Christmas Eve Pageant
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania December 24, 2021 5:00 P.M.
Gathering In Joy Prelude: Once in Royal David’s City
Gordon Young
Opening Hymn: 83, O come, all ye faithful (The people stand) 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, Christ the Lord. God from God, Light from Light eternal, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb; Only begotten Son of the Father; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God, glory in the highest; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Salutation Celebrant: Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given. People: O come, let us adore him. Collect for the Nativity Celebrant: Let the pageant begin.
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The Pageant The congregation, while remaining seated, is asked to take part in the pageant by singing the hymns at the appropriate times. Hymn: 101, Away in a manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. Hymn: 96, Angels we have heard on high Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! The pageant includes the following Prayers of the People. To each petition the congregation responds, Hear our prayer. Intercessor: Intercessor: All: Intercessor: All: Intercessor: All: Intercessor: All:
Holy Child the angel told us you are the Savior. The world needs you and has been waiting for you. Tiny Lord, hear our prayers now. Holy Child, we pray for all those who give their lives in service to God. Help them faithfully proclaim your presence in the world. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Holy Child, help us care for others in the same way you care for us. Let us never turn you away when you come knocking. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Holy Child we pray for all who search for God. We pray that they are able to find you and know your love. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Holy Child we pray for all of those who travel. May they safely reach their destination. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 3
Intercessor:
All: Intercessor: All: Intercessor:
All: Celebrant:
Holy Child we pray for the poor and hurting. We pray for all prisoners and captives. We pray for all who are sick and suffering and everyone who is lonely. Give them hope, courage and peace. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Holy Child we pray for all those who have died. Bring their families and friends comfort and peace. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Holy Child we thank you for the many blessings we receive through God’s grace. We thank you for our family and friends and neighbors and church. We thank you for food and warm beds. Help us to always be grateful. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Holy Child hear all of our prayers spoken and unspoken this Holy Night. Have mercy on us and forgive us our sins, strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in Your love which is everlasting, that our lives may be an affirmation of yours. Lord Jesus, you are our greatest gift. Amen.
Hymn: 100, Joy to the world! (The people stand) Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love. The Peace Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you. Please remain in your seats for this exchange. Greet one another with a wave and words of peace. The Blessing
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The Dismissal Celebrant: Let us go forth in the name of Christ our newborn King. Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia
The poinsettias decorating our church this Christmas have been given to the glory of God and in memory of…... †
Warren Wanlund by Bridget Burless and BJ Wanlund
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Thom Clinefelter, Esra Wallace, Beryl Stewart, Jo Birkebach by Connie Clinefelter
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Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Relyea and Leslie Relyea, Jr. by James C. Matejik
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Frank & Margaret Moeller by Jane Moeller Leffingwell and Michael Moeller
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Bruce Sibley, Richard Sibley, Henry & Gertrude Jones and Walter & Estelle Sibley by Barbara Sibley
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Amy Ironside and Sister Mary Willard Reagan by Nancy Ironside and George & Charlie Beall
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Loved Ones by Shirley Smith and Family
And in thanksgiving for…… †
The Burless and Wanlund Families by Bridget Burless and BJ Wanlund
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Announcements Our 140th Anniversary In 1881, Russell Smith gave the plot of land on which our congregation’s first wood frame church was built. The building was funded by Thomas Smith (no relation to Russell) and completed in early December. The first worship service was held on Christmas Day in 1881 at 3:00 p.m. A Special Thank You to our Tech Team, Worship Ministers, Altar Guild Members, Flower Arrangers, Choir Members, Musicians, Bell Ringers, St. Peter’s Staff for making this Christmas season such a beautiful and joyous one! Christmas Blessings, Laura+ Many Thanks! to all who supported our wider community this season through the food cupboard, Mitten Tree donations and Carson Valley Children’s Aid gift cards. End of Year Giving As we come to the end of such a challenging year, we give thanks for the generosity of our community! And we humbly ask that you take a look at your pledge commitment for 2021 and if you are able to fulfill it to please do so by Dec. 31. For those of you who did not pledge or have already fulfilled your pledge, we invite you to consider giving an end of year donation to our community. Particularly during these Advent and Christmas seasons, we appreciate being a part this faith community and what it means for us and our families. Your gifts help us to continue our ministry, creating a place for all who need to experience the light and love of Christ. Thank you for being part of St. Peter’s, your Vestry.
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The Nativity of our Lord Tonight Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of our Savior. Our Christmas pageant was written in 1994 for St. Peter’s Church by Elizabeth Lawson. The pageant was written to incorporate the scriptures appointed for Christmas Eve, which remind us that the Messiah’s birth was a strong hope of God’s people and came to Bethlehem though not everyone knew it at that time. It also includes the prayers of the people, with the characters offering a petition that relates to their part in the story of humanity as we worship God and share in the presence of God’s Son, our Savior, Christ Jesus, the Lord. In the birth of Christ we celebrate more than an idea, more than a philosophical truth. We celebrate that, at a specific time and place, he, through whom all was created, came to be part of his own creation and began his life among us as one of us. “In the days of Caesar Augustus...when Quirinius was governor of Syria. . .in the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.” What Isaiah had hoped for in the seventh century B.C. came, bringing light to the nations. “Unto us a child is born. . .his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In story and song, Word and Sacrament, we celebrate this coming and the call to be God’s people - to return to God who is the source of our life and salvation. Adapted from The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 1998 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Inc.., New York.
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