The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve
St. John's Anglican Church, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
9pm, December 24th, 2024
Hymns are found in the blue Common Praise book in your pew.
9pm, December 24th, 2024
Hymns are found in the blue Common Praise book in your pew.
HYMN-SING
#140, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
#129, No Crowded Eastern Street
#136, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
#153, Good Christians All, Rejoice
#140, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
#129, No Crowded Eastern Street
#136, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
#153, Good Christians All, Rejoice
CHORAL EUCHARIST
Presider & Preacher: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans, Rector
Service Music: Kilcreggan Mass Setting by Peter Nardone
Prelude:
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Opening Hymn: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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 the angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
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, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
The choir sings “Light of Light” (Joel Raney)
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching,
and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the shadows
cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God brings hope, peace,
joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited.
Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born.
When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels and
shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are weary,
bewildered, or afraid.
All: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
Presider & Preacher: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans, Rector
Service Music: Kilcreggan Mass Setting by Peter Nardone
Prelude:
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Opening Hymn: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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 the angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
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, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
The choir sings “Light of Light” (Joel Raney)
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching,
and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the shadows
cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God brings hope, peace,
joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited.
Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born.
When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels and
shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are weary,
bewildered, or afraid.
All: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
The Collect of the Day:
As we prepare to hear the words of scripture, let us pray:
Almighty God, as we celebrate with joy the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your
glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gloria:
We continue our worship by singing
Glory to God, to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God, to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Glory to God, to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us,
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the most high, Jesus Christ:
you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God, of God the Father, Amen, Amen.
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7
Following the passage, the reader says: The word of the Lord.
The people respond: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98, read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise the Lord with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord! Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Gradual Hymn: #148, See Amid the Winter’s Snow
See amid the winter's snow,
born for us on earth below,
see, the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
he who built the starry skies,
who enthroned in height sublime
sits amid the cherubim.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Say, ye humble shepherds, say
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
"As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing 'Peace on earth'
told us of the Saviour's birth."
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Sacred infant, all divine,
what a mighty love was thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-20
Reader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
After the reading, the Reader says:
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily — The Reverend Nicole Uzans
The Affirmation of Faith, Adapted from the Iona Community:
Minister: I invite all who desire to make an affirmation of Christian faith to say together with me,
All: We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life and every life,
of sun and moon, of water and earth.
We believe in God beside us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,
born of a woman, servant of the poor, tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.
He descended into the earth to the place of death.
On the third day he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven, to be everywhere present,
and his kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church, Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of resurrection and of eternal life. Amen.
Prayers of the People, led by Mary Phillips
Confession & Absolution
Minister: Blessed be God, the holy Trinity, whose peace passes all understanding and whose
love knows no end. Trusting in the tender mercy of God, we confess our sin and open our
hearts to receive God’s forgiveness.
Minister: God forgives and heals us.
All: We need your healing, merciful God:
give us true repentance.
Some sins are plain to us, some escape us,
some we cannot face.
We ask to be forgiven
through your transforming and renewing Word.
Minister: Through the resurrection of Christ, God offers us life at every moment.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
God forgives you.
Therefore, forgive others; forgive yourself.
The Sharing of the Peace,
All stand, and the celebrant addresses the people:
Peace with yourself. Peace with Creation. Peace with one another.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All are invited to share a sign of peace with those near to them.
Offertory Sentence
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
(Ephesians 5:2)
Let us with gladness present the offerings of our life and labour to the Lord.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward.
Your gifts support the ongoing work of this parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance,
and joy in a community striving to follow the Way of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Prayer Over the Gifts:
Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyous feast. May we grow up in him who
unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever.
Thanksgiving & Consecration:
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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right indeed to give you thanks most loving God, through Jesus, our Redeemer, the
firstborn from the dead, the pioneer of our salvation, who is with us always, one of us, yet from the
heart of God. For with your whole created universe, we praise you for your unfailing gift of life. We
thank you that you created us and stay with us even when we turn from you. Through Christ you
gather us new-born in your Spirit, a people after your own heart. We entrust ourselves to you, for
you alone do justice to all people, living and departed. Therefore with saints and martyrs, apostles
and prophets, with all the redeemed, joyfully we praise you:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of you glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: All glory to you, Giver of life, sufficient for all creation. Accept our praises, living God, for
Jesus Christ, the one perfect offering for the world, who in the night that he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
After supper he took the cup; 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, to forgive sin. Do
this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
Therefore, God of all creation, in the suffering and death of Jesus redeemer, we meet you in your glory.
We break the bread of life, recalling the body of Christ broken for us. We lift up the cup of salvation
and call upon your name.
All: Here and now, with this bread and wine, we celebrate your great acts of liberation and love.
Celebrant: Empower our celebration with your Holy Spirit, feed us with your life, fire us with your love,
and confront us with your justice.
All: Through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, make us one in the body of Christ with all who
share your gifts of love.
The Lord’s Prayer:
And now, as our Saviour 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 kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Agnus Dei:
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing. Please step into the central aisle as the servers come
to you. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please stand with your hands folded. Communion bread and
wine are offered today. Gluten-free bread is available – please indicate if you would prefer it. You may receive
communion in one kind (bread only) or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup, touching
the base of the cup, or reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Music During Communion:
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (arr. Michael Burkhardt)
#137, What Child is This
The Snow Lay on the Ground (Leo Sowerby)
Prayer after Communion:
Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal we have feasted on your grace.
May your Word take life in us, so that we may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to
us in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
The Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory
to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation, gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy
and peace; and the blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life, be with you this night and
evermore. Amen.
Music During Candle-Lighting:
Night of Wonder (text - Paul E. Hoffman; music - Karen E. Black) - soloist: Margaret Finlay
Closing Hymn: #119 Silent Night
With the church lights dimmed and candles lit, we sing together
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.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
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.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished as we prepare to depart, carrying the light of Christ within us.
Postlude:
As we prepare to hear the words of scripture, let us pray:
Almighty God, as we celebrate with joy the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your
glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gloria:
We continue our worship by singing
Glory to God, to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God, to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Glory to God, to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us,
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the most high, Jesus Christ:
you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God, of God the Father, Amen, Amen.
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7
Following the passage, the reader says: The word of the Lord.
The people respond: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98, read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise the Lord with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord! Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Gradual Hymn: #148, See Amid the Winter’s Snow
See amid the winter's snow,
born for us on earth below,
see, the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
he who built the starry skies,
who enthroned in height sublime
sits amid the cherubim.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Say, ye humble shepherds, say
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
"As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing 'Peace on earth'
told us of the Saviour's birth."
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Sacred infant, all divine,
what a mighty love was thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-20
Reader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
After the reading, the Reader says:
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily — The Reverend Nicole Uzans
The Affirmation of Faith, Adapted from the Iona Community:
Minister: I invite all who desire to make an affirmation of Christian faith to say together with me,
All: We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life and every life,
of sun and moon, of water and earth.
We believe in God beside us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,
born of a woman, servant of the poor, tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.
He descended into the earth to the place of death.
On the third day he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven, to be everywhere present,
and his kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church, Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of resurrection and of eternal life. Amen.
Prayers of the People, led by Mary Phillips
Confession & Absolution
Minister: Blessed be God, the holy Trinity, whose peace passes all understanding and whose
love knows no end. Trusting in the tender mercy of God, we confess our sin and open our
hearts to receive God’s forgiveness.
Minister: God forgives and heals us.
All: We need your healing, merciful God:
give us true repentance.
Some sins are plain to us, some escape us,
some we cannot face.
We ask to be forgiven
through your transforming and renewing Word.
Minister: Through the resurrection of Christ, God offers us life at every moment.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
God forgives you.
Therefore, forgive others; forgive yourself.
The Sharing of the Peace,
All stand, and the celebrant addresses the people:
Peace with yourself. Peace with Creation. Peace with one another.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All are invited to share a sign of peace with those near to them.
Offertory Sentence
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
(Ephesians 5:2)
Let us with gladness present the offerings of our life and labour to the Lord.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward.
Your gifts support the ongoing work of this parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance,
and joy in a community striving to follow the Way of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Prayer Over the Gifts:
Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyous feast. May we grow up in him who
unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever.
Thanksgiving & Consecration:
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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right indeed to give you thanks most loving God, through Jesus, our Redeemer, the
firstborn from the dead, the pioneer of our salvation, who is with us always, one of us, yet from the
heart of God. For with your whole created universe, we praise you for your unfailing gift of life. We
thank you that you created us and stay with us even when we turn from you. Through Christ you
gather us new-born in your Spirit, a people after your own heart. We entrust ourselves to you, for
you alone do justice to all people, living and departed. Therefore with saints and martyrs, apostles
and prophets, with all the redeemed, joyfully we praise you:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of you glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: All glory to you, Giver of life, sufficient for all creation. Accept our praises, living God, for
Jesus Christ, the one perfect offering for the world, who in the night that he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
After supper he took the cup; 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, to forgive sin. Do
this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
Therefore, God of all creation, in the suffering and death of Jesus redeemer, we meet you in your glory.
We break the bread of life, recalling the body of Christ broken for us. We lift up the cup of salvation
and call upon your name.
All: Here and now, with this bread and wine, we celebrate your great acts of liberation and love.
Celebrant: Empower our celebration with your Holy Spirit, feed us with your life, fire us with your love,
and confront us with your justice.
All: Through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, make us one in the body of Christ with all who
share your gifts of love.
The Lord’s Prayer:
And now, as our Saviour 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 kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Agnus Dei:
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing. Please step into the central aisle as the servers come
to you. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please stand with your hands folded. Communion bread and
wine are offered today. Gluten-free bread is available – please indicate if you would prefer it. You may receive
communion in one kind (bread only) or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup, touching
the base of the cup, or reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Music During Communion:
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (arr. Michael Burkhardt)
#137, What Child is This
The Snow Lay on the Ground (Leo Sowerby)
Prayer after Communion:
Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal we have feasted on your grace.
May your Word take life in us, so that we may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to
us in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
The Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory
to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation, gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy
and peace; and the blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life, be with you this night and
evermore. Amen.
Music During Candle-Lighting:
Night of Wonder (text - Paul E. Hoffman; music - Karen E. Black) - soloist: Margaret Finlay
Closing Hymn: #119 Silent Night
With the church lights dimmed and candles lit, we sing together
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.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
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.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished as we prepare to depart, carrying the light of Christ within us.
Postlude:
CHORAL EUCHARIST
Presider & Preacher: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans, Rector
Service Music: Kilcreggan Mass Setting by Peter Nardone
Prelude:
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Opening Hymn: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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 the angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
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, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching, and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the shadows cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God brings hope, peace, joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited. Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born. When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels and shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are weary, bewildered, or afraid.
All: Amen! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
Presider & Preacher: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans, Rector
Service Music: Kilcreggan Mass Setting by Peter Nardone
Prelude:
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Opening Hymn: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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 the angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
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, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching, and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the shadows cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God brings hope, peace, joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited. Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born. When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels and shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are weary, bewildered, or afraid.
All: Amen! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
The Collect of the Day:
As we prepare to hear the words of scripture, let us pray:
Almighty God, as we celebrate with joy the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gloria:
We continue our worship by singing
Glory to God, to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God, to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Glory to God, to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us,
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the most high, Jesus Christ:
you alone are the most high,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God, of God the Father,
Amen, Amen.
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7
Following the passage, the reader says:
The word of the Lord.
The people respond: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98, read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise the Lord with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord! Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Gradual Hymn: #148, See Amid the Winter’s Snow
See amid the winter's snow,
born for us on earth below,
see, the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
he who built the starry skies,
who enthroned in height sublime
sits amid the cherubim.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Say, ye humble shepherds, say
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
"As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing 'Peace on earth'
told us of the Saviour's birth."
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Sacred infant, all divine,
what a mighty love was thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-20
All stand, as they are able.
Reader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
After the reading, the Reader says,
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily — The Reverend Nicole Uzans
The Affirmation of Faith:
Adapted from the Iona Community:
Minister: I invite all who desire to make an affirmation of Christian faith to say together with me,
All: We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life and every life,
of sun and moon, of water and earth.
We believe in God beside us,
Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,
born of a woman, servant of the poor,
tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.
He descended into the earth
to the place of death.
On the third day he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven,
to be everywhere present,
and his kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us,
the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church,
Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of resurrection and of eternal life.
Amen.
Prayers of the People, led by Mary Phillips
Confession & Absolution
Blessed be God, the holy Trinity, whose peace passes all understanding and whose love knows no end. Trusting in the tender mercy of God, we confess our sin and open our hearts to receive God’s forgiveness.
God forgives and heals us.
We need your healing, merciful God: give us true repentance.
Some sins are plain to us, some escape us, some we cannot face.
We ask to be forgiven through your transforming and renewing Word.
Through the resurrection of Christ, God offers us life at every moment.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
God forgives you.
Therefore, forgive others; forgive yourself.
The Sharing of the Peace,
All stand, and the celebrant addresses the people:
Peace with yourself. Peace with Creation. Peace with one another.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All are invited to share a sign of peace with those near to them.
Offertory Sentence
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
Let us with gladness present the offerings of our life and labour to the Lord.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward.
Your gifts support the ongoing work of this parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance, and joy in a community striving to follow the Way of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Prayer Over the Gifts:
Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyous feast. May we grow up in him who unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever.
Thanksgiving & Consecration:
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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right indeed to give you thanks most loving God, through Jesus, our Redeemer, the firstborn from the dead, the pioneer of our salvation, who is with us always, one of us, yet from the heart of God. For with your whole created universe, we praise you for your unfailing gift of life. We thank you that you created us and stay with us even when we turn from you. Through Christ you gather us new-born in your Spirit, a people after your own heart. We entrust ourselves to you, for you alone do justice to all people, living and departed. Therefore with saints and martyrs, apostles and prophets, with all the redeemed, joyfully we praise you:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of you glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: All glory to you, Giver of life, sufficient for all creation. Accept our praises, living God, for Jesus Christ, the one perfect offering for the world, who in the night that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
After supper he took the cup; 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, to forgive sin. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
Therefore, God of all creation, in the suffering and death of Jesus redeemer, we meet you in your glory. We break the bread of life, recalling the body of Christ broken for us. We lift up the cup of salvation and call upon your name.
All: Here and now, with this bread and wine, we celebrate your great acts of liberation and love.
Celebrant: Empower our celebration with your Holy Spirit, feed us with your life, fire us with your love, and confront us with your justice.
All: Through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, make us one in the body of Christ with all who share your gifts of love.
The Lord’s Prayer:
And now, as our Saviour 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 kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Agnus Dei:
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing. Please step into the central aisle as the servers come to you. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please stand with your hands folded. Communion bread and wine are offered today. Gluten-free bread is available – please indicate if you would prefer it. You may receive communion in one kind (bread only) or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup, touching the base of the cup, or reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Music During Communion:
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (arr. Michael Burkhardt)
#137, What Child is This
The Snow Lay on the Ground (Leo Sowerby)
Prayer after Communion:
Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal we have feasted on your grace. May your Word take life in us, so that we may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
The Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation, gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace; and the blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life, be with you this night and evermore. Amen.
Music During Candle-Lighting:
Night of Wonder (text - Paul E. Hoffman; music - Karen E. Black) - soloist: Margaret Finlay
Closing Hymn: #119 Silent Night
With the church lights dimmed and candles lit, we sing together
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.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
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.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished as we prepare to depart, carrying the light of Christ within us.
Postlude:
As we prepare to hear the words of scripture, let us pray:
Almighty God, as we celebrate with joy the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gloria:
We continue our worship by singing
Glory to God, to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God, to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Glory to God, to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us,
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the most high, Jesus Christ:
you alone are the most high,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God, of God the Father,
Amen, Amen.
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7
Following the passage, the reader says:
The word of the Lord.
The people respond: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98, read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise the Lord with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord! Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Gradual Hymn: #148, See Amid the Winter’s Snow
See amid the winter's snow,
born for us on earth below,
see, the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
he who built the starry skies,
who enthroned in height sublime
sits amid the cherubim.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Say, ye humble shepherds, say
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
"As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing 'Peace on earth'
told us of the Saviour's birth."
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Sacred infant, all divine,
what a mighty love was thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-20
All stand, as they are able.
Reader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
After the reading, the Reader says,
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily — The Reverend Nicole Uzans
The Affirmation of Faith:
Adapted from the Iona Community:
Minister: I invite all who desire to make an affirmation of Christian faith to say together with me,
All: We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life and every life,
of sun and moon, of water and earth.
We believe in God beside us,
Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,
born of a woman, servant of the poor,
tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.
He descended into the earth
to the place of death.
On the third day he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven,
to be everywhere present,
and his kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us,
the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church,
Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of resurrection and of eternal life.
Amen.
Prayers of the People, led by Mary Phillips
Confession & Absolution
Blessed be God, the holy Trinity, whose peace passes all understanding and whose love knows no end. Trusting in the tender mercy of God, we confess our sin and open our hearts to receive God’s forgiveness.
God forgives and heals us.
We need your healing, merciful God: give us true repentance.
Some sins are plain to us, some escape us, some we cannot face.
We ask to be forgiven through your transforming and renewing Word.
Through the resurrection of Christ, God offers us life at every moment.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
God forgives you.
Therefore, forgive others; forgive yourself.
The Sharing of the Peace,
All stand, and the celebrant addresses the people:
Peace with yourself. Peace with Creation. Peace with one another.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All are invited to share a sign of peace with those near to them.
Offertory Sentence
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
Let us with gladness present the offerings of our life and labour to the Lord.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward.
Your gifts support the ongoing work of this parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance, and joy in a community striving to follow the Way of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Prayer Over the Gifts:
Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyous feast. May we grow up in him who unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever.
Thanksgiving & Consecration:
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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right indeed to give you thanks most loving God, through Jesus, our Redeemer, the firstborn from the dead, the pioneer of our salvation, who is with us always, one of us, yet from the heart of God. For with your whole created universe, we praise you for your unfailing gift of life. We thank you that you created us and stay with us even when we turn from you. Through Christ you gather us new-born in your Spirit, a people after your own heart. We entrust ourselves to you, for you alone do justice to all people, living and departed. Therefore with saints and martyrs, apostles and prophets, with all the redeemed, joyfully we praise you:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of you glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: All glory to you, Giver of life, sufficient for all creation. Accept our praises, living God, for Jesus Christ, the one perfect offering for the world, who in the night that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
After supper he took the cup; 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, to forgive sin. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
Therefore, God of all creation, in the suffering and death of Jesus redeemer, we meet you in your glory. We break the bread of life, recalling the body of Christ broken for us. We lift up the cup of salvation and call upon your name.
All: Here and now, with this bread and wine, we celebrate your great acts of liberation and love.
Celebrant: Empower our celebration with your Holy Spirit, feed us with your life, fire us with your love, and confront us with your justice.
All: Through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, make us one in the body of Christ with all who share your gifts of love.
The Lord’s Prayer:
And now, as our Saviour 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 kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Agnus Dei:
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing. Please step into the central aisle as the servers come to you. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please stand with your hands folded. Communion bread and wine are offered today. Gluten-free bread is available – please indicate if you would prefer it. You may receive communion in one kind (bread only) or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup, touching the base of the cup, or reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Music During Communion:
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (arr. Michael Burkhardt)
#137, What Child is This
The Snow Lay on the Ground (Leo Sowerby)
Prayer after Communion:
Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal we have feasted on your grace. May your Word take life in us, so that we may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
The Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation, gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace; and the blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life, be with you this night and evermore. Amen.
Music During Candle-Lighting:
Night of Wonder (text - Paul E. Hoffman; music - Karen E. Black) - soloist: Margaret Finlay
Closing Hymn: #119 Silent Night
With the church lights dimmed and candles lit, we sing together
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.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
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.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished as we prepare to depart, carrying the light of Christ within us.
Postlude:
We thank the participants in tonight’s service:
Greeter: Darrell & Elaine Slauenwhite
Wreath Lighting: Dale Hennigar
Readers: Adam Boyd & William de Grace
Prayers of the People: Mary Phillips
Eucharistic Assistant: Jim Nelson
Counters: Mary & Murray Phillips
Livestream Operator: Murray Phillips
Thank you to members of our Sanctuary Guild and all who
prepared the church for Christmas and assisted with worship.
Greeter: Darrell & Elaine Slauenwhite
Wreath Lighting: Dale Hennigar
Readers: Adam Boyd & William de Grace
Prayers of the People: Mary Phillips
Eucharistic Assistant: Jim Nelson
Counters: Mary & Murray Phillips
Livestream Operator: Murray Phillips
Thank you to members of our Sanctuary Guild and all who
prepared the church for Christmas and assisted with worship.
Flowers on the Altar and in the Church for Christmas 2024 and Epiphany are offered to the glory of God in loving memory of:
Janet & David Ross from the family
Parents and Grandson of Peter & Frances Jucker
Ernest & Teresa Amos, John & Elizabeth Thorburn, parents of Judy & Jim Amos
Bernice & Jim Muggah and Stephen Moore from the family
Donald Wells and his mother Rhoda, from Libby and family
Douglas Clarke from the family
Kay Watson from Anne
Alex & Elizabeth Coghill from the family
Patterson family: Ivan & Elizabeth, Rachael & Wilford, Dana & Garnet and John
Alethea & Robert Wright, Evan & Frances Whidden from the family
Dal Browne, Margo & Charles Eaves from the family
David Doakes from the family
Mary & Gerald Porter from the family
Florence & Richard Taylor from the family
Marion Gesner from the family
Ruth Carberry from the family
Lynn Hirch, Velma & Frank Johnson from the family
Mary (Pedie) Hopgood from the family
Anne (Jackie) Mowatt from the family
Spencer Family: Minnie & Herbert, Gerald, Richard, Charlotte & Romaine
Paul Hobson from the family
Janet & David Ross from the family
Parents and Grandson of Peter & Frances Jucker
Ernest & Teresa Amos, John & Elizabeth Thorburn, parents of Judy & Jim Amos
Bernice & Jim Muggah and Stephen Moore from the family
Donald Wells and his mother Rhoda, from Libby and family
Douglas Clarke from the family
Kay Watson from Anne
Alex & Elizabeth Coghill from the family
Patterson family: Ivan & Elizabeth, Rachael & Wilford, Dana & Garnet and John
Alethea & Robert Wright, Evan & Frances Whidden from the family
Dal Browne, Margo & Charles Eaves from the family
David Doakes from the family
Mary & Gerald Porter from the family
Florence & Richard Taylor from the family
Marion Gesner from the family
Ruth Carberry from the family
Lynn Hirch, Velma & Frank Johnson from the family
Mary (Pedie) Hopgood from the family
Anne (Jackie) Mowatt from the family
Spencer Family: Minnie & Herbert, Gerald, Richard, Charlotte & Romaine
Paul Hobson from the family
This parish is located in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoquiyik (Maliseet) people first signed with the British Crown in 1725.
We are all treaty people.
Rector: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans (902-956-4892), [email protected]
Wardens: Cameron Finlay (902-385-4605) & Karen Padovani (902-365-2235),
[email protected]
Director of Music & Organist: Dr. Michelle Boyd, [email protected]
We are all treaty people.
Rector: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans (902-956-4892), [email protected]
Wardens: Cameron Finlay (902-385-4605) & Karen Padovani (902-365-2235),
[email protected]
Director of Music & Organist: Dr. Michelle Boyd, [email protected]
