Christmas Eve 2023 10pm Service

SERVICE PARTICIPANTS 

CELEBRANT The Rev. Craig R. Swan, Rector 

ORGANIST & CHOIR DIRECTOR Tony B. Romeo 

FLUTE: Katie Fontaine 

TRUMPET: Nicholas Schleyer 

TIMPANI: Desiree Glazier-Nazro 

CHOIR: Carol Cimilluca, Diane Nobles, Lawren Casagrande, Camilla Lee, Eden Casteel, Leslie Roulier, Zoe Robinson, Joan Hudson, Danielle Grilli-Marzan, Maureen Winters-Swan, Linda Adams, Susan Dvorak, Sarah Izzi Hamel, Margret Celico, Frances Alexakos, Britt Bell, Kent Yrchik-Shoemaker, Brian Bannon, Timothy Hoyt, Dan Caramante, Antonio Rodrigues, Ryan DeFranzo, Tavis Morello 

LECTORS Jane Puerini and Patricia Risica 

LEMS Patricia Risica and Priscilla Durant 

USHERS Rich Durant. Bob Risica, Gabby Risica, and Stephen Puerini 

Ding! Dong! Merrily On High (arr. Poole) Choir 

What Sweeter Music (Rutter) Eden Casteel, Sarah Izzi Hamel, Danielle Grilli-Marzan, Margret Celico, Linda Adams, Maureen Winter-Swan 

I Wonder As I Wander Timothy Hoyt 

Enatus Est Emmanuel (Praetorius, arr. Michaels) Choir 

In Dulci Jubilo (Trad.) Choir 

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt (Courtney) Choir 

Celebrant The glory of God has been revealed. 

People And all the world shall see the salvation of God. 

HYMN 83 O Come, All Ye Faithful 

HYMN OF PRAISE: #87 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 

THE FIRST READING 

Reader A Reading from Isaiah (62:6-12). 

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned throughout the earth. The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink the wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in my holy courts. Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord”; and you shall be called, “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” 

PSALM 97 

The choir will chant the psalm 

The Lord is King; let the earth rejoice; 

let the multitude of the isles be glad. 

Clouds and darkness are round about him, 

righteousness and justice are the foundations 

of his throne. 

A fire goes before him 

and burns up his enemies on every side. 

His lightnings light up the world; 

the earth sees it and is afraid. 

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, 

at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 

The heavens declare his righteousness, 

and all the peoples see his glory. 

The Lord loves those who hate evil; 

he preserves the lives of his saints 

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 

Light has sprung up for the righteous, 

and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted. 

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, 

and give thanks to his holy Name. 

THE SECOND READING 

Reader A Reading from the Letter of Paul to Titus (3:4-7). 

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

HYMN #93 Angels From The Realms of Glory 

THE GOSPEL 

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (2:1-20). 

People Glory to you, Lord Christ. 

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. 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. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. 

People Praise to you, Lord Christ. 

SERMON The Rev. Craig Swan 

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION 

Poor Mary (Bates) 10:00 Eden Casteel & Sarah Izzi Hamel 

Christmas Lullaby (Rutter) Choir 

HYMN 111 Silent Night (Gruber, arr. Hayes) 

THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING 

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness. Amen. 

May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen. 

May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen. 

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. 

HYMN 100 Joy to the World