St. Alban’s Anglican Church 7260 St. Albans Road, Richmond B.C. V6Y 2K3 Phone: 604-278-2770 Fax: 604-278-3384

E-mail address: office@stalbansrichmond.org Web Site: www.stalbansrichmond.org

A Celebration of Christmas Eve

December 24, 2020 7:00 pm

St. Alban’s Anglican Church is an inclusive community of disciples of Jesus

Christ serving God in the heart of Richmond through Worship, Caring ministry and Outreach. All are Welcome

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Christmas Eve 7:00pm

December 24th

, 2020

Gathering of the Community

Opening Hymn Prepare the Way, O Zion CP 102

1. Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!

Let every hill and valley a level way appear.

Greet one who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.

2. He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven

above. His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth,

and love. Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and

joy abounding.

3. Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Saviour’s rule

embrace. His tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.

All lands will bow before him, their voices will adore him.

Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name

Greeting Light and peace to you in Jesus Christ our Lord!

Thanks be to God!

O come, let us adore Christ Jesus, born to be God -with-us.

O come, let us worship!

One Jesus said , I am the light of the world .

Those who follow me will not walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.

All Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Candles are lit

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One Source of all light, you send your Son Jesus to shine in the

darkness of the world .

Help us prepare our hearts to receive anew The One who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and

forever. Amen

All Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

One The kingdom of God is at hand!

All O come, let us worship.

Collect Almighty God,

as we prepare with joy to celebrate the gift of the Christ-

child, embrace the earth with your glory

and be for us a living hope

in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Proclamation of the Word

First Reading 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 d ivid ing 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.

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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. (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 96: 1-6, 9

Sing to God a new song;

Sing your praise, all the earth.

Sing and bless God’s holy name,

tell the glad news of salvation from day to day.

Declare God’s glory among the nations,

among all the peoples God’s wonderful works.

For great is God and greatly to be praised,

to be revered above all the gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

but you, O God, made the heavens.

Honour and majesty attend you,

strength and beauty are in your sanctuary.

Worship God in the beauty of holiness,

and let the whole earth stand in awe.

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Second Reading Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared , bringing salvation to all, training us to

renounce impiety and world ly 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.

(Titus 2:11-14)

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

Acclamation CP 715

Alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! luia, alleluia!

I bring you good news of great joy,

which will come to all the people;

for to you is born this day a Saviour,

Christ the Lord!

Alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! luia, alleluia!

The Gospel

May God be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Glory to you, O Jesus Christ

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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!" (Luke 2:1-14)

The Gospel of Christ

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily The Reverend Paula Porter Leggett

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The Nicene Creed Let us confess our faith, as we say

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

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

and was made one of us.

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.

With the Father and the Son

he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

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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.

Prayers of the People (stand, sit or kneel)

The Peace The peace of Christ Jesus be with you.

And also with you. .

Offertory Carol O Little town of Bethlehem CP 121

1. 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

2. For Christ is born of Mary

and gathered all above

while mortals sleep, the angels keep

their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

proclaim the holy birth

and praises sing to God the King

and Peace to men on earth

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3. How silently, how silently

the wondrous gift is given

as love imparts to human hearts

the blessings of God’s heaven!

No ear may hear his coming;

but in this world of sin,

where meek souls will receive him,

still the dear Christ enters in.

4. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

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

The Holy Eucharist: Great Thanksgiving

Prayer over the Gifts

Good and loving God,

we rejoice in the birth of Jesus,

who came among the poor

to bring the riches of your grace.

As you have blessed us with your gifts,

let them be a blessing for others.

With the trees of the field,

with all earth and heaven,

we shout for joy at the coming of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship # 3

May God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to God.

Let us give thanks to God our Creator.

It is right to offer thanks and praise.

It is indeed , our duty and joy,

that we should at all times and all place give thanks

and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

In the wonder and mystery of the word made flesh

you have opened the eyes of our faith to a new and

rad iant vision of your glory, that, behold ing the God

made visible we may be drawn to the love of God whom

we cannot see. As so, with all the choirs of angels,

with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we

praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus P. Porter Leggett

Next pg.

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Holy One,

the beginning and the end ,

the giver of life:

Blessed are you

for the birth of creation.

Blessed are you

in the darkness and in the light.

Blessed are you

for your promise to your people.

Blessed are you

in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.

Blessed are you

for Mary’s openness to your will.

Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,

the Word made flesh.

In the night

in which he was betrayed

our Lord Jesus took bread ,

and gave thanks; broke it,

and gave it to his d isciples,

saying: Take and eat;

this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

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.

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Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup

we remember your Word

dwelling among us,

full of grace and truth.

We remember our new birth

in his death and resurrection.

We look with hope for his coming.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God,

we long for your Spirit,

Come among us.

Bless this meal.

May your Word take flesh in us.

Awaken your people.

Fill us with your light.

Bring the gift of peace on earth.

Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours,

Holy One of Israel,

Word of God incarnate,

Power of the Most High,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

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The Lord’s Prayer As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

We break the bread of life,

and that life is the light of the world .

God here among us, light in the midst of us,

bring us to light and life .

The gifts of God for the people of God.

All Thanks be to God.

“Receive Christ in your heart s by faith, w ith thanksgiv ing.” Though w e do not

share the bread and w ine at present , w e cont inue to share in Christ , members

of his body (1Cor 12) and the “branches of the (grape) Vine!! (John 15) Christ

cont inues to dw ell in us, and w e in him, This is a Mystery of Faith form w hich

w e can draw comfort and encouragement .

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Communion Carol Infant Holy, Infant Lowly CP 125

1. Infant holy, infant lowly,

for his bed a cattle stall;

oxen lowing, little knowing

Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Swift are winging angels singing,

nowells ringing, tidings bringing:

Christ the babe is Lord of all,

Christ the babe is Lord of all.

2. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping

vigil till the morning new;

saw the glory, heard the story,

tidings of a gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,

praises voicing, greet tomorrow:

Christ the babe was born for you,

Christ the babe was born for you!

Communion Carol Silent Night CP 11

1. Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin, Mother, and Child

Holy infant so tender and mild

sleep in heavenly peace

sleep in heavenly peace.

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2. Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight:

glories stream from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing alleluia,

Christ the Saviour is born

Christ the Saviour is born.

3. Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

radiant beams from thy holy face,

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth

Prayer after Communion

Lover of all creation,

the child born for us is the Saviour of the world.

May he be revealed in us, your children,

and welcome us into your reign of justice and peace,

where he is alive and reigns with you now and for

ever. Amen.

Doxology Glory to God,

whose power, working in us

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to God from generation to generation,

in the Church and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever. Amen

Blessing

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The Sending Forth of the Community

Alleluia! Alleluia! Go now in the spirit of peace and joy!

All Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Closing Hymn Hark the Herald Angels Sing CP 138

1. Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King!

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled."

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th' angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King!

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored:

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;

hail, th'incarnate deity:

pleased, as one of us to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King!

3. Hail! the heaven-born

Prince of peace!

Hail! the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings

Mild he lays his glory by,

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born that man no more may die:

born to raise the son of earth,

born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King !

Sending Hymn Joy to the World CP 154

1. Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive the King; let

every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and

heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing.

2. Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns: let us glad songs employ, while

fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy,

repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3. No more let wrongs and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;

he comes to make his blessings flow far as our sin is found, far as our

sin is found, far as, far as, our sin is found.

4. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove

the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders

of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.

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St . Alban’s Christmas Serv ices –Online

@ w w w .stalbansrichmond.org

Dec 25th Christmas Day 10:00 am-Online

Dec 27th 1

st Sunday after Christmas

8:30 am & 10:00 am –Online

Envelope Subscribers:

Your 2021 envelopes will be available for pick-up at the back of the

church when church re-opens. If you would like to pick them up

from the office please call or email Jennifer in the New Year. If

you are not an envelope subscriber and would like envelopes for

2021 please contact Thelma O’Keeffe at 604-274-7940

Your 2020 gifts, donations and pledges will be gratefully received until

Dec 31, 2020 and marked ‘2020’. This year especially we depend on each

other to keep St. Alban’s “household” up and running.

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Your 2021 Flower Chart is in the back of the church!

Is this new to you? Flowers in the sanctuary are often given to celebrate special occasions

and/or people in parishioners lives. Your gift for flowers helps the Altar Guild in this act of

making our worship space lovely. We have a florist who provides our bouquets; please speak

with Anne Denis about the dedication you would like if you have chosen a week for flowers.

Ministering Through the Liturgy

Celebrant and Preacher: Reverend Paula Porter Leggett Readers: Sandy Scherban, Kas Kothari, Rev Paula Porter Leggett Intercessor: Deacon: Katherine Yeo Music: Kyumin Lee, Rev’d Paula (gu itar), David Larson (violin) Altar Guild: Anne Denis, Stephanie Christie

Flowers: The flowers today are ded icated to the glory

of God .