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St Lucy Parish Church Diocese of Barbados Nestfield, St. Lucy

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS – YEAR A 28th December 2025 Rector: The Rev’d Hugh Sandiford Deacon: The Rev’d Sharon King Seminarians: Mr. Asteir Dean Mr. Shaquan Thomas Church Wardens: Justice Anthony Blackman Mr. William Yearwood Organist: Mr. Matthew Banfield Sexton: Mr. Noverton Gibson Our Vision: To be an authentic community where all are accepted, loved and disciples are formed! CONTACT US:

Telephone/Whatsapp: 572-5336/230-9405 Email: stlucychurch1627@yahoo.com A Address: Nesfield, Saint Lucy, Barbados

ORDER OF SERVICE OPENING PRAYER INTROIT HYMN: 73 - Joy to the world 1

Joy to the world! The Lord has come; Let earth receive her King: Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns: Let us our songs employ: While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground: He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, And wonders, and wonders of his love.

SALUTATION PRESIDENT: Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. A warm welcome to our Eucharistic worship.

Today, we celebrate the First Sunday after Christmas, and our collect can be found on page 159. Tomorrow, the Church of the Holy Innocents will observe their feast of title. Today, we have one baby to be baptized. The Liturgy for Holy Baptism begins on Page 271 of the BCP. HOLY BAPTISM One of the following Sentences shall be said by the minister. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 In truth I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born from water and the Spirit. John 3:5 By Baptism we were buried with Christ and lay dead, in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead in the splendour of the Father, so also we might set our feet upon the new path of life. Romans 6:4 PRESIDENT Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Alleluia! Alleluia! ALL And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia! Alleluia! DECLARATION

MINISTER: In Holy Baptism, the Church proclaims the Good News of our incorporation into the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom which Jesus Christ, our Incarnate Lord, inaugurated by His life of perfect trust and obedience to the Father. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He brought into being a people for His own possession, which people we are. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ in Holy Baptism, sharing not only in His death but also in His resurrection, becoming God's children by adoption and grace, thus changing our created nature so deeply that the Holy Scripture says that in Baptism we are born again. Let us therefore pray that those who have come for Baptism may receive, in this Holy Sacrament, that blessing which by nature they cannot have, that they may be made living members of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, and so be set free from the bondage of sin. MINISTER: The Lord be with you. ALL: And also with you. MINISTER: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to Your children new life through the water of Baptism. Grant that this child raised to new life in Christ, may serve you in faith and love and may grow into the full stature of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. ALL: Amen. The First Sunday After Christmas

(BCP page 159)

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. PRESIDENT: Kindly be seated for the ministry of the word.

FIRST LESSON: ISAIAH 61:10 – 62:3

[Ms. Dorna Scantlebury]

READER: A Reading from the Word of God, written in the book of the Prophet Isaiah, chapter sixty-one, beginning at the tenth verse. ILLUMINATION: READER: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. READER: The word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God. PSALM: 147:12-20 12.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem : praise thy God, O Sion.

13.

For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates : and hath blessed thy children within thee.

14.

He maketh peace in thy borders : and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.

15.

He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth : and his word runneth very swiftly.

16.

He giveth snow like wool : and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

17.

He casteth forth his ice like morsels : who is able to abide his frost?

18.

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them : he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.

19.

He sheweth his word unto Jacob : his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.

20.

He hath not dealt so with any nation : neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. SECOND LESSON: GALATIANS 3:23-25 & 4:4-7

[Mr. Hamilton Cumberbatch]

READER: A reading from the word of God written in the letter to the Galatians, the third chapter, beginning at the twenty-third verse. ILLUMINATION: READER: Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. READER: The word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God. GRADUAL HYMN: 74 - Let earth and heaven combine 1

Let earth and heaven combine, angels and men agree, to praise in songs divine the incarnate Deity, our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man.

He laid His glory by, he wrapped Him in our clay; unmarked by human eye,

(verses 1 – 4)

the latent Godhead lay; infant of days he here became, and bore the mild Immanuel's Name. 3

Unsearchable the love that has the Saviour brought; the grace is far above or man or angels' thought: suffice for us that God, we know, our God, is manifest below.

He deigns in flesh to appear, widest extremes to join; to bring our vileness near, and make us all divine: and we the life of God shall know, for God is manifest below.

The Gospel: John 1:1-18 PRESIDENT: The Lord be with you. ALL: And also with you. PRESIDENT: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John, the first chapter beginning at the first verse. ALL: Glory to Christ our Saviour ILLUMINATION: PRESIDENT: 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, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 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. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was

in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 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. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. PRESIDENT: This is the Gospel of Christ ALL: Praise to Christ our Lord HYMN: 74 5

(verse 5)

Made perfect first in love, and sanctified by grace, we shall from earth remove, and see his glorious face: then shall his love be fully showed, and man shall then be lost in God.

THE SERMON HYMN FOR BAPTISM PREPARATION: 661 - Morning has broken 1

Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God's re-creation of the new day!

THE PRESENTATION (Page 274) MINISTER: Why do you present this child for baptism? We present this child for Baptism in order that he may be incorporated into Christ, our Incarnate Lord. MINISTER: Parents and Godparents, the child whom you have brought for baptism will, by reason of his infancy, depend on your help and encouragement to grow in the knowledge, reverence and service of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. You must remember, that it is also your duty to see that he is instructed in the good news of God's salvation in Christ, the Church's Creeds and Catechism and all other things which a Christian ought to know, believe and practice as a member of the family of God. As he grows up, he will also need the help and encouragement of that family, so that he learns to be faithful in public worship and private prayer, to live by love and trust in God, and in due course to come to receive the laying on of hands by the Bishop in Confirmation. QUESTION: Will you give that help and encouragement by your prayers, by your example, and by your teaching? ANSWER:

I will do so, the Lord being my helper.

QUESTION: Will you do all in your power to see that this child is brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him and to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Holy Communion?

ANSWER:

I will do so, the Lord being my helper.

THE BAPTISMAL VOWS MINISTER: Therefore I ask these questions which you must answer for yourself and for this child whom you have brought for baptism. QUESTION: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Saviour? ANSWER:

I turn and accept Him.

QUESTION: Do you put your whole trust in His grace and love? ANSWER:

I so put my trust.

QUESTION: Do you promise to love God and obey Him as your Lord? ANSWER:

I promise.

QUESTION: Do you renounce Satan, and all the spiritual forces of wickedness? ANSWER:

I do.

QUESTION: Do you renounce injustice and all the evil powers of this world? ANSWER:

I do.

QUESTION: Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God's children? ANSWER:

I do.

Let us pray: The minister says one of the following prayers.

Heavenly Father, in your love you have called us to know you, led us to trust you, and united our life with yours. Surround this child with your love; protect him from evil; sustain and guide him by your Holy Spirit, and receive him into the family of your Church; that he may walk with us in the way of Christ and grow in the knowledge of your love. Amen. Heavenly Father and giver of all grace, we ask your blessing on those who are about the be baptized and made heirs of your heavenly Kingdom, that through the prayers, the teaching, the example, and the sharing in the life of those who love and care for them they may grow up in the faith of Christ crucified and in the fellowship of His Church, to serve you faithfully all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING OF THE WATER V The Lord be with you. R And also with you. V Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R It is right to give Him thanks and praise. We thank you Heavenly Father for the gift of water; over it your Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation; through it you led the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt; in it your son Jesus received the Baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit; fulfilling His Ministry by the offering of Himself on the Cross, blood and water flowed from His side. We thank you Heavenly Father because you have appointed the water of Baptism for the regeneration of all people, through Jesus Christ your Son. In joyful obedience to Him, we make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Now therefore sanctify this water by the same Holy Spirit, and grant that all who are baptized in it may be united with Christ, forgiven in Him, set free from the bondage of sin and raised with Christ to eternal life. By Him, and with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

THE PROFESSION OF FAITH The minister says to the parents and godparents: MINISTER: You have brought this child to Baptism. Will you now declare before God and His Church the Christian Faith into which this child is to be baptized and in which you will help him live and grow? ANSWER:

I will.

The minister says to the congregation: MINISTER: My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our Baptismal commitment. QUESTION: Do you believe in God the Father? ANSWER: I believe in God the Father Almighty creator of heaven and earth. QUESTION: Do you believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God? ANSWER: I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. QUESTION: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? ANSWER: 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.

MINISTER: This is the faith of the Church. ALL: This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!) THE BAPTISM MINISTER:

Name this Child.

PARENT OR GODPARENT: N_ The minister then baptizes the candidates. He pours water on his head, addressing him by name. MINISTER: N_ I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ALL:

Amen.

MINISTER: God has united you to Himself and received you into His family the Church. I sign you with the cross, the sign of Christ. Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified. Fight valiantly against all evil and continue Christ's faithful servant to the end of your life. The minister or another person may give a lighted candle to the parents or godparents of each child, saying: MINISTER: God has rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. Receive this light and walk as a child of light. ALL: Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. WELCOME

MINISTER: My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us welcome the newly baptized! ALL: We welcome you into the Lord's family. We are members together of Christ, children of the same heavenly Father and inheritors together of His kingdom. PRESIDENT: The peace of the Lord be always with you. ALL: And also with you. PRESIDENT: Let us share that peace. SONG FOR THE PEACE: Shine, Jesus, shine 1

Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining: Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us shine on me, shine on me. Refrain: Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father's glory; blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; send forth your word, Lord and let there be light!

Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance; by your blood I may enter your brightness: search me, try me, consume all my darkness shine on me, shine on me. Refrain:

As we gaze on your kingly brightness so our faces display your likeness, ever changing from glory to glory: mirrored here, may our lives tell your story shine on me, shine on me. Refrain:

OFFERTORY HYMN: 81 - O come, Redeemer of mankind, appear 1

O come, Redeemer of mankind, appear, thee with full hearts the Virgin-born we greet; let every age with rapt amazement hear that wondrous birth which for our God is meet.

Not by the will of man, or mortal seed, but by the Spirit’s breathed mysterious grace the Word of God became our flesh indeed, and grew a tender plant of human race.

Lo! Mary’s virgin womb its burthen bears; nor less abides her virgin purity; in the King’s glory see our nature shares; here in his temple God vouchsafes to be.

From His bright chamber, virtue’s holy shrine, the royal Bridegroom cometh to the day; of twofold substance, human and divine, as giant swift, rejoicing on his way.

Forth from His Father to the world he goes, back to the Father’s face his way regains, far down to souls beneath his glory shows, again at God’s right hand victorious reigns.

With the Eternal Father equal, thou girt with our flesh dost triumph evermore, strengthening our feeble bodies here below with endless grace from thine own living store.

How doth thy lowly manger radiant shine! On the sweet breath of night new splendour grows; so may our spirits glow with faith Divine, where no dark cloud of sin shall interpose.

All praise and glory to the Father be, all praise and glory to his only son, all praise and glory, Holy Ghost, to thee, both now, and while eternal ages run.

THE PRESENTATION OF OFFERING - FORM B (BCP Page 126) PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE Father, we offer to you these gifts which you have given us; this bread, this wine, this money. With them we offer ourselves, our lives, and our work, to become through your Holy Spirit a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice. As this bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, so may we and all your people become channels of your love; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS SURSUM CORDA PRESIDENT: The Lord be with you. ALL: And also with you. PRESIDENT: Lift up your hearts. ALL: We lift them up to the Lord. PRESIDENT: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise. PRESIDENT: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father Almighty, everlasting God: Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. Therefore, we praise you; joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

ALL: 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 in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER B (BCP Page 135) PRESIDENT: Holy and gracious Father, all creation rightly gives you praise. All life, all holiness, comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, whom you sent to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. We therefore bring you these gifts, and we ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who offered Himself in obedience to your will, the Perfect Sacrifice for all mankind. On the night he was betrayed, he took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, He broke it and gave it to his disciples and said: "Take this and eat it: "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. "Do this, whenever you drink it, "For the remembrance of me." ALL: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim the death of Christ until he comes again. PRESIDENT: Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation; His Glorious Resurrection and Ascension; His continual intercession for us in heaven; and looking for His coming again in glory, we offer you, in thanksgiving, this holy and life-giving sacrifice.

Look with favour on your Church's offering, and grant that we who eat and drink these holy gifts may be filled with your Holy Spirit and become one body in Christ, and serve you in unity, constancy and peace. May He make us a perpetual offering to you and enable us, in communion with blessed Mary and the whole company of heaven, to share in the inheritance of your saints. With Him, and in Him, and through Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father Almighty, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven in songs of everlasting praise: ALL: Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER (BCP Page 144) PRESIDENT: As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray: ALL: 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 the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. THE BREAKING OF BREAD (BCP Page 145) PRESIDENT: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. ALL: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. THE AGNUS DEI (BCP Page 147) Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: grant us peace.

The INVITATION (BCP Page 145-146) DEACON: My brothers and sisters in Christ, draw near and receive His Body which He gave for you, and His Blood, which He shed for you. Remember that He died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. ALL: Grant gracious Lord, that we so eat the flesh of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, and drink His blood, that we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Amen. THE COMMUNION COMMUNION HYMNS: 749 (MP), 83 HYMN: 749 MP - What Child is This 1

What Child is this who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? Refrain: This, this is Christ, the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him praise, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian fear: for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Refrain:

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Refrain:

HYMN: 83 - Of the Father's love begotten 1

Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be, he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore.

At his word they were created; he commanded; it was done: heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one; all that grows beneath the shining of the light of moon and sun, evermore and evermore.

O that birth for ever blessed! When the Virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Saviour of our race, and the Babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face, evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heaven, adore him; angel-hosts, his praises sing; powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King: let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring, evermore and evermore.

This is he whom seers and sages sang of old with one accord; whom the writings of the Prophets promised in their faithful word;

now he shines, the long-expected: let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore. 6

Hail, thou Judge of souls departed! Hail, thou King of them that live! On the Father's throne exalted none in might with thee may strive; who at last in judgement coming sinners from thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore.

Now let old and young men's voices, join with boys' thy name to sing, matrons, virgins, little maidens in glad chorus answering; let their guileless songs re-echo, and the heart its praises bring, evermore and evermore.

Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, hymn and chant, and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be, honour, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore.

BLESSING: 665, 88 HYMN: 665 - Once in royal David’s city 1

Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary was that Mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall; with the poor, and mean, and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all his wondrous childhood, he would honour and obey, love, and watch the lowly Maiden, in whose gentle arms he lay: Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as he.

For he is our childhood’s pattern, day by day like us he grew, he was little, weak, and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew; and he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love, for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see him; but in heaven, set at God’s right hand on high; where like stars his children crowned all in white shall wait around.

HYMN: 88 - The first Nowell the angel did say 1

The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

They lookèd 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. Refrain

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. Refrain

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. Refrain

Then entered in those Wise Men three, Full reverently upon the knee, And offered there, in his presence, Gold and myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain

Then let us all with one accord Sing praise to our heavenly Lord; That hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood our life hath bought. Refrain

THE DISMISSAL POST COMMUNION PRAYER

(BCP Page 280)

ALL: Most merciful Father, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ; for adopting us as your own children, for incorporating us into your Holy Church, and for making us worthy to share in the inheritance of your saints in light; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. BLESSING: PRESIDENT: Christ, who by His incarnation gathered into one, all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with His joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. ALL:

Amen.

PRESIDENT: Kindly be seated for the Notices NOTICES & HIGHLIGHTS RECESSIONAL HYMN: 65 - Go tell it on the mountain Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Ago tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! 1

While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour’s birth. Refrain

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessèd Christmas morn. Refrain

CLOSING PRAYERS PRESIDENT: Go in peace and serve the Lord. ALL: In the name of Christ. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES Greetings and Welcome We greet you warmly today to our Eucharistic worship. We now invite or visitors to share your name and church community with us. Thank you for worshipping with us today. Events in our Parish Liturgies for the Christmas Season: • Old Years Night

December 31st

Events of our Lives Birthdays Congratulations to all persons celebrating birthdays this week. 1. Jacqueline Greaves 2. Maylene Small 3. Mildred Yearwood 4. Esther Cozier 5. Brian Bowen 6. Celeste Greaves 7. Lisa Griffith

December 29th December 29th December 30th December 30th December 30th December 31st January 1st, 2026

As their days increase, God’s richest blessing on them. Anniversaries Congratulations to all persons celebrating anniversaries this week.

11:00 p.m

Bereavement May all persons who have died rest in peace and rise in glory. Sick & Shut-Ins/Prayer Request Stella Atwell Carmen Bowen Douglas Brome Marva Brome Enid Broome Michael Broomes Thesby Evans Anthony Grant

Joyce Grant Erma Griffith Gilbert Griffith Waple Griffith Audrey Headley Roy Hinds Theomonda Husbands Marva Jordan Thelma Jordan

Doriel King Marlene King Dinese Lashley Elsie Maxwell John Maxwell Horace Nicholls Eupharene Walkes Joan Yearwood

Please remember the sick or injured in our parish and the wider community.