Christ Church
CHRISTMAS DAY Friday, December 25, 2020 10:00 AM
The Reverend Jane Gober, Rector Janet Kaido, Organist and Choir Director
Mackenzie Alexander, Director, Youth Ministry & Communications Church Office 610-521-1626
104 Nevin St. Ridley Park, PA 19078 www.ChristChurchRidleyPark.org
http://www.christchurchridleypark.org/
We welcome you today, and always, just as you are: content or wiggly, confused or confident. In this bulletin the whole congregation says the texts in bold. When praying #togetherapart we recommend that you: sing the songs and say the responses out loud. We invite you to move your body to set your intention at different parts, and we include the directions for sitting and standing which are ‘as you are able’ and willing, because we welcome you just as you are. We also suggest that you make a home altar space somewhere near the screen you watch on, or near your telephone. We are currently sharing the classic practice of Morning Prayer as the heart of our life together. The video of this service is available as soon as Friday on our YouTube channel (CCRP Learning and Info). All are invited to share the experience together on Facebook live on Sunday mornings. We have begun by-reservation limited person Holy Communion on Sundays at 10am and first Tuesdays at 7pm. Regardless of how we continue in our mission, the church and its ministry continue while we are #togetherapart. If you would like to know more about Christ Church and how we practice the Christian faith in this time and place, we invite you to contact us. Military Service: U.S. Army Richard W., Eric C., Michael S., Chris W., Mark R., Michael B. U.S. Navy Marshal N., Nicole G., Joshua R. U.S. Air Force David B., Tony G., Mark U.S. Marine Corps Timothy N., Jerome S., William S., Austin U.S.M.C. Reserve Neil S., Rob National Guard Evan H., James R., Robert W. First Responders: Jim N., Rob H., Frank D., Tom H., Joan H., David III, Michael D., Marianna, Aaron K., Josh P., Doug C., Art R., Lee E., Jesse F., Mitchell H., Wayne M. This Week’s Prayers Requested For: DePalma Family, Richard Gilmore, Maye, Melso & Peticca Family, Hank, Sue D. Continuing Prayers Requested For: Maripat, Amy, Kay, Doris, Katharyn H., Maureen, Richard, Michelle, Feilke family, Jay S., Donna P., Sue S., Joyce M., Rebecca, Anna, Jack, Jane B., Nancy A., Cameron, Megan, Jessica, Donna, Maye. Bill, Baby Vincent. Names will remain on the continuing prayer list for a four-week period.
PRELUDE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Dietrich Buxtehude OPENING HYMN Go tell it on the mountain (vs. 1,3) H 99
OPENING SENTENCE The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.
John 1.14 CHRISTMAS CANDLE LIGHTING On Christmas we light all the candles, and this Christ candle for the newborn Jesus, reawakening hope and faith – the Word embodied for our time. One God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we receive your promise, for You are light, You are hope.
OPENING HYMN It came upon the midnight clear (vs. 1,2) H 89
THE INVITATORY AND PSALTER VERSICLE All stand
Presider Lord, open our lips. People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Presider and People Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. PSALM: Psalm 98 1O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous
song and sing praises. 5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. 6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. 7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. 8Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy 9at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
At the end of the Psalm is sung or said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE LESSONS THE EPISTLE: HEBREWS 1. 1-4 A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
THE GOSPEL: John 1:1-14 The people stand Presider: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ People: Glory to you, Lord Christ 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.
Reader The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you Lord Christ.
HOMILY
THE APOSTLES’ CREED Presider and People together, all standing. 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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.
THE PRAYERS SALUTATION The people stand or kneel
Presider The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Presider Let us pray.
THE LORD’S PRAYER Presider 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,
forever and ever. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE God calls us to love one another. As a sign of that love let us pray together saying: O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for the peace of the world, that our instruments of strife may be transformed into tools of peace. O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for the church, , for this congregation, for the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and all churches across the globe, especially the Diocese of Jerusalem, that we may become more and more a means of grace and compassion in the world. O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for all people of good heart who seek to cast off the works of evil and injustice that we may be reshaped through our serving others in the name of Christ. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for all who are in need, suffering, stressed, or far from home: DePalma Family, Richard Gilmore, Maye, Melso & Peticca Family, Hank, Sue D., Mackenzie, Maripat, Amy, Kay, Doris, Katharyn H., Maureen, Richard, Michelle, Feilke family, Jay S., Donna P., Sue S., Joyce M., Rebecca, Anna, Jack, Jane B., Nancy A., Cameron, Megan, Jessica, Donna, Maye. Bill, Baby Vincent.
First Responders: Jim N., Rob H., Frank D., Tom H., Joan H., David III, Michael D., Marianna, Aaron K., Josh P., Doug C., Art R., Lee E., Jesse F., Mitchell H., Wayne M. Military: Richard W., Eric C., Michael S., Chris W., Mark R., Michael B., Marshal N., Nicole G., Joshua R. David B., Tony G., Mark, Timothy N., Jerome S., William S., Austin, Neil S., Rob., Evan H., James R., Robert W.
For all those who suffer in any way from this pandemic and for those on the forefront of confronting it. (silence)
• We offer these names and places that we may be alert to the presence of Christ in them
and ready to listen in love. O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for all who have died in the faith of Christ especially Mary Demaris Forsythe Wilkins, and for the promise of the incarnation to be fulfilled. O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for the souls of 1.7 million dead worldwide from the Coronavirus. May they rest in peace, and may we strive to reduce the devastation. Silence. O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• We pray for all who have assembled to pray together this day, whether they be close or far, that we may all be wrapped in the embrace of God, and go forth from this moment to be Christ in the world. O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
FIRST COLLECT In this most gentle Christmas morning, O good and gracious God, we have gathered to behold the wonder that has taken place, for the loving kindness of our Savior has appeared. Give us words inspired enough to make known the mercy that has touched our lives, and hearts simple
enough to bear witness to the gift of your abiding love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with and for us, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SECOND COLLECT God of our Salvation, you have ordained that we should serve you in serving one another. Look upon this nation, burdened at this time with many cares and anxieties, with infection, sickness, and untimely death. Grant us grace to work together, with honest and faithful hearts, each caring for the good of all; that, striving first for your reign and its righteousness, we may have added to us all things that we need for our daily sustenance and the common good. Through the loving presence of the Holy Trinity, One God, we pray. Amen. OFFERTORY REMINDER AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Let us with gladness present the offerings and gifts of our life to the Lord. HYMN On This Day (vs. 1,2) H 92
THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING Presider and People Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. CLOSING HYMN Hark! the herald angels sing H 87
BLESSING AND DISMISSAL The Presider blesses the people, saying
This Christmas you receive the true light which enlightens everyone, for you are children of God, born of God. May you testify to the Word made flesh, living among us, full grace and truth. May the Spirit give you life, the life that is the light which shines in the darkness and cannot be overcome. And the blessing of our glorious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and enlighten you, now and for ever. Amen.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3.7 POSTLUDE God Rest You Merry Wilbur Held
CCRP EVENTS & INFORMATION
Whoever you are, for whatever draws you to join Christ Church today, we are glad you are here. If you would like to learn more about how to connect and grow through the ministries of the Episcopal Church in this region, and Christ Church, Ridley Park, please send us an email: [email protected]. Morning Prayer, Sundays at 9am- streaming on Facebook or at any time on YouTube @ CCRP Learning and Info Holy Eucharist, Sundays at 10am- livestreaming on YouTube @CCRP Learning and Info Join our weekly e-newsletter by texting CCRPLOVE to 22828. The parish-wide emails will be in your inbox every Friday evening and have our most updated announcements and access to important links. Free Poinsettias- Help us re-home the Christmas decor poinsettias. You may pick them up between 11am-12pm after Morning Prayer Christmas Day. Take a few to share with neighbors! Sunday the 27th Redirect- CCRP will be taking next Sunday to rest and redirecting you to worship with the Washington National Catherdral. Community Ornament Exchange- Stop by the Community Tree at CCRP on Sellers Ave to participate in the neighborhood ornament exchange throughout the rest of December. The exchange is "take an ornament, leave an ornament" style, so bring an ornament to share. Red Door Communion Distribution- We are now be offering in-person communion after the 10am livestreamed Holy Eucharist service. After participating at home, you may come by the church between 11-12pm to receive communion outdoors at the rear of the nave, red doors. Please remain masked and social distanced from other households outside. Office closed- Please be aware that the church office will be closed the last week of the month. For pastoral emergencies please contact Rev. Jane directly. Epiphany Lessons & Carols- The prerecorded video will premiere on January 3rd on Facebook or available to watch on your own time in our YouTube library. Livestreaming Assistant- If you are willing to be trained on how to work the streaming camera remote and broadcast the Sunday 10am service please contact Mackenzie. Photo Scanning- Looking for tech-able persons to take home photos to scan and digitize for CCRP photo archives. On your own time and at your own pace. AmazonSmile If you are an Amazon shopper, please consider using Amazon Smile. A percentage (.5%) of your purchase would be returned to Christ Church. To participate, sign on to www.smile.amazon.com and search for Christ Church Ridley Park. Select Christ Church as your charity and begin your shopping.
mailto:[email protected]://www.smile.amazon.com/
The Gospel: John 1:1-14
