Christmas Eve – 24 December 2024
The Holy Eucharist – Rite II
(Note: H=Blue Hymnal / BCP=Red Book of Common Prayer)
Prelude St. Paul’s Choir, and Mt. Zion Youth
The Word of God
Procession Hymn H 93
Acclamation BCP 355
Gloria H S280
Salutation and Collect BCP 357
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.
The First 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,
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.
The Response – Psalm 96
Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
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.”
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.
Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the Lord when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.
The Second Lesson – 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.
Sequence Hymn H 96
The Gospel – Luke 2:1-20
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 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.
Sermon
The Nicene Creed BCP 358
The Prayers of the People
After each petition,
Layreader: God of glory,
People: grant us your peace.
For the Universal Church, its members, and its mission:
For Sean, our Presiding Bishop; Poulson, our Diocesan Bishop; Nancy, our Vicar; the members of our Bishop’s Committee
For the Claremore Christian Ministerial Alliance
For the Northeast Oklahoma Clericus
For St. Paul’s, its mission, ministry, and people
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for St. Paul’s, Clinton, and for Whirlwind Mission, Watonga
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer for The Diocese of Kumasi – The Church of the Province of West Africa
For the nation and all in authority:
For Joe, our President, and the Congress; Donald, the President-elect,
Kevin, our Governor and the Legislature; Debbie our Mayor and the City Counsel; and the judicial system
For our service men and women around the world and all those in harm’s way, especially Connor, John, Josh, Steven, and Cooper
For this community:
For all students, teachers, & administrators, especially Christina, Hannah, Zach, Cara, and Shelby
For all public safety officers, especially Dale and Michael
For those who have asked for or are in need of our prayers:
For Ani/ Chris/ Mike/ Brian/ Mark H/ Ron H/ Rose/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Vernon/ Corey/ Janie/ Rick/ Lillian/ Carol Sue/ Erin/ Mike/ Don/ Pauline/ Doris/ Stephen/ Jim/ Tjode/ Traci/ Rusti/ Joyce L/ Justin/ Robert/ Lenny/ Rose Ridge
For those who have died:
The Confession of Sin BCP 360
The Peace BCP 360
The Holy Communion
The Offertory – Every 3rd Sunday, all undesignated offerings in the offering plate go to the ministry fund (formerly the discretionary fund).
Offertory Hymn H 83
Doxology
(“Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen”)
Eucharistic Prayer B BCP 367
Sanctus H S125
Fraction Anthem BCP 364
The Invitation to Communion
All people are welcome to receive Communion at Saint Paul’s. This is the table, not of the Church, but of God. It is here for those who love God and who want to love God more. So, come, you who have much faith, and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who are new. Come, because it is our Lord who invites us. It is God’s will that those who want him should meet him here.
Post-communion Prayer BCP 365
Blessing
Procession Hymn H 111
Dismissal BCP 366
Postlude Mt. Zion Youth