Christmas Eve 2023 St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, PEI 4:00 pm & 7:00 p

 
Christmas Eve 2023
St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, PEI
4:00 pm & 7:00 pm
 
PRELUDES: From Heaven Above J.G. Walther; Praise to God in the Highest F.W. Zachau; Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Flor Peeters; Meditation on ’Silent Night’ Gilbert Martin; Now Come, Saviour J.S. Bach
 
Clergy & Choir in their place AND THE lights are dimmed.
 
Short Lesson of Scripture: John 1:1-5
 
Lighting of the Altar & Wreath
The Prayer for Light [Presider]
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
During the hymn, the candles at the altar and wreath are now lighted.
 
118 O Come, All Ye Faithful (v 1-5)
 
The Gathering of the Community
 
The Collect
Let us pray,
O God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem, may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
The Proclamation of the Word
Reading: Titus 3:4-7 [@ 7:00 pm only]
A Reading From The Letter Of Paul To Titus
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
 
Psalm 97 [@ 7:00 pm only]
Refrain: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne. R.
A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies on every side. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees it and is afraid. R. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. R.
Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! Bow down before him, all you gods. Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgements, O Lord. R. For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. R. Light has sprung up for the righteous, and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name. R.
 
The Holy Gospel: Luke 2:8-20
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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 Saviour, 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 favours!" 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.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
 
4:00 p.m., Winter Carol Sherri Porterfield, sung by Katherine Lowings
7:00 p.m., Anthem: Arise! Joseph M. Martin
 
Sermon:
 
126 Away in a Manger
 
The Prayers of the Community
God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
Confession and Absolution
The Peace
Announcements
 
154 Joy to the World
 
The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
The Prayer Over the Gifts
Let us pray,
Generous Creator, in faith and joy we celebrate the birth of your Son. Increase our understanding and our love of the riches you have revealed in him, who is Lord now and for ever. Amen.
 
Eucharistic Prayer 3
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking of the Bread
Lamb of God
 
Hymns-during-communion
148 See Amid the Winter’s Snow
122 In the Bleak Midwinter
135 Shepherds in the Field Abiding
137 What Child Is This
153 Good Christians All, Rejoice
 
The Sending Forth of the Community
138 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
 
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray,
Father of all, the child born for us is the Saviour of the world. May he who made us your children welcome us into your kingdom, where he is alive and reigns with you now and for ever. Amen.
 
The Blessing
The Scattering (Mark 4:20)
House lights are dimmed as before, and everyone has a candle lit.
 
Candle Lighting: Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12
 
119 Silent Night
Clergy process to the entrance.
Please extinguish your candle and you can place it in a basket near the church entrance.