Holy Trinity Church, Thornhill Established in 1830

140 Brooke Street, Thornhill, ON L4J 1Y9 Phone: 905 889 5931 ● Fax: 905 889 5632

www.holytrinity-thornhill.ca ● info@holytrinity-thornhill.ca

“Something good is happening here!!”

THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY—2017 Christmas Eve 10:00 p.m.

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MINISTERS IN THIS SERVICE Celebrant & Preacher The Rev. Canon Stephen Fields Lay Assistants/Lectors Maurice Corbett, Jane Winstanley, Barry Pipes (EM) Eucharistic Ministers Delores Thomas Sidespersons Spencer Brown, Justin Brown, Ian Brown, Miriam

Irving, Hillary Irving-Brown, Peter Paterson, Barry Pipes

Prior to the Lighting of the Christ Candle, the lights are turned down in church.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Leader: As the candles of HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE continue to burn in the Advent wreath, we hope for a time when peace, joy and love are the experience of all God’s children. We will now light the candle of Christ Candle as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.

(The Christ Candle is lit) Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, may the flame of this candle remind us that you are the light of the world and that if we follow you, we will never walk in darkness, but will have the true light of life. All: Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

(Musical interlude as candles on the altar and throughout the church are lit from the Christ Candle). Then the congregation sings the Hymn

Processional Hymn 123 Once in Royal David’s City 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.

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 and mean and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, We shall see him; but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high,

When like stars his children crowned, all in white shall gather round.

A Devotional at The Crèche: A Song of Praise for Christ’s Birth Leader: In a little town, known for nothing much, God’s holy child was born. All: Welcome the Light!

SUNG EUCHARIST & SERMON

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Leader: By the faint light of the moon, Mary and Joseph found their way. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: Shown by a courtyard fire, the open stable door. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: Warm breath of resting beasts, kindly sparkle in their eyes. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: In the shadowy stable stall, Joseph kindled a lamp. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: There Mary gave birth to Jesus, called God-With-Us. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: Angels opened the doors of heaven, sang, “Glory to God in the heights!” All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: Shepherds saw the sky ablaze, left their sheep and came to see. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: In the darkest winter night, God set a brilliant star. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: Magi from the East divined God’s shining sign. All: Welcome the Light!

Leader: And on this Christmas night with joy, we greet the Child. All: Welcome the Light! Amen.

(written by The Rev. Jennifer Phillips, the Episcopal Church) Hymn 119 Silent Night

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.

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!

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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The Collect of The Day Celebrant: Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. As we have known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All: Amen.

The Candles are extinguished as congregation sings and lights are turned on.

The First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 The 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 you as 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 named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Reader: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God. Hymn 154 Joy To The World

Joy to the world! the Lord is come: Let earth receive the King; Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; let us glad songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let wrongs and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as our sin is found, Far as our sin is found, far as, far as our sin is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love,

And wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.

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The Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14 For 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 Saviour, 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. Reader: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God. Gradual Hymn 137 What Child Is This (vv 1 & 2 before the gospel)

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?

Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and donkeys are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

The Gospel Reader: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you.

Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (2:1-20) All: Glory to you, Lord Jesus 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 Saviour, who is the

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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 favours!" 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. Reader: The Gospel of Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

Sermon

The Apostles’ Creed (Page 189) Celebrant: Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say, All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers Of The People (Page 120) Leader: In joy and humility let us pray to the creator of the universe, saying, “Lord, grant us peace.”

Leader: By the good news of our salvation brought to Mary by the angel, hear us, O Lord.

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All: Lord, grant us peace.

Leader: By the mystery of the Word made flesh, hear us, O Lord. All: Lord, grant us peace.

Leader: By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God, hear us, O Lord. All: Lord, grant us peace.

Leader: By the manifestation of the King of glory to the shepherds and magi, hear us, O Lord. All: Lord, grant us peace.

Leader: By the submission of the maker of the world to Mary and Joseph of Nazareth, hear us, O Lord. All: Lord, grant us peace.

Leader: By the baptism of the Son of God in the river Jordan, hear us, O Lord. All: Lord, grant us peace.

Leader: Grant that the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; hear us, O Lord. All: Lord, grant us peace. The Peace Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you. All: And also with you.

Please greet one another with a sign of peace.

Offertory Hymn 141 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on earth, to all goodwill from heaven's gracious king!“ The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel-sounds the blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And we amid our wars hear not The words of peace they bring; O listen now, and still your strife to hear the angels sing!

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And you, beneath life's crushing load whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow; Look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King,

And all the world send back the song which now the angels sing.

Prayer over The Gifts Celebrant: Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyful feast. May we grow up in him who unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever. All: Amen. Eucharistic Prayer 3 (Page 198) Celebrant: The Lord is with you. People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant: Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the mystery of his incarnation was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; in him we have seen a new and radiant vision of your glory. Therefore with all the angels of heaven, we lift our voices and sing our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory of your name. All: 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 name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Please kneel or sit as you are able.

We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son.

For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be

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the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you.

In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ 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 remembrance of me.”

Therefore, Father, according to his command, All: we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory;

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant.

Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Celebrant: As our Saviour taught us, let us pray, People: 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, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Breaking of the Bread – 6 (page 213) Celebrant: We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world. People: God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life. The Communion Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God. All: Thanks be to God.

All who are baptized may receive Holy Communion at Holy Trinity. Those not wishing to receive may either remain in your seat in quiet meditation or come forward for a blessing. To receive a blessing, please come to the altar rail and cross your arms. For those receiving Holy Communion, please raise your hands above the rail to receive the Bread. When receiving the wine, guide the chalice to your lips or simply touch the base of the chalice without receiving. Intinction (dipping the host into wine) is not allowed.

Communion Hymn 155 From East To West, From Shore To Shore From east to west, from shore to shore, let every heart awake and sing The holy child whom Mary bore, the Christ, the everlasting King.

Behold! The world's Creator wears the form and fashion of a slave; Our very flesh our Maker shares, his fallen creature, now to save.

For this how wondrously he wrought! A maiden, in her lowly place, Became, in ways beyond all thought, the chosen vessel of his grace.

Assenting to the angel's word, she chose what God the Spirit willed, And suddenly the promised Lord that pure and hallowed temple filled.

He shrank not from the oxen's stall, he lay within the manger-bed, And he, whose bounty feeds us all, at Mary's breast himself was fed.

And while the angels in the sky sang praise above the silent field, To shepherds poor the Lord most high, the one great Shepherd, was revealed.

All glory for this blessed morn to God, the Source of all is due;

All praise, to you, O Virgin-born, all praise, O Holy Ghost, to you. Communion Hymn 136 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.

“Fear not, said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind, “Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.

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“To you, in David’s town this day is born of David’s line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign.

“The heav’nly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, and in a manger laid.

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song.

“All glory be to God on high, and to the world be peace;

Good will henceforth from heaven to earth begin, and never cease.”. Anthem “Behold the Child” (by Pepper Choplin). Prayer after Communion Celebrant: Father of all, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we who have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen

Celebrant: Glory to God, All: whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen. The Blessing Celebrant: May the God of infinite goodness scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your hearts with holiness; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. All: Amen. Recessional Hymn 138 Hark! The Heralds Angels Sing

Hark, the herald-angels sing “Glory to the new-born King, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Hark, the herald-angels sing “Glory to the new-born King.”

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.

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Veiled in flesh the God-head see: Hail, the incarnate Deity, Pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark, the herald-angels sing “Glory to the new-born King.”

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace: Hail, the Sun of Righteousness. Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald-angels sing “Glory to the new-born King.”

Minister: This act of worship is ended! Our service in the world continues! Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

The flowers in the Church this Christmas are given to the Glory of God by: Gary & Elaine Ainlay, in loving memory of Dorothy & Walter Turner and

Marion & Ernest Ainlay. Fred & Hilda Blain, in memory of our parents. Carol & Marjorie Drieberg, in memory of our parents, Gilbert & Pearl

Nugara, Denzil & Phoebe Drieberg, and all Loved Ones. June Giggey and family, in memory of Vern. George Griffiths, in loving memory of my wife Mary. Pat Peters & Xenia Cooper, in memory of Aretta, Tom and Wally Peters. Ronald Purcell, in memory of Henry & Joan Purcell. Barrie & Dorothy Rutherford, in memory of Midge & Doug Rutherford and

Rose & Mac Gregg. Rowena & Gavin Zealey, Sarah & Chris, in memory of Rowena’s father Victor

Smith, and Gavin’s father Jim Zealey and uncle Richard Martin.