Eve

The Weary World Rejoices CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH DECEMBER 24, 2020 | 7:00PM

Eve of the Nativity

WELCOME TO CHRIST CHURCH

Service Participants

Christmas Eve 7 p.m. Prelude; 7:30 p.m. Service

Celebrant & Preacher The Rev. Peter Homeyer, Rector

Organist/Choirmaster Dr. Yun Kim

Cantors Barbara & Charles Cerny, Emily Joyce

Lectors Michael Clinch, MaryJane Plote

Soloists: Audra Cerny, Dance Caroline Geis, Saxophone Leah Estes, Harp Louie Paddock, Piano Stephanie Sexton, Vocalist

Christmas Day, December 25: 10:30 a.m. - Zoom

Clergy The Rev. Peter Homeyer  

Piano Solo:

Carol of the Bells – Louie Paddock

Vocal Solo: O Little Town of Bethlehem – arr. Dick Bolks

Saxophone Solo:

The First Nowell – arr. Dick Bolks

Dance: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (from Nutcracker Suite) – Tchaikovsky

 

Musical Prelude

Liturgy of the Word

Opening Hymn No. 83 “O come, all ye faithful” (v 1-3) Adeste fideles

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

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.

Gloria in Excelsis:

Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night, and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! [Gloria, Hymn 96, v. 1]

The Collect

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.

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

First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10 A reading from the prophet Isaiah

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God. PSALM 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.

2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.

3 The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.

7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord.

8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth.

10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.

Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 A reading from the book of Hebrews Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God. Hymn No. 89 “It came upon the midnight clear” Carol

All standing, the Priest reads the Gospel, first saying

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Gospel: John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

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.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Sermon The Rev. Peter Homeyer Affirmation of Faith The Song of Mary Magnificat Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Prayers of the People: A Litany for Christmas Intercessor begins by saying People of God, let us now pray, on this special night, for the Church and for the world. You may kneel or remain standing as you wish. The congregational response to the bidding is “Reveal to us your glory.”

(silence)

Almighty God, your whole Church gathers tonight to celebrate the birth of your Son on this holy night. We pray to you now, as we share in the humility of the manger, the adoration of the shepherds, and the love of the Holy Family, in the light of him who is the Light of the World.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of Mary, you have come among us to be one of us. Fill us with wonder and awe, with joy and thanksgiving, that our lives may proclaim your grace and your glory. Prince of peace, Reveal to us your glory.

We pray for the families and friends with whom we celebrate this joyful time, and especially for the children, whose joy on this night reflects the rejoicing of the world in the birth of the holy Child. Prince of peace, Reveal to us your glory.

We pray for those who cannot feel the joy of Christmas, through the burden of sickness, grief, or other distress. Comfort with your presence all who are separated from loved ones at this time, and send your healing touch to all who suffer. Prince of peace, Reveal to us your glory.

We pray for the departed, those whom we see no longer but who now live upon another shore and who share in your divine glory. Make their joy complete, in the Kingdom where there is neither birth nor death but only abundant life without end. Prince of peace, Reveal to us your glory.

The celebrant adds the concluding Collect O God, whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem in those days long ago: Lead us to that same poor place, where Mary laid her tiny Child. And as we look on in wonder and praise, help us to welcome him in all new life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The 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.

The Peace Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. The People now greet one another in God’s grace and peace.

Closing Hymn No. 111 “Silent night, holy night” Stille Nacht

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.

Given by In Memory of

Maureen Boyles Nana; my mom, Gloria; my brother, Michael; Aunt Joyce; Uncles Irwin, Buster and Joe; cousins Joyce and Dawn

Gregory & Kathleen Cleary Our parents, Frank Cleary and Marjorie Colligan

Janice Harrison Bruce Harrison

Charles Homeyer & Sara Homeyer & Tom Toeller-Novak Deirdre Toeller-Novak

The Joyce Family Terri Jankoviak

R. Alan Kimbrough My parents, Lawrence E. & Lenore U. Kimbrough Don Boyer, Diane Brown, Elsie Hall , and The Rev. Robert Dwight

Gary & Karen Kuziensky Grace, Roy, Dean English, Gertrude, Joe, Rick Kuziensky

Sara Minton My parents, Bill & Elaine Minton; sister and brother, Julie & Dan Minton; sister Lucy Wilkinson; Barbara Butterfield

Marcia Muller Ron McCoy, Bernice & Wayne Tjossem, Mike Muller

Linda Parsons My parents, Herbert & Margaret Moehlman and brother, Michael Moehlman

Amanda Romero My father, Carlos Romero

Judith Wehn James & Ruth Wehn, The Rev. Doris Mote

Given by In Thanksgiving for

Anonymous Mr. Cotton, Tom Ioanes, Percy Jones, Judith Wehn

Margaret Baird My parents and grandparents

Frank and Donna Boensch Family & Friends

The Joyce Family Our Family & Friends

R. Alan Kimbrough Rose Dwight

Gary & Karen Kuziensky Our Family & Friends

Sara Minton Christ Church Dayton

Linda and Miles Schmidt Our Family & Friends

Bob and Nancy Wilda Our family, Elizabeth, Mary and Greysen

Christmas Flowers

PRAYERS

For those new to the Prayer List this week: David Harr ison, Susan Lowrey, Nancy & Tom Everman

For a full prayer list, a copy to take home is available on the fir st table as you enter the nar thex. If you would like to join our Prayer Tree and receive email notices of names and prayer concerns, please contact the parish office. Use email or telephone the church office to add new names or concerns. For those whose names in the prayer box on the handout are underlined, please notify the church office if you wish to continue on this prayer handout for another month. Thank you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wassail Bowl Come and join us in the Parish Hall for warm fellowship and good food this evening for our version of Wassail Bowl: a Christmas celebration of good health and fellowship. Our Wassail Bowl begins immediately following the 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Eucharist. Please make the clean up easy by taking your container home to be cleaned. Volunteers are needed to help clean up afterward. 2015 Pledges, Giving, Stock and Mutual Fund Donations Any donations that you wish credited to your 2015 giving statement should be in the church office no later than December 31, 2015. Receipt after that date will be on the 2016 statements. Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival Join us on Saturday, January 2, at 2 pm for the dress rehearsal of the Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival. The Fellowship Committee has obtained fifteen free tickets for this traditional English Festival which is celebrating their 76th year at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati. This is a beautiful musical pageant. If interested in attending the dress rehearsal, see Cathy Skardon or contact the church office at churchoffice@daytonchristepiscopal.com Baptism The next baptism date is January 10, 2016. If you would like to be baptized or have your child baptized, please call the rector, John Paddock, 223-2239. Green Christians Helping to Save God’s Creation Tip If your family buys a real tree at Christmas, think about replacing your harvested tree with a new, planted tree in the spring. Or, make a donation to any organization which plants trees in our parks and national forests. Flowers and Coffee Hour The flower and coffee hour charts for 2016 have been posted to the bulletin board. Look them over to see if there is any dates you would like to sign up to donate altar flowers or if there is any date you can volunteer to host Coffee Hour.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to Christ Episcopal Church! We’re glad that you are here! If you are a newcomer or visitor and would like to know more about the church and its ministries, please visit our website http://daytonchristepiscopal.com/ and fill out the contact form. Thank you for worshipping with us today—we’ll be in touch! Christmas Offerings This year’s Christmas offering has been designated by the Vestry to go towards Christ Church’s Waffle Shop Grants Committee. All donations will be 100% passed along to local charities that serve the poor, hungry, marginalized and unhoused. It is not too late to blend a giving spirit into a challenging year! Donations made by check should be made out to Christ Episcopal Church with “Christmas Donation” in the memo line and mailed to 20 W First St. Dayton, OH 45402. You can donate online here: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/0VYGF9V7BV05F/checkout/UBWWITZCEG5YCW2ZIWRYEVVK 2020 Pledges, Giving, Stock and Mutual Fund Donations Any donations that you wish credited to your 2020 giving statement should be in the church office no later than December 31, 2020. Receipt after that date will be on the 2021 statements. Episcopal 101: Are you curious about the Episcopal Church? Considering becoming a member? Then this class is for you! Join us for 6 sessions on Thursday evenings, January 7 through February 11. Contact Rev. Peter (937)-815-0236 or christdaytonrector@gmail.com to learn more.

Worship with us this

Christmas Season

December 25 — Christmas Day 10:30 am on Zoom

December 27 — Lessons & Carols

10:30 am on Facebook Live

January 3 — Children & Family Service featuring Nativity Play, Children’s Message, Godly Play

10:30 am on Facebook Live

You can find all the worship links you need by clicking here: http://daytonchristepiscopal.com/worship/

Christ Church Holiday Office Schedule December 25 — January 3: Office Closed

January 4: Resume regular hours

CityHeart Holiday Office Schedule December 25 — January 3: Office Closed

January 4: Office resumes regular hours 10am — 3pm

The Clergy and Staff of Christ Episcopal Church wish you all a wonderful Christmas.

Christ Episcopal Church | 20 W. First St. Dayton, OH 45402

937-223-2239 | www.daytonchristepiscopal.com