Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Organ Prelude:

Ave Maria J.S. Bach (1685-1750)/

C. Gounod (1818-1893)

Juliana Witt

Processional Hymn Please join in singing

#400 in the Blue Hymnal

All Creatures of Our God and King (vs. 1-4)

# 400 verse 1

All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices, let us sing:

Alleluia, alleluia! Bright burning sun with golden beams,

pale silver moon that gently gleams, O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

# 400 verse 2

Great rushing winds and breezes soft, you clouds that ride the heavens aloft,

O praise him, Alleluia! Fair rising morn, with praise rejoice,

stars nightly shining, find a voice, O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

# 400 verse 3

Swift flowing water, pure and clear, make music for your Lord to hear,

Alleluia, alleluia! Fire, so intense and fiercely bright,

you give to us both warmth and light, O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

# 400 verse 4

Dear mother earth, you day by day unfold your blessings on our way,

O praise him, Alleluia! All flowers and fruits that in you grow,

let them his glory also show: O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

People: The Lord is Risen indeed.

Alleluia!

Celebrant: 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 Christ our Lord. People: Amen.

The children going to Children's Chapel

come forward for a blessing.

Please join in singing

#178 in the Blue Hymnal

Alleluia, Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord

#178 Refrain

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.

#178 verse 1

Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation.

#178 Refrain

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.

#178 verse 2

Spread the good news o’er all the earth:

Jesus has died and has risen.

#178 Refrain

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray.

Celebrant: God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the Child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26 A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The readings are also printed in the bulletin.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbers about one hundred and twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus – for he was numbered among us and allotted his share in this ministry.

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”

So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

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

Psalm 1

Sung by the Choir and Congregation

Choir:

All:

1

Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked,

nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2

Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and they meditate on his law day and night.

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,

bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither;

everything they do shall prosper.

4 It is not so with the wicked;

they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

[antiphon]

Antiphon All:

5

Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes,

nor the sinner in the council of the righteous. 6

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed.

[antiphon]

Antiphon All:

Second Lesson: I John 5: 11-13 A Reading from the First Letter of John.

The readings are also printed in the bulletin.

This is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

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

Sequence Hymn Please stand and join in singing

# 385 in the Blue Hymnal

Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Works

# 385 verse 1 Many and great, O God, are thy works,

maker of earth and sky; thy hands have set

the heavens with stars; thy fingers spread

the mountains and plains. Lo, at thy word

the waters were formed; deep seas obey thy voice.

# 385 verse 2

Grant unto us communion with thee, thou star-abiding one;

come unto us and dwell with us; with thee are found the gifts of life. Bless us with life that has no end,

eternal life with thee.

Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

John 17: 6-19 The readings are also printed in the bulletin.

Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.

All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Gary Nicolosi

“Gambling on God”

The Nicene Creed page 358 in the Book of Common Prayer (Please stand) 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 Mother’s Day Prayers of the People

Leader: We remember before you this day all women who have inspired, nurtured and supported us in their efforts to make a more just and peaceful world. Following their examples let us commit ourselves to break down the barriers which divide people one from another, to heal the divisions in our land, and to uphold the dignity of every human being. Loving God, People: Bless all women.

Leader: Merciful Creator, you set us to live in families. Bless our homes that your love may rest upon us, and that your presence may be with us. Loving God, People: Bless all families.

Leader: Give all mothers calm strength and patient wisdom. May they teach their children to grow in grace and in the knowledge of you, our Lord and Savior. Loving God,, People: Bless all mothers.

Leader: Strengthen all parents with the power of your presence to bind together and to heal when hurt and sorrow threaten family life. Teach them to love one another as you love us. Loving God, People: Bless all parents.

Leader: Knit together in enduring affection those who have become one in marriage, and grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life. Help them to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill your law. Loving God, People: Bless all spouses.

Leader: Guard the laughter of children, and bring them safely through injury and illness. Grant that they may grow up in your grace and love; give them day by day the strength and guidance that they may continue in your love and service all the days of their lives. Loving God, People: Bless all children.

Leader: Heal the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and extend to all who suffer your mercy and grace. Loving God, People: Bless the afflicted.

Leader: Bring the departed to your loving presence where they may receive life and pardon for all eternity. Loving God, People: Bless the dying.

Celebrant: Lord, defend our homes from every evil; surround them with your presence, and make them sanctuaries of your peace and joy. Bless those dear to us, wherever they may be, and grant that they and we may dwell together in the shelter of your love, in this life and in heaven. People: Amen.

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Please kneel.

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.

Celebrant and People: 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.

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. People: Amen.

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you. Please share a sign of Christ’s peace with your neighbors.

Announcements

Please be seated

Offertory

Look at the World by John Rutter

Nativity Adult Choir featuring

Vivace and Allegretto Children’s Choirs

Please stand and sing as the Offering is brought forward Hymn # 380, verse 3 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

The Great Thanksgiving Book of Common Prayer, p. 361 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 God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. (Here a Proper Preface is said or sung.) 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:

Please join us in singing # S130 Sanctus in the Blue Hymnal

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

Please join us in singing # S130 Sanctus in the Blue Hymnal

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

Celebrant: 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.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Celebrant and People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Celebrant: 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 them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink 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. People: AMEN.

Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:

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.

Please join us in singing the Fraction Anthem

S155 in the Blue Hymnal Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God.

The Invitation to Communion

All who seek God are welcome to the Lord’s Table to receive the Bread and Wine of Christ’s Body and Blood. Even if you do not seek God, God seeks you. For those with special needs, you may receive either the Bread or

Wine, standing or kneeling. You may also receive a gluten free wafer upon request. If you would prefer a blessing instead of communion, fold your arms across

your chest.

Communion Music

The Gift of Love

(Traditional English Hymn)

Alastair Longley-Cook, guitar

Communion Music: The Gift of Love (lyrics to guitar solo)

Though I may speak with bravest fire, And have the gift to all inspire,

And have not love, my words are vain, As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Communion Music: The Gift of Love (lyrics to guitar solo)

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, Our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide every deed; By this we worship, and are freed.

Communion Music

Light of a Clear, Blue Morning

by Dolly Parton Arr. Craig Hella Johnson

Nativity Adult Choir

Communion Hymn Please join in singing

VF 21 God of the Women (melody of “Be thou my vision,”

Music on Screens)

VF 21 verse 1

VF 21 verse 2

VF 21 verse 3

VF 21 verse 4

VF 21 verse 5

Celebrant: Let us pray. ALL: Loving God, as a mother feeds her children at the breast, you feed us in this sacrament with the food and drink of eternal life; help us who have tasted your goodness to grow in grace within the household of faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Celebrant gives the blessing: May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and remain with you always. People: Amen

Recessional Hymn Please stand and join in singing

# 397 in the blue Hymnal

Now thank we all our God (verses 1-3)

# 397 verse 1

Now thank we all our God, with heart, and hands, and voices, who wondrous things hath done,

in whom his world rejoices; who from our mother’s arms

has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

# 397 verse 2

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us!

With ever-joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;

and keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ills in this world and the next.

# 397 verse 3

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,

the Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven,

eternal, Triune God, whom earth and heaven adore;

for thus it was, is now, and shall be, evermore.

Celebrant: Alleluia, Alleluia! Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Organ postlude:

Laudation

By Gilbert M. Martin

Juliana Witt