+ THE FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS +
Processional: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear #19
THE EXHORTATION
Priest: Beloved in Christ, we come by this Service to prepare ourselves to hear the message of the angels again, to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and to see the loving-kindness of our God and the Babe lying in a manger. Let us, therefore, open the Holy Scriptures and read the earliest tale of that disobedience to God's holy will, which is familiar to us all, and then the story of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, to save us from our sins and make us pure and happy; and let us thank Him with our carols of praise.
THE OLD TESTAMENT PREDICTS THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Guitar Solo Vs. 1, 4, 5, 7
Numbers 24:17
GOD'S PROMISE OF REDEMPTION
"Angels, From the Realms of Glory" 28
Genesis 3:8 – 15 Layreader
THE PROPHECY
"What Child is This?" # 36
Isaiah 9:2, 6 & 7 Layreader
THE ANNUNCIATION
"Sing of Mary Pure and Lowly…" (vs. 1, 2 & 4) # 117
Saint Luke 1:26 – 38 Layreader
THE NATIVITY
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" (vs. 1, 2, 3 & 5) # 21
Saint Luke 2:1, 3 – 7 Layreader
THE SHEPHERDS
"While Shepherds Watched..." # 13
Saint Luke 2:8 – 16 Layreader
Hymn: #43 "Away in a Manger"
The Gospel: (stand) BCP 97
THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION
Saint John 1:1 – 14 The Priest
Hymn: #31 "Good Christian Men Rejoice…"
HOLY COMMUNION
FROM THE RESERVE SACRAMENT
The Offering
The Confession and Absolution
The Prefaces
The Lord's Prayer
Agnus Dei
Prayer of Humble Access
The Distribution
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Dismissal
The Blessing (kneel) BCP 84
Recessional Hymn: "Hark, the Angels Sing…" #27
Priest: Alleluia, Christ is Born!
Response: O Come, Let Us Adore Him! Alleluia
Postlude
Trinity 15 Sermon: Trusting God Over Anxiety and Worry
Jesus says we cannot serve two masters — and anxiety itself can become one. This Trinity 15 sermon explores Matthew 6:24-34 and the call to trust God over worry.
Thankfulness and Saving Faith: A Trinity 14 Reflection
Why did only one leper return to Jesus? In Luke 17:11-19, all ten lepers received physical healing, but only one returned to thank Christ. Fr. Dan explains that gratitude is more than good manners. It is the response of a heart that recognizes God’s mercy and seeks relationship with the Giver rather than simply enjoying the gift. Through thanksgiving, the Samaritan received not only cleansing but true spiritual wholeness.
Love That Crosses the Road: The Good Samaritan and Grace
The Good Samaritan teaches us that Christian love is more than feeling sympathy or performing respectable religious duties. Because Christ has first shown mercy to us, we are called to cross the road, draw near to those in need, and make His love visible through acts of compassion.