The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Holy Eucharist: Rite II with Children’s Nativity PlaySt. Catherine’s Episcopal Church

Monday, December 24, 20184:30 in the evening

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Welcome to St. Catherine’s.We are delighted that you have joined us this evening for our celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are new or visiting with us, we invite you to fill out a visitor card, which can be found in the pew rack in front of you. Completed cards may be given to a member of the clergy. For more information about our parish, including a complete schedule of

worship services, please visit our website at https://stcatherinesal.com.

Receiving CommunionAt St. Catherine’s, all are welcome at the Lord’s Table, including those who have been baptized in other traditions. If you are not receiving Communion today, please feel free to come forward to receive a blessing. You may indicate your preference for a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest. If you would like to learn more about baptism or about following Jesus in the

Episcopal tradition, please speak with the Rector at the end of the service.If walking or standing is difficult for you, please remain seated, and we will be happy to bring Communion to you in your pew. Simply let the ushers

know as they pass by your pew, and they will notify the priest.

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The Holy Eucharist: Rite II withChildren’s Nativity Play

The Entrance Rite

The Prelude The day is so full of joy J.S. Bach

Welcome and AnnouncemenTs

At the sound of the bell, all stand and sing the

hymn in Procession O come, all ye faithful Hymn 83

The oPening AcclAmATion

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 inspiration of your

Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The gloriA Gloria in exceslis

All sing

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The collecT of The dAy

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.

All sit.

The Word of God

The lesson Isaiah 9:2-7

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,

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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.

Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

All stand and sing

The hymn What child is this, who, laid to rest Hymn 115

All sit for the Nativity Play.

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The Nativity Play

The Congregation may remain seated for the duration of the Nativity Play.Please join the cast in the singing of the Christmas carols in between each scene.

The cAsT

Narrators: John Mark Patton and Connor DouglasMary: Kylie DouglasJoseph: Wade Floyd

Angel 1: Sophie MancilAngel 2: Sophia Reimer, Leila Phillips, and Chloe Patton

Angel 3: Walker TateAngel 4: Emily Tate

Additional Angels: Kayelyn Dominguez, AJ Rittmann, and Crimson NivensInkeeper 1: Jude Mancil

Inkeeper 2: Colton FloydStable Hand/Shepherd: Jayden Patton

Shepherds: Harris Savage, James Patton, and Caelan PattonAnimals: Joseph Dominguez, Christopher Rittmann,

Cayden Rittmann, and Waylon NivensPlay Assistants: Melissa Phillips and Angie Douglas

Director: Mandi Gonzalez

scene one

The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will givebirth to God’s Son and that he will be named Jesus.

Following Scene One, all sing

Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;With angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem!Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!

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scene TWo

Joseph learns that the Roman emperor has ordered a census of theregion. So, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, the city of David.

Following Scene Two, all sing

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;

yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

scene Three

Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem and seek shelterfor the evening, only to discover that all of the inns are full.

Following Scene Three all sing

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes,I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

scene four

An angel of the Lord announces the birth of Jesus.

Following Scene Four, all sing

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is brightround yon virgin mother child. Holy infant, so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

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The PrAyers of The PeoPle

Deacon

Brothers and sisters, on this most holy night of our Lord’s birth, that we may find peace, joy, and contentment in this holy season, let us pray for ourselves and all those in need of our prayers, saying: Lord, hear our prayer.

Intercessor

For the church of Christ, that it may faithfully proclaim the good news of salvation and may care for the needs of God’s people in all corners of the world, we pray to you, O Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.For peace in our troubled world, that the darkness of war and injustice may be replaced by the light of peace and love, we pray to you, O Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.For all those in need of our prayers: the homeless; the unemployed; the hungry; those who are hospitalized; those who are imprisoned in body or soul; and all those for whom this season is one not of joy but of trial and sadness, we pray to you, O Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.For the sick, that their illnesses may be turned into health and their sorrow into rejoicing, we pray to you, O Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.For those who labor this night on behalf of others: doctors and nurses, police officers and firefighters, bus and taxi drivers, and all those whose work prevents them from sharing this evening with those they love, we pray to you, O Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

The People may add their own petitions and intercessions, either silently or aloud.

In thanksgiving we remember the lives of those who have gone before us in the faith, that we, like them, may remain faithful to the end and live forever in the light of your eternal glory, we pray to you, O Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

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The Celebrant adds this concluding prayer

Mighty God, mercifully hear the prayers of the people you have chosen as your own. Give us zeal in our ministries and joy in our work, through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

All stand for

The PeAce

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.

The Holy Communion

During the Offertory, an Organ Voluntary is played.

As alms and oblations are brought to the Altar, all stand and sing the

hymn AT The PresenTATion Angels we have heard on high Hymn 96

The greAT ThAnksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B

Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

The Celebrant proceeds

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

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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 for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

All sing

The People stand or kneel as they are able. The Celebrant 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.

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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,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death,We proclaim his resurrection,We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant continues

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, Blessed Catherine, 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. AMEN.

Celebrant

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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Celebrant and People

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 BreAking of The BreAd

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread, followed by a brief period of silence.

All sing

The Celebrant says

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

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During the ministration of Communion, all sing the

hymns during communion

The first Nowell the angel did say Hymn 109

It came upon the midnight clear Hymn 89

After the ministration of Communion, all stand or kneel for

The PrAyer AfTer communion

Celebrant Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus

Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing for chrisTmAsTide

Celebrant

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with

the light of his holiness. Amen.May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen.

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And the blessing of God Almighty, ✠ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

The dismissAl

Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.

After the Blessing and Dismissal, all stand and sing the

hymn in Procession Joy to the world! the Lord is come Hymn 100

The PosTlude Angels We Have Heard on High Henry Balcombe

Thank you for joining us this evening. May Almighty God fill you withjoy and peace this Christmas, and may you be blessed in the new year.

4163 County Road 39P.O. Box 577

Chelsea, Alabama 35043

Phone: (205) 618-8367E-mail: rector@stcatherinesal.comWeb: https://stcatherinesal.com

The Rt. Rev’d John McKee Sloan, Bishop of AlabamaThe Rev’d Eric N. Mancil, Rector

The Rev’d Maggie Taylor, Priest AffiliateThe Rev’d Dn. Clyde Pearce, Deacon

Julie Seal, Parish Administrative AssistantMatthew West, Organist/ChoirmasterMandi Gonzalez, Director of Children’s MinistriesAmanda Seal, Nursery Coordinator

C L E R G Y & S T A F F

Jane Keeton (2019), Senior WardenRoy Hancock (2018), Junior Warden

Bill Churchwell (2018), Junior WardenAnn Watts, Clerk of the Vestry

Michelle Landrum (2019)Brent McLarty (2020)Dee Shirley (2020)Sherrie Andrews, Pro tem

V E S T R Y & O F F I C E R S