Christmas I - Lessons and Carols December 30, 2018

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE  INCLUSIVE  CREATIVE  DOWNTOWN

Christmastide Liturgy: Christmas Lessons and Carols 

December 30, 2018 10:00am

Lessons and Carols  Prelude Processional:

How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place O Come All Ye Faithful

Please stand as you are able.

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Johannes Brahams The Hymnal 1982 #83

Welcome & Introduction to Lessons and Carols The first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was offered at King’s College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve in 1918.

It was introduced by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of the College, whose experience as an army chaplain had led him to believe that more “imaginative worship” was needed by the Church of England. The format of the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols did not differ substantially from the one known at King’s College, Cambridge today.

We are delighted to be continuing this tradition at Trinity while also giving it a bit of a “modern twist.” We will be using the same set of readings that have been read during this service since 1918, but instead of using the 1611 King James version of scripture, we will be suing Eugene Peterson’s wonderful, and more contemporary transliteration of scripture from The Message.

Collect of the day Celebrant: People: Celebrant:

People:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Hidden God who made the face of Moses shine with the gift of your friendship: teach us the law of love, carried by the breath of spirit and planted in the hearts of flesh that we might be children again and the world restored to you; through Jesus Christ, the Glory of God. Amen.

Please be seated.

The First Lesson Reader:

Genesis 3:8-15

The First Lesson is from Genesis.

When they heard the sound of GOD strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from GOD. GOD called to the Man: “Where are you?” He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” GOD said, “Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?” The Man said, “The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it.” GOD said to the Woman, “What is this that you’ve done?” “The serpent seduced me,” she said, “and I ate.”

Reader: People:

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.

Thanks be to God.

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The First Carol:

Holy God We Praise Thy Name

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The Hymnal 1982 #366

The second Lesson Reader:

Genesis 22:15-18

The Second Lesson is from Genesis.

The angel of GOD spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: “I swear—GOD’s sure word!— because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I’ll bless you—oh, how I’ll bless you! And I’ll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! Like sand on the beaches! And your descendants will defeat their enemies. All nations on Earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.”

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The second carol:

Of the Father’s Love

The Third Lesson Reader:

The Hymnal 1982 #82

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The Third Lesson is from Isaiah.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! For a child has been born - for us! the gift of a son - for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God of the Angel Armies will do all this. God Answered Fire with Fire.

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 5

The Third Carol:

Joy to the World

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The Hymnal 1982 #100

The Fourth Lesson Reader:

Micah 5:2-4

The Fourth Lesson is from Micah.

But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter—From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished.

Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule

by GOD’s strength, centered in the majesty of GOD-Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect— Peacemaker of the world!

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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The Fourth Carol:

Once in David’s Royal City

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The Hymnal 1982 #102

The Fifth Lesson Reader:

Luke 1:26-38

The Fifth Lesson is from the Gospel of Luke.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: “Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.” She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “But how?

I’ve never slept with a man.” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” Then the angel left her.

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Announcements Offertory sentence

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Offertory Carol:

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The Sixth Lesson Reader:

Matthew 1:18-23

The Sixth Lesson is from the Gospel of Matthew.

The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spiritconceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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The Sixth Carol:

Good Christian Friends Rejoice

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The Hymnal 1982 #107

The Seventh Lesson Reader:

Luke 2:8-16

The Seventh Lesson is from the Gospel of Luke.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.

Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Seventh Carol:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

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The Hymnal 1982 #105

The Eighth Lesson Reader:

Matthew 2:1-12

The Eighth Lesson is from the Gospel of Matthew.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear.

From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

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The Eighth Carol:

Angels We Have Heard on High

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The Hymnal 1982 #96

The Ninth Lesson Reader:

John 1:1-14

The Ninth Lesson is from the Gospel of John.

The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.

Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him.

What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.

There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light.

He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.

These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

The Ninth Carol:

Love Came Down at Christmas

The Hymnal 1982 #84

Blessing Recessional Hymn (See Next Page.)

Dismissal Celebrant: People:

Postlude

Go Forth in the Name of Christ!

Thanks be to God! Fanfare on Coventry Carol 16

arr. N. Leonard

Recessional Hymn:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

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The Hymnal 1982 #87

Parish Staff

Vestry Leadership

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector Nate Leonard, Director of Music & the Arts Lynzi Miller, Interim Office Support Jane Bueche, Parish Accountant Amy Saylor, Seminarian Elizabeth Cousino, Interim Communications Coordinator Heather Meyer, Community Outreach Coordinator Alma Shebib, Nursery Attendant

Alice Todd, Senior Warden Becky Roth, Junior Warden Greg Shumaker, Treasurer Jamie Paul, Asst. Treasurer Darrell Cousino Dennis Degnan Jill Hunt Karen Johnson-Webb Tim Reeder

Copyright Info: All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org.

All other printed music is used by permission through purchase of CCLI #11294600 All printed music from Gather was used by permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000

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Trinity Episcopal Church

Christmastide 1C December 30, 2018

Progressive  Inclusive  Creative  Downtown 316 Adams Street, Toledo, OH trinitytoledo.org 419-243-1231

Trinity Pages #LOVE IS THE WAY!

Today (12/30)

Good morning and “welcome home” to Trinity!

Whether you are new to our community or have found yourself coming back again and again, we want you to know you are both welcome and wanted here among us.

10:00 Service Reader Guild: Sherre Smith Bob Meeker Becky Roth

Next Week (1/6)

Elizabeth Cousino

10:00 Service Reader Guild: Gary Franklin Roberta Durham Sherre Smith

Darrel Cousino Pat Squire Terry Kahler

Liturgical Assistants: TBD TBD

For some, church is as comfortable and familiar as a good pair of jeans, or like coming back to your childhood home (if it is one filled with good memories). For others, church might be like visiting a foreign country where you experience unfamiliar language or customs. And then, sadly, for some church has become equated with feelings of hurt, rejection, or shame. We get all of that, and believe that church can be different.

Altar Guild: Amy & Keith

Altar Guild: Sue Smitley

Greeter Guild: Lucy Russell

Bread Guild: Lucy Russell

We hold in real tension the beauty of our tradition with Jesus’ mandate to welcome all, no exceptions.

And we get that if people are brave enough to walk through the doors of a big, Gothic-looking church in downtown Toledo, we’d better be serious about being progressive, inclusive and creative.

Close: Staff

Greeter Guild: Keith Sparrow

Hospitality: 9a Elizabeth Cousino 11:15a Alice & Sherre

We love our Episcopal tradition, but we love people from all walks of life even more. It is our hope and prayer that together we will navigate our way through each gathering, worship service, outreach activity, class, meal and social time with humility, grace and laughter.

So thank you for being here today; for trusting the yearning that brought you through those ancient doors.

May we all find our way into the heart of God’s love as we make room for each and all of us at the Table of love we set together week after week.

May you never forget you are loved,

Lisa (lisa@trinitytoledo.org) (Rector)

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December Birthdays 17 17 19 21 22 22 30

Dave Beckwith Darrell Cousino Lucy Russell Courtney McClellan, II Alice Todd Kim Tucker-Gray Jane Zohn

If you have a birthday this month, and it’s not listed above, please contact the office at 419.243.1231.

Close: Staff Hospitality: 9a TBD 11:15a Lucy & Denise

Altar Flowers Given for the Glory of God If you are interested in an altar flower dedication, email the office. trinity@trinitytoledo.org

Today 11:15am –Announcements Ministry Fair

Sunday, September 9

THIS WEEK

TODAY Sunday 12/ 30, 10a – Lessons & Carols Celebrate the birth of Jesus with Christmastide Lessons & Carols!

Sunday, December 30 9:00-10:00 Breakfast 10:00-11:15 Lessons & Carols Worship 3:30-5:30 Universal Orthodox Worship

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Office Hours Trinity’s Offices will be closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and will reopen on January 2, 2019.

Monday, December 31 Next to New Shop Closed 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting

Office Closed

Healing Eucharist Returns Wednesday’s Healing Eucharist Service, held in the Chapel at 12:10pm, returns after the holiday season on January 9, 2019.

Tuesday, January 1

Office Closed

Called to Serve?

Sundays at 9a - Community Breakfast Ministry Are you interested in preparing, serving or hosting Sunday morning breakfast up in My Brother’s Place? If so, please contact Kim Henkel at kimberlyhenkel@hotmail.com.

Happy New Year AA Meeting Cancelled Wednesday, January 2 10:00-11:00 Staff Meeting 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting Healing Eucharist Canceled Thursday, January 3 9:30-3:00 Next to New Shop Open 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting Friday, January 4 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 6:00-7:30 Food for Thought (PBJ Making)

Trinity Prayer List

Saturday, January 5

Please remember those who have asked for our prayers: Kim Knuff Yvonne Soldan Lou Woellner Brenda Kuntz Mark Childers Amira Holly To have your name or the name of someone you love on the Prayer List, please contact the office at trinity@trinitytoledo.org.

Office Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00-4:00pm Email: trinity@trinitytoledo.org

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Office Closed

Sunday, January 6 9:00-10:00 Breakfast 10:00-11:15 Worship 3:30-5:30 Universal Orthodox Worship