The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

St. Timothy’s Episcopal ChurchSignal Mountain, Tennessee

December 24, 2016, 7:00 p.m.

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The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus ChristCelebration of The Holy Eucharist

Rite Two

Christmas Greetings and Welcome by the Rector

The Prelude

“This Is the Truth Sent from Above” “The Shropshire Carol,” trad. English, arr. George Bayley

Sharon Coleman-Dunn, soprano

This is the truth sent from above, The truth of God, the God of love; Therefore don’t turn me from your door, But hearken all, both rich and poor. The first thing, which I do relate, Is that God at first did man create The next thing, which to you I’ll tell, Woman was made with him to dwell. And we were heirs to endless woes ’til blest redeemer did appear. He here did live and here did preach, and many thousands he did teach. And at that season of the year Our blest Redeemer did appear. He here did live, and here did preach, And many thousands He did teach. Thus He in love to us behaved, To show us how we must be saved. And if you want to know the way Be pleased to hear what He did say.

“Angels We Have Heard on High” Gloriaarr. Zammarin

Zammarin

The text may be found at Hymn 96.

“Mary, Did You Know?” Mark Lowry (b. 1957) and Buddy Greene (b. 1953)

Kathy Tugman, altoEric Goddard, piano

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sign to the blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with His hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod And when you kiss your little baby you’ve kissed the face of God? The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb. Oh, Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy was heaven’s perfect Lamb, And the sleeping Child you’re holding is the great I Am!

Before the service: TALK to God. During the service: LISTEN to God. After the service: TALK to one another!

The text recalls the fall from grace of Adam, and the promise of redemption by Jesus. However, in almost all printed editions, sev-eral of the verses are missing. The missing text leads to a presum-ably unintended faux pas, with the second verse ending “Woman was made with man to dwell,” and the next verse starting “And we were heirs to endless woes.” Obviously, man’s woes do not stem sim-ply from dwelling with woman!

This French carol probably dates from the 1700s, though it was not printed until the follow-ing century. Because it uses a vernacular lan-guage for the narrative stanzas and Latin for the refrain, it belongs to a special category called “macaronic” or mixed-language texts. This is common in Christmas carols. Can you name others, per-haps in this service?

Mark Lowry is a na-tive of Houston, Tex-as, and wrote this song for a church Christmas play, based on questions he would like to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary. Verses of the song were used between scenes of the play. Buddy Greene is a native of Macon, Georgia, and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.

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“Stables” Peter Mayer (b. 1963)Tarbell Pattien, tenor

John Bevins, guitar; James Kee, mandolin; John Boulware, fiddle

In Bethlehem a manger waits, long ago and so today, where hatred-weary people pray, Love will come and lay there. And so do countless stables stand in hearts as harsh as desert lands, rough shelters in the wind and sand, so Love may come and stay there. Love that opens fists of hate, heaps up gold on beggars’ plates, Love that shows a kindly face to enemies and strangers. And the walls of stables tremble so, when the winds of fear and judgment blow, for a stable hopes in Love alone, and knows that Love’s the answer. O Love, the prophet’s only word, the only lesson left to learn, the only end of heaven’s work, and the only road that goes there. Love that sees with mercy’s eyes, holds its arms out open wide, threads its loom with separate lives, and weaves them all together. So may the lamps of stables glow brightly, that their light may go for miles in the darkness, so Love will find its way there. (Peter Mayer)

“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” R. Fisher Boyce (1887-1968)Sharon Coleman-Dunn, soprano

James Kee and John Boulware, bass

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shining afar through shadows dim, Giving a light for those who long have gone; Guiding the wise men on their way unto the place where Jesus lay, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem shine on. Shine upon us until the glory dawn; Give us thy light to light the way into the land of perfect day. Beautiful Star, the hope of light, guiding the pilgrim through the night, Over the mountain till the break of dawn; Into the light of perfect day it will give out a lovely ray. Beautiful Star, the hope of rest, for the redeemed, the good, and blest, Yonder in glory when the crown is won; Jesus is now that Star divine, brighter and brighter He will shine. (Adger Pace, 1882-1959)

“God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” Traditional English Carolarr. Cary John Franklin

St. Timothy’s Festival ChoirGail Chapman, percussion

God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Sav-ior Was born upon this day, To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray: Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. From God our heav’nly Father A blessed angel came, And unto certain shepherds, Brought tidings of the same, How that in Beth-lehem was born The Son of God by name. The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding, In tempest, storm and wind, And went to Bethlehem straight way This blessed babe to find. But when to Bethlehem they came, Where-at this infant lay, They found him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling, Unto the Lord did pray. Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas doth bring redeeming grace.

The composer has writ-ten that this song shows “how there are stables in the world today wait-ing for love to come to them.”

Boyce was born in Link, Rutherford Coun-ty, Tennessee, and pub-lished “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” in 1940, while his family was liv-ing on a dairy farm in the Plainville communi-ty, near what is now the Interstate 24 Buchanan Road Exit.

Five hundred years ago, while the peas-ants continued to go to worship, they created their own church music outside the walls of the cathedrals and chapels. In this way, they led a quiet rebellion against the classical tone of re-ligious music by writing religious folks songs that were light, lively, and penned in common lan-guage. Their Christmas folk songs became the foundation of what are now known as Christ-mas carols. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” was the most famous and most loved of all the ear-ly carols. Written with an upbeat melody and speaking of the birth of Jesus in joyful terms, the song may have shocked early church leaders, but it charmed their flocks. Not only did they sing to this carol, they danced to it.

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“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” German Carol, arr. Diane Ziegler (b. 1965)

Sharon Coleman-Dunn, sopranoJames Kee, bass and guitar

John Boulware, fiddle

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung Of Jesse’s lineage com-ing, as those of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, When half spent was the night. The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright, How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night. To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger they found Him, As angel heralds said. This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere; Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of heaven, And to the endless day.

A narrator will read the following as an acolyte lights the Christ candle.

The Solemn Proclamation of the Birth of ChristMany ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth, and then formed man and woman in God’s own image; long after the great flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant; twenty-one centuries from the time the promise was given to Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and Miriam danced in freedom; eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in fulfillment of the times and years and months and days discerned by the prophets; in the one hundred ninety-fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome; in the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; while the whole world enjoyed a span of peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming being conceived by the Holy Spirit and nine months of growth in the womb of his mother—now in our own times is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God made flesh.

Gathering Hymn “Once in Royal David’s City” IrbyCarmen Quarfordt, treble

The congregation will remain seated as a soloist sings the first stanza. The congregation is invited to join in stanzas 2-6. Please stand when you hear the organ’s entrance.

† Gathering Hymn continues on next page.

The arranger writes: “This might be my all time favorite Christmas carol. Such a lovely mel-ody. My guitar arrange-ment is based on a piece called ‘Nell’s Nocturne,’” written by her husband Geoff Sather, in honor of his late mother. “This is a 15th century Ger-man carol called ‘Es Ist Ein Ros’ first published in 1599, harmonized by German composer and musicologist Michael Praetorius in 1609, and translated to English by American music schol-ar Theodore Baker in 1894.”

At the outset of the New Testamant, the Gospel of Matthew opens with “An account of the genealogy of Je-sus the Messiah.” The Roman Martyrology for Christmas Day goes much further, contain-ing a formal announce-ment of the birth of Christ in the style of a proclamation. It placed the birth of Christ into human history yet avoids a literalistic ac-counting of time.

1. Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,

where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed:

Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall;

with the poor, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

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5. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love;

for that child who seemed so helpless is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on

to the place where he is gone.

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The AcclamationPriest Alleluia. To us a child is born.People Come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

Collect for PurityAlmighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song of Praise Gloria in excelsis Gloria

† Gloria continues on next page.

Like “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (see Hymn 405), this popular Christmas hymn was written by an Irish poet to illus-trate for children the various articles of the Apostle’s Creed. In the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Car-ols from King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, a solo treble sings the first stanza, and the congregation joins on subsequent stanzas. To-night, we are celebrat-ing the most famous descants of Sir David Willcocks (30 Decem-ber 1919-17 September 2015). Higher voices (sopranos and tenors) are invited to sing the descants in this service along with the choir.

This is one of the most popular French carol tunes, and is associated with “Angels We Have Heard on High” in our hymnal. The text we sing tonight conforms to the traditional Gloria in excelsis Deo, praising the Triune God.

3. We, like Mary, rest confounded that a stable should display

heaven’s Word, the world’s creator, cradled there on Christmas Day,

yet this child, our Lord and brother, brought us love for one another.

4. For he is our lifelong pattern; daily, when on earth he grew,

he was tempted, scorned, rejected, tears and smiles like us he knew. Thus he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness.

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The Collect of the DayPriest The Lord be with you.People And also with you.Priest Let us pray.

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

All sit.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before youas with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peacefor the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold itwith justice and with righteousness

This poem promises deliverance from As-syrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal child with a name full of promise. While Judah’s king will practice justice and righteousness, the real basis for faith lies in God’s passion for the people: The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

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from this time onward and forevermore.The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

Silence for reflection

Psalm 96 setting by Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672), arr. Carolyn Jennings (b. 1936)

Sue Ann Reinisch, fluteBob Wood, cello

St. Timothy’s Festival Choir

Sing a new song to God the Lord, Sing and give praise with one accord. For His salvation He doth give, That, through His mercy, we may live. Worship the Lord in holiness, Hymns of great joy to Him address. Honor His works and bless His name, His grace and truth to all proclaim. Heaven above and earth below, Ocean and field His glory show. All of God’s creatures sing His praise, Let us now too our voices raise. Glory and thanks to Him belong, Honor Him evermore in song. (paraphrase by Carolyn Jennings).

The Epistle Reading: Titus 2:11-14For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

Silence for reflection

Sequence Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Adeste fideles

1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come, and behold him, born the King of angels;

Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

2. God from God,Light from Light eternal,

lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;only begotten Son of the Father;

Psalm 96 is a call to worship addressed to all of creation and all peoples. It extols God’s work of creation; God’s honor, majesty, might, and glory; and God’s righteous, faithful, and truthful rule. The praise of God is to be expressed not only by people but also by the heavens, the earth, the sea, rural landscapes, and trees.

The appearance of God’s grace in Jesus Christ brings salvation for all humanity. Con-sequently, in the pres-ent we live wisely and justly while also antici-pating the hope of our Savior’s final appear-ance.

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Refrain

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;Glory to God, glory in the highest;

Refrain

(Descant for Stanza 3)

4. 4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee,born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given;Word of the Father,

now in flesh appearing;

Refrain

(Descant for Stanza 4)

The Holy Gospel: Luke 2:1-20Clergy The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be regis-tered. 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

The international status of this hymn ranks it as one of the most widely loved and sung of all the Christmas carols. Both the Latin original and English versions have four stanzas, with additional stanzas added in 1794.

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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, glorify-ing and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Clergy The Gospel of the Lord.People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Silence for reflection

Sermon The Rev. Derrick Hill

Silence for reflection

All stand.

The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

God’s greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels an-nounce the “good news of great joy” and pro-claim God’s blessing of peace.

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he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The people may stand or kneel.

Prayers of the PeopleRejoicing in the good news of Christ’s birth and dwelling in hope, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of creation.

A brief silence.

Holy God, from you comes all grace and righteousness. Bind your church together during this Christmas season, that we bear witness to the truth of the gospel throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Holy God, all creation reveals your splendor and majesty. Guide us in caring for the earth and all it contains, and bring about favorable weather during this time of travel. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Holy God, in the midst of chaos, your Son was born for us. Instill in politicians, military leaders, and civil servants a desire for justice and peace. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Holy God, you care for your children in this and every place. Grant relief to those in fear, shelter to the homeless, community to the isolated, joy to expectant parents, relief to those who yearn for children, and healing to the sick. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Holy God, protect those who travel, comfort those who are alone, accompany those who celebrate, and make your presence known among those who gather around word and sac-rament. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Holy God, your Son became incarnate to provide salvation for all. Lead us by the example of the faithful departed as we await the blessed hope of the life to come. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Clergy Hear the prayers of your people, glorious God, for the sake of the one who took on our nature and form to redeem the whole world, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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The PeacePriest The peace of the Lord be always with you.People And also with you.

Announcements

The Holy Communion

Offertory “O, Holy Night” Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856)arr. Zammarin

Kathy Tugman, alto; Tarbell Patten, tenorJohn Bevins, guitar; James Kee, mandolin; John Boulware, fiddle

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and sorrow pining. Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night when Christ was born. Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O Praise His name forever, His power and glory ever more proclaim! (Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, 1847, tr. John S. Dwight, 1813-1893)

All stand.

The Presentation Hymn “Word Made Flesh” RaquelCongregation and Choir

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharist Prayer DPriest The Lord be with you.People And also with you.Priest Lift up your hearts.People We lift them to the Lord.Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.People It is right to give God thanks and praise.

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Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds,It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing,

Sanctus Picardy

The Presider continues,We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobe-dience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.

And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.

When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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 remem-brance of me.”

Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.

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Presider and People:We praise you, we bless you,we give thanks to you,and we pray to you, Lord our God.

Presider:Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.

Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.

And grant that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, with Timothy, and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and for ever. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

The Lord’s Prayer

The Breaking of the Bread

Fraction Anthem “King of Kings, Yet Born of Mary” PicardyChoir and Zammarin

The Invitation

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.

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The Communion The bread and the cup are given to the communicants with these words. The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen. The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.

Solo “Christmas Day is Come” Traditional Carol from Wexford, Ireland

Bob McKenzie, baritone

Christmas Day is come; let’s all prepare for mirth, Which fills the heav’ns and earth at this amazing birth. Through both the joyous angels in strife and hurry fly, With glory and hosannas; “All Holy” do they cry, In heaven the Church triumphant adores with all her choirs, The militant on earth with humble faith admires. But why should we rejoice? Should we not rather mourn To see the Hope of Nations thus in a stable born? Where are His crown and scepter, where is His throne sublime, Where is His train majestic that should the stars outshine? Is there no sumptuous palace nor any inn at all To lodge His heav’nly mother but in a filthy stall? If we would then rejoice, let’s cancel the old score, And purposing amendment, resolve to sin no more—For mirth can ne’er content us, without a conscience clear; And thus we’ll find true pleasure in all the usual cheer, In dancing, sporting, rev’ling, with masquerade and drum, So make our Christmas merry, as Christians doth become. (Bishop Luke Wadding, 1588-1657)

Carol “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” In dulci jubiloCongregation and Zammarin

1. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow,

and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today!

2. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye hear of endless bliss;

Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath opened heaven’s door, and we are blest for evermore.

Christ was born for this!

3. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all

to gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save!

All people are invited and encouraged to re-ceive Communion at the altar. At the time of Communion, you may come forward and re-ceive the bread in the palm of your hand. Assist the minister by guiding the chalice to your lips. If you do not wish to receive Com-munion, you can let the priest know by sim-ply crossing your arms over your chest.

This carol, dating from the 14th century, originally was a maca-ronic carol using Ger-man and Latin. Today’s version is totally in English and is sung to the traditional German folk melody.

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Carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Forest GreenCongregation and Choir

5.

Carol by Candlelight “Silent Night, Holy Night” Stille NachtCongregation and Choir

The people may stand or kneel.

Though he was famed during his lifetime as a great preacher, no ser-mon Phillips Brooks ever preached has been heard or read by as many people as have sung this carol he wrote in December 1868 for the Sunday School chil-dren of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. He spent Christmas Eve 1865 at-tending services at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a service which lasted five hours: 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.! On Christmas morn-ing, he was moved to begin work on a new hymn, which reached its final state in Decem-ber 1868. The tune was composed specifically for this text by Louis Redner, organist and superintendent of the Sunday School at Trini-ty Church.

The tradition that this carol’s tune was created for guitar accompani-ment at its first singing on Christmas Eve 1818 seems reliable, though a recent find shows that the text was about two years old. Its original German text has been translated into most of the world’s languages as it has become an inter-national favorite.

1. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

2. For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth! and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

3. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

4. Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child, where misery cries out to thee, Son of the mother mild; where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door, the dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.

1. Silent night, holy night,all is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and child.Holy infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace.Sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight,

glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born!Christ, the Savior, is born!

3. Silent night, holy night,Son of God, love’s pure light

radiant beams from thy holy face,with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

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Post Communion PrayerPresider Let us pray.People We give you thanks, O God, that in this bread and cup of Christ’s very

life, you give us food for our journey. As you led the magi by a star, as you brought the holy family home again, guide us on the way unfolding before us. Wherever we go, may our lives proclaim good news of great joy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Christmas BlessingPresider May the Word that Mary brought to birth carry you into new and abundant life. Amen.

May the Word that Joseph cradled in his arms enfold you with love and strength. Amen.

May the Word that angels proclaimed in song bring harmony to our world. Amen.

And the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Sending Hymn “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” Go Tell It

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;

go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!

1. While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,

behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

Refrain

2. The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus

that hailed our Savior’s birth.

Refrain

3. Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,

and God sent us salvation that blessèd Christmas morn.

Refrain

The DismissalThe Clergy dismisses the people.People Thanks be to God.

Voluntary In dulci jubilo (BWV 729) J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Like other material from oral traditions, 19th-century African American spirituals flourished without be-ing written down. Their refrains were their most stable parts, and narrative stanzas were often improvised to fit. These Nativity stanzas attempt to recall that tradition.

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Copyright Notice: “This is the Truth” is reprinted with permission from Deerwood Music, Greenville, Delaware. David Willcocks descants to the Gathering and Sequence hymns © 1961 Oxford Uni-versity Press. “O Little Town” descant by Thomas Armstrong © Royal School of Church Music. The Presentation’s music © 1987 the estate of Skinner Chávez-Melo; the text © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. All are reprinted by permission through St. Timothy’s OneLicense.net #A-702254. The Gloria arr. Mark Schweizer © St. James Music Press, reprinted here by special license. “Mary, Did You Know” © 1991, 1993 Word Music, LLC Rufus Music. “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” © 1940, ren. 1967 James D. Vaughan, Music Publisher. They are re-printed by permission through St. Timothy’s CCLI License #2547668. The Sanctus and Fraction Anthem’s tune and text are in the public domain. All other texts are in the public domain.

Musicians for Today’s Service

Today’s ServersEucharistic Ministers – Shirley Miller, Al Jones, Audrey Morrow, Olivia Sisson

Lector – Paul GableIntercessor – Darrington Crane

Acolytes – Virginia McEvoy, Christian Garner, Cameron Buhrman, Abby MurchisonUshers – David Head, Beau Sisson, Judith Miller, Joe Galbraith

Greeters – Margaret and Stephen SmithAltar Guild – Emogene Lewis, Pennie Hutcherson

Linens – Donna CollierSound – Bill Chapman

Reader of the Christmas Proclamation – Carmen Quarfordt

FEATURED MUSICIANSJohn Bevans, guitar

James Boulware, bass, violin, violaGail Chapman, percussion

Eric Goddard, pianoJames Kee, bass, mandolin and guitar

Bob McKenzie, baritoneTarbell Patten, tenor and guitar

Sue Ann Reinisch, fluteKathy Tugman, alto and keyboard

Bob Wood, cello

ZAMMARINTarbell Patten, director

John BevansJudd CraneCason Faris

Greg GoodgameMark HackettLisa ParsonsAnna Pyron

Kathy TugmanBob Wood

David Wood, soundJoanne Wood

ST. TIMOTHY’S FESTIVAL CHOIR Philip Newton, conductor

John BoulwareBarb ChapmanEd Chapman

Gail ChapmanSharon Coleman-Dunn

Daniel DurantEvie DurantLolly DurantAnnie Hall

Lamar HutchersonAnne Johnson

James KeeJim Lewis

Bob McKenzieCarol MilesAnn Pinion

Sue Ann ReinischRob Robinson

Calista SpragueRodney Van Valkenburg

Noel Workman

• Christmas Eve Flowers 2016 •The flowers this Christmas Eve are given to the glory of God and . . .

In Thanksgiving For:Our children, Matt, Andy, Kathryn, and Becca, and their health, by Harry and Leaba Cash

Miss Betty, a most wonderful Godmother, by Corey and Emily CritserOur children and grandchildren, by Gary and Charlotte Critser

Our family and friends, by Don and Joan EigenbergMy grandchildren, by Betty Ewing

Derrick and Beverly Hill, by Betty EwingMy family and dear friends, by Valerie Gibson

All the blessings of this life, by Frank and Beverley GrovesJessie Pogue, by The Hallman Family

Betty Ewing, The Hallman FamilyOur grandchildren, Murphy, Maddux, and Aaron Wood, by George and Sharon Hamrick

Our family, near and far, by The Jackson Family—Jeff, Ronna-Renee, Hugh, and Sarah CatherineGod’s many blessings, by John and Renee Leavens

Our Youth Minister and EYC program, by The Love FamilyMy children and grandchildren, by Judy Martin

All our many blessings, by Olivia and Beau SissonEmily, Craig, and Scott Smith, and our grandchildren—

Sawyer, Jackson, Georgia, and Gilly, by Margaret and Stephen SmithJim, Cammi, Beth, Justin, Dean, Warren, and Laura, by Jim and Jan Stanko

God’s gift of Bill, Jacob, and Graham in my life; Thanks be to God, by Bess SteversonOur family, past and present, by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Williams

In Loving Memory of:My husband, F. James H. Althaus, and our son, James Herty Althaus, by Jo Althaus

Cindy Leach, Janet Richards, Mable Grandlienard, Wilmer Leach, and Betty and Harry Cash, by Harry and Leaba Cash

Our grandparents, by Alison and Bill ChimleyOur parents, Hattie and Ray Preston, and Gordon and Vernita Critser, by Gary and Charlotte Critser

Our deceased family members, by Don and Joan EigenburgPeter Gibson, by Valerie Gibson

Virginia Hardin, Lauri Clarkson, and Helen Luck, by Gin HawfieldFrank B. Martin, Jr. and Frank B. Martin, III, by Judy Martin and Family

Woodrow and Carolyn Piper, and John and Jane Warner, by Katie and Woody PiperAlice and Ian Mitchell, by Margaret and Stephen Smith

Dottie and Elmer Smith, by Margaret and Stephen SmithDave Robinson, by Jim and Jan Stanko

♪♬ Christmas Eve Music 2016 ♪♬The music this Christmas Eve is given to the glory of God and . . .

In Thanksgiving For:Bill, Alex, and David, by Lucy Bowick

Our children, Judd Crane and Chellie and Jon Shackelford, by Doug and Darrington CraneTaylor and Ervin Dinsmore, by Betty Ewing

Philip, Kathy, Tarbell, and the wonderful choirs, by Betty EwingMy Godchild, Corey Critser, and his wife Emily, by Betty Ewing

Marrit, Cason, and Gus Faris, by Judy and Smith FarisSt. Timothy’s congregation, by Valerie Gibson

Tommy, Jimmy, Clarke, Austin, and Sidney, by Annie and Jim HallAll the St. Timothy’s musicians, by The Jackson Family—Jeff, Ronna-Renee, Hugh, and Sarah-Catherine

Our children, Kate, Beth, and Beau, and our granddaughter, Virginia, by Sarah and Bob McKenzieOur children and grandchildren, by Katie and Woody Piper

The music programs of St. Timothy’s and all those who participate in them, by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Williams

In Loving Memory of:Mark Bowick, by Lucy Bowick

Our parents, Connie and Swede, and Grace and Edgar, by Dale and Laurie BuchananMason and Ethel Hutchinson and Bill and Adelaide Chapman, by Bill and Gail Chapman

C. Ralph Ewing, Jr., by Betty EwingElizabeth Bennett and James T. Northern, by Judy and Smith Faris

Peter Gibson, by Valerie GibsonSue and Frank Groves, Sr., and Clyde and Robbie Smith, by Frank and Beverley Groves

Molly and Bob Impink, and Agnes and John Hall, by Annie and Jim HallBill Hawfield, by Gin Hawfield

Ruth Windom, Harold S. Head, and John K. Witherspoon, Jr., by David Head and Laura WitherspoonCarlton F. Smith, Anna W. Smith, Albert H. Johnson, Sr., Ola Mae H. Johnson,

George T. Smith, and Albert H. Johnson, Jr., by Anne and Joe JohnsonDick Miles, Andy Miles, and Janis Miles Kimsey, by Molly and Carol Miles

Felix G. Miller, by Shirley MillerAnn Warner, by Katie and Woody Piper

Welcome to St. Timothy’s!We are happy to have you with us today!

Please feel comfortable to ask questions and explore all we have to offer at St. Timothy’s!If you are visiting, please make yourself known to us (we don’t bite!) so that we may welcome you.

We also ask that you fill out a guest card from the pew rack; you may place it in the offering plate or give it to an usher.

Some Notes for our Guests: ◆ Hearing devices are available (please ask an usher for assistance);

◆ The Book of Common Prayer (red covers) is located in the pew racks and contains the form of the service;◆ The hymns and service music are found in The Hymnal (blue book) in the pew racks

(an “S” before a hymn number indicates service music found at the front of The Hymnal). ◆ All people are invited and encouraged to receive Communion at the altar; at the time of Communion,

you may come forward and receive the bread in the palm of your hand; assist the minister by guiding the chalice to your lips;if you do not wish to receive Communion, you can let the priest know by simply crossing your arms over your chest.

◆ This bulletin is available to view online at sttimsignal.com/christmaseve7.

630 Mississippi Avenue, Signal Mountain, Tennessee 37377 Sunday Service Times: 8 a.m. (Rite I), 10:30 a.m. (Rite II), 5:00 p.m. (Late Church)

(423) 886-2281 FAX: (423) 886-9905 sttims@sttimsignal.com www.sttimsignal.com facebook.com/sttimothysepiscopal Thrift Shop Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 3-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Clergy and StaffThe Rev. Derrick C. Hill, Rector

The Rev. Taylor W. Dinsmore, Associate Rector

Philip Newton, Director of Music Ministries

Tarbell Patten, Director of Zammarin

Elizabeth Burns, Youth Director

Jessie Pogue, Director of Children’s Christian Formation

Jenna Haines, Secretary and Communications

Cary Haney, Bookkeeper

Jabus Braxton, Facilities Manager

Joselyn Willis, Thrift Shop Manager

Susan Laseter, Director of STEPS

Uno Avisto

Bill Chimley

Daniel Durant

Tony Hullender

Chip Langley

Judith Miller

Blake Murchison

Cathy Pyron

Tonda Rawls

Cathy Robbins

Nancy Ruby

Vestry 2016

Sarah McKenzie, Senior Warden

John MacCoon, Junior Warden