Christmas Eve (Yr B) December 24, 2023

 

 

PRELUDE                  “From heaven above to earth I come.”             Fredrich Wilhelm Zachau

 

OPENING HYMN       “Once in Royal David’s City”                       Hymn #102, vv 1-2, 4, 6

 

1  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.

 

2  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.

 

 4  For he is our lifelong pattern;

          daily, when on earth he grew,

     he was tempted, scorned, rejected,

          tears and smiles like us he knew.

     Thus he feels for all our sadness,

     and he shares in all our gladness.

 

 6  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.

 

 

Celebrant     Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

People     And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen

 

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

 

 

HYMN OF PRAISE          “O Come all ye faithful”                       Hymn #83

 

1  O come, all ye faithful,

          joyful and triumphant,

     O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

          come, and behold him,

          born the King of angels;

 

              O come, let us adore him,

              Christ the Lord.

 

2  God from God,

          Light from Light eternal,

     lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;

          only-begotten

          Son of God the Father;

 

     Refrain

 

3  Sing, choirs of angels,

          sing in exultation,

     sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

          glory to God,

          glory in the highest;

 

     Refrain

 

 

Celebrant   The Lord be with you.

People   And also with you

 

Celebrant: Let us pray

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 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            People:  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.

 

 

GRADUAL                       “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.

 

 

 

The Gospel this evening is presented via “Bethlehemian Rhapsody,” the text of which
is on page 20. Below is the text from Luke.

 

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                                                                                                               The Rev. Cricket Park

 

 

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

 

For 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.

Response:      And also with you.

 

Please greet one another with a sign of peace.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

OFFERTORY/ANTHEM              “On Christmas Night”                    R. Vaughn Williams

 

 

In thanksgiving for Ben and Annie and in memory of her parents, John and Ann, and her sister
Susan by Libby Nicholson.

 

In thanksgiving for her mother, Joycelyn Graham, by Jackie Hoskinson.

 

In thanksgiving for their grandchildren, Annabelle, Charloe, Sophie, and Jack; and in
memory of Peggy and Blll McCray and Cathie and John Koepke by Jack and Nanci Koepke.

 

In thanksgiving for their many blessings by Larry and Joy Brown.

 

In memory of our son, Brent, and In thanksgiving for our family and friends by Ann and Howard
Phillips.

 

In memory of Mark C. and Mark S. Peachey and Ma and Jennie Partegana by Norma
Peachey.

 

In thanksgiving for friends and family by Tracey Swartz.

 

In thanksgiving for our family by Jim and Judy Rudd.

 

In thanksgiving for our anniversary by Carol and Lee Smith.

 

In memory of our parents, Darla Clyde Tallman and Doris and Harry Ramsden, by Patricia and
Jim Tallman

 

In memory of our mothers, Bettie and Betty, and in thanksgiving for Jameson and Eliza by

Mike and Katherine Wagner.

 

In memory of Delores Welch by the Welches

 

 

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

 

At this time the ushers will bring up the offering of money and any pantry items. 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 him thanks and praise.

 

The Celebrant continues, with the congregation joining in the words in bold type.

 

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:

 

SANCTUS                                                                                                                     HYMN S128

 

All: 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.

 

 

Then the Celebrant continues

 

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 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 

 

THE FRACTION/THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

 

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
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

 

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

 

Celebrant: Behold who you are. May you become one with the One you receive.

 

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           “Come thou long expected Jesus”                   HYMN #66

 

1 Love came down at Christmas,

      love all lovely, love divine;

   love was born at Christmas:

      star and angels gave the sign.

 

 

 

2 Worship we the Godhead,

      love incarnate, love divine;

   worship we our Jesus,

      but wherewith for sacred sign?

 

 

 

3 Love shall be our token;

      love be yours and love be mine,

   love to God and neighbor,

      love for plea and gift and sign.

 

 

POST COMMUNION 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 the priest.

People    Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                      “All my heart this night rejoices”                   Alinda B. Cooper

 

 

        Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Room of the Community Building.

 

 

————————————-

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Ministers for December 24, 2023 PM-Christmas Eve
Preacher: Rev. Cricket Park Celebrant: Rev. Cricket Park
Acolyte: Elizabeth Reuter and Gabe Walch
Lay Readers: Gabe Walch and Caroline Tucker
Chalice Bearers: Kendall Rubino and Don Nancarrow
Tech Table: TJ Walch
Ushers: Tony Rubino and Jackie Hoskinson
Counters:Jim Rudd/Tony Rubino

 

 

Christmas Lessons and Carols—December 31st
Defy the secular paradigm! Come to church and sing Christmas Carols after Christmas
Day. Donna Larsen has chosen lovely tunes to be sung in between readings of
the story of Christ. Bring friends and enjoy the whole season of Christmas!

 

 

Neighborhood Bridges helps meet basic needs of lower income students in our community. Their Care Closet is running low on some specific supplies. We have a mini-Closet with the Care closets most urgent needs represented as cutouts – you can take one as a reminder to throw an extra item in your shopping cart or there are rough dollar estimates listed on the back. Contact Meg Hull Ortiz at

                     bookmeg.hull@gmail.com with any questions.

Also, NB requests hats, gloves, underwear and socks for ages 5 to adult. These must be new items. There are pieces of paper with specific family needs, if that is more your style. Thank you for your generosity during this holiday season.

 

 

 

 

St. Mark’s is a parish in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.