Christmas Eve - 5PM -12.24.2022

Christmas Eve: Go tell it on the Mountain!

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania December 24, 2022 5:00 P.M.

Welcome!

Whether you are a visitor for this festive occasion, or a person who is seeking a spiritual home, we are glad you found us. Your journey, questions, and hopes are important to us. We would be honored to come to know you better and to find ways for this church community to become a spiritual home for you. Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself in your journey of life and faith, you are welcome here at St. Peter’s, Glenside!

Parts of the liturgy can be found in the red Book of Common (BCP) in your pew.

Children are always welcome in church. Crayons are available in the narthex and in the chapel hallway. Please ask an usher. Restrooms are located just outside the left hand doors in the front of the church. There is also an ADA-accessible restroom in Good Shepherd Chapel at the rear of the church. Please silence electronic devices.

If you are visiting, please sign one of our guest books, which are found at the back of the church and in the chapel hallway. If you would like to get to know us better, please fill out a visitor's card found in the pews, and put the card in the offering plate or give it to an usher. Learn more about St. Peter’s on our webpage, stpetersglenside.org or visit our Facebook page.

And before you go, make sure to take a selfie with our illuminated angel wings in the narthex at the back of the worship space.

The Nativity of our Lord Tonight Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of our Savior. Our Christmas pageant was written this year by our new rector, the Rev. Barbara Ballenger. It is a light-hearted look at what it means to go and tell the Good News of Jesus’ birth through an act of remembering that is so powerful it makes the story present among us.

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 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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Gathering in Joy Prelude: Merry Carols for Organ

Gordon Young

Opening Hymn: 83, O come, all ye faithful 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 Presider: Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given.

People: O come, let us adore him.

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

Collect for the Nativity

BCP 212

Almighty God, you make us glad with the yearly festival of the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world; grant that we, who have known the revelation of that light, may shine with its radiance so that through us the world may know the wonder and power of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.

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Listening for God’s Word Go tell it on the Mountain: The Word of God in pageant form The congregation will serve as the “choir” for this retelling of the Christmas story in three parts, singing the following portions of “Go tell it on the Mountain” at the appropriate time.

Introduction

Rev. Barb

Opening Chorus Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Act. 1: While Shepherds kept their watching Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O'er silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens There shone a Holy light …

Act. 2: The Shepherds Feared and Trembled Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

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The shepherds feared and trembled When, lo! above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior's birth …

Act. 3: Down in a Lowly Manger Children in the congregation who would like to sit among the stable animals can take their seats on the steps in front of the stable at this time.

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born, And brought us all salvation That blessed Christmas morn…..

Finale: Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!

The Prayers of the People Led by our pageant players. After the reader says “Lord in your mercy,” the congregation responds, Hear our prayer.

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.

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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 Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrating Holy Communion The Offertory Each year the Christmas offering is divided between St. Peter’s Church and selected ministries beyond our walls. This year we are dedicating a portion of the offering to support the people of Ukraine through Episcopal Relief & Development. Thank you for your generosity.

Offertory Solo: The Virgin’s Slumber Song

Max Reger Tim Flaherty, bass

The Presentation Hymn: 79, O little town of Bethlehem (vv. 1, 2 & 5) O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!

Above they 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.

For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth! and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

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 Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer B Presider: People:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

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BCP 367

Presider: People: Presider: People: Presider:

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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 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:

Sanctus: S-130, Holy, holy, holy Lord

Franz Schubert

The Presider continues We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: 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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me." Therefore, according to his command, O Father, Presider and People We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory; The Presider continues And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may 7

be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Mary, Joseph, Peter and Philip and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

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 forever. AMEN. Presider: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, The Lord’s Prayer

BCP 364

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread The Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.

Fraction Anthem: S-164, Jesus, Lamb of God

Franz Schubert

Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Communion of the People Please join us in gathering around God’s table of grace. You may receive both the bread and wine or just the bread. Please let the priest or Eucharistic Minister know if you would like a gluten-free wafer. Intinction, or dipping the bread in the wine cup, is not permitted for health reasons.

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If receiving Eucharist is not your practice, you are invited to come forward and receive a blessing of the church. Please signify your desire for a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest.

Hymn: 115, What child is this 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?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, 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.

Hymn: 89, It came upon the midnight clear It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King.”

The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, And ever o’er its Babel-sounds the blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; Beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And warring human-kind hears not the tidings which they bring; O hush the noise and cease your strife and hear the angels sing.

For lo! The days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And all the world give back the song which now the angels sing.

The Post-Communion Prayer Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Hymn: 111, Silent Night 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!

Sending Out The Christmas Blessing May God, who sent angels and shepherds to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.

Closing Hymn: 87, 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!

Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Risen with healing in his wings, light and life to all he brings, hail, the Sun of Righteousness! hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!

The Dismissal Celebrant: Let us go forth in the name of Christ our newborn King! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Postlude: Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella

Keith Chapman

Special thanks to our Pageant Players (in general order of appearance): Sal Guerrero, Katie Monserrat, Henry Bennecoff, Lana Fabijonas, Rocco Guerrero, Sean Monserrat, Alastair McCrea, Gabriel McCrea, Katherine Kelly, Quinn Centola, Rev. Barb, Olive Linke, Olivia McCrea, Nathan Clemens, Alyssa Clemens, Ben Brenner and Josh Brenner.

Additional thanks to pageant helpers Betty Hilary and Jenna Linke!

The poinsettias decorating our church this Christmas have been given to the glory of God and in memory of… †

Loved Ones by Shirley Smith

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Ann Jarema by Stephanie Jarema & Bruce Fabijonas

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Frank & Margaret Moeller by Michael Moeller

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Loved ones of the Donahue & Rose Families by Ken Rose & Lisa Donahue

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Richard & Bruce Sibley & Loved Ones by Barbara Sibley

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Mark Jabaut by Rick Pearce

† Amy Ironside & Sister Mary Willard Reagan by George & Charlie Beall & Nancy Ironside † Allan & Suzanne Perry and Frank & Chris Hartung by Wendy & Bob Hartung †

Jesse Patrick Clemens by Kristina Marchuk

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Bob McGrory by Carolyn McGrory

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Loved Ones by Jeanne Robson

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Loved Ones of the Murphy & Flaherty Families by the Flaherty Family

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Zeltner & Sayer Family Loved Ones by Karen Sayer

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Love Ones by the Kulp & Bennecoff Families

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Loved Ones always remembered by Cathy and Ken Kress

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Dorothy Clark by Deborah Clark

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And in thanksgiving for… †

The Burless & Wanlund Families by Bridget & BJ

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For My Family by Linda Toia

St. Peter’s Worship Services Sundays at 10:00 a.m., Live & Livestreaming Holy Eucharist, Rite II Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., Healing Morning Prayer Service Go to: www.stpetersglenside.org to access all the services.

Announcements Take a selfie with Angel Wings Before you leave this evening, stop to take a selfie with our illuminated angel wings in the narthex at the back of the church. Post it on Facebook and tell your friends you celebrated Christmas as St. Peter’s. Thanks to our tech genius PJ Linke for lending us these hand-crafted wings.

A Special Thank You to our Tech Team, Worship Ministers, Altar Guild Members, Flower Arrangers, Choir Members, Musicians, Bell Ringers, and St. Peter’s Staff for making this Christmas season such a beautiful and joyous one!

Christmas Blessings, Many Thanks! to all who supported our wider community this season through the Food Cupboard, Mitten Box donations and St. James School gifts and gift cards.

End-of-Year Giving As we come to the end of the year, we give thanks for the generosity of our community! And we humbly ask that you take a look at your pledge commitment for 2022 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 2022 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 of 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 12

Our 141st 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.

Worship Ministers Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger Eucharistic Ministers: Rick DeKalb, Audrey Kipphut, Debbie Panebianco Ushers: Anne Gibson, Peter Gottemoller, David Kipphut, John Klarman Counter: Jeanne Robson Altar Guild: Donna Kulp, Karen Sayer Organist Kathy Flaherty Choir Director: Tim Flaherty Tech Team: PJ Linke, Mike Levin

The cover image from pixy.org/4542297 is used by permission.

Hymn permissions by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.

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ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 654 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038-4310 (215) 887-1765 E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com Website: www.stpetersglenside.org

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