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St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church
721 North Thomas Street
Altus, OK 73521
Deacon:
The Reverend Suzanne Mollison
Christmas Eve
th
December 24 , 2014
Please silence cell phones
To Visitors and Guests
If you are a visitor tonight, we bid you welcome. Please know we are glad that you are with
us. If you are unfamiliar with our service, it might be helpful to know the following. Our
liturgy (service) comes from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). It is the blue book. Our
Hymnal is the red book. “ S” in front of the hymn number means it comes from the service
music which can be found in the front of the Hymnal. From September thru May, we have a
Children’s Chapel that begins at the same time as our regular service. The children join their
parents at the offertory. We have a nursery available during the time of the main service for
children up to and including the age of 6 years old.
The Eucharistic Liturgy, which is our main service, is divided up into two parts: The Liturgy
of the Word and The Eucharist. The first part of the service is the Liturgy of the Word. It
focuses on the reading and expounding of the written Word. It is a reminder of Christ’s
teaching and preaching ministry in Galilee. The Collect of the Day is a prayer which gathers
the theme of the day and focuses our attention for what is to follow. The Sermon follows the
reading of the lessons in order to explain and apply to our present life and times what we have
heard about God’s Word. After the sermon, The Nicene Creed follows summing up the entire
story of salvation and expressing our pledge of allegiance to the God who creates, redeems
and sanctifies us. The Prayers of the People follow as our response to the proclamation of
God’s love and power. Having offered our prayers for others, we turn to our own needs. Our
confession together affirms that we have sinned. In the absolution, through Christ we are
cleansed and restored to the relationship we had beginning with our baptism. We then move
to the passing of the Peace, which concludes the service of the Word. The Peace expresses
the reconciliation that God’s forgiveness brings into effect among his people and reminds us
that we share in God’s love and reconciliation together. After the peace, then there are
announcements so that the congregation can be informed about the activities and events
going on in the church and the lives of the church members.
The offertory begins the second half of the service. In the offertory, we present ourselves
before the Lord whose Word has been spoken to us. We offer tokens of our common life and
work—bread, wine, and water—and money, the fruits of our labor. By these offerings we
respond to God’s offering of himself; in these offerings we present him with ourselves, our
souls and bodies. The Great Thanksgiving and Eucharistic Prayer follow where we celebrate
the great action of God in the Sacrament to transform our offerings and ourselves into the
instruments of his grace. We ask God’s blessing to consecrate the bread and wine, “to make it
holy” for us as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Our worship climaxes with communion.
After communion, the Post communion Prayer, Blessing and Dismissal follow. After the
celebrant clears the table from communion, then we offer a short prayer of thanks for what
God has done for us in this celebration. The Celebrant pronounces a final blessing, and after a
final hymn we are dismissed being sent out into the world to make a difference for the better
being empowered by God’s love.
Processional Hymn “Oh Come All Ye Faithful
(please stand)
Hymnal 83
(Remain Standing until the reading of the first lesson)
Celebrant
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant
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
inspirations of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and
worthily magnify your holy Name: through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
What Child is this who laid to rest
hymnal 115
Celebrant
People
Celebrant
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
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.
(please be seated)
THE WORD OF GOD
The First Lesson
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who have 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
People
The Word of The Lord.
Thanks be to God
The Snow Lay On The Ground (please stand)
Hymnal 110
(please be seated)
The Epistle
Titus 2:11-14
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 selfcontrolled, 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
(please stand)
Sequence Hymn
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Hymnal 87
The Holy Gospel
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
Priest or Deacon
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint 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. ]
Priest or Deacon
The Gospel of the Lord.
People
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
(please be seated)
THE SERMON
by
THE REVEREND WILLIAM CARLIN
Please stand for the Nicene Creed.
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 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 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.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Leader and People pray responsively, kneeling or standing.
Leader
All
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly
serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of
the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Leader
Let us pray for our needs and those of others.
The people may add their own petitions.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in
the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us
and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O
lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
All
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.
Celebrant
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.
THE PEACE
All Stand
Celebrant
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People
And also with you.
Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Announcements (please be seated)
Offertory
O Little Town of Bethlehem (please stand)
Hymnal 79
(remain standing)
The Doxology (stand)
380; vs. 3
Hymnal
(singing)
"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow: praise him, all creatures here below: praise
him above, ye heavenly host: praise father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
Celebrant
People
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Celebrant
People
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant
People
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and
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 Angel and Archangels and
with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this
hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
The Sanctus
Hymnal S 130
The people may kneel or stand.
Celebrant Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us
for yourself; and when we had fallen into sin and become
subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only eternal Son, to share our human nature, to
live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and
Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself,
in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole
world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:
All
Celebrant
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in
this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,
resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the
Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of
new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may
faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in
unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us
with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to
say,
All
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.
A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
.
Agnus Dei
Celebrant
Hymnal S 164
The gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that
Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving
All who are baptized into the Christian faith
are welcome at the Lord’s table.
The ushers then begin to lead worshippers to the altar rail
All baptized individuals are invited to communion. To receive communion at the altar
rail you may kneel or stand. To receive the bread (wafer) place one hand on top of another, palms
up, and the celebrant will place the bread in your hand.
If you prefer not to drink from the chalice, you may keep the bread in your hand and have it
dipped into the chalice and placed into your mouth by the Deacon or Lay Eucharistic Minister
(LEM). If you drink from the chalice, then please guide the chalice to your mouth by gently touching
the base of the chalice.
If you do not want to receive communion, but would like to receive a blessing ,you may come
to the altar rail during communion for a blessing.
Communion
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Hymnal 105
Celebrant
Let us pray.
All
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.
Post Communion Hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night”
The congregation will light their candles during the singing of this hymn,
as the acolytes pass each row with the lighting candle.
"Silent Night, Holy Night "
111
The Celebrant will offer a blessing to the people.
Recessional Hymn
“Joy To The World! The Lord Is Come”
Hymnal 100
Deacon
People
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God
The poinsettias which adorn our Sanctuary are given
to the Glory of God and
in loving memory of Franklin and Kathleen Brandon
by Philip Brandon
in thanksgiving for Adam, Rachel and Beth and
in loving memory of Myrna, Tom and Ann Braddock
by David Braddock
in loving memory of Tom, Gary and Dennis Farmer
by Janet Farmer
in loving memory of Joyce Rogers
by Rolland Rogers
in loving memory of Billy Kenner and Jean Teddy
by Joyce Kenner
in loving memory of William L. Stebbens
and in thanksgiving for her children and grandchildren
by Mavis K. Stebbens
in loving memory of his father William L. Stebbens
and in thanksgiving for his mum Mavis Stebbens and
his children and grandchildren
by Rick Stebbens
in loving memory of Mac and Dorothy Mollison,
Bonnie Farris, Zane Adams, Ed and Jean Reif
by The Reverend Suzanne Mollison
in loving memory of Kristi Rae Kidwell
and in thanksgiving for their
children and
grandchildren
by Jon and Billye Kidwell
in loving memory of Lowell Templer,
Murel Cearley, Stella Ware, and Joneta Hale
and in thanksgiving for her grandchildren
by Iva Nell Templer
in loving memory of Mary Nell
and thanksgiving for his grandchildren
by Paul Mock
in thanksgiving for their children and
in loving memory of their parents
by Charlie and Deanna Keegan
in loving memory of Verna Philbrick Blackwell
and James Lemaster Blackwell,
Elizabeth Minor McAskill and Sam McAskill
by John and Bonnie McAskill
in loving memory of Ben Bailey
by Shirlee Bailey Patzkowski
CELEBRANT:
ASSISTANT MINISTER:
The Reverend William Carlin
The Reverend Suzanne Mollison
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER:
John Womack
LECTORS:
First Lesson:
John Womack
The Epistle:
CRUCIFER:
USHERS:
Jon Kidwell
Philip Brandon
Ken Aungst and Iva Nell Templer
ALTAR GUILD:
Jon Kidwell
ORGANIST:
Tom Cotner
LOCKUP:
Philip Brandon
Please join us in the parish hall
after the worship service this
evening to help celebrate the birth
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
at our traditional
Christmas Eve Reception.
Merry Christmas!