25th December, 2016 – Christmas Day Service

Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. Isaiah 9.2

We acknowledge the Jaara Jaara people, the custodians of this land where we gather.

We pay our respects to their elders past and present and pray for reconciliation.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Gathering Hymn – 304 O Come all ye faithful (verses 1,2,3,6 & 7)

In the name of God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit. Amen Grace, mercy and the peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you

We place baby Jesus in crib and bless the nativity.

We light the final candle – the Christ candle, in our wreath. We light this candle to remember that Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus shines a light on our path to guide and help us through our lives, and especially through dark times. Jesus said ‘I am the light of the world’ and we walk in that light in faith, love, hope and joy. We pray together… Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: 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

Christ the grace of God has dawned upon the world with healing for all. Let us take a moment of silence to bring our weaknesses before God, confessing our sins in penitence and faith, confident in God’s forgiveness

The Confession

Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father; Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Almighty God who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith: pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen We sing together…. Glory, glory to God in the highest, And peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father, We worship you we give you thanks, We praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us;

You are seated at the right hand of the Father: Receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High Jesus Christ With the Holy Spirit, In the glory of God the Father. Amen Let us pray

Almighty God, who gave your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the virgin Mary: grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and for ever. Amen.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the book of Isaiah chapter 62 verses 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 laboured; 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.”

For the word of the Lord thanks be to God

Psalm 97

The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice:

let the multitude of islands be glad.

Clouds and darkness are round about him:

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him:

and burns up his enemies on every side.

His lightnings light the world:

the earth sees it and quakes.

The mountains melt like wax before his face:

from before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens have proclaimed his righteousness:

and all peoples have seen his glory.

They are ashamed, all those who serve idols

and glory in mere nothings: all gods bow down before him.

Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced:

because of your judgements, O God.

For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth:

you are exalted far above all gods.

The Lord loves those that hate evil:

the Lord guards the life of the faithful,

and delivers them from the hand of the ungodly.

Light dawns for the righteous:

and joy for the true of heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous:

and give thanks to his holy name.

A reading from Saint Paul’s letter to Titus chapter 3 verses 4-8a

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour 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 Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone.

For the word of the Lord thanks be to God

Gospel Hymn – 316 O Little Town of Bethlehem

Alleluia Alleluia The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. Alleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke, chapter 2 beginning at the 8th verse Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

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 Saviour, 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!”

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.

For the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

The Sermon

The affirmation of faith – we say together… Though he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing. Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness. He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has raised him on high, and given him the name above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knew should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus is Lord, To the glory of God the Father. Amen

The Prayers of the People

We pray for the earth. We give thanks for the beauty of this planet; for the trees, mountains, waterfalls and animals. We pray that we will become better stewards of God’s creation Lord hear us. Lord hear our prayer We pray for families and friends. We give thanks for those we love. We pray for peace in all families and especially pray for those people who are separated from their families. Lord hear us. Lord hear our prayer We pray for those in need. We give thanks for all that we have. We pray for the homeless – that they will find shelter and open hearts to welcome them. We pray for those fleeing from their homelands because of war, hunger or persecution. We pray that they will find welcoming hearts in us. Lord hear us. Lord hear our prayer We pray for the sick, the lonely and the grieving. We give thanks for nurses, doctors, social workers and all who care.

We pray that we will be compassionate and caring in the world. Lord hear us. Lord hear our prayer And we take a moment now to silently remember those we love who are not with us this year.

The Greeting of Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, And his name shall be the Prince of Peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

Offertory Hymn – 309 Angels from the realms of glory *a collection to assist the mission of God in this parish will be taken up during this hymn

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Blessed are you…..(we give thanks for the bread and wine) Blessed be God forever Blessed are you…..(we give thanks for money and food offerings) Blessed be God forever

The Eucharistic prayer is prayed over the bread and the wine on the altar. All glory and honour…. ….for ever praising you and singing

Holy, holy, holy Lord

God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the Highest

Blessed is he who comes in the Lord’s name Hosanna in the Highest

The Eucharistic prayer continues …..in remembrance of me

Christ has died. Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

The Eucharistic prayer continues ….never-ending praise

Blessing and honour and glory and power Are yours for ever and ever. Amen.

With our hearts set on heaven and our hands ready to serve God, we pray as Jesus taught us…

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Communion We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. We who are many are one body, For we all share in the one bread.

Everyone is welcome to share God’s great feast If you are from another Christian denomination you are welcome to share

communion with us. If you would prefer to receive a blessing please come forward and indicate that to the priest.

The Sending out of God’s people

Loving God, Whose Word has come among us In the Holy Child of Bethlehem: May the light of faith illumine our hearts And shine in our words and deed; Through him who is Christ the Lord. Most loving God... you send us into the world you love. Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your Spirit.

The Notices

Final Hymn – 303 Hark the Herald Angels Sing

The Blessing and Dismissal Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with his grace to trust his promises and know his peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Go in the peace to love and serve the Lord In the name of Christ. Amen ***some thoughts from Rev. Mel This is my first Christmas at St George’s. I moved to this parish with my family last December and was in the midst of unpacking and finding spots for furniture this time last year. That’s not a task that you want at this time of year!

It has been a joy to get to know this community over the past twelve months and I, and my family, have been welcomed in the most beautiful way. I have loved seeing the community pull together and support each other in times of joy and sorrow – a true community spirit that really does show that love and peace are at work in the hearts of the people who live here. I am so grateful that I get to minister in this beautiful part of God’s world. My prayer is that each of you will be blessed this Christmas and know God’s love surrounding you and your families. Every blessing to you for Christmas and a safe and happy 2017, Mel

A reflection for Christmas morning

In the beginning was the Word, And the Word was with God,

And the Word was God. The light shines in the darkness

And the darkness did not overcome it John 1:1, 5

PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC 3442 | www.woodendanglican.org.au Rev’d Melissa Clark 0411 722 718

www.facebook.com/woodendanglican/ *front cover photo of the nativity window at St Mary’s taken by Naomi Clark