Welcome to St Timothy’s Merry Christmas!! We’re pleased that you’ve chosen to worship with us today because we believe that everyone who enters these doors is God’s guest. If you’re seeking a church home, we’d be delighted to welcome you into our parish family. If you have any questions feel free to ask the clergy, or anyone for that matter. We wish you all the blessing of this holy season. The Nativity of our Lord December 25, 2014 10:00 am Scent Free Environment 10 am that Holy Please be mindful someEucharist people have sensitivities to perfume and other heavily-scented products. We ask that parishioners try as much as possible to avoid wearing highly-scented products to church. Presider, The Reverend Canon Greg Symmes Greeter, Gordon Hendra Communion Assistant, Christie Stevenson Servers, Christie Stevenson Music, The Mass of St. Timothy, J Antony Dawson 2 The Gathering of the Community Prelude Gesù Bambino Pietro Yon Hymn 118 ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ (Verses 1, 2, 5) Theme for the day Presider: All: Adeste Fideles The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, And the love of God, And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, Be with you all. And also with you. The Collect of the day All: Almighty God, you wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored our human nature. May we share the divine life of your Son Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to share our humanity, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Lighting of the Christmas Candle Reader: Unto us a child is born. All: Unto us a Son is given. Reader: The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father’s only Son. 3 Reader: We light this candle to remind us of the great light that comes at last with the birth of Jesus, the Word of God made human for us. As we welcome him in the poor stable in Bethlehem, we offer ourselves to bring his transforming love to birth in all dark places, and to serve him in all our brothers and sisters. The Christmas candle is lit. Reader: Let us pray. O God, your love was so great for us that you gave us your Son to shine out in our darkness. Help us to make that love known to all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen. The Proclamation of the Word A reading from the book of Isaiah Dorothy Gordon 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.’ 8 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. 9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 7 4 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. 10 Isaiah 52:7-10 Silence is kept for reflection Reader: People: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Thanks be to God. A reading from the book of Hebrews Gordon Hendra Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but 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. 3He 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, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you’? Or again, ‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’? 6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ 7Of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.’ 8But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever, and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your* kingdom. 1 5 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’ 10And, ‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.’ Hebrews 1:1-12 Silence is kept for reflection 9 Reader: People: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Thanks be to God. Gradual Hymn #141 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Verses 1-3) Noel The Gospel: John 1:1-14 Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John. People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify 1 6 to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 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. Silence is kept for reflection Reader: The Gospel of Christ. People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Hymn# 141 (Verse 5) The Sermon The Reverend Canon Greg Symmes Silence is kept for reflection The service continues in the Book of Alternative Services The Apostles’ Creed Page 189 Prayers of the People Alan Flint Confession and Absolution Page 191 The Peace Page 192 7 The Celebration of the Eucharist Passing the Plate Many of our parishioners choose to make their financial contribution to the Church via pre-authorized giving and, as a result do not put anything on the Offering Plate when it is passed around. For information about this contact the church office. We understand that our offerings to God involve more than money. Offertory Hymn #137 ‘What Child Is This’ Greensleeves Prayer over the gifts All: God of peace, your Son Jesus Christ has reconciled us to you. May all we offer you today renew us as members of your household. We ask this in his name. Amen. Eucharistic Prayer #3 Page 198 The Lord’s Prayer (said) Page 211 The Breaking of the Bread #6 Page 213 Invitation to Communion Page 213 Lamb of God Communion Baptized Christians, of all denominations and ages, are invited and encouraged to share with us in communion. If you will not be receiving the bread and wine, we’d be pleased to bless you if you would join us at the High Altar. All are welcome. Gluten-free communion is available for those who require it. When you come forward to the Altar, please 8 ask one of the clergy or communion assistants who are distributing the bread and wine. During Communion: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Johannes Brahms Prayers after Communion All: Father of all, the child born for us is the Saviour of the world. May he who made us your children welcome us into your kingdom, where he is alive and reigns with you now and for ever. Amen. Glory to God, 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 Community Notices The Dismissal Page 215 Recessional Hymn: #153 ‘Good Christians All, Rejoice’ In Dulci Jubilo Postlude In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729 9 J. S. Bach The flowers in the church are to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jeffrey Jones by Jean Jones John & Anita Liburd by Rosina Warton and Sydney Liburd Charles & Myrtle Warton by John Warton Bill Banton by Betty and family George & Margaret Kobe, and Eric & Gwyneth Miller by Dusty & Betsy Miller Mabel Burnside Scott by Rob, John and Jane Scott Ready James Stuart Bryden & his grandson Tyler Mitchell Santing by the Santing & Thompson families and Jacqueline Bryden Elwin Springer by Mary Springer Canon Ralph Price, Barbara Price, Ron & Audrey Pember and Janet McKnight by Mary & Fred Pember Monty Stapleton by Daphne Stapleton Tom and our parents by Mary Williams Elizabeth Fraser by Janet Fraser Sydney Gauld Fraser by Doreen Fraser & family Major Samuel & Margaret Bryan by Eleanor Walenius Family members & friends by Carole & Jim Young Mary & Jack Stinson by Marilyn & Michael Clarke P. Bruce Butler by Gerlinde D. Butler Ewald Paier, Maria Paier, Anne Yip & Gai Yip, and Lise Aerinne Waxer by Diane Yip Keith Roth by Meredith Roth Non Roffey by Alan Roffey Thomas Brown by his wife and family 10 and in thanksgiving by The Cassin Family Barbara & Guy French for the Davies & French Families Greg & Ardith Symmes for family and friends Sarah & Robert Kelly for Jean & Eric Davis, and Barbara & Bernie Kelly Alan & Frances Flint for our family and friends Next Sunday, December 28, 2014 – Christmas 1 8 am Eucharist 10 am Eucharist (1985 Rite) Readings: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40 Reminder: To receive an income tax receipt for this year, all gifts must be received in the parish by December 31st. 11 Have a blessed Christmas!! 12