Service Leaflet - December 27, 2020 (Holy Eucharist)

The First Sunday after Christmas Day

8:45 A.M. and 11:15 A.M.

Christmas Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion in Social Distance for the Common Good

(Recorded at the Cathedral of St. Philip on December 30, 2018, with the Reverend Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., the Reverend John William Harkins III, Ph.D., and the Cathedral Choir and Choristers)

Grace and peace to you! We are the Body of Christ, connected spiritually and emotionally, and visually, even when we cannot gather together in person. Prepared in social distance for the common good, this liturgy honors the patterns of our tradition and is intended to facilitate our continued common prayer, as we share spiritual communion.

Voluntary

Où s’en vont ces gais bergers

Claude-Bénigne Balbastre (1724-1799)

The Welcome

THE WORD OF GOD

The Processional: Hymn 102

music: Irby, melody Henry John Gauntlett (1805–1876); harm. Arthur Henry Mann (1850–1929) words: Sts. 1–2, 4–6, Cecil Francis Alexander (1818–1895), alt.; st. 3, James Waring McCrady (b. 1938)

The Bidding Prayer

Dear People of God: In this Christmas Season, let it be our duty and delight to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.

Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city.

And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.

And now, to sum up all these petitions, let us pray in the words which Christ himself has taught us, saying:

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 Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.

The First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15

God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.

Read by Tonya Echols

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

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.

The Second Lesson: Micah 5:2-4

The prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem.

Read by Allen Brown

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;

Hymn 92

music: Personent hodie, melody from Piae Cantiones, 1582; harm. Gustav Theodore Holst (1874–1934) words: Piae Cantiones, 1582; tr. Jane M. Joseph (1894–1929)

The Third Lesson: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel appears to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Read by Melissa Joiner

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Hymn 265

music: Gabriel’s Message, Basque carol; harm. Edgar Pettman (1865–1943) words: Basque carol; para. Sabine Baring-Gould (1834–1924)

The Fourth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7

St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

Read by Sherri Musgrove

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Hymn 101

music: Cradle Song, melody William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921); harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) words: Traditional carol

The Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:8-16

The shepherds go to the manger.

Read by Susan McDaniel

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

Hymn 105

music: God Rest You Merry, melody from Little Book of Christmas Carols, ca. 1850; harm. Charles Winfred Douglas (1867–1944) words: London carol, 18th cent.

The Sixth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.

Read by the Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins

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.

Hymn 109

music: The First Nowell, English carol, 17th cent.; harm. John Stainer (1841–1901); alt. refrain harm. and desc. Healey Willan (1880–1968) words: English Carol, 18th cent.

The Seventh Lesson: John 1:1-14

St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

Read by the Rev. Gene Paradise

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.

Hymn 82

music: Divinum mysterium, Sanctus trope, 11th cent.; adapt. Piae Cantiones, 1582; acc. Bruce Neswick (b. 1956) words: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-410?); tr. John Mason Neale (1818-1866) and Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877), alt.

(Sing using equal note values)

The Peace

The Celebrant says: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

All: And also with you.

All greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Parish Notices

THE HOLY COMMUNION

The Offertory

At the time of the Offertory, you may offer whatever you have to God. Each of us has something to offer, and every one of those offerings is accepted by God. In a few minutes, when the celebrant prays the Eucharistic Prayer, God blesses all those offerings, wherever they are today.

If you would like to make a financial offering to the ministry of the Cathedral, you may do so by visiting: cathedralATL.org/contribute.

The Offertory Carol

music: Sans Day Carol, traditional Cornish carol, arr. John Rutter (English, b. 1945) words: traditional English, alt.

Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk, And Mary bore Jesus, who was wrapped up in silk: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass, And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal, And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! Now the holly bears a berry, as blood is it red, Then trust we our Saviour, who rose from the dead: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!

The Presentation: Hymn 112

music: Cranham, Gustav Theodore Holst (1874–1934) words: Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer B, The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p. 367

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: 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 for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

The Sanctus and Benedictus

S 128, William Mathias

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.

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

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: 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

During these next moments of meditation, wherever you are, please receive whatever gifts God makes available to you, in whatever form God makes available to you. We share spiritual communion today.

The Meditation Music

music: Cradle Song, melody William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921), arr. Peter Hallock (1924-2014) words: traditional 19th-century American carol From the Cathedral Choir’s CD Tidings of Comfort & Joy (G-49323), used by permission of Gothic Records.

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. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And fit us for heaven To live with Thee there. Amen.

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

The Processional: Hymn 87

music: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847); adapt. William H. Cummings (1831-1915) words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788), alt.

The Dismissal

Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

All: Thanks be to God.

Voluntary

Noël X (Grand Jeu et Duo)

Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)

All music is reprinted by permission under ONE LICENSE (license number A-717455).

Christmas Flower Donations

In Memory of

William Thomas Ashley William Bowen Astrop George Arthur Howell Bird Robert Morris Bush Marc Colley Seashols Noell & James C. Courtenay Mr. & Mrs. Owen Dodd D. Jeff Ellington Merry & Jamie Ellington Sherry L. Ellington Freda & Theodore Fisher Mr. & Mrs. French Benhamn Frazier, Jr. Katherine Payne Gooding Larsen Chase Gregory Richard MacPherson Gregory Geoffrey Peterson Hall Mr. & Mrs. Milton H. Hall Stuart Hall William Robert Ham Helen Rhodes Hannah Marian Roberts Hicks Augusta Collins & Richard Horsey Barrett Howell Ruthie King Hunter Mr. & Mrs. Henry R. Jackson Richard Jennings Marcelle & Francis Jones, Jr. Albert Thorton Kennedy Isabelle Woolford Kennedy Virginia Hightower Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Ernest D. Key, Sr. Thomas Howell Lanier, Jr. Alec S. Lansing Brennan W. Lansing Nita & Stewart Long Georgeann Maxwell McGrew (Mac) Wayne Dale (Dan) McGrew Hollis E. Morris Norma Dodd Newman The Very Rev. Rich Pocalyko Cathy Rebmann Sam & Anna Riddick Clarence H. Ridley Mr. & Mrs. Jack Sharp Fay & George Sheffield William D. Smith, Sr. Noell & Franklin Starks, Jr. Mary Gunn Powell & Franklin Starks, Sr. Ann Rutledge Tufts Ruth Vaught Lindsay & Sibyl Walker Judy Brantley Weston Elizabeth Anne Whipple Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins Sara Thurston Williams Dr. Robert T. Willingham Charles Woodall, Jr. Mary Craighill Yellowlees

In Thanksgiving for

The Dowling Family Emmy Lou, Elizabeth Ann, & Ted Faber The Foster Family Flower guild chairs: Laura Iarocci & Grace Foster Slate, Mat, Jim, & Camille Fluker Mac & Dorothy Perno Lt. Robert and Elizabeth Underwood Scott

as of December 15, 2020