row when to stand and
get in line to receive communion. Proceed forward when there is room available. Many
people bow their head or genuflect before receiving. Some people can be seen making the
sign of the cross as they kneel or stand, and as they leave. You may kneel or stand when
receiving at the Altar railing. Gluten-free wafers are available. If you need a gluten-
free wafer, please inform the priest during the peace or at the altar rail during
communion.

About the Advent Wreath

Traditionally, there are three blue candles and one pink. Some churches use purple, as in
Lent, because it is a penitent color. Most Episcopal churches, however, use blue
which symbolizes hope. A white candle is added on Christmas Day.
The first candle to be lit represents hope. It reminds us that we have a faithful God who
will fulfill His promise to send a savior.
The second candle to be lit represents peace or preparation. We are reminded to make
room in our hearts, in our lives and the lives of others to allow the Holy Spirit to
bring us His peace and awareness of our savior.
The third candle represents rejoice (Gaudete). We have a cause to celebrate! The coming
of a savior means that we will be reconciled with our creator. That although we live
in a broken world that still suffers from sin, we are not alone! We have a savior, a
protector, who frees our hearts to happiness.
The fourth candle (pink) represents love. We burn a pink candle to honor Mary, the
mother of Jesus. She is an example of love and devotion which we will hear in our
readings on the fourth Sunday of Advent (Luke 1:39-55) but even beyond Mary, our
creator sent a savior because he didn’t want to be separated from us. He loved us!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)
We place a plain white candle, known as the Christ Candle, in the center of the Advent
wreath. Jesus was the pure sacrifice sent to wash away our sins. God’s literal life on
earth is the hope of our salvation and we honor this event on Christmas Day.
From: http://stjohns-saginaw.org/advent-wreaths-arnt-just-for-church/

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Welcome

Prelude

It is a tradition in the Episcopal Church to maintain silence in the worship area during the Prelude so that
people may pray. Please help us preserve an atmosphere of quiet reverence before worship, remembering
to turn off mobile phones.

The Entrance Rite

Please stand as you are able.

Opening Hymn Once in Royal David’s City (1982 #102)

After the soloist sings one verse alone, all join in the following verses:
He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

For he is our childhood's pattern, day by day like us he grew;

he was little, weak and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew.
and he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.

Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing round,
we shall see him; but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high;
when like stars his children crowned, all in white shall wait around.

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BLESSING OF THE CRIB COE

Presider A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come and worship the Lord:
for a great light has shone on the earth.

Hear the words of the book of Wisdom: When peaceful silence lay over all and
night was in the midst of her swift course, from your royal throne, O God,
down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

Hear the words of Saint John: God’s love for us was revealed when God sent his
only Son into the world so that we could have life through him.

Let us pray
that God our Father will bless this crib,
and that all who worship his Son,
born of the Virgin Mary,
may come to share his life in glory.
God our Father,
on this night
your Son Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary
for us and for our salvation:
bless this crib,
which we have prepared to celebrate that holy birth;
may all who see it be strengthened in faith
and receive the fullness of life he came to bring,
who is alive and reigns for ever.

All Amen.

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Hymn O Come All Ye Faithful (1982 #83)
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come, and behold him, born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God, glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,

leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,

we would embrace thee, with love and awe;
who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.

Adeste fideles læti triumphantes,


Venite, venite in Bethlehem.

Natum videte

Regem angelorum:

Venite adoremus, (3×) Dominum.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.


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Opening Acclamation BCP

Presider Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Presider 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.
All Amen.


Confession and Absolution COE

Presider Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In
his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.

Silence may be kept.

Presider God our Father,

you sent your Son full of grace and truth:
forgive our failure to receive him.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.

Presider Jesus our Saviour,

you were born in poverty and laid in a manger:
forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
Christ, have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.

Presider Spirit of love,

your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call:
forgive the hardness of our hearts.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.

Presider May the God of all healing and forgiveness draw you to himself, that you may
behold the glory of his Son, the Word made flesh, and be cleansed from all
your sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.


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Song of Praise Angels We Have Heard on High (1982 #96)
Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountain in reply echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See him in a manger laid whom the angels praise above;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise our hearts in love.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

The Collect of the Day

Presider The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Presider Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon
him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been
born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be
renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you
and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever.
All Amen.

Please be seated.

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 The Word of God

First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV Bible)

Reader A reading from the Book of Isaiah

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a
land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. You have multiplied the
nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the
harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken
as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the
garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has
been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is
named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the
throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the
Lord of hosts will do this.
All Thanks be to God.

Hymn Joy to the World (1982 #100)

Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; let us our songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love.

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Second Reading Titus 2:11-14 (NRSV Bible)

Reader A reading from the Letter of Paul to Titus

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to
renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that
are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and
the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it
is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify
for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
All Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospel Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem (1982 #79)

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth!
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

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The Holy Gospel Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV Bible)

Presider The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Presider In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world
should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while
Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of
David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family
of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and
who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to
deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them
in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their
flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of
the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to
them, "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 the
Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in
bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the
highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found
Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they
made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it
were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these
words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
All Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon Fr. Duane Wiggin-Nettles

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Please stand as you are able.

The Nicene Creed

All 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.

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.

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Please stand or kneel as you are able.

The Prayers of the People

Reader In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Father, in this holy night, your Son our Saviour was born in human flesh.
Renew your Church as the Body of Christ.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Reader In this holy night, there was no room for your Son in the inn. Protect with your
love those who have no home and all who live in poverty.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Reader In this holy night, Mary, in the pain of labour, brought your Son to birth. Hold
in your hand all who are in pain or distress.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Reader In this holy night, your Christ came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring
comfort to all who suffer in the sadness of our world.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Reader In this holy night, the angels sang, ‘Peace to God’s people on earth.’ Strengthen
those who work for peace and justice in all the world.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Reader In this holy night, shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy. Give us grace
to preach the gospel of Christ’s redemption.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Reader In this holy night, strangers found the Holy Family, and saw the baby lying in
the manger. Bless our homes and all whom we love.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

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Reader In this holy night, heaven is come down to earth, and earth is raised to heaven.
Hold in your hand all those who have passed through death in the hope of your
coming kingdom.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.
Reader In this holy night, Christians the world over celebrate Christ’s birth. Open our
hearts that he may be born in us today.
Holy God
All Hear our prayer.

Presider Almighty God, in this holy night, angels and shepherds worshipped at the
manger throne. Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with Mary, Joseph,
and the saints through him who is your Word made flesh, our Saviour Jesus
Christ.
All AMEN.

The Peace

Presider Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,

and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9.6)
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All And also with you.
Everyone offers to one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

* Gluten-free wafers are available for communion. *

If you need a gluten-free wafer, please inform the Presider during the Peace.

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 The Holy Communion

Please be seated.

Offertory Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (1982 #107)

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door, and we are blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

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! Christ was born to save!

Please stand as you are able as the the offering is brought forward.

Presentation of Gifts The First Nowell (1982 #109)

The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star

shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.

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The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B BCP p. 367
Presider The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Presider Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Presider It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every where to give thanks
to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
(Proper Preface of the Day)
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 say this hymn to proclaim the
glory of your Name:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
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.
The people stand or kneel
Presider 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 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.”

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 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,
All We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
Presider 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 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.
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 for ever.
All AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer BCP p. 364

Presider And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing,
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.


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The Breaking of the Bread

The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.

Presider Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

All Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Presider 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 with thanksgiving.

After receiving the bread and wine, respond with the word AMEN.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people.

All are invited to receive Communion.

Extend your hands to receive the bread, and help guide the chalice to your lips.
If you wish to intinct (partially dip) your communion wafer in the wine instead of drinking from the cup,
simply leave the bread in your hand and the minister will intinct the bread in the wine and place the bread
on your tongue.
Gluten-free wafers are available.
If you need a gluten-free wafer, please inform the priest when you come forward for communion.
After receiving communion,
you are invited to quietly meditate or pray seated in your chair or by kneeling.

Communion Solo

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Remain seated while candles are lit.

Post-Communion Hymn Silent Night (1982 #111)

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born!

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.

Post-Communion Hymn Away in a Manger (1982 #101)

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me for ever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Post-Communion Hymn It Came upon a Midnight Clear (1982 #90)

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel-sounds the blessed angels sing.

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Please stand as you are able.

Post-Communion Prayer

Presider Let us pray.

All Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing

Presider May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and
heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you
always.

All Amen.

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Please stand as you are able.

Recessional Hymn Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (1982 #87)

Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;

Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity.
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
light and life to all he brings,
hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

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The Dismissal

Presider Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Postlude

Today’s service is service of Holy Eucharist according to Rite II, which begins on page 355 of
the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer (BCP.) Scripture readings are appointed by
the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and are excerpted from the New Revised Standard
Version Bible. Hymns come from The Hymnal 1982. The Blessing of the Crib, Confession,
and Prayers of the People are supplemental material from the Church of England’s Common
Worship Christmas texts found online at https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/
worship/texts/common-worship-pdf-files.aspx.

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