Gathering
Welcome
Gathering Song “Angels, From the Realms of Glory” # 275
Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth;
once you sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new-born king.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new-born king.
Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations, you have seen his natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new-born king.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Hymn of Praise Brightest and Best of the Stars # 303
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid.
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant redeemer is laid.
What shall we give him, in costly devotion?
Shall we bring incense and off’rings divine,
gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favor secure;
richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid.
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant redeemer is laid.
Prayer of the Day
Word
First Reading
A: A reading from Isaiah, the 60th chapter.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel and Sermon (Video) – Akililu Hunqe – Director of Programs for CLWR
Hymn of the Day “What Child is This?” # 296
What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!
Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you;
hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby;
joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!
Creed
P: We are made God’s people through our baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, let us confess our faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
Prayers
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Sharing of the Peace
Meal
Offertory “Let the Vineyards be Fruitful” # 182
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us
a foretaste of the feast to come.
Offertory Prayer
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Eucharistic Prayer
Blessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all.
By your powerful word, you created all things. Through the prophets, you called your people to be a light to the nations.
Blessed are you for Jesus.
He is your Light shining in your darkness and revealing to us your mercy and grace.
A plate of bread in each home may be lifted up.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it saying: This is my body given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
A cup of wine in each home may be lifted up.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his preaching and healing, his dying and rising, and his promise to come again, we await that day when all the universe will rejoice in your holy and life-giving light.
By your Spirit, bless us and this holy meal, that refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world revealing the brilliance of Christ;
Through whom all glory and honour are yours with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, now and forever. Amen
Lord’s Prayer
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, forever and ever. Amen
Distribution
If you are in a group, you may serve one another. If you are alone, you may serve yourself. All use these or similar words:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Blessing
P: May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen, keep, and unite us now and forever. Amen
Post-Communion Canticle “Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise”
Thankful hearts and voices raise; tell everyone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and bear Christ’s holy name.
Send us with your promises and lead your people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. Alleluia!
Post-Communion Prayer
Sending
Announcements may be made.
Benediction
Sending Hymn “Arise, Your Light Has Come” # 314
Arise, your light has come! The Spirit’s call obey;
show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
Arise, your light has come! Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light has come! All you in sorrow born,
bind up the broken-hearted ones and comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light has come! The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing, God’s power will make us strong.
Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. © 1992 GIA Publications. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-736296. All rights reserved.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus.
Thanks be to God!
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