Celebrant The Rev. Craig R. Swan, Rector

Organist & Choir Director Tony B. Romeo

Flute Lindsay Gearhart

Trumpet Nick Schleyer

Percussion Joe DeMarco (4pm)

Desiree Glazier-Nazro (10pm)

Choir

Brian Bannon, Britt Bell, Dan Caramante, Lawren Casagrande, Margret Celico,

Carol Cimilluca, Sean Connaughton, Susan Dvorak, Gloria Fontaine,

Danielle Grilli-Marzan, Sarah Hamel, Timothy Hoyt, Joan Hudson, Camilla Lee, Mallory Leonard, Tavis Morello, Antonio Rodrigues, Heidi Simone, Susan Stewart, Maureen Winters-Swan, and Kent Yrchick-Shoemaker

Lectors Angel Hilliard (4pm)

Lay Eucharistic Minister Shelley Licurse (4pm)

Acolytes Team Clarity (4pm)

Ushers Susan Stone, Anthony Capezza, and Jack Florence (4pm)

PRELUDE

4pm

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt (Courtney) Choir

The Sussex Carol (arr. Hayes) Sean Connaughton, Soloist

10pm

A Stable Prayer (Fettke) Choir

Gesu Bambino (Yon) Antonio Rodrigues & Timothy Hoyt

O Magnum Mysterium (Ramos) Choir

The Word of God

THE PROCLAMATION OF CHRISTMAS

Celebrant The glory of God has been revealed.

People And all the world shall see the salvation of God.

HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful

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;

Refrain

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light,

Lo! he comes forth from the Virgin’s womb;

Very God, Begotten, not created; Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation.

Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;

Glory to God, In the highest: Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning,

Jesu, to thee be glory giv’n;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Refrain

OPENING ACCLAMATION

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

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

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.

HYMN OF PRAISE S278 Glory to God in the Highest

THE COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS

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 People may be seated for the readings.

THE FIRST READING Isaiah 9:2-7

Reader A Reading from the 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.

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

PSALM 96 Cantate Domino

The choir will chant the psalm

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.

THE SECOND READING Titus 2:11-14

Reader A Reading from the Letter to 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.

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

The People stand for the Gospel procession.

HYMN 96 Angels We Have Heard On High

THE GOSPEL Luke 2:1-20

Celebrant 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.

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

SERMON The Rev. Craig Swan

All stand for the Nicene Creed.

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.

An appointed person leads the People in the prayers, all standing.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Father, on 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, all who live in poverty, and those supported and blessed by the St. Peter’s Community Market. Holy God,

Hear our prayer.

On this holy night Mary, in the pain of labor, brought your Son to birth. Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress. Holy God,

Hear our prayer.

On this holy night your Christ came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring comfort to all who suffer in the sadness of our world, and especially those mourning the loss of loved ones this Christmas. 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. 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 a 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 those who have passed through death in the hope of your coming kingdom. Holy God,

Hear our prayer.

On this holy night Christians the world over celebrate Christ’s birth. Open our hearts that he may be born in us today. Holy God,

Hear our prayer.

On this holy night we pray for all who have died, especially those in whose memory the flowers and music for tonight have been given. Holy God,

Hear our prayer.

Father, on this holy night angels and shepherds worshipped at the manger throne. Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and all 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.

People And also with you.

The Holy Communion

OFFERTORY ANTHEM All My Heart This Night Rejoices (Manor)

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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 forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

The People kneel or remain standing as the Eucharistic Prayer 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,

We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory;

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 the blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph and Peter 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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

And now, as our Savior Christ has...