PRELUDE
OPENING HYMN Angels We Have Heard On High Hymn #96
1 Angels we have heard on high,
singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tidings did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3 Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
4 See him in a manger laid
whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while we raise our hearts in love.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen
HYMN OF PRAISE Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hymn 87
Week One – verses one and two Week Two – verses three and four
Week Three – verses five and six Week Four – verses seven and eight
1 Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn 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 host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity.
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Refrain
3 Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
light and life to all he brings,
hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Refrain
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you
Celebrant The 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.
Please be seated for the lessons.
First Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7 A Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
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 Counselor, 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.
The Word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 96 Please read responsively.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.
2 Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
7 Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
10 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.”
11 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.
12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.
13 He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.
EPISTLE Titus 2:11-14 A Reading from the letter of Titus
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce
impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are
self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the
manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who
gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself
a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
The Word of the Lord. Response Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL HYMN It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Hymn #89
1 It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
2 Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel-sounds
the blessed angels sing.
3 Yet with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled
two thousand years of wrong;
and warring humankind hears not
the tidings which they bring;
O hush the noise and cease your strife
and hear the angels sing!
4 For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and all the world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
GOSPEL Luke 2:1-20
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 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.
The Gospel of the Lord. Response Praise to you Lord Christ
SERMON Rev. Jack Koepke
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 – Form I
Leader: With Leader: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Father, in this holy night your Son our Savior was born in human flesh. Renew your
Church as the Body of Christ.
Holy God, Hear our prayer.
On this holy night there was no room for your Son in the inn. Protect with your love
those who have no home and all who live in poverty. Holy God, Hear our prayer.
On this holy night your Christ came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring comfort
to the people of Ukraine, Gaza, and all who suffer in the sadness of our world.
Holy God, Hear our prayer.
On this holy night the angels sang, ‘Peace to God’s people on earth.’ Strengthen
those who work for peace and justice in all the world. Holy God, Hear our prayer.
On this holy night shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy. Give us grace to
preach the gospel of Christ’s redemption. Holy God, Hear our prayer.
On this holy night strangers found the Holy Family, and saw the baby lying in the
manger. Bless our homes and all whom we love. Holy God, Hear our prayer.
On this holy night heaven is come down to earth, and earth is raised to heaven. Hold
in your hand all for whom memorials of flowers have been given, and all those who
have passed through death in the hope of your coming kingdom.
Holy God, Hear our prayer.
Celebrant:
Father, in this holy night angels and shepherds worshipped at the manger throne.
Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with Mary, Joseph, and the saints, through
him who is your Word made flesh, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE PEACE
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Please greet one another with a sign of peace.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Following the announcements, the ushers will collect this week’s offering.
OFFERTORY
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
At this time the ushers will bring up the offering. As they do this, please stand and sing the following:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
THE HOLY COMMUNION Prayer B
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, 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:
Sanctus – Holy Holy Holy The Hymnal 1982, Service Music, #124
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
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.
The Celebrant continues
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 Mark 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.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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, forever and ever. Amen.
THE FRACTION/THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD Hymn 109, verse 1
1 The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION:
Celebrant: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Everyone is welcome to come forward for communion or a blessing. You may receive the bread and the wine, or the bread or the wine. If you prefer a blessing only, please cross your hands over your chest as a signal to the priest.
COMMUNION HYMN Silent Night Hymnal 111
1 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.
2 Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
3 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.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Celebrant Let us pray.
People:
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
THE BLESSING
May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill
you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
RECESSIONAL HYMN “Joy to the world, the Lord is come” Hymn #100
1 Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing.
2 Joy to the world! the Savior reigns;
let us our songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
repeat the sounding joy.
3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found.
4 He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love.
DISMISSAL
The congregation is dismissed by the deacon or priest.
Response Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Room of the Community Building.
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Welcome to St. Mark’s! During the service, please assume the postures of prayer and
devotion as best suits your ability. If you are able, please stand for the Gospel, singing
hymns, and the prayers. Kneeling and sitting are also appropriate for the prayers of
the people and the Eucharistic prayers. Remember, the posture of your heart is more
important to God than the position of your body.
Ministry Assignments for December 24, 2024
Celebrant: Rev. Cricket Park
Preacher: Rev. Jack Koepke
Interim Organist: Joel Hootman
Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson and Will Day
Lay Readers: Gabe and TJ Walch
Chalice Bearers: Don Nancarrow and Kendall Rubino
Tech Table: Dave Reuter
Usher: Tony Rubino
Counters: Dave Reuter and Jim Rudd
Christian Formation Calendar (Sundays)
Senior High Youth classes — 9:30 a.m.
Junior High Youth classes — 10:10 a.m.
Nursery/Young Children classes — 10:30 a.m.
Adult Forum classes — 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Flowers:
In thanksgiving for their many blessings by Joy and Larry Brown.
In memory of Mark C. and Mark S. Peachey & Matt and Jennie Partezaner by Norma
Peachey.
In memory of my grandmother, Marjorie Graham, and in thanksgiving for Jim’s health
by Jacqueline Hoskinson.
In memory of Edith Gates, mother and grandmother, by Juanita Limes and the Darnell
family.
In memory of my parents, John and Ann Cobb and in thanksgiving for Ben and Annie
by Libby Nicholson.
In memory of Brent and Howard and in thanksgiving for family and friends by the
Phillips family.
In thanksgiving for our great grandson, Ryker Apple, by Jim and Judy Rudd.
In memory of our parents, Harry and Doris Ramsden & Clyde and Pearl Tallman by
Patricia and Jim Tallman.
In memory of Bill Tuxhorn and in thanksgiving for those who have served and their
families and for peace.
In memory of our mothers and in thanksgiving for James and Eliza by Mike and
Katherine Wagner.
In memory of Delores Welch by the Welches.
Greenery in memory of Peggy Park by the Park family.
In thanksgiving for our family by Jack and Nanci Koepke.
A prayer for peace and hope from Tracey Swartz.
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St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio,
which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Vestry
Libby Nicholson, Senior Warden
Kendall Rubino, Junior Warden
Jackie Hoskinson
Jim Rudd
Mary Sones
Patricia Tallman
Jenna Walch
Don Nancarrow, Treasurer
Dave Reuter, Recorder
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Our Mission Statement:
“We gather for worship, education and mutual support;
welcome all people; and serve the community in God’s name”.
A prayer for St. Mark’s in a time of transition:
O Lord, Father of life and change, of new and old: You gifted us with abilities to speak and listen, to hear and decide, to choose and know. We thank you for teaching us how to used these abilities, though we must at times remember to combine them with patience. Remind us to speak with kindness, to listen to understand, to hear all voices, to decide on what is just and true, to choose the path of peace, and to know we are not alone. Be with us in this time of transition, that it is as effective as it is unsettling, as comforting as it is confusing. And never leave our side on the journey ahead, as we strive for an unknown destination. In the name of your Son Jesus, who walks alongside us, we pray. Amen.
(written by Elizabeth Wagner-Weber)
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
456 Woodman Drive
Dayton, OH 45431
Email: st_marks@ameritech.net
Office Phone: 937-256-1082
Resources:
Website: https://stmarksdayton.org,
Facebook: St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dayton OH
Instagram: St Mark’s Dayton
Licensing for music use and streaming:
One License – #A-740839: Annual license with podcasting;
B – 26 to 100 average weekend attendance.
For more announcements, click HERE.
Dave Reuter – Webmaster
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