Christmas Eve 4:00PM- December 24, 2022

A Christmas Blessing

Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary

May there be harmony in all your relationships. May sharp words, envious thoughts, and hostile feelingsbe dissolved.

May you give and receive love generously. May this love echo in your heart like the joy of churchbells on a clear December day.

May each person who comes into your life be greeted as another Christ. May the honor given to the Babe of Bethlehem be that which you extend to every guestwho enters your presence.

May the hope of this holy season settle in your soul.

May it be a foundation of courage for you when times of distress occupy your inner land.May the wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children be awakened within you.

May it lead to renewed awareness and appreciation of whatever you too easily take forgranted.

May the bonds of love for one another be strengthened as you gather around the table offestivity and nourishment.

May you daily open the gift of your life and be grateful for the hidden treasures it contains.May the coming year be one of good health for you.

May you have energy and vitality.

May you care well for your body, mind and spirit.

May you keep your eye on the Star within you and trust this luminescent presence toguide and direct you each day.

May you often go to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the One who offers you peace.May you bring peace into this world.

Welcome to Trinity and to this special time when we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus; the in-breaking ofnew life and new hope in our lives and in the world. Everything needed for this service is printed in this bulletin. Whether you are visiting or a member, please know that you are welcome and wanted in this place.

Come let us adore him.

Merry Christmas, Lisa

PRELUDE

 liturgy of the word 

I Saw Three Ships The Piano Guys (Grace Mauk, piano)

Welcome The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Gathering Song O Come, All Ye Faithful 1982 Hymnal #8

Opening Collect From Generation to Generation

Leader: The Lord be with you

A Sanctified Art, LLC All: And also with you Leader: Let us pray

O Holy God, we need this story this Christmas story. We need this story of ordinary people who were brave. We need this story of love that changed the world. We need this story of angel choruses that give reason to hope, and starlight that reminds us to look up. In a battered and bruised world, we gather around your Word like people gather around a fire to warm themselves. So we are here, gathered together to warm ourselves by your light, because we need this story. We need the truth that lies deep in these holy words. So today we pray: scoop out space in us to truly listen. Quiet our minds. Open our hearts. Kindle the fire. Amen.

Trinity’s POP-UP Christmas Pageant

The Gospel- Telling the Christmas Story together

Luke 2: 1-19

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke, and a few friends...

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Hark the Herald Angels Siing

Away in a Manger Angels we Have Heard on High

The Animals Speak

By Marion Dane Bauer (Read by Deacon Meribah Mansfield)

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

From

Generation to Generation

A Sanctified Art, LLC

We believe that for generations people have gathered together on this holy night, because there is something about this story that speaks to the deepest parts of us. We believe in bundling up this hope, this good news, and passing it on— to our children, to our neighbors, to the world around us. We believe our voices can make a difference, just like we believe this story can make a difference, so we will not stay quiet. We will tell this story of a love that makes room for all. We will sing this story—of a love that knows our name. We will live this story—because love has come again. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Intercessor: On this holy night, Christians the world over celebrate Jesus’ birth. Open our hearts that he may be born in us today. Lord in your mercy.

People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, there was no room for your Son in the inn. Protect with your love those who have no home and all who live in poverty. Lord in your mercy. People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, Mary in the pain of labor brought your Son to birth. Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress. Lord in your mercy. People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, your Christ came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring comfort to all who have experienced grief and loss, in the hope of heaven. Lord in your mercy. People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy. Give us grace to preach the gospel of Christ's redemption. Lord in your mercy. People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, the angels sang 'Peace to God's people on earth'. Strengthen those who work for peace and justice in all the world. Lord in your mercy.

People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, strangers found the Holy Family, and saw the baby lying in the manger. Bless our homes and all whom we love. Lord in your mercy.

People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, heaven is come down to earth, and earth is raised to heaven. Keep in safety all those who have gone through death in the hope of heaven. Lord in your mercy.

People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: On this holy night, angels and shepherds worshipped at the manger throne. Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with the Blessed Mary and all the saints. Lord in your mercy.

People: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: Merciful God, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Peace

Deacon: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Announcements & Offertory SENTENCE

Offertory Do Not Be Afraid Carolyn Arends

RAYER

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 our thanks and praise.

Enriching Our Worship

Celebrant: All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things.

You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; you brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind.

Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; and so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:

THE SANCTUS Arr. Grayson Warren Brown

Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise.

We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:

All: Dying, you destroyed our death. Rising, you restored our life. Christ Jesus, come in glory!

Celebrant: Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ.

Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with all your people into the joy of our true eternal home. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (version by Parker Palmer) And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray this version of the Lord’s Prayer:

Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one.

Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, From each one to each one.

Lead us to holy innocence beyond the evil of our days — Come swiftly Mother, Father, come. For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy: Forever your name is All in One. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. The Gifts of God for the people of God; holy food for holy people.

Invitation to Communion

Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion. Please let us know if you would like the bread brought to you or if you would like a gluten free option. All are welcome!

Communion Hymn

Please see insert.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Jesus, we have feasted on the bread of life. Together we have tasted the love of your kin-dom here on earth. In your risen power you have united us with all of those who have come before, with those gathered today, and with those yet to find their way to this table of love set and ready to welcome all. May the sense of a new heaven and a new earth strengthen and renew us today and in the days to come. Now, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do offering your fearless love and priceless peace to all we meet in the name of our loving, liberating lifegiving God. Amen

Passing the Light of Christ

We invite you to take a glow stick, crack it to start it shining as we remember the beauty of this sacred tradition of sharing the light of Christ that comes to us this night in Jesus’ birth.

1.)

2.)

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born!

3.) Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Candle Lighting Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night 1982 Hymnal #111

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with the flocks, then the work of Christmas begins: -to find the lost, -to heal those broken in spirit, -to feed the hungry,

-to release the oppressed, -to rebuild the nations, -to bring peace among all peoples, -to make a little music with the heart… And to radiate the Light of Christ, every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say. Let the work of Christmas begin!

And the blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, descend upon you and saturate your heart, this night and forevermore. Amen.

Sending Song

Joy to the World 1982 Hymnal #100

Dismissal

Celebrant: Go in peace to serve our loving, liberating life-giving God! People: Thanks be to God!

Trinity’s Daily Bread - As a community of faith, we are called to love and be loved; to serve and be served, to give and to receive. In short, we don’t want anyone to “fall behind or drop out.” To continue our connection, we invite you to take part in Trinity’s Daily Bread. Please let us know if you need prayer, assistance, or connection by filling out our Daily Bread form on our website, www.trinitytoledo.org!

Trinity Episcopal Church

Vestry Leadership

Donna Steppe, Sr. Warden, Jeffrey Albright, Jr. Warden

Leah Reed, Clerk, Gary Franklin, Treasurer

Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Fritz Hany, Karen Keune & Jamie Paul

Parish Staff

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector

Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development George Benson, Director of Community Engagement Chelsie Cree, Director of Music and the Arts Grace Mauk, Assistant Director of Music and the Arts Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO:

Collect of the Day: Prayers for an Inclusive Church, Steven Shakespeare. Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2022.

Psalm: Psalms for Praying, Nan Merrill.

The Great Thanksgiving: BCP Eucharistic Prayer A

All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of ritesong.org.

All other printed music permission through purchase of CCLI Copyright license #20577215 Size B

Streaming License #20577284 Size B

Secular music: permission through purchase of CCS WORSHIPcast Copyright license #13190

All printed music from Gather permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000

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