St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish

On- Line Bulletin 4 pm

Christmas Eve

24 December 2020

 

Our mission is to worship God and care for

God’s people in the spirit of Christ.

 

The Rev. Ian Wissler, Rector (902.275.8627)

Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Paul Booth, Honorary Assistant

Wardens:  Mary Casavant, Jon Waddell

Choir Director: Dawn Harwood-Jones

Organist: Margaret Machum

ststephensparish@ns.sympatico.ca

saintstephenschester.ca

Parish Office Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 9am – 1pm

54 Regent St. Chester NS  B0J 1J0      902-275-3804 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Eucharist

(Book of Alternative Services)

 

 

 

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

L:   The Lord be with you.

P:   And also with you.

L:   We gather to celebrate the birth of the one who is the light of the world.

P:   We are here to worship Christ the Lord, God born among us, this night in Bethlehem of Judea.

L:   We light the candle of hope to remind us of the promises

     made by all the prophets that God would raise up a saviour

     for his people Israel.

P:   Christ is our hope and our salvation.  He calls us to share our hope in him with each other.

(The first candle is lit)

 

L:   We light the candle of peace to remind us that it is only

     with God and by following in his path that true peace can be

     found.

P:   Christ brings the peace of God to us.  He calls us to share

     the peace he gives with each other.

(The second candle is lit)

 

L:   We light the candle of joy to remind us that God gives joy

     to every heart that abides in him.

P:   As Mary rejoiced in the birth of Jesus - so his birth in us

     brings us joy.  God calls us to share the joy he gives with

     each other.

(the third candle is lit)

 

L:   We light the candle of love to remind us that Jesus is God's

     gift of love to us - and that in him, the light of love

      triumphs over darkness.

P:   Love never fails - it transforms all those who give it and

     receive it.  God calls us to share his love with each other.

(The fourth candle is lit)

 

Lighting The Christ Candle

L:        We light the Christ candle to remind us that the light

          of the world was born this night.

P:        The people who walked in darkness have seen a great

          light.  Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness - on

          them a light has shined.

L:        You, O Lord, have multiplied the nation.  You have

          increased its joy.

P:        For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and

          the government shall be upon his shoulder.

L:        His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty

          God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

P:        He is also called Emmanuel, for in him God is with us.

(The Christ Candle is lit)

 

L:        Almighty God

P:       you have made this night holy by the

          gift of your son, born of the Holy Spirit and of Mary.

          Upon him rested all your grace, through him has come

          all your mercy.  Let his light shine within our hearts

          tonight even more brightly than it shines from the

          candles in this place.  Help us to hear your word and

          to celebrate your everlasting love through him.  Amen

The Blessing of the Memory Tree                                                                                                                

 As the names of those in whose memories, gifts have been given to the Glory of God, the ornaments with those named will be placed on the tree.

The Gathering of the Community                                                                                                                 

Celebrant The grace of  our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.  People And also with you.

Celebrant Almighty God,

All to you all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from you no secrets are hidden.

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.

 

Celebrant: Glory to God in the highest,

All: and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly king,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.   Amen.

All Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

 

Collect for Christmas:  Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light.  As we have known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

The Proclamation of the Word

A Reading from Isaiah (9:2-7)

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.

All: Thanks be to God.

           

Psalm 96 (read responsively by verse)

Sing to the Lord a new song;  sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.

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.

As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but it is the Lord who made the heavens.

Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! * Oh, the power and the splendour of his sanctuary!

Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; ascribe to the Lord honour and power.

Ascribe to the Lord the honour due his name; bring offerings and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.

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.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to Titus (2: 11-14)

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.

All: Thanks be to God.

 

Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, According to Luke (2:1-20)

All: Glory to you, Lord Jesus 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.                                                      

The Gospel of Christ                                                                                                                                                 All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

The Sermon: The Rector

 

The Nicene Creed

Celebrant Let us confess our faith, as we say,

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. 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.

                                   

Prayers of the People

Celebrant:  On this holy night of our Lord’s birth, let us pray that we may find peace and joy in that good news, praying for ourselves and for all those in need of our prayers, saying: Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:   For the Church of Christ, for Sandra our Bishop, for this Parish of St. Stephen’s, and all of our communities of St. Stephen’s, Chester, St. George’s, East River, and All Saints, Canaan, for all of us as we gather in the Spirit to celebrate the birth of Christ, that we may be filled with mutual love, a sense of unity with one another, and power to faithfully proclaim the good news of Emmanuel, God with Us, with our families, friends, and neighbours.  Let us pray to the Lord:

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:  For peace in our troubled world, that the message of the angels to the shepherds of “Peace on Earth” will resound in all hearts and minds this night, so that the darkness of war and injustice may be replaced by the light of God’s peace and love: Let us pray to the Lord:

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:  As we remember that the Holy Family was without a home on this night, let us pray for the homeless; the unemployed; the hungry; those who are hospitalized; those who are imprisoned in body or soul; and all those for whom this season is one, not of joy but of trial and sadness: Let us pray to the Lord:

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:  For the sick, the grieving, and the anxious, (especially...) that their illnesses may be turned into health and their sorrow into rejoicing: Let us pray to the Lord.

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:  Remembering the shepherds, who had to keep watch over their flocks by night, let us pray for those who labour this night on  behalf of others, particularly first responders  and emergency personnel,

whose duties are keeping them away from those they love: Let us pray to the Lord.

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:  For all members of the Queen’s Canadian Armed Forces, both here and stationed abroad, that God will protect and defend them, strengthen them in their trials, and comfort them as they are away from home on this holy night: Let us pray to the Lord.

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Litanist:  For those who have gone before us in faith, especially those commemorated on our Memory Tree, that as we remember them in love, we, like them, may remain faithful to the end and live forever in the light of your eternal glory: Let us pray to the Lord.

All:                                          Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant:   Gracious God, you have heard the prayers of your faithful people; you know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Grant our requests as may be best for us. This we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

 

The Confession and Absolution

Celebrant Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites us to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.

Celebrant Most merciful God,

All 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 neighbours 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 Peace

           

Prayer over the Gifts:  Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyful feast. May we grow up in him who unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever.    Amen.

 

A Note about Communion – Please be aware that those who are physically present for worship are there in order to help with the liturgy, with specific ministries to fulfill to help our worship to take place. While these ministers will be receiving the Body of Christ in the bread, the priest will alone receive the wine on behalf of all who worship. According to our Book of Common Prayer, all who believe in the Lord and his saving work (as articulated in the Creed and the Prayer of Consecration over the bread and wine) and who can say “Amen” to the bread being the Body of Christ, and the wine being the Blood of Christ, receive all the spiritual benefits of Communion, without actually physically receiving them. This “spiritual Communion” is meant only for extenuating circumstances – which this time of public health emergency clearly is.

The Great Thanksgiving

Presider: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.                       

Celebrant: Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the mystery of his incarnation was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; in him we have seen a new and radiant vision of your glory. Therefore with all the angels of heaven, we lift our voices and sing our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory of your name.

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.

Celebrant: We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling 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 Saviour 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 he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, 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, Father, according to his command,

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, 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, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all 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 whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. People Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer      

                       

The Breaking of  the Bread

Celebrant We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.

All God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.

 

The Communion

Celebrant The gifts of God for the people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

 The Communion is distributed. When the Body and Blood are offered, simply respond, “Amen”. If you are unable to view the service, your “Amen” to the Sacrament bestows on you all the spiritual benefits of receiving the Eucharist.

 

Prayer after Communion:  Father of all, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature.  May we who have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The Doxology

Celebrant: Glory to God,

All: whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Blessing

Announcements

Dismissal

_________________________________________________________

 

The Rector, Wardens and

Parish Council

wish all parishioners and friends

a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year.