Thursday, December 24, 2020

bulletin for Christmas Day

St. Andrew & St. John Episcopal Church
Southwest Harbor, Maine


The Episcopal Church on Mount Desert Island
Christmas Lessons and Carols

December 24, 2020
4:00 PM


To view the service after 4;00 PM, click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-fGpm4_aFoi0mNvMiXhSwg

Worship Bulletin
 
Prelude: Carol Medley (Traditional/Arr. Mark Hayes)    Kimberly Haller, piano 
  
Opening Hymn 100 :    "Joy to the world! the Lord is come"
Eliza Crowley, Thea Crowley, Timothy Crowley, Edith Dunham
      
The Greeting                                                          
Celebrant    Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People        And blessed be God's kingdom, now and for ever.
Celebrant    The Word became flesh and dwelt among us;
People        And we beheld his glory.  Amen.
 
Collect for Purity                                                                             
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.
 
The Gloria 
Hymn 96: "Angels we have heard on high," verse 1                                    Kimberly Haller, organ
 
The Collect of the Day
 
Celebrant    The Lord be with you.
People        And also with you.
Celebrant    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. Amen.
 

The First Reading: Isaiah 52.7-10       Read by Lauri Fernald

 
Reader        A reading from the Book of Isaiah. 
 
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
 
Reader        The Word of the Lord.
People        Thanks be to God.                                            
 
Psalm 98       Read by Lauri Fernald
 
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.                                                         
 
The Epistle: Hebrews 1.1-4        Read by Gail Leiser
 
Reader   A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews
 
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
           
Reader   The Word of the Lord.
People    Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel Hymn 99:  "Go tell it on the mountain"
Eliza Crowley, Thea Crowley, Timothy Crowley, Edith Dunham
 
The Gospel      John 1:1-14
 
Gospeller     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. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
 
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
 
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
 
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
 
Gospeller    The Gospel of the Lord.
People        Praise to you, Lord Christ.

                                             

Sermon      The Rev. William Hague
             
The Nicene Creed                                    
 
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.
 
The Prayers of the People       Read by Peter Bals
 
My sisters and brothers, on this Christmas Day, we pray that we may grow in the love, joy, and peace of Jesus, our newborn King.
 
For the holy Church of God throughout the world; for Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Thomas, our bishop; for our sisters and brothers in the parishes of Mt. Desert Island; and for all who honor the Babe of Bethlehem; in your mercy…  Hear our prayer.
 
For peace on earth; for goodwill among nations and peoples; and for all who work for justice and the common good; in your mercy…   Hear our prayer.
 
For leaders of the nations; for Donald, our President; Joe, our President-elect; and Janet, our Governor; for the members of our armed forces serving overseas; and for their families who wait for their safe return; in your mercy…  Hear our prayer.
 
For the homeless, the hungry, and the forgotten; for those who face this Christmas alone; and for those we find it hardest to love; in your mercy…   Hear our prayer.
 
For the sick and the suffering, and for all who remember and care for them; in your mercy…  Hear our prayer.
 
I invite you to offer your own prayers for those in any need or trouble…….(moment of silence)……..; in your mercy…   Hear our prayer.
 
For all who have died; and for all who mourn the loss of a loved one in this holy season; in your mercy…   Hear our prayer.
 
For a blessing upon all the children of the world; and for all those who love and nurture them; in your mercy…   Hear our prayer.
 
For those who are far from home this Christmas; for the safety of all who work in health care and public service; and in thanksgiving for our family members, friends, and neighbors; in your mercy…   Hear our prayer.
 
The Peace
Celebrant   The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People       And also with you.
  
The Holy Communion
 
Offertory Sentence  
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."  (Hebrews 13.16)
 
Offertory Hymn 112: "In the bleak midwinter"                                        Kimberly Haller, organ
 
Eucharistic Prayer B                                                                                    The Rev. Stephen Muncie                                               
 
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 God thanks and praise.

Celebrant            It is 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; 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 sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
 
Celebrant and People                                                                           
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
      Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
      Hosanna in the highest.
 
Celebrant            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 before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
 
Celebrant and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
 
Celebrant            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 St. Mary, St. Jude, St Andrew & St. John, and 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. 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. Amen.
 
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
 
The Lord's Prayer                                                         
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 Breaking of the Bread             
                                    
Communion Meditation: "Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming"   
Edith Dunham, harpsichord
 
The Prayer after Communion
                                           
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 Blessing
 
Celebrant      May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness.  
People          Amen. 
Celebrant      May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior's birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel.
People          Amen.
Celebrant      May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor.
People          Amen.
Celebrant      And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.
People          Amen.
             
Closing Hymn 87: "Hark! the herald angels sing"
   Eliza Crowley, Thea Crowley, Timothy Crowley, Edith Dunham
 
The Dismissal
People    Thanks be to God.
 
Postlude:
         Good Christian Men, Rejoice (German/Arr. Richard Huggins)
         Go Tell It on the Mountain (Traditional/Arr. Mark Hayes)
Kimberly Haller, piano 
 
 
  
Participants:
 
Celebrant:      The Rev. Stephen Muncie
Preacher:       The Rev. William Hague
Organ:            Kimberly Haller
Piano:             Kimberly Haller
Harpsicord:    Edie Dunham
Vocalists:        Edie Dunham
                         Eliza Crowley
                        Thea Crowley
                        Timothy Crowley
Responses:     Peter Bals
Intercessor:   Peter Bals
Reader:           Lauri Fernald
                        Gail Leiser
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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St. Andrew & St. John Episcopal Church
315 Main Street
PO Box 767
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679

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