Christmas Eve 2019

The Gathering of the Community

Hymn 118: O Come, All Ye Faithful

The Gathering

The Advent Wreath (Hymn: Love’s Pure Light)

- The Light of Christ - Responsive Litany

- Candle Lighting

- Hymn: Love’s Pure Light

Confession and Absolution

Hymn 143: Angels, from the Realms of Glory

The Collect

Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. As we have known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word

A Reading From The Book Of Isaiah (at 7:30 service)

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 Counsellor, 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. 9:2-7

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 96 (at 7:30 service)

Refrain: All the ends of the earth

have seen the salvation of our God.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.  Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples.  For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is more to be feared than all gods. R As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but it is the Lord who made the heavens.  Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! Oh, the power and the splendour of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; ascribe to the Lord honour and power.  Ascribe to the Lord the honour due his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. R Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.  Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein. R Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord when he comes, when he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth. R

7:30 p.m., Anthem: The Glory of Christmas

The Holy Gospel

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 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 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. 2:1-20

The Gospel of Christ

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

5:00 pm, Solo: O Holy Night, Gaitee Joshua

Sermon

Solo: at 5:00 p.m.: Mary’s Little Boy Child, Janelle Joshua

Anthem at 7:30 p.m.: Arise

An Affirmation of Faith

cf Ephesians 3

The Prayers of the Community

God of love.

Hear our prayer.

The Peace

Announcements

Hymn-during-the-offertory

- 5:00 p.m., 128: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy

- 7:30 p.m., 153: Good Christians All Rejoice

The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist

The Prayer Over the Gifts

God of peace, your Son Jesus Christ has reconciled us to you. May all we offer you today renew us as members of your household. We ask this in his name. Amen.

Supplementary Eucharistic Prayer 2 (S2)

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking of the Bread

Giving of Communion

Anthem: Lamb of God

5:00 p.m., musical selections by children followed by:

Hymns-during-communion

- 126: Away in a Manger

- 131: Love Came Down at Christmas

- 125: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Hymn 119: Silent Night

The Sending Forth of the Community

Prayer after Communion

Father of all, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we who have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

Hymn 154: Joy to the World

The Scattering (Mark 4:20)

Alleluia! Go in peace.

Proclaim the birth of the Saviour.

Glory, thanks and praise to God. Alleluia!