Carol Sing

and

The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors”

Luke 2:14

Church of Our Saviour

“Our Mission: to live out the gospel by transforming lives and neighborhoods in partnership,

with innovation, and with compassion.”

December 24, 2020

10:30 p.m. – Carol Sing

11:00 p.m. – Liturgy of the Word

The Rev. Debra Q. Bennett, Rector

Peter Wright, Choir Director

Michael McGroarty, Musician

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Church of Our Saviour Episcopal 471 Crosby Street

Akron, Ohio, 44302

330-535-9174

We invite you to experience God’s love and ours. We are a part of the worldwide Anglican

Communion. We are bound together by our common liturgy, not a rigid set of doctrines. So how

we sing and pray and relate to one another is very important to us. Wherever you are on your

journey, we have a place for you and invite you to make your place with us. Come share our joys

and sorrows as we share in yours. God is alive for everyone here regardless of age, race, gender,

sexual orientation or life history. Join singles, couples, partners and families of every description

that make up our community of faith. Rejoice with us in our diversity.

Parish Prayer

Good and gracious God, we pray for all who have yet to know of your love and mercy. May the

Church of Our Saviour be so inspired by your Holy Spirit that it may serve as a beacon of hope

and a witness to the gospel for all people. Grant that we may continually grow in our own

knowledge and love of you as we strive to use all that we have and all that we are to follow and

imitate your beloved son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Welcome, Guests

If you are joining us online for the first time this evening, we hope you will consider making

Church of Our Saviour your church home during this period of suspended

in-person worship.

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Carol Sing

PRELUDE:

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing arr. Randall Hartsell

Mickey McGroarty, Organ

Angels We have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o'er the plains,

and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.

REFRAIN: Gloria in excelsis deo!, Gloria in excesis deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heav'nly song.

REFRAIN

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;

come adore on bended knee Chris, the Lord, the newborn King.

REFRAIN

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,

from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth good-will to men from heav'n's all gracious King."

The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurl'd;

And still their heav'nly music floats o'er all the weary world:

Above it's sad and lowly plains they bend on hov'ring wing,

And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

O ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low,

who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow.

Look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing;

O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.

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The First Noel The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

REFRAIN: Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star, shining in the east beyond them far;

and to the Earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.

REFRAIN

And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a King was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.

REFRAIN

O Little Town of Bethlehem 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.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth!

And praises sing to God the King and peace to men on Earth!

How silently, how silently, the wond'rous gift is giv'n.

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n.

No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,

where come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Away in a Manger 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 'til morning is nigh

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear.

REFRAIN: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou wisdom from on high, who ord'rest all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.

REFRAIN

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height, in ancient times didst

give the law, in cloud and majesty and awe.

REFRAIN

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

REFRAIN

What Child is This? 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?

REFRAIN: 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.

REFRAIN

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant, king to own Him. The King of Kings

salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.

REFRAIN

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The Holly and the Ivy The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,

of all trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.

REFRAIN: O, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ,

sweet singing in the choir!

The holly bears a blossom, as white as lily flow'r,

and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our dear Saviour.

REFRAIN

The holly bears a berry, as red as any blood,

and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, to do poor sinners good.

REFRAIN

The holly bears a prickle, as sharp as any thorn,

and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day in the morn.

REFRAIN

Sussex Carol On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring;

On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring.

News of great joy, new of great mirth,

News of our merciful King's birth.

Then why should men on Earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad,

Then why should men on Earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad,

When from our sin He set us free,

All for to gain our liberty?

All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night:

All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night:

"Glory to God and peace to men,

now and forevermore! Amen."

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Joy to the World Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let Earth receive her King;

Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room

and heav'n and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sin and sorrows grow,

nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace

and makes the nations prove

the glories of His righteousness

and wonders of His love.

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The Vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of

Our Lord Jesus Christ

Christmas Eve –11:00 p.m.

Prelude

Opening Hymn

Hymnal #83 “O come, all ye faithful” Adeste Fideles

(continues on following page)

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The Liturgy of the Word

Opening Acclamation

Presider: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed God’s kingdom now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known and 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.

Response: Amen

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Gloria S-280

(continues on following page)

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Presider: The Lord be with you

People: And also with you

Presider: Let us pray

The Collect of the Day

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.

Response: Amen

The Lessons

Reader: A Reading from the Book of 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, 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.

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Reader: The Word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God

Psalm 96

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; *

sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.

2 Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *

proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Refrain

3 Declare his glory among the nations *

and his wonders among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *

he is more to be feared than all gods. Refrain

5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *

but it is the Lord who made the heavens.

6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *

Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Refrain

7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *

ascribe to the Lord honor and power.

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8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *

bring offerings and come into his courts. Refrain

9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *

let the whole earth tremble before him.

10 Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! *

he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity." Refrain

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *

let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy

before the Lord when he comes, *

when he comes to judge the earth. Refrain

13 He will judge the world with righteousness *

and the peoples with his truth. Refrain

Reader: A Reading from the Letter of Paul to Titus (2:11-14)

For 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 self-controlled, 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.

Response: Thanks be to God

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The Sequence Hymn

Hymnal #107 Good Christian friends, rejoice In dulci jubilo

(Continued on next page)

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The Holy Gospel

Presider: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (2:1-14[15-20])

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

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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. ]

Presider: The Holy Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ

The Sermon: The Rev. Debra Q. Bennett

The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (BCP p. 851).

We say these words as a gathered community to affirm our belief in God as creator, redeemer, and

sustainer of all creation, as the source of life and holiness. God has blessed humanity with

relationships and community which are part of God’s own essence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We do not say these words as some sort of litmus test but as an invitation to wrestle with the

mystery and complexity of God with generations of Christians who have gone before us and with

generations who will come after us.

The Nicene Creed

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 for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

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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 worshiped 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

Intercessor God of darkness and silence, you have pierced the quiet of this night by the

utterance of your Word in our flesh. May your word of compassion and reconciliation resound in

us and through us as we pray:

Intercessor On this holy night angels proclaimed the peace of your unconquered Son of

righteousness. Strengthen all who work for peace and justice. God of love,

People grant our prayer.

Intercessor On this holy night you came to us in a child cradled in a borrowed bed of straw as

there was no room in the inn. Open our hearts to the needs of the homeless and the hungry in our

community. God of love,

People grant our prayer.

Intercessor On this holy night shepherds and outcasts heard your good news. Give us grace to

spread your gospel of joy and liberation. God of love,

People grant our prayer.

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Intercessor On this holy night we rejoice at the coming of this time of re-creation. Be with

those who travel, enrich our rejoicing, and strengthen the bonds between us. God of love,

People grant our prayer.

Intercessor On this holy night Christians throughout the world are celebrating Christ's birth.

Unite us in one family that we may shine with the one light that scatters all our darkness. God of

love, 4

People grant our prayer.

Intercessor On this holy night your living Word leaped down, shedding light on all who

dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Give strength and peace to all who suffer in body,

mind, or spirit. God of love,

People grant our prayer.

Intercessor On this holy night heaven and earth embrace and in your true child you give us

power to be your children. Fulfill in your love all who have gone before us in the faith. May we,

like them, remain faithful to the mystery of the Word made flesh and live in your eternal light.

God of love,

People grant our prayer.

Celebrant Hear these prayers we bring to you and fulfill your purposes in us in the name of

Jesus, your incarnate Word. Amen.

Choir Anthem Hymnal #112 In the bleak mid-winter Cranham

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Announcements

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The Lord’s Prayer (Said)

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.

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Hymnal #111 Silent night, holy night Stille Nacht

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The Incarnation Gospel

Celebrant: Hear the Word of God from the Gospel according to John.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was

in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one

thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of

all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a

man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so

that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the

light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the

world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came

to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him,

who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born not of

blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 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.

Presider: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Christmas Blessing

Presider: 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.

People: Amen.

Presider: : 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.

People: Amen.

Presider: May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to

heaven, give you his peace and favor.

People: Amen.

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Celebrant: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be

upon you and remain with you for ever.

People: Amen.

Closing Hymn Hymnal #87 – Hark! The herald angels sing Mendelssohn

(Continued on next page)

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Dismissal

Presider: Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.

People: Thanks be to God.

Postlude

Today’s Lectors: Jeannine J. & Jennifer B.

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Merry Christmas!

Please join us for online worship on the first Sunday of Christmas for the service

of Lessons and Carols

Sunday December 27, 2020 – Christmas 1 - 10:30 a.m. Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols

Sunday January 3, 2021 – Christmas 2 - Epiphany (Transferred) - 10:30 a.m.