The Celebration of the
Nativity of Our Lord
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Dayton, Ohio, December 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
Note: the service is being livestreamed and recorded and will be available on our Facebook page.
If you’re new to St. Mark’s please see an usher for a welcome packet so we might acknowledge your visit and include you on our email list for weekly updates and information regarding St. Mark’s and the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The RESTROOM is located to the right as you enter the building.
Throughout the service the people’s responses are in italics; directions are in bold italics.
If you prefer a gluten-free host please notify an usher prior to the service.
PRELUDE:
“Pastorale From the ‘Christmas Concerto’” Archangelo Corelli
Please stand for the ringing of the bell and processional.
PROCESSIONAL:
“Once in Royal David’s City” (verse 1, solo) The Hymnal 1982, #102
Soloist: Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a
manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
All: He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a
stable, and his cradle was a stall; with the poor, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our
Savior holy.
Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing round, we shall see him; but
in heaven, where his saints his throne surround: Christ, revealed to faithful eye, set at God’s
right hand on high.
The Liturgy of the Word
Celebrant: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory.
Celebrant: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy Name through Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Celebrant: O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God. Glory to God for ever and ever.
SONG OF PRAISE:
“On this day” (cantors sing verses 1-2) The Hymnal 1982, #92
Cantors: On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing to the Lord, Christ our King,
born on earth to save us; him the Father gave us. Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo!
His the doom, ours the mirth; when he came down to earth Bethlehem saw his birth; ox and ass
beside him from the cold would hide him. Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo!
All: On this day angels sing; with their song earth shall ring, praising Christ, heaven’s King,
born on earth to save us; peace and love he gave us. Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo
Please be seated
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH:
Reader: 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. (9:2-7)
Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS:
Reader: Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
All: 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.
Reader: As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
All: Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; ascribe to the Lord honor and power. Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts.
Reader: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.
All: 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. 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. (PS 96)
Please be seated
A READING FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO TITUS:
Reader: 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. (2:11-14)
Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
GRADUAL:
“What child is this” (verses 1-2) The Hymnal 1982, #115
All: What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
THE GOSPEL:
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Celebrant: 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. (2:1-20)
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
GRADUAL:
“What child is this” (verse 3) The Hymnal 1982, #115
All: Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Please be seated
THE HOMILY
POST HOMILY HYMN:
“Unto us a child is born” (verses 1-2, 4-5) The Hymnal 1982, #98
All: Unto us a boy is born! The King of all creation, came he to a world forlorn, the Lord of every nation.
Cradled in a stall was he with sleepy cows and asses; but the very beasts could see that he all men surpasses.
Now may Mary’s son, who came so long ago to love us, lead us all with hearts aflame unto the joys above us.
Unto us a boy is born! The King of all creation, came he to a world forlorn, the Lord of every nation.
Please stand
THE NICENE CREED:
All: 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 worshipped 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.
Please stand or kneel
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
Reader: In prayer let us call on God who draws near to us in Christ, the Beloved One on whom God’s Spirit rests. (A moment of silent prayer is observed.)
Reader: That your church everywhere be places of welcome for people of every race and tongue; that we may be instruments of transformation. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: That God’s Word, descending on us like winter’s snow, accomplishes its purpose and yields a harvest of obedient faith and generous love. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: That the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations may weld their authority with a spirit of justice and act rightly for the people under their charge; we pray for an end to war and oppression. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: That you might extend to us a reverence for the earth and your own creation and use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Reader: That those who are ill or who suffer from any adversity be blessed by your abundant mercy; we remember especially Ann, Ruby, Howard, the Darnell Family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, Carmen, George, Vern, and all those named on the parish prayer list. Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: That all the departed share in the victory by which Christ conquers death. Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant: O God, who made this most hallowed night resplendent with the glory of the true light; grant that we who have known the mysteries of that light on earth may enter into the fullness of his joys in heaven. Amen.
THE CONFESSION:
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins to God, our neighbor, and all our relations.
All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves; we are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Celebrant: Our Lord Jesus Christ has bestowed power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to those who are truly repentant, absolution and remission of sin. Therefore, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, be reconciled to God through grace and “go and sin no more.” Amen.
Please stand
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
REMAINING IN THEIR PEWS, the congregation offers the peace of God to one another.
OFFERTORY SENTENCE:
Celebrant: O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power; because you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Rev. 4:11)
Thank you for your generous Christmas offering.
Gifts may be placed in the offering plate at the back of the sanctuary
as there will not be a formal collection at this service.
OFFERTORY
“On Christmas Night All Christians Sing” R. Vaughn Williams
Please stand
PRAYER FOR THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE:
Celebrant: Let us pray.
All: Most Holy God, the author of life and creator of all that is, receive and bless my offering this day; that the currency of worldly value may become the currency of transformation through the worship and work of this community. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Table
To receive the sacrament, please line up in the center aisle; at your turn approach the Celebrant to receive the Host. Return to your seat via the side aisles.
Those not receiving the sacrament are invited to come forward for a blessing; cross your arms across your chest to indicate this to the Celebrant who will administer the blessing. If you are unsure about receiving the sacrament please make an appointment with The Rev. MacGregor who would be delighted to speak with you.
Please remain standing
EUCHARISTIC 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 God 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 sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. 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:
THE SANCTUS: The Hymnal 1982, #S129
All sing: 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.
You may stand or kneel
Celebrant: 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.
Celebrant: 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 give 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 the, 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,
All: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory.
Celebrant: And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and 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 Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with 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.
People: AMEN! (with gusto!)
Please stand
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
All: 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
FRACTION ANTHEM: “Agnus Dei “ The Hymnal 1982, #S164
All: Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world: give us your peace, give us your peace.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION:
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God.
The people may now come forward to receive the Sacrament.
THE PRAYER OF RECEPTION FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING ONLINE:
(to be said by those at home)
Blessed Jesus, with your faithful people at every altar of your church where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and the life to come. Amen.
Please stand
COMMUNION HYMN:
“Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” The Hymnal 1982, #81
All: Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming as
seers of old have sung. It came, a blossom bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was
the night.
Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind, with Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother
kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night.
O Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispel in glorious splendor the
darkness everywhere; true man, yet very God, from sin and death now save us, and share our
every load.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER:
Celebrant: Let us pray. 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.
CANDLE LIGHTING: (lights will be dimmed)
“Silent Night” The Hymnal 1982, #111
All: 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.
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, 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.
THE BLESSING:
Celebrant: ….. +And may the blessing . . .
RECESSIONAL:
“Joy to the world” The Hymnal 1982, #100
All: Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her 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 Savior reigns; let us our 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 sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse 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.
DISMISSAL:
Celebrant: Alleluia! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE:
“Fantasia On ‘In Dulci Jubilo’” J.S. Bach
THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to
indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ. It is given this week by the Wagner Family in celebration of the birth of Jameson Henry Wagner.
Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor
Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen
Ushers: Dave Reuter, Wayne Harper
Tech: Gary Welch, Mary-Anna Welch
Acolyte: Jackie Hoskinson
Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers: OT/PS: Carol Williamson EP/POP: Judy Rudd
Counters: Kendall Rubino, Jim Rudd
Altar Guild: Mary-Anna Welch, Stephanie Welch, Janet Reuter
Christmas Flowers
Fred & Phyllis Berta In Thanksgiving for their family
Larry & Joy Brown In Thanksgiving for their many blessings
Jim & Jackie Hoskinson In Memory of Steven Hoskinson
Jack & Nanci Koepke In Memory of John F. Koepke, Jr and Catherine Koepke
Rowena MacGregor: In Thanksgiving for my children, Zoe & Ian Gibbons
Libby Nicholson In Memory of John & Ann Cobb
And in Thanksgiving for Annie and Ben
Norma Peachey In Memory of Mark C. and Mark S. Peachey,
Matt & Jennie Partezana
Dave & Janet Reuter In Thanksgiving for our many blessings
Tony & Kendall Rubino In Thanksgiving for all the blessings of this life
Jim & Judy Rudd In Thanksgiving for Kinsley Rose Apple
Paul & Carol Sharp In Thanksgiving for our family and health
Linda Stagles In Memory of my parents, Dale and Patricia Weaver
Jim & Pat Tallman In Thanksgiving for our family
Mike & Katherine Wagner In Memory of Bill, Bettie, Jim, & Ed Veazey; Bob & Betty Wagner
And in Thanksgiving for Michael , Colleen, & Jamie; Elizabeth & Sean
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ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Rev. Rowena MacGregor facilitates various adult educational/spiritual development offerings (Zoom). Be sure to check the Sunday bulletin for times and dates of her most recent programs.
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For more announcements, click HERE.
To read a copy of the December 16, 2021 Vestry Minutes, click HERE.
(NOTE: Password Protected: Contact Dave or Katherine for Password.)
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937-256-1082
Email: st_marks@ameritech.net
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – noon
The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor, Priest-In-Charge
570-404-2025 rector@stmarksdayton.org
Katherine Wagner, Parish Administrator
Donna Larsen, Music Director
musicdirector@stmarksdayton.org
Carol Nancarrow, Senior Warden
Jim Rudd, Junior Warden
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