+ 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 11 Sermon: The Pharisee, the Publican, and True Prayer
In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus exposes the danger of measuring ourselves against others. This sermon explores how self-justification traps the soul, while humility and repentance open the door to God’s mercy and peace.
When Jesus Wept: Preparing the Heart for Christ
Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people failed to recognize God’s visitation and the peace He offered. In Luke 19:41–47, Christ’s tears and His cleansing of the Temple reveal the depth of divine love that seeks not to condemn, but to restore. Fr. Dan challenges believers to examine their hearts, remove spiritual clutter, and welcome Christ fully, allowing Him to transform them into living houses of prayer.
Two Lost Sons, One Loving Father: Grace for the Prodigal and the Faithful
In his Trinity 9 sermon on Luke 15:11–32, Fr. Dan explores the familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son from a fresh perspective. Rather than focusing solely on the younger brother who wandered away, he highlights the lostness of both sons—the rebellious son in the distant country and the resentful son standing outside the celebration. At the heart of the story is a father whose grace reaches both. This sermon reminds us that whether we have strayed far from God or have become spiritually distant while remaining close to religious life, the Father’s invitation to forgiveness, belonging, and joy remains open to all.