(Modified 2023-01-08 (whoops I forgot to do this last week!) Added audio recordings.)
THE OCTAVE DAY OF CHRISTMAS AND THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST
January 1, 2023
10:00 A.M. MORNING PRAYER (Prayer book pp. 6-15.) (Psalm 85,113, Genesis 17:1-13, Romans 2:17-end)
10:30 A.M. HOLY COMMUNION AND CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS (Prayer Book pp. 67- 85)
GODLY PLAY in the Children’s Worship Centre for children 3 – 6 years.
ORGAN PRELUDE: Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep (Czechoslovakian Carol) – Arranged by Andrew Gant (b. 1964)
HYMNS
Opening: # 136 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Gradual: # 156 The People That in Darkness Sat
Offertory: # 122 In the Bleak Midwinter
Communion: # 137 What Child Is This, 140 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Closing Hymn: # 146 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime ( Huron Carol)
ORGAN POSTLUDE: Carol of the Bells Mykola Leontovych (1877-1921) Arranged by Randall Hartsell
THE COLLECTS
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end.Amen.
Of the Circumcision.
ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man: Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the New Year.
O IMMORTAL Lord God, who inhabitest eternity, and hast brought thy servants to the beginning of another year: Pardon, we humbly beseech thee, our transgressions in the past, bless to us this New Year, and graciously abide with us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
EPISTLE: Isaiah 9.2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation,
thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Mid′ian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
R./ Thanks be to God
PSALM: 145:18-22
THE LORD is righteous in all his ways, / and gracious in all his works.
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, / yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: / and he will hear their cry, and will help them.
The LORD preserveth all them that love him; / but scattereth abroad all the ungodly.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: / and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:15-21 R. / Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
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. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
R. / Praise be to thee, O Christ.
All baptized Christians are invited to come forward with faith and love towards Christ and His Church to receive Holy Communion with us today.