December 24, 2021, Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist 4:00 PM, Rite II, 10:00PM, Rite I

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4PM FAMILY MASS
4PM Worship leaflet

10PM MIDNIGHT MASS
10PM Worship leaflet

Christians began celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25 near the beginning of the fourth century.  By the beginning of the fifth century, a midnight celebration on Christmas Eve was held in Rome and spread throughout Western Europe.  Christmas Masses soon became among the most beloved services of the year for Christians.  The gospels of Matthew and Luke both record the story of Christ’s birth.  John’s gospel begins with a proclamation on the meaning of it. The service is Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer 1979. Hymns are taken from the Hymnal 1982.  All copyright music reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net Number A713125 for the exclusive use of Christ Church, Pelham.  Unauthorized duplication is prohibited by law.  This service is livestreamed and will be available on our website and YouTube channel

Our Celebrant and Preacher today is: The Rev. Matthew H. Mead 

Today’s Live-Stream Worship & Sermon Archives

Sunday Offerings & Financial Donations to Christ Church

Christ Church is supported by the generosity of members and friends who donate time, talent, and money to the church to ensure that it is open, staffed, safe, and active. God has given each of us many gifts and we are called to use them to build up the church and to show the spread the love of God to our community. Click on the Donate Button for a variety of ways to support Christ Church, including one-time donations, annual pledges, and raising funds through FaceBook or Amazon.

Today’s Propers (Collect & Lections from Holy Scripture)

The Collect

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

The First Lesson

Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7

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 a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, 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.

The Psalm
Psalm 96 Cantate Domino canticum novum

O sing unto the LORD a new song; *
sing unto the LORD, all the whole earth.

Sing unto the LORD, and praise his Name; *
be telling of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his honour unto the heathen, *
and his wonders unto all peoples.

For the LORD is great, and cannot worthily be praised;*
he is more to be feared than all gods.

As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD that made the heavens.

Glory and worship are before him;
power and honour are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the peoples, *
ascribe unto the LORD worship and power.

Ascribe unto the LORD the honour due unto his Name; *
bring presents, and come into his courts.

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

Tell it out among the heathen, that the LORD is King, and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved; *
and how that he shall judge the peoples righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; *
let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; *
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD.

For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; *
and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with his truth.

The Second Lesson

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 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.

The Gospel

Luke 2:1-20

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

Parish Prayer List

Please note that names are listed alphabetically by last name of the person being prayed for (if it is known).  We do not list last names for privacy reasons. For pastoral emergencies call or text one of the clergy: Father Matt (914.471.0260), Deacon Chisara Alimole (914.338.5194), or call the parish office (914.738.5515).  If you have any updates (birthdays, prayers additions, etc., please let us know.) Please submit names you wish to be included by Tuesday morning, to Marie at: marie@christchurchpelham.org.

Our prayers are asked especially for: Marion, Shane, Rosemary, Rob, Marcia, Elizabeth, Mike, Anne, Alexander, Ginny, Ethan, Russell, Andrew, Randy, Barbara, Mary, Ralph, Everton,  Jed, Marcia, Sammy, Ryan, Judy, Monica, Rebecca, Janet, Amina, Alexia Grace, Alison, John, Emma, Peilin, Hildy, Martin,  Jason, Yen, Terry, Erica, Susan, Ariana, Sue, Xandra, Sigi, Joyce, Julie, Scott, Sherrie, Michelle, Karen, Lisa, Laurelyn, Rob, Drue, Rob, Bill, Andrea, Sue,  Lael, M & D, Sandy, the Salvatore family, Joe, Dean, Danielle, Morris, and Katie.

We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week and in the coming week John Fox (December 22), and Gavin Leckie (December 31).

We also give thanks for the 41st Wedding Anniversary of Katherine & James Kenworthy (December 27).

We pray for those in our Armed Services especially: Joseph, Kevin, Jack, Leopold, Philip, Jake, Matthew, Robert, Philip-Jason, Nicholas, Sam, Helen, Mitchel, Alec, Tia, Tyrese, and Terrence.

We pray that all elected and appointed officials may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world, especially Joseph our President, and Kathy our Governor.

We pray for those who have died, especially (__________and) for those who have died from COVID-19.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.  Amen

Today’s Music

TBD: 4:00 PM Music

TBD: 10:00 PM Music

 

Live-stream licensed under OneLicense.net A-713125.

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