Grace Episcopal Church
Family Christmas Eve Service
4PM Holy Eucharist
December 24, 2023
1314 Spring Street Saint Helena, CA 94574 (707) 963-4157
[email protected] / www.grace-episcopal.org
Prelude
Opening Hymn
Come All Ye Faithful v.1-3 1982 Hymnal #83
Welcome
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
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.
The Word of the Lord
The First Reading
Luke 1 :26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Carol
What Child is This? 1982 Hymnal #115
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, Creator of the universe, on this night we pray for all the world, that every one of your children may come to know you, to love you, and to live in your peace. AMEN.
The Second Reading
Luke 2:1-7
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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Carol
Song of Bethlehem Soloist: Kiernan Upton Albright
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, High and Holy One, with whom nothing is impossible: The nations of your world clamor in darkness; enlighten the leaders and peoples of all nations to know you and to love you, in Jesus Christ, your Son. AMEN.
The Third Reading
Luke 2:8-20
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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Carol
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 1982 Hymnal #87
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, Source of all joy and wisdom, we come before you this night, like the shepherds came to the stable, in awe and delight. Give us grateful hearts so that we may recognize your love and blessing each and every day of our lives. AMEN.
The Fourth Reading
Matthew 2:1-11
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:were ovenvhelmcd with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Carol
We Three Kings 1982 Hymnal #128
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, Holy and Loving One, you hold all your children in everlasting love. We remember those who have died, those who are far from us, and those from whom we are estranged. We pray that, with them, we may find you whenever we seek you and may know your presence wherever we go.AMEN.
The Fifth Reading
John 1:1-5, 14
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. 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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Offertory Hymn
Go Tell it on the Mountain 1982 Hymnal #99
Sung to the tune of All Creatures of Our God and King.
The Holy Communion
Eucharistic Prayer B
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God of all of Creation
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
God, you made us, and the world and everything in it. All the good we see comes from you. You have always loved us but people have not always loved you. You sent Jesus to show us how to live and to bring us back to you again. He died for us on the cross so that through your Spirit we can all be your people. And so with thanks, we join with the angels to praise you, singing:
Sanctus
Angels We Have Heard on High v. 1, 4 1982 Hymnal #96
We are here because on the night before he died Jesus shared a meal with his friends. There he took some bread and gave thanks to you, God. He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them. ‘This is my body,’ he said, ‘Do this, and know that I am with you.” Later, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you. he shared it with them, and said ‘This is my blood, which brings new life. Do this, and know that I am with you.’ And so, remembering Jesus, who died, was raised to new life by you, and is alive forever, we are glad to share that life and live in him and proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and wine can be for us the body and blood of Jesus, and through this food give us strength to live as your people. Help us to care for your world and for each other in the way that Jesus showed us. Until he comes again, with all your people in every time and every land we worship you in songs of everlasting praise.n.
Blessing, honour and glory be yours, here and everywhere,
now and for ever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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 king- dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Fraction Anthem
The First Noel v. 1-2 1982 Hymnal #109
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 by faith, with thanksgiving.
Music At Communion
Communion Hymn
Silent Night 1982 Hymnal #111
Light your candles from the person next to you; the lit candle should be kept upright so as not to drip wax. Thank you.
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
(for those not receiving communion)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
If you have special prayer requests, our Intercessors are available to pray for you at any time. You may send prayer requests to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Our intercessors are ready to pray with you for whatever needs you have in this time.
Post-Communion Prayer
God of love and life, you have united us with Christ and with each other through this Christmas worship; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world, serve the children whom you create and love, and continue forever in the resurrected life of Christ our Savior. AMEN.
Prayer for Eucharistic Visitors
In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts that those to whom you go may share with usin the com- munion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body; because we all share one bread, one cup.
Blessing
Closing Hymn
Joy to the World 1982 Hymnal #100
Dismissal
Alleluia! Alleluia! Go in peace to love
and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Recent Comments