St. Paul’s Episcopal Church We are called to gather around the sacred story and table of Christ

where all are invited to be fed and everyone’s story matters.

Festival Celebration of the Nativity

December 24, 2019, 6:00 P.M.

“All Guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.” The Rule of St. Benedict

Everyone is welcome at the Communion Table

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Prelude of Musical Offerings

The Holy City - Stephen Adams

Kathleen Johnson, Organist

The St. Paul’s Choirs

Lorraine Langer, Director of Music

Hannah Buckle, Pianist

Ding, Dong, Merrily on High – Traditional

Carol of the Bells - Mykola Leontovich, Arr., Peter Wilhousky

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Michael Praetorius

Once in Royal David’s City - Traditional

Luke Stubblefield, Freyja Rasmussen-Johns, Rick Johns

Holy Child, Blessed Child - Thomas Pavlechko

Sing A Glad Noel! - Mary Lynn Lightfoot

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The Liturgy of the Word

Processional Hymn: O come, all ye faithful

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Priest Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. Gloria: Angels we have heard on high

The Collect of the Day – Christmas Priest The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Priest Let us pray. 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.

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The First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7

Lector A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

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 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.

Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People Thanks be to God

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Choral Anthem The Children’s Choir

Do You Hear What I Hear? Noel Regney, Gloria Shayne

Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14

Lector A reading from Paul’s letter to Titus.

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.

Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People Thanks be to God

Choral Anthem The Children’s Choir

Go Tell it on the Mountain Traditional

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Gospel: Luke 2:1-4

Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be

taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place

while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own

town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in

Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to

the house and line of David.

Priest The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Homily

The Reverend Barbara A.T. Wilson

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The Creed: I believe in God almighty

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Prayers of the People for Christmas

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Priest Patiently awaiting the coming of Jesus, let us pray, for He is near.

Intercessor We pray for thy Universal Church, which Thou hast created, in all its beauty and homeliness, its confusion and its comprehension, its needs and its gifts, that we should see the world as Thou wouldst have us see.

People We ask, hear us Creator of Thy Church.

Intercessor We pray for our Bishops, for clergy, for Mother Barbara, and for all at St. Paul’s who pray and work to be sources of light to our community.

People God, who sent a light to guide us to the infant, hear our prayer.

Intercessor For those like Joseph, who was bewildered by the responsibility thrust upon him but who responded to a better angel.

People We pray that each of us may respond to our better angel in time of trial. God, hear our prayer.

Intercessor We humbly ask thee to guide our country, set now on a course whose outcome is unknown.

People God, who commands that justice roll down like the waters, hear our prayer.

Intercessor We pray for the welfare of the whole world, which faces degradation to its water and air and all its creatures.

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People God, who commands us to be stewards of the world, hear our prayer

Intercessor We pray for our own community as we grow in diversity.

People That we may become ready to open our doors and welcome those who are poor and who are different from us. God, creator of all peoples, hear our prayer

Intercessor Let us pray for those who suffer and those tired to the point of exhaustion because of overwork on the job and at home. We pray for the sick, especially for Edward, Gail, Puzz, Dorothy, Marilyn, Margaret, David, Ed, Colleen, Lisa, Paul, Colleen, Neil, and Rosemarie. Are there others whose names we recall at this time?

Silence. The People may add their own petitions.

We pray for all who suffer in body, mind, and spirit.

People God, Creator of the Sabbath, renew them and give them rest.

Intercessor Let us pray for the departed, especially for our friend George, recently gone, and for those dear ones long gone from us whose absence is still poignant to us at this season.

People God, who weeps with us, be with us now.

Intercessor Let us pray for all expectant mothers and all who wait for outcomes known and unknown.

People God, Parent of all who never casts us out of Their Home no matter our mistakes, foolish or profound, be with us in uncertain times and send us the better angel to guide us.

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Priest God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the Savior. Make our hearts leap with joy and fill our mouths with songs of peace that we may announce glad tidings and welcome the Christ in our midst. We offer these prayers to You, God, Mother and Father to us all. Amen. The Peace Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you! People: And also with you!

The Holy Communion The Offertory

Priest Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)

Offertory Anthem The St. Paul’s Choirs and Guests

For Unto Us A Child Is Born G. F. Handel, Arr., Larry Pugh The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer for Christmas Priest The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Priest Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them to the Lord.

Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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Priest Holy God, our Source and Ending, Alpha and Omega, we give thanks to you! You have called all creation into being, setting the earth on its foundations. You have spread out the heavens like a tent, and set a boundary to the seas, you have filled the world with your creatures and called all things good. The heavenly beings are your messengers night and day, and with them we sing and give glory to you: Sanctus S 130 Holy, holy, holy, Lord

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Priest In these latter days, God leaned toward the earth and spoke to us by a Son, Jesus the Beloved. Born of our sister Mary and the Holy Spirit, guarded by our brother Joseph with fatherly care, Jesus came among us as a baby, humbly born, cradled beside the beasts and warmed by their breath, human as we are, in need of human love.

Yet kings bowed down before him, bringing gifts and emperors were troubled by his reign – this Child in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

This Word of God made flesh and full of grace was sent to deliver us from our sin, from the power of evil and the fear of death. As a servant, Jesus emptied himself of might upon the cross, and as the risen Anointed One is enthroned at God’s right hand to bring mercy and justice to all the earth at the end of days. And so, rejoicing in all God has done for us, we proclaim the mystery of our faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Priest Holy God, as you visited us in the birth of Jesus, visit us now by the power of your Spirit in these creatures of bread and wine, making them for us the Body and Blood of Christ, the banquet of heaven here on earth, as we remember how Jesus took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to his friends, saying, “Take, eat, This is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” And after supper, took a cup of wine and blessed and gave it to them, saying: “Drink this, all of you. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

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Blessed God, shed your grace brighter than starlight on us that we may bear your good tidings to all and renew the weary world in your name: the name of Emmanuel – God-With-Us, to whom we give honor and glory in joy, now and for ever. Amen. Priest And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, All 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen The Breaking of the Bread Priest Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. People Therefore let us keep the feast. Priest The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Anyone seeking a closer relationship with God through Jesus Christ is welcome to come forward to share the bread and wine at the Lord's table.

We have gluten free hosts available, ask the priest at the rail. Communion Anthems

Away in A Manger

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Ava Stubblefield, Soloist Lynne Jacobson, Alto Recorder

Angels’ Carol John Rutter

The St. Paul’s Choirs

1. Have you heard the sound of the angel voices Ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear? Have you seen the star shining out so brightly

As a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here? Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven

To the humble shepherds who have waited long? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Hear the angels sing their joyful song.

2. He is come in peace in the winter’s stillness, Like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night; He is come in joy like the sun at morning

Filling all the world with radiance and with light. He is come in love as the child of Mary; In a simple stable we have seen his birth:

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing peace on earth’.

3. He will bring new light to a world in darkness,

Like a bright star shining in the skies above; He will bring new hope to the waiting nations

When he comes to reign in purity and love. Let the earth rejoice at the Savior’s coming;

Let the heavens answer with the joyful morn: Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Hear the angels singing ‘Christ is born’.

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Communion Hymn # 109 The First Nowell

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Prayer after Communion

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Priest Let us pray. All

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Liam Stubblefield, Soloist Ava Stubblefield, Pianist

Silent Night

Choral Introduction: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht

Verse 1. Congregation

Verse 2. Ava Stubblefiled, Soloist

Verse 3. Luke Stubblefield, Soloist

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.

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The Christmas Blessing Priest May Almighty God, whose Son took our nature upon him,

bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness.

People Amen. Priest May God, who sent angels to proclaim the glad news of the

Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel.

People Amen. Priest May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to

earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. People Amen. Priest And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and

the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. People Amen. Recessional Hymn # 100 Joy to the world

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The Dismissal Priest Merry Christmas! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Postlude Led by The Children’s Choir. We wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Today’s Ministers

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson Presiding Clergy

Gretchen Schlabach Eucharistic Minister

Ava Stubblefield Acolyte

Luke Stubblefield Acolyte

Donna de Oliveira Lector

Marilyn Cleland Intercessor

Jamie Stubblefield Usher

Team Altar Guild Altar Guild

Team Flower Guild Flower Guild

Jocelyn Prall Cookie Reception

Lorraine Langer Director of Music

Kathleen Johnson Pipe Organist

Hannah Buckle Pianist

Lynne Jacobson Alto Recorderist

The St. Paul’s Choirs: Roy Mason, Tyrique McNeal, Jacob Maas, Rick Johns, Freyja Rasmussen-Johns, Linda Lorbach, Donna de Oliveira, Jocelyn Prall, Kieran Windsor, Maureen Gerrity, Rachel Hunter-Rosene, Ava Stubblefield, Liam Stubblefield, Luke Stubblefield

Join Us for Upcoming Services, Celebrations, and Fellowship!

New Year’s Day Party Wednesday, January 1st, 2020, 1:30 PM

Epiphany Service Sunday, January 5, 2020, 10:30 AM

Evening of Taizé Friday, January 10, 2020, 7:00 PM

Book Club Friday, January 24th, 2020 at 6:30 PM

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Rd., DeKalb, IL.

Phone: (815) 756-4888 Website: www.stpaulsdekalb.org

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector;

Email: revbarbara@stpaulsdekalb.org

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Christmas Flower Dedications 2019

The Flowers on the Altar Today were Donated by:

Kristen Borre and Jim Wilson

Pat Brown ~In Thanksgiving for My Family and for Peace in the World~

Bill and Jennie Cummings

~In Thanksgiving for our Families~

Maureen Gerrity ~In Thanksgiving for Children and Grandchildren~

Gretchen Schlabach and Lorraine Langer ~ In Memory of Tom and Ruth Schlabach, Donald Langer, Rebecca Langer ~

Vince and Pat McMahon ~In Thanksgiving for Kurt, Kara, Jim, and Ryan~

Jan Modloff

Martin and Jackie Mounts ~In Honor of Our Family and In Memory of Maude and William May~

Peggy Newby ~In Memory of Art Fields and Joseph E. Williams, Jr.~

Rhys and Jocelyn Prall ~In Thanksgiving for Kaden, Emma, Lucy and Charlie~

The Rev. Barbara Wilson and Lynne Jacobson ~In Honor of The People of St. Paul’s~

~In Memory of Sean Lindberg~

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Welcome to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church DeKalb, Illinois, Diocese of Chicago

Member of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist Sundays 8:00 AM (spoken service); 10:30 AM (with music)

Child care for infants & young children is available Sundays 10:15 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. in the Nursery.

Christian Education Classes Sundays: Christian formation classes for all ages.

Children meet in the St. Timothy Center, Sunday mornings, Sept-May Adult Formation meets in the Conference Room or Parish Hall

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 900 Normal Road, DeKalb, Illinois 60115

Parish Office: 815-756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org Website: http://www.stpaulsdekalb.org

Parish Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector;

Email: revbarbara@stpaulsdekalb.org Lynne Jacobson, MDiv, Pastoral Assistant

Susan King, Administrative Assistant Lorraine Langer, Director of Music

Kathleen Johnson, Organist Hannah Buckle, Pianist Jocelyn Prall – Sacristan

Our Wardens and Vestry,

Maureen Gerrity, Senior Warden, Pat Brown, Treasurer, Rebecca Smith, Clerk,

Terry Dickow, Donna de Oliveira

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Citations Permission for music, text and other liturgy. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-718893. Cover Artwork: Ava Stubblefield, Liam Stubblefield, Luke Stubblefield Prayers of the People: Marilyn Cleland Eucharistic Prayer for Christmas: The Rev. Jennifer Phillips Processional: O come, all ye faithful # 83 Words: John Francis Wade (1711-1781); tr. Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880) Music: Adeste fideles, melody att. John Francis Wade (1711-1786); harm. The English Hymnal, 1906, The 1982 Hymnal. Gloria: Angels We Have Heard on High # 96 Words: French carol; tr. James Chadwick (1813-1882), alt. Music: Gloria, French Carol; arr. Edward Shippen Barnes (1887-1958), The 1982 Hymnal. Sanctus: Holy, holy, holy Lord S 130, Agnus Dei: Lamb of God S 164

Music: Deutsche Messe, Franz Schubert (1797-1828); arr. Richard Proulx (b. 1937), Copyright © 1985, G.I.A. Publications, Inc., The 1982 Hymnal. Communion: The First Nowell # 109 Words: English Carol, 18th cent. Music: The First Nowell, English carol, 17th cent.; harm. John Stainer (1841-1901), Copyright 1926 Oxford University Press, The 1982 Hymnal. Recessional: Joy to the World! The Lord is come #100 Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), alt., Music: Antioch, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759); adapt. and arr. Lowell Mason (1792-1872), The 1982 Hymnal.

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