The Feast of St. Stephen
We welcome in a spirit of silence as
the prelude begins our service.
OUR
APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude "What Child Is This?"
Introit "A Nativity Prayer"
Welcome
The Blessing of
the Christmas Gifts
The Lighting of the Christ Candle - Divine Office
This day true peace has come down to us from heaven,
THIS DAY THE HEAVENS DRIP HONEY UPON THE ENTIRE WORLD!
This day brought the day of new redemption,
OF THE DELIVERANCE ANNOUNCED OF OLD, OF ETERNAL HAPPINESS!
Let us this day with delight in the Lord
AND LET OUR HEARTS BE FILLED WITH REJOICING,
For eternal salvation has appeared on the earth,
LET ALL THE EARTH BOW TO YOU & SING TO YOU, LET ALL SING
YOUR NAME MOST HIGH! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
*Hymn 131 "Angels from the Realm of
Glory"
Let us be before our God in silence.
Opening Prayer - John Wallace Suter
SEND, O GOD, INTO THE DARKNESS OF THIS
TROUBLED WORLD, THE LIGHT OF YOUR SON: LET THE STAR OF YOUR HOPE TOUCH
THE MINDS OF ALL PEOPLE WITH THE BRIGHT BEAMS OF MERCY AND TRUTH; AND
SO DIRECT OUR STEPS THAT WE MAY ALWAYS WALK IN THE WAY REVEALED TO US,
AS THE SHEPHERDS OF BETHLEHEM WALKED WITH JOY TO THE MANGER WHERE HE
DWELT.
Kyrie
(sung)
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US.
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
A Word of Assurance:
Isaiah 2:1-4
Anthem "The Birthday of a King" W. Neidlinger
THE WORD OF
GOD
*Responsive Reading:
John 1:1-14
*Gloria
Patri (Hymn No. 623)
GLORY BE
TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY GHOST.
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW AND EVER SHALL BE,
WORLD WITHOUT END,
AMEN, AMEN!
The Greeting of Peace
Announcements
Children's Moment
*Hymn 132
"Angels We Have Heard on High"
Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Epistle:
Hebrews 1
The Celtic Alleluia!
Gospel:
Luke 2:1-20
Sermon
OUR
RESPONSE TO GOD
*Hymn 151 "Good Christian Folk Rejoice"
The Offering
*Doxology (625) and Prayer
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM
ALL BLESSINGS FLOW;
PRAISE GOD ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW;
PRAISE GOD ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS;
PRAISE FATHER (CREATOR), SON (CHRIST) AND HOLY GHOST. AMEN.
Giving Thanks and Praise to God
The Prayer of the People & the
Lord's Prayer
*Hymn 133 "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
*Benediction
*Choral Response "Ring the Bells" H. Bollback
Postlude
*Please stand if you are able.
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