Lesson and Carols 2022

An Evening of

Lessons and Carols

www.stmichaelsanglican.org

St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church

December 10, 2022 @ 4 pm

2211 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews NC 28105

Rector Fr. Michael Cawthon - Curate Fr. Allen Fisher

Mr. John Apple - Music Director

& voices from our pews

This evening we recall the mystery of our redemption. Though sin draws us away from God, He never ceases to love us. The prophets told of the coming of the Messiah who would initiate a reign of justice and peace, as in the Garden, which is where our journey begins. The promises made were fulfilled by the Incarnation of our Lord and “Saviour,” Jesus Christ. Together, let us give thanks and praise to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Oh God, hear our prayers…

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a devotion of Scripture and Carols dating to the late 19th century.

Prayers are derived from The Litany which dates back to the 12th century, using a format from a Jewish form of Worship

Musical Introit: Dona nobis pacem - Grant us Peace (Choir) - Clergy enter

Opening Carol: Once in Royal David's City: Hymnal # 236 Congregation

Choir verses 1-3 / Congregation veses 4-6

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 Saviour holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood

He would honour and obey,

Love and watch the lowly maiden,

In whose gentle arms He lay:

Christian children all must be

Mild, obedient, good as He.

For he is our childhood’s pattern;

Day by day, like us He grew;

He was little, weak and helpless,

Tears and smiles like us He knew;

And He feeleth for our sadness,

And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,

Through His own redeeming love;

For that Child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heaven above,

And He leads His children on

To the place where He is gone.

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;

Where like stars His children crowned

All in white shall wait around.

First Lesson: Fr. Allen Fisher - from Sanctuary

Genesis 3-1: Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Carol: Creator of the Stars of Night Hymnal # 6 - First Tune *Choir will sing in Latin the first verse followed by the congregation singing all verses - 1 through 6

1. Creator of the stars of night,

Thy people's everlasting Light;

Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,

And hear thy servants when they call.

2. Thou, grieving that the ancient curse

Should doom to death an universe,

Hast found the med'cine, full of grace,

To save and heal a ruin'd race.

3. Thou cam'st, the Bridegroom of the Bride,

As drew the world to evening-tide;

Proceeding from a Virgin shrine,

The spotless Victim all divine.

4. At whose dread Name, majestic now,

All knees must bend, all hearts must bow

And things celestial thee shall own,

And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

5. O thou, whose coming is with dread

To judge and doom the quick and dead,

Preserve us, while we dwell below,

From ev'ry insult of the foe.

6. To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three in One,

Laud, honour, might, and glory be

From age to age eternally. Amen.

First Prayer: Lord of mercy, O God, despite our sinfulness you never cease to love us. Enlighten our hearts with your mercy. Amen.

O GOD the Father, Creator of heaven and earth; Have mercy upon us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world; Have mercy upon us.

O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful; Have mercy upon us.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God; Have mercy upon us.

REMEMBER not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us forever.

Spare us, good Lord.

FROM all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation,

Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,

Good Lord, deliver us.

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,

Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death,

Good Lord, deliver us.

From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,

Good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,

Good Lord, deliver us.

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,

Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,

Good Lord, deliver us.

Second Lesson: Mr. Ed Stemborowski

Jeremiah 23:1-8 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Carol: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Choir Sings

1 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming

From tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse's lineage coming

As men of old have sung.

It came, a flower bright,

Amid the cold of winter

When half-gone was the night.

2 Isaiah 'twas foretold it,

The Rose I have in mind:

With Mary we behold it,

The virgin mother kind.

To show God's love aright

She bore to men a Savior

When half-gone was the night.

3 This Flower, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor

The darkness everywhere.

True man, yet very God,

From sin and death He saves us

And lightens every load

Second Prayer: Lord, you promised that your reign would bring justice that would never end. May the Righteous Branch bring this justice to our desolate world. Amen.

WE sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee so to rule the heart of thy servant, The President of the United States, that he may above all things seek thy honour and glory;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and preserve all Christian Rulers and Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and all ministers of thy Faith with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to send forth labourers into thy harvest;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Third Lesson: Mr. Brian Jensen

Reading: Isaiah 40:1-8 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Carol: Comfort ye, My people

Choir first Verse in Latin followed by congregation verses 1-3

1. Comfort, comfort ye my people;

speak ye peace: thus saith your God;

comfort those who sit in darkness,

bowed beneath oppression's load;

speak ye to Jerusalem

of the peace that waits for them;

tell her that her sins I cover,

and her warfare now is over.

2. Hark, the voice of one

that crieth In the desert far and near,

Biding all men to repentance

Since the kingdom now is here.

Oh, that warning cry obey!

Now prepare for God away;

Let the valleys rise to meet him

And the hills bow down to greet him.

3. Make ye straight what long was crooked;

make the rougher places plain;

let your heart be true and humble,

as befits his holy reign.

For the glory of the Lord

now o'er earth is shed abroad,

and all flesh shall see the token

that his word is never broken. Amen.

Third Prayer: Lord, give us patience that while waiting we prepare ourselves for the day of your coming. May we bring thy peace into our families and communities, our nation and world. The word of God will stand forever. Amen.

We pray that it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve all who travel by land, by water, or by air, all women in child-birth, all sick persons, and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;

Grant us thy peace.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;

Have mercy upon us

O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Together

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. Amen.

Minister: O LORD, deal not with us according to our sins.

Neither reward us according to our iniquities.

Fourth Lesson: Mr. Charles Miller

Isaiah 9:1-6 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Carol: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Choir we sing in Latin the first verse followed by congregation verses 1 through 7

hymnal #2

1. Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

2. Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

Who ordered all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

3. Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,

Who to your tribes on Sinai's height

In ancient times gave holy law,

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

4. Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,

From ev'ry foe deliver them

That trust your mighty pow'r to save;

Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

5. Oh, come, O Key of David, come,

And open wide our heav'nly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

6. Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by your drawing nigh,

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

7. Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,

And be yourself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Fourth Prayer: O Lord our God, you are forever and always with us. Let our trust in your presence in our lives be shared with others. Amen.

O GOD, merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sorrowful; Mercifully assist our prayers which we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against us, may, by thy good providence, be brought to nought; that we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thy Name's sake.

O GOD, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.

(Minister and People)

Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honour.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From our enemies defend us, O Christ.

Graciously look upon our afflictions.

With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts.

Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.

Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.

O Son of David, have mercy upon us.

Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ.

Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.

O Lord, let thy mercy be showed upon us;

As we do put our trust in thee.

Fifth Lesson Mr. Rick Poorman

Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Carol: Ave Maria, Franz Scbubert Ms. Christina Jensen

Fifth Prayer: Lord, as Joseph and Mary trusted in you may we come to share in their trust and always rely on you. Amen.

WE humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Sixth Lesson: Mr. Harrison Northey

Luke 2:1-18 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Carol: Silent Night Hymnal # 33

Choir: German the first verse followed by Congregation singing 1 through 3

1. 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

2. Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia

Christ the Savior is born

3. 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

Sixth Prayer: Lord, you came to us in humility and vulnerability. May we always show loving care to those around us. Amen.

Seventh Lesson: Mr. Andrew Herrin

Matthew 2:1-12 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Carol: We Three Kings Hymnal # 51 Choir will sing verse 2, 3, 4, Congregation sing 1, 5 & all refrains

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain

Following yonder star

Oh, oh, star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

Born a king on Bethlehem plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never

Over us all to reign

Oh, oh, star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I

Incense owns a deity nigh

Prayer and praising, all men raising

Worship Him, God most high

Oh, oh, star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying

Sealed in a stone cold tomb

Oh, oh, star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

5. Glorious now, behold Him arise

King and God and sacrifice

Heaven sings Alleluia

Alleluia, the earth replies

Oh, oh, star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

Seventh Prayer: Dear God, the giver of all good gifts. May we always share our gifts with others for the glory of your name. Amen.

Eighth Lesson: Fr. Allen Fisher

John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Carol: Of the Fathers Love Begotten (Hymnal # 20) Congregation

1 Of the Father's love begotten

ere the worlds began to be,

he is Alpha and Omega,

he the source, the ending he,

of the things that are, that have been,

and that future years shall see

evermore and evermore.

2 Oh, that birth forever blessed

when the virgin, full of grace,

by the Holy Ghost conceiving,

bore the Savior of our race,

and the babe, the world's Redeemer,

first revealed his sacred face

evermore and evermore.

3 This is he whom seers and sages

sang of old with one accord,

whom the voices of the prophets

promised in their faithful word.

Now he shines, the long-expected;

let creation praise its Lord

evermore and evermore.

4 Let the heights of heav'n adore him,

angel hosts his praises sing,

pow'rs, dominions bow before him

and extol our God and King.

Let no tongue on earth be silent,

ev'ry voice in concert ring

evermore and evermore.

5 Christ, to thee, with God the Father,

and, O Holy Ghost, to thee

hymn and chant and high thanksgiving

and unending praises be,

honor, glory, and dominion

and eternal victory

evermore and evermore.

Eigth Prayer: God of power and might, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. May we ever see the mystery of our salvation through Jesus Christ in all we do. Amen

Ninth Lesson: Fr. Michael Cawthon

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Carol: Joy to the World Hymnal # 775 Congregation

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

let ev’ry heart prepare him room

and heav’n and nature sing,

and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ,

while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow

nor thorns infest the ground;

he comes to make his blessings flow

far as the curse is found,

far as, far as the curse is found.

4 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, wonders of his love.

Ninth Prayer: Lord, you call us to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Fill our words with power, that we proclaim your good news and draw all people to you. Amen.

Carol: O come, all ye faithful Hymnal # 12 Congregation

1. O Come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye. O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold him,

Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

2. God of God,

Light of Light,

Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;

Very God,

Begotten, not created;

3. Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

Glory to God,

In the highest;

4, See how the shepherds,

Summoned to his cradle,

Leaving their flocks, drew nigh to gaze;

We too will thither

Bend our joyful footsteps;

5. Child, for us sinners

Poor and in the manger,

We would embrace thee, with love and awe;

Who would not love thee,

Loving us so dearly? Refrain

6. Yea,, Lord, we greet thee,

Born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given;

Word of the Father,

Now in flesh appearing;

Here endeth the Lesson and Carol Service.

Special thanks! to Mr. John Apple for his guidance and assistance in putting together this “unique” St. Michael the Archangel Anglican version of Lessons and Carols; utilizing not only Holy Scripture, supported by the wonderful and beautiful Music of our Choir, but also the General Suplication of The Litany in our 1940 Book of Common Prayer.

Many thanks to all who assisted in the preparation of this program.

Message from Rector:

Thank you for joining with us in giving thanks and praise to our one God; the Father Son, and Holy Ghost.

May this “Christ” “Mass” Season bring you great joy and peace. Embrace Jesus’ outstretched arms and let Him guide your heart and soul allowing you find happiness here and now, as The Spirit leads and guides you to His Heavenly Kingdom.

St. Michael the Archangel upholds the History of Christ’s Church through the reverence and antiquity of our worship. We are nothing “new” but rather ancient. We are affiliated with The Anglican Province of America which … “is a fellowship of Christian people seeking to bring others to know the transforming love of our Lord and Savior Christ, … incorporating them into a community of faithful people within our historic Anglican tradition.”

English Catholicism has been present in England since the early second century. The term “Anglican” traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Europe. The tribal name was spelled “Engles” or “Angles,” as the tribes’ speech was the precursor to the English language. Their land became known as England and their Christians as Anglicans. Anglicans would eventually produce such pinnacles of the English language as the Book of Common Prayer and the Authorized Version of the Bible (KJV). Today, the Anglican Province of America maintains the historic Catholic faith in the Anglican tradition.

We offer Holy Eucharist on Sundays at 8 a.m. (a said service) and at 10:30 (a sung family service) followed by a fellowship hour. Sunday School is at 9:15. Our church family is young and “more mature” which brings energy and wisdom into our family of sinners all seeking forgiveness from our Lord and Saviour. Through reverent Worship and the Sacraments, we come unto our Lord - Jesus Christ!

Forever In His Service,

Fr. Michael Cawthon

Christmas services 2022:

6 pm: Family Eucharist Service (Music)

10:00 pm: Midnight Mass (High Mass Music)

10 am: Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!