CHRISTMAS EUCHARIST SERVICE

Introit: Hark the Herald Angels sing

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
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Lighting of Advent Candle – Christ Candle (White)
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.
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. The true light, which enlightens everyone,
was coming into the world. 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.
Light the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth
Candle
We light the fifth candle, the Christ Candle, because Jesus
Christ, the true light of the world has come. Jesus said, “I
am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life!”
Welcome
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Praise the Lord
Praise Him you servants of the Lord
Blessed be God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit
Blessed be His name now and forever.
The Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God's people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
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Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Collect for Purity
Let us pray :
Almighty God
to whom all hearts are open
all desires known
and from whom 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.
Kyrie
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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The Penitence
Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is
the first and great commandment. And the second is like
it, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these
two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.
Confession
Let us confess our sins (firmly resolved to keep God’s
commandments and to live in love and peace with our
neighbour). Silence may be kept
Almighty God our heavenly Father in penitence we
confess that we have sinned against you through our
own fault, in thought, word and deed and in what we
have left undone. For the sake of your Son, Christ our
Lord, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may
serve you in newness of life to the glory of your Name.
Absolution
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have
mercy on us; pardon our sins and set us free from them;
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness and keep us in
eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect of the Day
O Christ, light of the world,
born into human pain and joy:
let our celebration of your birth
make us bold witnesses of your love;
to the glory of God, Father,
Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
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The Word of God
Old Testament
A reading from Isaiah chapter 52, reading from the 7th
verse.
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
8
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
9
Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Hear the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
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2
The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5
make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
7
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9
let them sing before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, as it was in the beginning and will be forever
more.
Please stand for the singing of the Gradual Hymn and
reading of the Gospel.

Gradual : The First Noel

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The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. **
**Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. **
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. **
Gospel
Listen to the good news proclaimed in the gospel
according to St Luke, reading from the 2nd chapter and
verses 4 - 7
Glory to Christ our Saviour.
4
Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to
register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to
him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the
time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to
her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed
him in a manger, because there was no guest room
available for them.
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This is the gospel of Christ
Praise to Christ our Lord.
Gradual (Continued)
This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay. **
**Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. **
Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought. **
The Apostle’s Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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
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and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come 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
Homily :
Prayers :
The Peace: Our Saviour Christ is the Prince of Peace; of
the increase of his government and of peace there shall be
no end.
Peace be with you.
Offertory : Angels from the Realms of Glory
Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story
now proclaim Messiah's birth: **
** Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant light. **
Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations;
ye have seen his natal star: **
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Presentation of the Gifts

Source of all life, the heaven and earth are yours, yet you
have given us dominion over all things. Receive the fruits
of our labour, offered in love; in the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen
Taking of the Bread and Wine
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your
goodness we have this bread and wine to offer, which
earth has given and human hands have made. For us it
becomes the bread of life and the cup of salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
FOURTH EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise
We give you thanks and praise, Almighty God, through
your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and
Redeemer. He is your living Word, through whom you
have created all things.
By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh and was born
of the Virgin Mary and shared our human nature. He lived
and died as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and
Father of all.
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In fulfilment of your will he stretched out his hands in
suffering, to bring release to those who place their hope in
you; and so he won for you a holy people.
He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows, and to give up
his life on the cross, that he might shatter the chains of the
evil one, and banish the darkness of sin and death. By his
resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence.
Now with all creation we raise our voices to proclaim the
glory of your name
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes from the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the Highest
Holy and gracious God, accept our praise, through your
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who on the night that he
was handed over to suffering and death, took bread and
gave you thanks, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body
which is broken for you.
So we proclaim the mystery of faith
Christ has died,
Christ is risen
Christ will come again.
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection, we
offer you this bread, giving thanks that you have made us
worthy to stand in your presence and serve you,
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We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of
your holy Church. Gather into one all who share in these
scared mysteries, filling us with the Holy Spirit and
confirming our faith in the truth, that together we may
praise you and give your glory through your Servant, Jesus
Christ.
All glory and honour are yours, Father and Son, with the
Holy Spirit in the Holy Church, now and forever.
The Lord’s Prayer
As Christ has taught us we are bold to sing
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 glory are yours now
and forever. Amen
The Breaking of the Bread
The bread which we break
is it not a sharing of the body of Christ?
We, who are many, are one body
for we all partake of the one bread.
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Prayer of Humble Access
We do not presume
to come to this your table, merciful Lord
trusting in our own righteousness
but in your manifold and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up
the crumbs under your table
but you are the same Lord
whose nature is always to have mercy.
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord
so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ
and to drink his blood
that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.
The Invitation
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave
for you. Feed on him in your hearts by faith with
thanksgiving.
Communion Music: O Little Town of Bethlehem
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.
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For Christ is born of Mary,
and, gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King
and peace to all the earth.
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
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 Conclusion
Give thanks to the Lord for he is gracious
His mercy endures for ever
Almighty and eternal God, we thank you for feeding us in
these holy mysteries with the body of your Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ; and for keeping us by your grace in
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the Body of your Son, the company of all faithful people.
Help us to persevere as living members of that holy
fellowship, and to grow in love and obedience according to
your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
Together we pray
Father almighty we offer ourselves to you as a living
sacrifice in Jesus Christ our Lord. Send us out into
the world in the power of the Holy Spirit to live and
work to your praise and glory.
Prayer for Africa
God bless Africa
Guard our children
Guide our leaders
And give us peace
For Jesus Christ sake. Amen
The Blessing :
May the blessing of joy abide within you.
May the blessing of peace rest upon you.
May the blessing of love flow out through you.
May all the blessings of the Lord be yours at Christmas
and in the new year. Amen
Notices
Priestly Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face
shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his
face toward you and give you peace.
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Recessional : O Come All Ye Faithfull
O Come all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
born the King of Angels.**
** O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of Light
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God, Begotten, not created. **
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest'. **
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, **
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ. Amen.