Grace Episcopal Church

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Feast of the Nativity for the

HolyEucharist

of our Lord

Prelude Music

Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op 6 No. 6 Arcangelo Corelli IV. Allegro—Pastorale: Largo

O Holy Night Arr. Dudley Buck Andrea Price, Soprano

Greensleeves Trad. Arr. Bruce Healy

Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Michael Praetorius Lindsey Bruner Woodcock, Alto

Sarah Gallo, Alto Mark Woodcock, Tenor

Organ Prelude Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar BWV 607 J. S. Bach

Cover picture: “The Nativity” stained glass window Grace Episcopal Church, Gainesville, Georgia Given by the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Wilheit

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth; long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming; with glowing hearts by his cradle we stand: so, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, here come the wise men from Orient land,

the King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, in all our trials born to be our friend; he knows our need, to our weakness no stranger! Behold your King!

Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! your King! before him bend!

Es ist ein Roess entsprungen, aus einer Wurzel zart, als uns die Alten sungen, aus Jesse kam die Art Und hat ein Blümlein bracht mitten im kalten Winter, wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Lo, how a rose e'er blooming, From tender stem hath sprung. Of Jesse's lineage coming, As men of old have sung; It came, a flow'ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.

Das Roesslein, das ich meine, davon Isaias sagt, ist Maria die reine die uns das Blümlein bracht. Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat hat sie ein Kind geboren bliebend ein reine Magd.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind; To show God's love aright, She bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night.

Das Blümelein, so kleine, das duftet uns so süß, mit seinem hellen Scheine vertreibt's die Finsternis. Wahr Mensch und wahrer Gott, hilft uns aus allem Leide, rettet von Sünd und Tod.

O Flower, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air, Dispel with glorious splendour The darkness everywhere; True man, yet very God, From Sin and death now save us, And share our every load.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_(mother_of_Jesus)

The Word of God

At the Procession: Hymnal 83 verses 1-3, 6 Sung by all Adeste fideles

Welcome: The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham The Opening Acclamation Celebrant Blessed be God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. The Collect for Purity

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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymnal S102 Trisagion sung three times Alexander Archangelsky

Collect for The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord

Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The First Reading: Isaiah 62:6-12 Reader: The Rev. Edgar Otero

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it re-nowned throughout the earth. The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink the wine for which you have la-bored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in my holy courts. Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the high-way, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. The LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD”; and you shall be called, “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.”

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

Psalm 98 sung by Section Leader Quartet Ivor Algernon Atkins

1 Sing to the LORD a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.

2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.

3 The LORD has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5 Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6 Sing to the LORD with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.

7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the LORD.

8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth.

10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.

The Second Reading: Titus 3:4-7 Reader: Dwight Hutchins

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 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.

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

The Sequence: Hymnal 87 Sung by all Mendelssohn

The Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 1-20 Reader: The Rev. Mary Demmler

Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. 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 en-

gaged 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 heav-

en, 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.

Priest The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham

The Nicene Creed BCP 358 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 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 Form IV Reader: Scarlet Pendarvis

Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.

Confession of Sin BCP 360

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Celebrant and people

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. The Absolution

Celebrant

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The Peace Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. At the Offertory In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke Section Leader Quartet

\The Holy Communion

Eucharistic Prayer A: Amended for these Circumstances

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.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Crea-

tor of heaven and earth.

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:

In the bleak midwinter frosty winds made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter long ago.

Our God, Heav'n cannot hold him nor earth sustain; heav'n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign:

In the bleak midwinter astable place sufficed. The Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ. Enough for him, whom cherubim worship night and day, a breastful of milk and a mangerful of hay:

Enough for him, whom angels fall down before, the ox and ass and camel which adore. What can I give him poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb,

If I were a Wise Man I would do my part, yet what I can I give him, give my heart.

Sanctus: Hymnal S130 Sung by all Franz Schubert

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Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin

and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to

share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for

the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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."

As we give thanks in these days for Christ’s Presence with us, we remember the sacrifice of his Body and

Blood.

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling

his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify this by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food of new

and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you

in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal

kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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.

The Lord's Prayer

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

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 Fraction Anthem: Hymnal S164 Sung by all Franz Schubert

Solo Nativity Carol John Rutter Andrea Price, Soprano

Born in a stable so bare, born so long ago; born 'neath light of star He who loved us so.

Far away, silent he lay, born today, your homage pay, For Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

Cradled by mother so fair, tender her lullaby; over her son so dear angel hosts fill the sky.

Far away, silent he lay, born today, your homage pay, for Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

Wise men from distant far land, sheperds from starry hills worship this babe so rare, hearts with his warmth he fills.

Far away, silent he lay, born today, your homage pay, for Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

Love in that stable was born into our hearts to flow; innocent dreaming babe, make me thy love to know.

Far away, silent he lay, born today, your homage pay, for Christ is born for aye, Born on Christmas Day.

Hymnal 111 Sung by all. Stille Nacht

Prayer after Communion

Let us pray. Celebrant and people

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

The Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori said in unison from home My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

The Blessing Celebrant The blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. People Amen.

Hymnal 100 Sung by all. Antioch

The Dismissal

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

Postlude Fugue in G Major BWV 577 J. S. Bach

The Flowers and Christmas greens which decorate the Church

are given to the glory of God and

in loving memory of:

Jean & Max Ulrich, Robert Murphy Senior by Bob & Karen Murphy

Nancy M. Parks by Leonard Parks

Joe & Madie Edwards; Loyd & Ruby Mundy by Tom & Alice Ann E. Mundy

Amy & Harry Henning; Charlie & Betty Stuller by Nancy Carvill, daughter

Frances Lane by Nancy Carvill, friend

Neil & Molly Kelley, Patrick Kelley by Wendy Morgan

Jack, Sarah, Jess & Dot Morgan, Hazel & Byron Waite, Bill & Isabel Crow by Brenda & Wendy Morgan

Bob Burrell, Sandra Alderman, Patrick Kelley by Brenda Morgan

Holly Rand Johnston by Rosemary Dodd

Jennie Gleason Benham, Chipper Bruce Gleason, Tom & Elva Stephens, Joann Presley by Dan & Kim Stephens

in thanksgiving for and in honor of:

Our children: Kathy, Joe, Krissy; & grandchildren Gabby & Gavin by Bob & Karen Murphy

My children, grandchildren & great grandson by Leonard Parks

Our priests, staff, music director & soloists, the many volunteers & committee leaders to help Grace parishioners

stay unified & loved during this confining time by Tom & Alice Ann E. Mundy

Christopher & Andrew Kelley by Wendy Morgan

Grace Church clergy & staff by Jeff & Margaret Whalen

Our family by Brantley & Sandra Burns

Madeline Salter by Pat Salter

Our children & grandchildren by Doug & Tricia McDuff

COPYRIGHTS S102 The Church Pension Fund, Used by permission.

S130 (music), S164 Adaptation copyright © 1985, G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.

The Clergy The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham, Rector

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Park, Senior Associate Rector

The Rev. Mary Hemmer Demmler, Priest Associate

The Rev. Edgar Otero, Seminarian & Deacon

The Rev. David Powell, Retired

The Rev. Betsy Powell, Retired

The Musicians String Quartet:

Michele Mariage Volz, Violin

Christina Stomackin, Violin

Julie Sweeney, Viola

George Butler, Cello

Soloist: Andrea Price, Soprano

Section Leader Quartet:

Arielle Crumley, Soprano

Sky Martin, Alto

Cody Otero, Tenor

Albert Gerring, Bass

Director of Music/Organist:

Will Gotmer