The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

BE T H E S D A , MA R Y L A N D

Welcome

Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. We are so glad you are here to worship with us this holy night. If you are visiting, we invite you to sign the guest register in the narthex or to fill out a visitor card, found in the pews. Place the visitor card in the offering plate or give it to an usher or member of the clergy after the liturgy. During the liturgy, you will need this service leaflet and The Hymnal 1982, the larger of the two red books in the pew racks. Hearing assistance devices are available. Please speak with an usher or member of the clergy. We invite you to return to Redeemer and worship with us again soon. Our regular schedule of services is:

Sunday

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9:15 a.m. Adult Forum 9:15 a.m. Bible Study 10:15 a.m. Nursery Care 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Church School Monday

7:30 p.m. Taizé Service & Healing Rite (first Monday) Wednesday

9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer 12:00 noon Holy Eucharist

For more information about the mission and ministry of this parish, please visit our website: redeemerbethesda.org. We wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and a happy, peaceful New Year!

Liturgical Notes

That Jesus was born is a fact of both history and revelation. The precise date of his birth, however, is not recorded in the Gospels, which are, after all, not biographies, and show little concern for those biographical details in which more modern Christians are interested. Such interest began to become prominent in the fourth century, together with the development of liturgical observances of the events of biblical history. It was in Rome, in 336, that the date, December 25, was settled upon for the celebration of the Nativity. The day, coming as it does at the winter solstice, was already a sacred one, as the festival of the birth of the Unconquerable Sun (dies natalis Solis Invicti); but its correspondence with the historical date of Jesus’ birth was stoutly maintained by learned, if ingenious, writers. The observance spread rapidly throughout the West; and it is accepted also by most of the Eastern Churches, in which, however, it does not have the prominence it has in the West. The full title of the feast dates from the 1662 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. Prior to that revision, the day was known only as “Christmas Day.” The word “Christmas”, which can be traced to the twelfth century, is a contraction of “Christ’s Mass.”

- taken from Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints Church Publishing, Inc., 2010

Festal Eucharist

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Thursday, 24 December 2015

10:30 p.m.

Prelude beginning at 10.00 p.m.

CAROL: Ding dong! merrily on high, sung by the choir

Ding dong! merrily on high in heav’n the bells are ringing. Ding dong! verily the sky is riv’n with angels singing. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! E’en so here below, below, let steeple bells be swungen, and io, io, io, by priest and people sungen. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! Pray you dutifully prime your matin chime, ye ringers; may you beautifully rime your evetime song, ye singers. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward Music: French carol; harmonized by Charles Wood (1866-1926)

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Noël Suisse Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)

CAROL: Rocking, sung by the choir

Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir; we will lend a coat of fur. We will rock you, rock you, rock you: See the fur to keep you warm, snugly round your little form. Mary’s little baby, sleep, sweetly sleep, sleep in comfort, slumber deep. We will rock you, rock you, rock you: We will serve you all we can, darling, darling little man.

Words: Traditional Czech, translated by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) Music: Traditional Czech, arranged by David Willcocks (1919-2015)

All are welcome to join in singing (remain seated)

HYMN 79: O little town of Bethlehem St. Louis

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Three Noels Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)

i) Offertory on the Christmas carols “Great God!” and “Shepherds, awake!” ii) Elevation in F, on a Christmas carol of Saboly “Shepherds of the mountain” iii) Offertory on the Christmas carols “Let us loudly sing ‘Noel!’” and “Christ is born!”

CAROL: Past three o’clock, sung by the choir

Past three o'clock, on a cold frosty morning, past three o'clock, good morrow masters all. Born is a baby gentle as may be, Son of the Eternal Father supernal. Seraph choir singeth, angel bell ringeth, hark how they rhyme it, time it and chime it! Mid earth rejoices hearing such voices ne'ertofore so well carolling nowell! Light out of star-land leadeth from far land princes, to meet him, worship and greet him. Myrrh from full coffer, incense they offer; nor is the golden nugget withholden. Thus they: I pray you, up sirs, nor stay you till ye confess him likewise and bless him.

Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) Music: Traditional carol, arranged Charles Wood (1866-1926)

All are welcome to join in singing (remain seated)

HYMN 89: It came upon the midnight clear Carol

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Greensleeves (‘What child is this?’) Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

CAROL: Nativity Carol, sung by the choir

Born in a stable so bare, born so long ago; born 'neath light of star, he who loved us so. Far away, silent he lay, born today, your homage pay, for Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day. Cradled by mother so fair, tender her lullaby; over her son so dear angel hosts fill the sky. Wise men from distant far land, shepherds from starry hills, worship this babe so rare, hearts with his warmth he fills. Love in that stable was born into our hearts to flow. Innocent dreaming babe, make me thy love to know.

Words: Traditional English Carol Music: John Rutter (b. 1946)

The Entrance Rite

All are invited to stand as the church bell rings. Then the choir sings:

INTROIT: A boy was born

A boy was born in Bethlehem; rejoice for that, Jerusalem! Alleluia. He let himself a servant be, that all mankind he might set free: Alleluia. Then praise the Word of God who came to dwell within a human frame. Alleluia.

Words: Traditional German, translated by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) Music: Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

All join in singing

HYMN IN PROCESSION 83: O come, all ye faithful Adeste fideles

THE OPENING ACCLAMATION

Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The Celebrant says

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY

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.

All join in singing

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS William Mathias (1934-1992)

THE SALUTATION & COLLECT OF THE DAY

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.

The Liturgy of the Word

All sit for

THE FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-7

A reading from the Book of 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.

Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

The choir sings

PSALM 96 Cantate Domino Chant: Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)

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 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of 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 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.

THE SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14

A reading from the Letter to Titus.

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.

Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

All stand and join in singing

HYMN AT THE SEQUENCE 96: Angels we have heard on high Gloria

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20

Gospeller The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a 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.

Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

All sit for

THE SERMON The Rev’d Cricket Park

All stand and say

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.

All kneel or remain standing for

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (FORM III)

Intercessor Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; People That we all may be one.

Intercessor Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; People That your Name may be glorified by all people.

Intercessor We pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Mariann, our Bishop; and for all bishops, priests, and deacons; People That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

Intercessor We pray for Barack, our President; Congress; the Supreme Court; leaders of state and local governments; and all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; People That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Intercessor Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; People That our works may find favor in your sight.

Intercessor Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; People That they may be delivered from their distress.

Intercessor Give to the departed eternal rest; People Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Intercessor We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy; People May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Intercessor Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

The People may add their own petitions, either silently or aloud. The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

THE CONFESSION OF SIN & ABSOLUTION

Celebrant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. People 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.

The Celebrant says

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

All stand for

THE PEACE

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.

All may greet one another in the name of the Lord. At the conclusion of the exchange of peace, all sit for

THE WELCOME

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

THE OFFERTORY

The Celebrant begins the Offertory with a sentence of scripture. As the offering is taken, and bread and wine brought forward, the choir sings

CAROL: Sussex carol

On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring; news of great joy, news of great mirth: news of our merciful King's birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad since our Redeemer made us glad, when from our sin He set us free, all for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before His grace then life and health come in its place. Angels and men with joy may sing all for to see the newborn King. All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night: ‘Glory to God and peace to men, now and for evermore. Amen’

Words: English traditional carol Music: arranged by David Willcocks (1919-2015)

All stand and join in singing

HYMN AT THE PRESENTATION 100: Joy to the world! the Lord is come Antioch

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (EUCHARISTIC PRAYER B)

The Celebrant and People sing

The Celebrant continues

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:

All join in singing

SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS QUI VENIT Mathias

All kneel or remain standing. 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.”

The Celebrant and People sing

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 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 . . .

THE LORD’S PRAYER

The Celebrant introduces the Lord’s Prayer, singing

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

The Celebrant and People sing THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept. Then all join in singing

FRACTION ANTHEM Gerald Near (b. 1942)

The Celebrant offers the following Invitation.

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

All who seek a deeper relationship with God in Jesus Christ

are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Lord’s table. Gluten-free wafers are available. Please make your need known at the altar rail. If the reception of Holy Communion is not part of your tradition, you are invited to come forward to receive a blessing. Simply cross your arms over your chest to

indicate to the priest your desire to receive a blessing.

THE COMMUNION The Choir sings

ANTHEM: A great and mighty wonder

A great and mighty wonder, a full and holy cure! The Virgin bears the infant with virgin honor pure. Repeat the hymn again! ‘To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!’

The Word becomes incarnate and yet remains on high! And cherubim sing anthems to shepherds from the sky. Repeat the hymn again! ‘To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!’

While thus they sing your monarch, those bright angelic bands, rejoice, ye vales and mountains, ye oceans clap your hands. Repeat the hymn again! ‘To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!’

Words: St. Germanus (634-734), translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866) Music: Old German tune, harmonized by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

All join in singing

HYMN 82: Of the Father’s love begotten Divinum mysterium

HYMN 111: Silent night, holy night Stille Nacht

All kneel or stand and say

THE POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Celebrant says

THE THREE-FOLD CHRISTMAS BLESSING

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness. Amen. May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior's birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen. May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

All stand and join in singing

HYMN IN PROCESSION 87: Hark! the herald angels sing Mendelssohn

THE DISMISSAL

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Fantasia on In dulci jubilo, BWV 729 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Prelude in B major, Op. 7, No. 1 Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)

■ CL E R GY & STA F F

The Rev’d Cricket Park Rector The Rev’d Robin G. Razzino Associate Rector The Rev’d Dr. David J. Schlafer Assisting Priest Christopher Betts Director of Music

■ THE VES T RY

Cathy Arrington Senior Warden Clark Downs Junior Warden Steve Gibson Treasurer Lois Burleigh Assistant Treasurer Catherine Sands Secretary Michael Hart Janice Huey Michael Mershon Jenny Nachbar John Nickum Mary Packard-Winkler David Riggs

■ PA R IS H M IS S IO N ST A T E MEN T

We are called, as a loving community of faith, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action, and to welcome all people who seek a deeper knowledge of God. We will achieve our mission by: striving to create a vibrant, focused, and growing Church that embodies Christian values and beliefs; implementing programs and services that are meaningful in our daily lives (faith in action); building a safe environment that encourages us to reach out to our community, to people of other faiths and beliefs, and to people who differ from us in important ways.

■ CO N T A CT IN F O R MA T IO N

6201 Dunrobbin Drive at MacArthur Boulevard Bethesda, Maryland 20816 301-229-3770 ▪ office.redeemer@verizon.net www.redeemerbethesda.org

The Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Please visit our website to learn more about opportunities for worship, Christian formation, and outreach.

The Parish Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.