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The Nativity of Our Lord
CHRISTMAS EVE at 5 PM
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
A WARM WELCOME to our extended church family and guests! This service has
been planned especially for young worshipers, and children will be invited to
participate in various ways – such as the story in place of a homily, and
bringing the beloved Crèche figures (old and new) to the manger.
In the Episcopal Church all baptized people may receive Holy
Communion regardless of age. This is the Lord’s Table and not ours, and so no
one who comes to the altar seeking Christ will be turned away. Both the
consecrated bread and wine are offered to all. Gluten-free wafers are available.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
5500 North Adams Road, Troy, Michigan 48098
248-641-8080 (PHONE) 248-641-8067 (FAX)
Website: www.ststephenstroy.org Email: office@ststephenstroy.org
The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, Rector
The Rev. James Maxwell, Retired Priest in Residence
The Rev. Juan C. Perez, Jr, Assistant Priest
John Pavik, Organist and Director of Music
HOLY EUCHARIST FOR ALL GENERATIONS
PRELUDE
Fantasia on Christmas Carols (Trad.)
Harpist: Natalie Pate
PROCESSION TO THE CRÈCHE: Children are invited to get a figurine at the
back of the church, and join in the procession
HYMN 83, “O come, all ye faithful” vs. 1,3
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!
Refrain: O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
1
3
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, glory in the highest! Refrain
HYMN 87, “Hark! The herald angels sing” vs. 1,2
1
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies;
with th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!”
2
Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with us to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!”
THE WORD OF GOD
ACCLAMATION: Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
And blessed be God’s Kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
THE GLORIA: Hymn 96, “Angels we have heard on high” vs. 1-3
1 Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2 Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see? What glad tidings did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3 Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
The Lord be with you. Response: And also with you. Let us pray:
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true
Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may
also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives
and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 9:2-7
please be seated; see insert
SEQUENCE HYMN: “Rise up, shepherd, and follow”
1
stand
There's a star in the East on Christmas morn,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
It will lead to the place where the Christ was born,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Refrain:
Follow, follow: rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Follow the Star of Bethlehem. Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
2
If you take good heed to the angel's words,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
You'll forget your flocks, you'll forget your herds,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Refrain
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20
Response before the Gospel:
Response after the Gospel:
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
see insert
HOMILY: ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN
The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams
Children are invited to come forward to the steps for the story
“The Message of the Birds,” by Kate Westerlund, illus. Feridun Oral
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
LEADER: Do you believe in God the Father?
PEOPLE: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
kneel
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, Our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints, forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Let us pray for the church, the world, and those we love.
For Christians everywhere who are celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus: that
we may be united as members of his family, and reach out with love to those
who do not yet know him,
we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.
For peace in our troubled world: that the darkness of strife, terror and injustice
may be replaced by the light of compassion,
we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.
For those most in need our prayers: the homeless, the unemployed and the
hungry; those who are imprisoned in body or soul; and all those for whom this
season is not one of joy but of sadness,
we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the sick, the lonely and the bereaved, especially those we name at this time:
(your prayers are invited)
we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have gone before us in faith, especially remembering those for
whom the Christmas flowers have been given, and others we wish to name:
(your prayers are invited)
we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the forgiveness of our sins, both remembered and forgotten; and for the
courage to walk in the better way that Jesus taught us,
we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.
The priest offers a concluding prayer.
THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
OFFERTORY
Natalie Pate, Pieces for Harp
Congregational Hymn 105, “God rest ye merry, gentlemen”
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
stand
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER B
BCP p. 367
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 priest continues with the Preface and the Eucharistic Prayer
THE SANCTUS, sung by all
setting by Schubert: Hymnal S-130
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, (repeat)
Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.
The congregation may stand or kneel as the priest continues the Prayer.
MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION, said during the Eucharistic Prayer:
We remember his death; We proclaim his resurrection; We await his coming in glory.
The priest concludes the Prayer; all respond Amen.
BCP p. 369
BCP p. 364
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BREAKING OF BREAD; silence follows
Priest:
People:
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
THE COMMUNION
All are welcome, and gluten-free wafers are available.
If mobility is an issue, we are happy to bring Communion to you in the pew.
COMMUNION MUSIC
Natalie Pate, Harp
HYMN 112, “In the bleak mid-winter” vs 1,4
1 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
4 What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
HYMN 101, “Away in a manger” vs 1,2
1 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.
2 The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
HYMN 111, “Silent night, holy night”
kneeling, as able
1 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, sleep in heavenly peace.
2 Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia:
Christ the Savior is born; 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.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Eternal God, heavenly Father,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING
HYMN 100, “Joy to the world!” vs. 1,2,4
stand
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
4 He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
DISMISSAL
Response: Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Introduction and Variations on “Infant Holy”
A. Guilmant
PRAYERS THIS WEEK
Please contact the office with prayer concerns;
if a person is in a crisis situation; or would like a visit from the clergy.
Military Prayer Concerns
Ian L’Hommedieu, Stephen L’Hommedieu, Kyle Rogowski,
Clayton Ulrich, Stephen Armstrong, Sarah Peacock
Immediate Prayer Concerns
Charmel Maki, Lynette Atkins, Jonathan Sanders
Long Term Prayer Concerns
Charles Saylor, Chris Slezak, Barb Paton, Don Harris, JoAnn
Middlewood, Jan Hopper, Betty Feighner, Terry Reid, Karen Wilkinson, Tristyn Yant,
Richard Bronsteen, Stephanie Marshall
Those preparing for Baptism
Christmas Flowers
Margie Armstrong
are given by St. Stephen’s parishioners
(please see Altar Guild Christmas Flower Memorials 2014 insert)
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Wednesday 5 p.m.
Wednesday 5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 p.m.
Thursday
10 a.m.
Scott Armstrong (L,C), Miranda Spates (P,C)
Acolytes: David Burean (Crucifer), Peter Burean (1st Server),
Lachlan O’Neill (2nd Server
Lori Podsiadlik (L,C), Jim Carnagie (P,C),
Pema O’Neill (Crucifer and 1st Server)
Roy Waters (P,L,C)
NEW YEAR POTLUCK DINNER The Hospitality Committee is beginning to plan
an International themed Potluck Dinner for Saturday, January 10th, 5:30PM, as a
way to kick off the New Year! We thought it would be fun (and educational) for
folks to bring a dish to share that represents their heritage. Hope to see you there.
REMINDER FOR 2014 YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS: In order to be credited
in 2014, donation checks, payable to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, must have a
2014 date and be received at St. Stephen’s by Wednesday, December 31. The
Church office is closed on December 31, 2014.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Please refer to our online CHURCHWIDE calendar for the most up to date and
accurate information (access via www.ststephenstroy.org, select “Calendar” listed on
the left side of the home page).
Sunday
December 21 ADVENT IV
Quiet Eucharist
YACYM Committee Meeting
Holy Eucharist with Choir
Sunday School for Pre-K to 3rd Graders
Sunday School for Youth in 4th Grade and Older
Monday
December 22
Tuesday
December 23
8 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
10 a.m.
11 a.m.
Wednesday
December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE
Church office closed
Christmas Eve Family Worship Service
Christmas Eve Midnight Service
5 p.m.
10 p.m.
Thursday
December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
Church office closed
Christmas Day Holy Eucharist with Carols
AA
10 a.m.
8:30 p.m.
Friday
December 26
Church office closed
Saturday
December 27
Altar Guild Prep
Informal Eucharist
9 a.m.
4:30 p.m.
Sunday
December 28
Quiet Eucharist
Holy Eucharist with Choir
NO Sunday School for Pre-K to 3rd Graders
NO Sunday School for Youth in 4th Grade and Older
8 a.m.
10 a.m.
10 a.m.
11 a.m.
Please note that the church office will be closed from Christmas Eve through January 2.
In a true emergency (e.g. parishioner’s hospitalization, death, house fire; or you notice
that the church is on fire…) do call the Rector! Her cell # is: 716-397-0997
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS in 2014
Christmas Eve
5 – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24
Family Eucharist with Carols
A joyous Christmas Eve service for all, designed for children and their families
“Midnight Mass”
10 p.m. – Midnight on Wednesday, December 24
10 p.m. Festival Prelude, followed by
10:30 p.m. Christmas Eucharist by Candlelight, with Choirs & Orchestra
Christmas Day
10 a.m. on Thursday, December 25
Holy Eucharist with favorite Carols
The Feast of St Stephen
Saturday & Sunday, December 27 & 28
4:30 p.m. Saturday Informal Eucharist
8 a.m. Sunday Quiet Eucharist
10 a.m. Sunday Eucharist with Hymns
Please note that the church office will be closed from Christmas Eve through January 2.
In a true emergency (e.g. parishioner’s hospitalization, death, house fire; or you notice
that the church is on fire…) do call the Rector! Her cell # is: 716-397-0997