The Nativity of our Lord: Christmas Day
25 December 2021 10:00 A.M. The Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Celebrant & Preacher Voluntaries The Holy Boy (A Carol of the Nativity) Noël (Grand Jeu et Duo)
John Ireland (1879-1962) Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)
The Welcome
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THE WORD OF GOD All sing
The Processional: Hymn 83, stanzas 1-3 and 6
music: Adeste fideles, attrib. John Francis Wade (English, 1711-1786),
arr. Craig Phillips (American, b.1961), descant st. 6 by J. Roland Middleton (English, 1895-1983) words: John Francis Wade; tr. Frederick Oakeley (English, 1802-1880)
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The Opening Acclamation Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. The Collect for Purity Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. All sing
The Gloria in excelsis: Hymn 96 music: Gloria, French carol, arr. Edward Shippen Barnes (American, 1887-1958); descants:
words: French carol, transl. James Chadwick (Irish, 1813-1882), alt.
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The Collect of the Day: The Nativity of our Lord Celebrant The Lord be with you. All And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Epistle
All sit.
Lector
Hebrews 1:1-12
A Reading from The Letter to the Hebrews.
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” All
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 4
All stand to sing
The Sequence: Hymn 107
music: In dulci jubilo, German carol, 14th cent.; harm. Charles Winfred Douglas (1867–1944) words: John Mason Neale (1818–1866), alt.
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The Holy Gospel
John 1:1-14
All remain standing. The Gospeler says
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
All
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. After the reading, the Gospeler says
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
All
The Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith
All stand
The Nicene Creed Celebrant With Christians across time and around the world, we say together the Nicene Creed. All
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
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For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People Celebrant
Let us stand or kneel to pray.
As Christmas fills the earth with the good news of the Word made flesh, we offer the concerns of our lives and the world as we pray, “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.”
Intercessor
We pray for God’s holy people throughout the world. We pray for the Anglican Communion, for Michael our Presiding Bishop, Robert our Bishop, and for this Cathedral parish. Celebrant All
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Intercessor
We pray for this country, for the nations of the world, and for messengers of peace. We pray for our leaders, including Joe, our President; the Congress and the Courts; Brian, our Governor; Keisha, our Mayor; and Andre, our Mayor-elect.
Celebrant All
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Intercessor
We pray for those who are homeless, unemployed, or incarcerated; for the sick and suffering; and for all who are troubled.
Celebrant All
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Intercessor
We pray for families reunited by the holidays, homes gladdened by children, and for hearts made joyful by friendship; and we pray for those who are bereaved, bewildered, or lonely. We pray for all who travel this week, and for those who are serving their country away from home.
Celebrant All
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Intercessor
We pray for the departed, that they may see Christ now in the fullness of God’s glory. We pray for all those in whose memory Christmas flowers are given.
Celebrant All
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 7
Intercessor
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Celebrant
Loving God, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we ask you to make us humble and loving. Help us to embody the spirit of Jesus, who did not come to be served but to serve. We ask this through the mediation of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Peace
All stand. The Celebrant says
All
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
All greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Parish Notices Those for whom prayers have been requested: For Immediate Needs Marcy & Brian Cowan Long Term Prayers R. Huntley Allen Penny Barnett Perry Benton Virginia Bicksler Larry Boggs Heather Clark Sharon Crews The Crossley Family Jerri Darnell Marg Denny Terry Dornbush Stephen Douglass Sarah duBignon Carolyn Dwyer Deborah Ellington Ruth Fuqua Jenny Ham Rebecca Harris Karen Howard Jane Jones Louise Kan Lisa Krysiak Jill Mahaffey Tommy Mason Carol McDonald Glenn Miller Royce Mitchell Susan Myers Charlie Neal
Dudley Ottley Marian Palmore Ginna Pope Rubye & Wayne Reid Lorraine Reynolds Agnes Elizabeth Robertson Jean Robertson Betty Roper Louis “Skip” Schueddig Tommy Truesdale Ron Wallace Elleanor Wilson Faye Van Winkle For Family & Friends Lisa Bachman Bettina Bass Jack Baugh Lisa Bradshaw Pam Breedlove Lila Jo Callaway Andrew Clark Marie Corrigan Ava Corroon Apryl Roberts Cox Judy Crosby Dan Elson Jackson Francis Carleton Fuller Theresa Gent Patricia Plummer Glowatsky Mark Goodwin Martha Heinze
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Rob Hendler Eboni & Everton Heron Gayle Higley Cadel Ingraham Robin Kemp Patrick Kilian Carole Kline Rita Lewis Pete Livezey Lauren Makhlouf Pat Martin Jan McPherson The Mills Family Ethel “Babe” Moldovan Betsy Moore Fred Nelson Linus Nickel Neal Peters Bill Poole Carter Randall Katie Royal Einar Sagstuen James Sands Gary Schiff Yvonne Tate Pierson Thames Bryson Thomas Wayne Thurman Olive Toy Evelyn Williams Harris Wilson Liz Woodring Whit A. Wright Hollis Youngner
THE HOLY COMMUNION The Offertory Offertory Anthem
music: arr. Philip Ledger (1937-2012), Still, still, still words: 19th century Austrian carol, transl. Meg Peacocke
Still, still, still, the little child wants to sleep! Mary sings him down to sleep and offers her pure breast. Still, still, still, the little child wants to sleep! Sleep, sleep, sleep, my dear little child, sleep. The angels make music so beautifully; they rejoice before the child. Sleep, sleep, sleep, my dear little child, sleep. Great, great, great, the love is very great! God has left his heavenly throne and now must travel on the streets. Great, great, great, the love is very great!
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All sing
The Presentation: Hymn 115 music: Greensleeves, English melody harm. Christmas Carols New and Old (1871), alt. words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)
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The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant The Lord be with you. All And also with you.
Eucharistic Prayer B, BCP, p. 367
Celebrant All
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant All
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God 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. Celebrant
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 for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: All sing
The Sanctus and Benedictus
S 128, music: William Mathias (Welsh, 1934-1992)
All stand or kneel.
Celebrant
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.
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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, All
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
Celebrant
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 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 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 Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, The Lord’s Prayer
BCP, p. 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.
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All sing
The Breaking of the Bread: Hymn 324, stanza 2
music: Picardy, French carol, 17th cent.; melody from Chansons populaires des Provinces de France, 1860; harm. after The English Hymnal, 1906 words: Liturgy of St. James; para. Gerard Moultrie (1829-1885)
The Communion
All are welcome to receive Eucharist in one kind, that is, the consecrated bread. You may receive at the altar or at floor-level stations. Stand or kneel and receive the bread (a wafer) in the palm of your hand. Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.
Communion Anthem
music: traditional Normandy tune, arr. Reginald Jacques (English, 1894-1969), Away in a manger words: 19th-century English carol
Away in a manger, no crib for a 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. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.
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All sing the
Communion Hymn 101
music: Cradle Song, melody William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921); harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) words: Traditional carol
The Postcommunion Prayer Celebrant Let us pray. All Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Blessing
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BCP, p. 366
All sing
The Processional: Hymn 100
music: Antioch, George Frideric Handel (German, 1685-1759) adapt. Lowell Mason (American, 1792-1872), arr. Craig Phillips (American, b.1961) words: Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748), alt.
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The Dismissal Deacon All
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Voluntary Fantasia on In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
All music is reprinted by permission under www.OneLicense.net (license number A-717455). Music from The Hymnal 1982 © Church Publishing, Inc., unless noted otherwise below: Hymn 96 words by permission of Fleming H. Revell Co. Hymn S-128 by permission of Oxford University Press.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music The Reverend Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Community and Education The Reverend George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar The Reverend Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care The Reverend Julia B. Mitchener, Priest Associate The Reverend Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries The Reverend Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate Mr. Del King, Senior Warden Mr. Samuel T. Wilmoth, Junior Warden 2744 Peachtree Road, NW ∙ Atlanta, GA ∙ 30305-2920 ∙ (404) 365-1000 www.cathedralATL.org
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Christmas Flower Donations In Memory of Anne Hutchinson Bao Barbara Beach The Rev. Herbert J. Beadle, Jr. Herbert J. (Jay) Beadle III Terrell William Benton, Jr. George Arthur Howell Bird Dr. & Mrs. Wm. Troy Bivings Mike Blackmon Marianne Bobick Mr. & Mrs. James D. Burge Paige Moran Carter Virginia Cerre Marylene Bailey Chatham William Thomas Conner Helen Bivings Crawford Betty & Hayes Dever Jean Dowling Emmy Lou Eaton D. Jeff Ellington Merry & Jamie Ellington Sherry Lee Ellington Elizabeth Ann & Theodore A. Faber, Jr. Dakin B. Ferris Dr. Emile T. Fisher Freda & Theodore Fisher Rosemary & Jack Foster James Fox & Judith Hance Borden John Michael Gearon, Sr. Skye Randall Gibbs-Loyless Larsen Chase Gregory Richard MacPherson Gregory Dennis M. Hall Geoffrey Peterson Hall Mr. & Mrs. Milton Hall Stuart Stevens Hall Helen Rhodes Hannah Harvey & Nell Marian Roberts Hicks Anne Williamson Hohenstein Mary & Jack Hook Augusta & Richard Horsey Barrett Howell Anne Van Kirk Hull
Ruthie King Hunter Billy Ishee Rabun L. Jeffers Richard & Tish Jennings Mark Kaish James P. Kelly A. Thorton Kennedy Alfred Doby Kennedy Isabelle Kennedy Virginia Hightower Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Ernest D. Key, Sr. Joseph Kiely Ada M. Lamon Mrs. John Hicks Lanier (Helen) Nita & Stewart Long Loved Ones Augustus Loyless Mamo & Big Papa Joan Ruggieto McCumber Boice McGrew Dan McGrew George Maxwell (Mac) McGrew William Yates McGuffin Mimi, Scott, & Tug Hollis E. Morris Phyllis Rivers Nygaard Walter C. Perrin The Very Rev. Richard Pocalyko Betty Poole Raymond & Elma Sam & Anna Riddick Clarence H. Ridley William, Elizabeth, & Douglas Sanders Jack & Tish Sharp Hermina & Bill Spangler Joyce Lanier Milner Sterling Lucy Underwood Ruth Vaught Frances Vawter Charles & Evelyn Weggler Judy Weston Dr. Robert T. Willingham Oliver Wright
as of December 19, 2021
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Christmas Flower Donations In Thanksgiving for The Bazzel Family John Beane Kathryn Beane James Pierce Fontaine The marriage of Lauren Giles and Duncan Douglass Emma Kate, Davis Grant, Aleck Carter Laura, Dan, Chris, & Genevieve Mary Perrin Betty Roper Andrew T. Shook Christopher R. Shook Bill, Dean, Banks, & Bridger Stallworth St. Veronica’s Guild All who serve in our U.S. military The Mike Wilson Family
as of December 19, 2021
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