The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
STEWARDSHIP
Times and Seasons: Christmastide
Celebrations of Christmas mark one end of the yearly liturgical arc which invites us into the earthly life of Jesus. While the feast of the Nativity is centered upon the occasion of Jesus’ birth to the Virgin Mary as foretold by the prophets, the task of the Christmas liturgies is to recall us, amid all the joyful customs and celebrations, to the central truth of Christ the Word made flesh for our salvation. Festive liturgical celebrations of Christ’s nativity originate at the end of the third century. The Christmas creche and the nativity pageant can both be said to descend from the tableau of Christ’s birth that Francis of Assisi arranged when he celebrated Christmas at Greccio in 1223. The singing of Christmas carols was a medieval tradition, which became notably redeveloped from the end of the nineteenth century onward. Today, we celebrate Christmas once again bound up in the Presence of Jesus made known to us in the Sacraments of the Church. The traditional Latin chant for Christmas immerses us in the joy and wonder of this festal occasion:
O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! O blessed virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
The Christmas season is often celebrated for twelve days, ending with the Fest of the Epiphany (Jan. 6). Contemporary use has sought to express an alternative tradition, in which Christmas lasts for a full forty days, ending with the Feast of the Presentation on 2 February. Whatever the tradition, we are meant to remember the sacred and hopeful truth of Emmanuel, “God with us” throughout the liturgical year.
This Week & Upcoming
Vestry Elections Upcoming
Warden and Vestry elections will be held in Jan. 2025. Election packets will be sent out via physical and digital mailings. Candidate statements are available in the back of the church, or online at saintlukesnyc.org/vestry-elections.
Candidate Meet & Greets will take place on January 5 & 12 during coffee hours.
The Feast of the Epiphany
Monday, January 6 at 6:30pm
A parish party will be held following the Mass. The Church will provide the holiday hams and drinks, and the parish life team is asking parishioners to contribute holiday sides, cakes. cookies, or other baked desserts to share. Volunteers are also needed to help us prepare the hams, mulled wine/cider, and more on Sunday the 5th after the 11:15 Mass. All are welcome! Please contact Fr. Ancona, Michael Turner, or Jack Spencer for more information.
The Holy Eucharist Rite II
Please refrain from bringing food or drink (except if for young children) into the church during Mass. Please silence all mobile phones and electronic devices.
People often wish to take the time before and after worship for silent prayer. Please be considerate of your fellow worshipers by refraining from conversations before Mass and applause at the end of the postlude. Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness.
Child-care is available for children under age 6; please ask an usher for directions; all children are welcome in worship, and we encourage parents to bring children to Communion.
Large print hymns are available in the back of the church; ask an usher for copies.
PRELUDE Song of Peace
Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
A bell sounds. All stand as they are able.
ENTRANCE HYMN 124 · Puer nobis
ACCLAMATION
Ambrosian Chant
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS Canterbury Mass
Anthony Piccolo (b.1946)
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
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.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
All remain seated for the psalm. The refrain is intoned, then repeated by the congregation and sung as indicated.
PSALM 72
Plainsong, Mode V
Give the King your justice, O God, * and your righteousness to the King’s Son; That he may rule your people righteously * and the poor with justice. That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, * and the little hills bring righteousness. Refrain
He shall defend the needy among the people; * he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, * from one generation to another. Refrain
He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, * like showers that water the earth. In his time shall the righteous flourish; * there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. Refrain
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, * and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts. All kings shall bow down before him, * and all the nations do him service. Refrain
For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, * and the oppressed who has no helper. He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; * he shall preserve the lives of the needy. He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, * and dear shall their blood be in his sight. Refrain
THE SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not
made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
SEQUENCE
HYMN 127 · Stuttgart
Sung by all, standing.
ALLELUIA
Plainsong, Mode IV
The Gospel procession makes its way to the pulpit. A Cantor intones the Alleluia, and the congregation repeats it once, then again following the Versicle.
V. We have seen his star in the East, * and have come to worship the Lord.
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON The Reverend Andrew Ancona
THE NICENE CREED Hymnal S105
Calvin Hampton
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Deacon reads the intercessions for the parish. Then the leader says With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, singing, “Lord, have mercy.”
For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.
For Justin, the out-going Archbishop of Canterbury, Sean, our Presiding Bishop, Matthew, Allen and Mary, our own Bishops, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For Joe, our President, Donald, our President-Elect, Kathy, our Governor, Eric, our Mayor, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this city, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we work towards an anti-racist society and for racial justice in our church, our city, our nation and in the world, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
In the communion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, holy mother of God, Saint Luke, our patron and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION OF SIN
Deacon Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
The People kneel or bow. All say 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 Celebrant says 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.
Then the Ministers and People greet each other in the name of the Lord.
AT THE OFFERTORY, ANTHEM
David Bednall (b.1979)
Tribus miraculis ornatum diem sanctum colimus: hodie stella Magos duxit ad praesepium: hodie vinum ex aqua factum est ad nuptias: hodie in Jordane a Joanne Christus baptizari voluit, ut salveret nos, alleluia.
We celebrate a holy day adorned by three miracles: today the star led the Wise Men to the manger: today wine is made from water at the wedding: today Christ was content to be baptised in the Jordan by John, that he might save us. Alleluia.
OFFERTORY HYMN 109 · The First Nowell All stand.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Eucharistic Prayer B, Book of Common Prayer, page 367 All stand.
The Celebrant continues:
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS Canterbury Mass
Anthony Piccolo
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.
The People stand or kneel. The Celebrant continues. Midway through the Eucharistic Prayer, the Celebrant says
Therefore according to his command, O Father
All We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
The Celebrant concludes 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 Hymnal S149
McNeil Robinson II
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Celebrant breaks the bread. A short period of silence follows.
FRACTION ANTHEM Canterbury Mass
Anthony Piccolo (b.1946)
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
INVITATION
Celebrant The gifts of God for the people of God.
This is the Lord’s Table. All are encouraged to come forward at this time. Gluten free wafers are available from the Priest on the pulpit side of the altar. If you are not baptized, or do not wish to receive, you are encouraged to come forward for a blessing. Signal this by crossing your arms across your chest.
COMMUNION MOTET
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Here is the little door, lift up the latch, oh lift! We need not wander more but enter with our gift; Our gift of finest gold, Gold that was never bought nor sold; Myrrh to be strewn about his Bed; Incense in clouds about His Head; All for the Child that stirs not in His sleep, But holy slumber holds with ass and sheep.
Bend low about His bed, for each He has a gift; See how His eyes awake, lift up hour hands, oh lift! For gold, He gives a keen-edged sword; (Defend with it Thy little Lord!) For incense, smoke of battle red; Myrrh for the honoured happy dead; Gifts for His children, terrible and sweet, Touched by such tiny hands and oh such tiny feet.
POSTCOMMUNION HYMN 119 · Dix
Sung by all, standing.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Said by all.
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE BLESSING
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also, in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. Amen.
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon the Only begotten at his baptism in the Jordan River, pour out that Spirit on you who have come to the waters of new birth. Amen.
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
The Deacon bids the dismissal.
People
POSTLUDE Pasticcio
Jean Langlais
The flowers and greens at today’s worship service are given in memory of Peter S. Komor by Valerie Komor, the beloved family members of Leslie Evans who have gone before, and in thanksgiving for many blessings, to the honor and glory of God from Steve Novak, Anonymous and the Kurt Weyrauch Memorial Flower Fund.
Please refrain from applause at the end of the postlude, to respect the devotional practices of others.
A brief service of prayer with laying on of hands for healing follows this service, at the votive icon.
About the music at today’s service
The setting of the mass ordinary this evening is Canterbury Mass by Anthony Piccolo (b. 1946). Piccolo’s note on the 1996 published edition reads, “Written in 1978 for Dr. Allan Wicks and the Choir of Canterbury Cathedral, these settings were intended for use in the Cathedral’s resonant Nave during the rebuilding of the organ. They are here presented somewhat revised and in accordance with current liturgical practice.” The Mass is scored for unaccompanied mixed choir, mostly in four parts but with occasional further division of voices. The text is disposed efficiently with occasional overlapping of text phrases.
Piccolo grew up in New Jersey and completed a master’s degree at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland. During a subsequent nineyear residence in England, he sang with the cathedral choirs of Litchfield, Canterbury and Saint Paul’s, London, and performed extensively as a pianist. Since returning to the United States, he has remained very active as a composer, pianist, and conductor in a variety of venues.
David Bednall is prominent British composer best known for his choral compositions. He has an extensive freelance playing and conducting career, and is Organist of The University of Bristol and conducts The University Singers. He won prizes in Improvisation and Performance at the examination for FRCO, and has improvised on live radio, and performed extensively in the UK and abroad. He appeared as stuntorganist on ‘Dr Who’. A number of his works have been broadcast on radio, and he has been commissioned by St Paul’s Cathedral, and The Queen’s College, Oxford.
Bednall’s compositional language is a result of a number of diverse influences. His love of lateromantic and 20th music is very apparent, as is his interest in emotive and evocative effects
to communicate the text fully to listeners. Much of his recent music has been for choirs and his exceptionally wide field of musical tastes combined with considerable experience in the Cathedral Choral Tradition make for a reinvigorating approach to liturgical choral writing. Major inspirations include R. Strauss, Puccini, Ravel, Vaughan Williams, Howells and Cochereau. However, his writing is no pastiche of these styles, but a distinctive and varied synthesis of these harmonic and rhetorical characteristics.
Tribus miraculis is the eleventh movement of the Christmas cantata Welcome All Wonders.
Herbert Norman Howells is a composer chiefly remembered today as a man of small stature who casts a big shadow over the world of Anglican church music. His motets for the Latin renewal, canticles for Anglican liturgy, and three major choral works with orchestra are of excellent craftsmanship~-innovative and elegant in color and texture. Many commentators and church musicians in fact consider his ecclesiastical music among the great contributions to Anglican church music of the twentieth century
Howells is particularly known for his large output of Anglican church music, including a complete Service for King’s College, Cambridge and settings of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for the choirs of St. Paul’s and Gloucester Cathedrals, amongst many others. The motet Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing was written shortly after the assassination and dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy.
Here is the little door is one of three ‘Carol Anthems’ composed in 1918. The set also includes the wellknown A Spotless Rose.
STEWARDSHIP & GIVING
Consider deepening your relationship with St. Luke’s by pledging your time, talent or treasure. Look for pledge forms in the back of the church. You can also pledge and sign up for volunteer opportunities online at saintlukesnyc.org/pledge.
2025 Stewardship Pledge Campaign
Our annual Fall Stewardship Campaign is underway! This season features Stewardship moments in person and online. There will also be ministry tables set up during coffee hours each week. To learn more about the Fall Stewardship Season, visit stlukeinthefields.org/give.
Donate to St. Luke’s St. Luke’s relies on donations to help maintain and grow mission-centered programming. If you would like to make a one-time donation, scan the QR Code or visit stlukeinthefields.org/give. We welcome both general and restricted gifts, such as our gardens, Concert Series, Outreach Programs, and Clergy Discretionary Fund.
Legacy Giving
Another way you can support the mission of St. Luke’s is through estate planning. Learn more: saintlukesnyc.org/legacygiving Contact: Hannah Sohn, Development and Outreach Manager hsohn@stlukeinthefields.org
Volunteer for a Liturgical Guild!
As we prepare for the Fall season, we welcome you to sign up to be an usher, reader, or acolyte. If you would like to help before and after services, consider the Altar Guild. Contact information for each guild is below.
Acolyte Guild: Michael Cudney (Mcudney55pte@gmail.com)
Altar Guild: Sean Scheller (seanscheller@gmail.com)
Lectors Guild: Amanda Durant (atdurant@gmail.com)
Ushers Guild: Stephen Novak (stevenov13@gmail.com)
Music & Arts: Melissa Cocco (melissacoccomelissa@gmail.com)
LIFE AT ST. LUKE’S
Sermons Online
Sermons are available in audio on the web at stlukeinthefields.org/ sermons.
Antiracism Ministries
saintlukesnyc.org/antiracism
Weekly Book Discussions Mondays at 7pm on Zoom.
Seasonal film screenings and author talks.
See our website for the full schedule.
Daily Office on Zoom
Monday & Wednesday at 5:30pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8am
Contact: Michael Cudney (mcudney55pte@gmail.com)
Centering Prayer Thursdays 7 pm on Zoom
Contact: Richard (718.698.7514 | interiorsilence@gmail.com)
FORMATION AT ST. LUKE’S
Please see website for our full schedule
Formation for Children and Youth
Sunday School
10:20am in the School Auditorium
Classes for PreK-Grade 5
Youth Formation
Sundays 10:20am in the School Auditorium For Grades 6-12.
Youth Confirmation
For teens Grades 8-12. Contact Mo.
Lewis for more information.
Formation for Adults
Text Talk Bible Study
Sundays 10:20am in the School Dining Room
Catechumens: Ethical Decision Making
Discovery Series
January 12 at 1:15pm in Laughlin Hall
Seasonal Retreats
Lenten Retreat: April 4-6 at Holy Cross Monastery
Contact Lily in the Parish House
The Church of St. Luke in the Fields
487 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 | Telephone: 212.924.0562 | Email: info@stlukeinthefields.org Please email any clergy member in the event of an emergency. Website: www.stlukeinthefields.org
The Reverend Caroline Stacey, Rector 212.924.0562 | cstacey@stlukeinthefields.org
The Reverend Andrew Ancona, Senior Associate | 212.924.9327 aancona@stlukeinthefields.org
David Shuler, Director of Music & Organist 212.633.2167 | dshuler@stlukeinthefields.org
The Reverend Victoria Lewis, School Chaplain & Associate 212.924.5960 | vlewis@stlukeinthefields.org
The Reverend Thomas Miller, Assisting Clergy
ADMINISTRATION
Craig King, Director of Business and Financial Operations | 212.633.7817 cking@stlukeinthefields.org
Devon Cooper, Accountant 212.924.1523 dcooper@stlukeinthefields.org
Anthony Serrano, Facilities Director 212.924.3080 aserrano@stlukeinthefields.org
Hannah Sohn, Outreach & Development Manager | 212.414.7442 hsohn@stlukeinthefields.org
Amina Syedullah, Communications Manager 212.647.1837 asyedullah@stlukeinthefields.org
Andrew Forell, Archivist 212.924.0562 aforell@stlukeinthefields.org
Elana Steinberg, Thrift Shop Manager 212.924.9364 esteinberg@stlukeinthefields.org
Lily Del Rosso, Parish Office Administrator 212.924.0562 edelrosso@stlukeinthefields.org
ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL
Tracy Fedonchik, Head of School 212.924.5960 | www.stlukeschool.org
ST. LUKE’S VESTRY: Vestry@stlukeinthefields.org
Theresa Goldsborough & Michael Cudney, Wardens
Donald Conrad
Bruce Goerlich
Michael Hudson
Samuel Jordan
Celina KhuryMorejon
Valerie Komor
Jack Spencer
Grady Tarplee
Naveen Thacker, Clerk
Non Voting
David Moody, Treasurer
Doug Houston, Recording Secretary
January Vestry On Call: Grady Tarplee (949.378.3420) Celina Khury-Morejon(516.857.4570)