Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE INCLUSIVE CREATIVE DOWNTOWN
Christmas Lessons and Carols Trinity@Home
December 26, 2021 10:00am
Prelude
Lessons and Carols Silent Night
WELCOME & Introduction to Lessons & Carols Opening Hymn
arr. Amy Lauback The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
O Come, All Ye Faithful
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The 1982 Hymnal #83
Opening Collect
We Are Bethlehem
The Work of the People
(Alana Levandoski) Long ago in Bethlehem Christ was born through Mary’s “yes” The angel choir sang of this Kiss That God is woven in with this As Christ was born on Christmas Day The universe was set at play For opening our eyes to see Christ is born through you and me.
The star still shines in our time Wherever we bear forth the Divine We are Bethlehem We are Mary’s “yes” The angel choir sings of this Kiss God is woven in with this
We are Bethlehem We are Mary’s “yes” The angel choir sings of this Kiss God is woven in with this
Christ is born in you and me Setting all the captives free Just like Jesus said would be Christ is born in you and me
Christ is born in you and me Setting all the captives free Just like Jesus said would be Christ is born in you and me
The First Lesson Reader:
Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria in excelsis Deo The Most High is with us The Most High is with us
Genesis 3:8-15
The First Lesson is from Genesis.
Read by Karen Johnson-Webb
When they heard the sound of GOD strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from GOD. GOD called to the Man: “Where are you?” He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” GOD said, “Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?” The Man said, “The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it.” GOD said to the Woman, “What is this that you’ve done?” “The serpent seduced me,” she said, “and I ate.”
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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The First Carol
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (Trinity Singers)
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The 1982 Hymnal #366
The second Lesson Reader:
Genesis 22:15-18
The Second Lesson is from Genesis.
Read by Joan Fothergill
The angel of GOD spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: “I swear—GOD’s sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I’ll bless you—oh, how I’ll bless you! And I’ll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! Like sand on the beaches! And your descendants will defeat their enemies. All nations on Earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.”
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The second carol
What Child is This The 1982 Hymnal #115 (Chelsie Cree, Kim Buehler & Brian Buckner)
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?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him; the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.
Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass 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 Third Lesson Reader:
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The Third Lesson is from Isaiah.
Read by Bob Meeker
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! For a child has been born - for us! the gift of a son - for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God of the Angel Armies will do all this. God Answered Fire with Fire.
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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The Third Carol
Joy to the World (Trinity Choir)
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The 1982 Hymnal #100
The Fourth Lesson Reader:
Micah 5:2-4
The Fourth Lesson is from Micah.
Read by Ruth Foote
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter—From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by GOD’s strength, centered in the majesty of GOD-Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect— Peacemaker of the world!
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The FOURTH Carol
Rise Up, Shepherd & Follow (Trinity Singers)
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LEVAS #24
The Fifth Lesson Reader:
Luke 1:26-38
The Fifth Lesson is from the Gospel of Luke.
Read by Gary Franklin
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: “Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.” She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” Then the angel left her.
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Fifth Carol
Mary Did You Know
Traditional (revised lyrics by: (Chris Joseph-vocals, Brian Buckner-piano, Jennifer Henry) & Lisa Tucker-Gray-guitar)
Offertory Invitation Go to our Giving page. www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE NOW and Sunday, December 26. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419664-5683) to make your weekly offering.
Offertory
Jesus What a Wonderful Child
Traditional
(Lisa Tucker-Gray & Trinity Singers)
The Sixth Lesson Reader:
Matthew 1:18-23
The Sixth Lesson is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Read by Sherre Smith
The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit- conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 8
She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus— ‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; they will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Sixth Carol
Good Christian Friends Rejoice
The 1982 Hymnal #107
(Trinity Singers)
The Seventh Lesson
Luke 2:8-16
Reader: The Seventh Lesson is from the Gospel of Luke.
Read by Michele Frasier Wing
There were sheep herders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. 9
They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheep herders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Seventh Carol
O Holy Night (Bradley Baker & Brian Buckner)
The Eighth Lesson Reader:
African American Heritage Hymnal #205
Matthew 2:1-12
The Eighth Lesson is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Read by Hugh Grefe
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.” Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.” Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 10
The Eighth Carol
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Trinity Singers)
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The 1982 Hymnal #78
The Ninth Lesson
John 1:1-14
Reader: The Ninth Lesson is from the Gospel of John.
Read by Lynzi Miller
The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing— not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of- God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten. The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Ninth Carol
Lo How a Rose ‘Er Blooming
The 1982 Hymnal #81
(Chelsie Cree & Brian Buckner)
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming as seers of old have sung. It came, a blossom bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.
the Virgin Mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night. O Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispel in glorious splendor the darkness everywhere; true man, yet very God, from sin and death now save us, and share our every load.
Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind, with Mary we behold it,
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A Christmas Blessing
Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary
May there be harmony in all your relationships. May sharp words, envious thoughts, and hostile feelings be dissolved. May you give and receive love generously. May this love echo in your heart like the joy of church bells on a clear December day. May each person who comes into your life be greeted as another Christ. May the honor given to the Babe of Bethlehem be that which you extend to every guest who enters your presence. May the hope of this holy season settle in your soul. May it be a foundation of courage for you when times of distress occupy your inner land. May the wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children be awakened within you. May it lead to renewed awareness and appreciation of whatever you too easily take for granted. May the bonds of love for one another be strengthened as you gather around the table of festivity and nourishment. May you daily open the gift of your life and be grateful for the hidden treasures it contains. May the coming year be one of good health for you. May you have energy and vitality. May you care well for your body, mind and spirit. May you keep your eye on the Star within you and trust this luminescent presence to guide and direct you each day. May you often go to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the One who offers you peace. May you bring peace into this world.
May the rain fall off your shoulders when you’re caught in a storm. When the frost comes a callin’ may it find you safe and warm. May your place be set, and may your promises be kept. And may you never forget that you are loved.
Sending Hymn
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Dismissal Leader: People:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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See Page 14.
Sending Hymn
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Trinity Singers)
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The 1982 Hymnal #87
Trinity’s Daily Bread- As a community of faith, we are called to love and be loved; to serve and be served, to give and to receive. In short, we don’t want anyone to “fall behind or drop out.” In this season of connecting in new ways, we are introducing Trinity’s Daily Bread. Please let us know if you need prayer, assistance or connection by filling out our Daily Bread form on our website, www.trinitytoledo.org!
Trinity Episcopal Church Vestry Leadership Donna Steppe, Sr. Warden, Jeffrey Albright, Jr. Warden Leah Reed, Clerk, Gary Franklin, Treasurer Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Fritz Hany, Bob Meeker & Jamie Paul
Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development Chelsie Cree, Choir Director Grace Mauk, Trinity@316 Accompanist, Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist Lynzi Miller, Next To New Manager & Communications Coordinator ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO: Collect of the Day: We are Bethlehem by Alana Levandoski. The Work of the People. Permission granted by purchase of subscription through The Work of the People: https://www.theworkofthepeople.com. Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2021. All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org. All other printed music permission through purchase of CCLI Copyright license #20577215 Size B Streaming License #20577284 Size B Secular music permission through purchase of CCS WORSHIPcast Copyright license #13190
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROGRESSIVE INCLUSIVE CREATIVE
DOWNTOWN
316 Adams Street, Toledo, OH 43604 (419) 243-1231 www.trinitytoledo.org Facebook.com/TrinityEpiscopalToledo
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