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December 26, 2021 – First Sunday After Christmas
9:30 a.m. Hybrid Service
All Saints welcomes all people, without exception. We know that Christ is present in each person here, and we celebrate the diversity of the body of Christ. If this is your first visit, please introduce yourself today, and please visit again sometime. If you’ve been away, welcome back. We worship in the Anglican tradition, and are a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. We honor individuals of every age, gender, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, and religious background. We respect the dignity of every human being.
Land Acknowledgement
For thousands of years, First Nations people walked on this land in Danvers; their relationship with the land is at the center of their lives and spirituality. All Saints is gathered on the traditional territory of the Naumkeag, and we give thanks to them, and acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the ages. They followed the seasons, hunted, fished, raised families, grieved for their dead, nourished their living, shared the stories of their ancestors, and considered themselves the caretakers of this place.
Prelude
Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Rebecca K. Owens
(Officiant 1) – Welcome to Hybrid Worship and invitation to a moment of silence as we prepare for our conversation with God
Tolling of Bell
(Officiant 1) - Opening Hymn 102
Once in Royal David’s City
 
(Officiant 1) - Opening Acclamation
Officiant: Blessed be God: the One who Creates, Redeems and Sustains us.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Opening Collect
(Officiant 1) – God be with you
And also with you.
(Officiant 1) – Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Hebrew Testament Jan Briggs
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
Pause to reflect on reading.
Today’s Psalm is Psalm 147:13-21 (please read together the bolded lines)
Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion;
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
He has established peace on your borders;
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth,
and his word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
He scatters his hail like bread crumbs;
who can stand against his cold?
He sends forth his word and melts them;
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
He has not done so to any other nation;
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!
A Reading from the Greek Testament Sally Gamble
Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God ’s people. Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn 84
Love Came Down at Christmas, vs. 1 and 2
(Deacon) - T he Gospel
John 1:1-18
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sequence Hymn 84
Love Came Down at Christmas, vs. 3
(See above)
Homily The Rt. Rev. Alan Gates, Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts
Prayers of the People Allen Hill
(Officiant 1) In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Jesus Christ, born in a stable, be with the poor and homeless this Christmas time.
As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
Jesus Christ, born of Mary, be with young mothers across the world this Christmas time.
As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
Jesus Christ, visited by Shepherds, be with all who have to work this Christmas, and those who long to work. As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
Jesus Christ, who became a refugee, be with those who fear for their lives, and those who have left homes and families this Christmas. As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
For our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, and for all bishops, priests, seminarians and deacons, including Alan, Gayle, Marya, Brett and Jim. In our Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for the Parishes of the Alewife Deanery: Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington; St. James’ Church, Somerville; Christ Church, Waltham; Congregation of St. Peter at Christ Episcopal Church, Waltham; and Church of the Good Shepherd, Watertown. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America. Your church in all the world also needs saving from everything that threatens its mission. Where it is persecuted, keep it faithful. Where it persecutes, rebuke it. Where it is seduced by affluence, shake it to its foundations. Where it is self-satisfied, thoroughly unsettle it. Where it is weak, poor, and meek, bless it with your joy, peace and strength. As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
For all who come to the “halls” of All Saints seeking healing from addiction. Look with compassion on all who have lost their health and freedom. Restore the assurance of your unending love and unfailing mercy; remove the fears that disable; strengthen the work of recovery; and to those who care for those suffering from addiction, give patient understanding and persevering love. As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
We pray for those who celebrate birthdays this week, especially Dave McSweeney, Dorothy Hamilton and Gail McCallum. Are there other thanksgivings? As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
Today pray for those who lie close to our hearts, those whom we worry about, those whom we miss, those who carry disproportionate burdens at this time, especially especially J ulie, Tim, Frank and Pat Swasey, Kristen Blake, Joe Maher, Alex, Rose, Sandy, Jennifer and Greg Hanson , Paul Mitchell , Paula and Sam Noyes, Joey, Elaine Regis , Marlene, Braxton Richesin, Sean Grogan, Sean and Mary, Ken and Pam Cochrane, Mark and Janet Slayton, Peter and Ann Gentry, Ina Jean Wagner, Gail Woodward, Jorge Heman Alvarez, Pat LaRocque, Andrew B. and the Wallingford family. Are there others? As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
Gracious God, in whose hands are life, death and eternal life, we ask prayers for those who have died. Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day. Are there souls you would like to name? As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light.
Jesus, our Savior, you escaped Herod's best-laid plans. May your Spirit of peace be born again this year
in the hearts of all who work for peace. Amen.
— adapted from Carol Penner, Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA.
Pause to reflect on the prayers
Confession
(Officiant 1) - Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
O Holy God of Promise, we so often place our trust in the things we can see, touch, and easily believe. But you did not ask us to believe what is easy, you have asked us to believe what is true! Forgive us, Holy One, when we doubt the ways you work. Forgive us when we find it hard to believe an ancient story. Forgive us we question how you chose to enter the world, born as one of us. Forgive our lack of faith and belief in ways which seem so impossible to believe. Help us to look in faith, open our belief, and set aside our doubts that you sent your Son, born of a virgin – the one who has come to set us all free. We offer this confession in the name of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen. —Adapted from Rev. Jan Brooks, Cottonwood Falls Presbyterian Church.
Absolution
God comes! Not to punish, but to gift us with peace; not to judge, but to save us. Thanks be to God. Amen
Offertory Sentences
(Deacon) – Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are. Put together as one congregation in three locations, bless our gifts!
The offertory plate is now brought forward.
A link is available in the chat or right here for your gifts!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5CPDLYAUWN3A2
Offertory Anthem
In the Bleak Midwinter arr. Rebecca Owens
Please use this time for reflection about how to give gifts of love to your neighbors and your community.
Doxology- to the melody of The First Noel
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Noel. Noel. Noel.
Born is the King of Israel!
(Officiant 2) - The Sanctuary Lamp burns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, and in celebration of the birthday of Dave McSweeney, given by Brett Johnson. Christmas flowers are given in loving memory of those listed in the Book of Remembrance.
Eucharistic Prayer and Agape Prayer
Agape Meal Prayer
(Agape is the Greek word for love, and it was a love feast of the early Christians. This meal is another way of living out Jesus’ commandment to love one another. We give thanks for the invitation to be at our tables, for here we are shown our lives.)
(Officiant 2) Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we have all come to this place as a church searching to find the way forward, we look for healing through these restorative rituals of old: agape and Eucharist. It is in the Agape Feast and Eucharist, where adversaries become friends, and friends become neighbors. Approach this love feast and Eucharist as an experience of warmth and sharing, where God’s grace can be experienced in fellowship with one another, and with God as we remember Christ’s presence on earth, and celebrate the spirit of God’s love.
You established your people to be a light for the nations, and called us to walk in your paths and follow your ways. As children of your redeeming purpose, who await with eager longing the fulfillment of all things in the coming of your Son, we offer you our praise:
Sanctus
Glory and thanksgiving be to you, most loving God. In Jesus the Messiah you have come to us, and lived for a time among us, that we might for ever live with you. In the manger at Bethlehem, in his flight to Egypt, and as the carpenter’s son, the Only-begotten bent low to meet us. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Creator of the universe. You bring forth bread from the earth; you have fed us with the bread of life in the Body of your Son. Feed us now with your presence among us and your presence in your Word.
When Jesus came to supper with his disciples he gave it to them, saying: “Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you.” Do this in remembrance of me.” We now listen to your Son’s command. We recall his blessed passion, his glorious resurrection and ascension; and we look for the coming of his Kingdom.
Made one with him, we offer you these gifts and with them ourselves, a single, holy, living sacrifice. Hear us, most merciful Creator, and send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread, that, overshadowed by his life-giving power, they may be the Body of your Son, and we may be kindled with the fire of your love and renewed for the service of your Kingdom. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. Amen.
Adapted from the Scottish Alternative Book of Services
(Officiant 2) And now, let us imagine ourselves sitting on a hillside with Jesus, as we pray:
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.
Fraction Anthem S164
(Officiant 2) - Let us share the feast with each other! Experience the grace of God!
This is the table not of the church, but of the Lord. It is to be made ready for those who love God and want to love God more. So come if you have followed, come if you have stumbled, come if you have been here often, or if you have never been here before. Come because it is God who invites you. It is one of God’s purposes, that those who want to find God, will find God here.
Adpated from the Iona Community.
(Now each person is invited to take a portion of food and drink, joining with the entire congregation on three platforms in our love feast.)
Agape Meal and Communion Voluntary
Away in a Manger arr. Rebecca Owens
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Let us pray:
Holy, gracious, and loving God, you have welcomed us into your presence, poured your forgiving and healing power upon us, and nourished us with holy food. Now send us forth to be your people in the world, strengthened for the task of faithful witness to your power and love and way of life. Amen.
The Passing of the Peace
(Deacon) - Christ is here right now making peace among us!
The peace of the Lord be always with you,
And also with you.
Announcements
Final Blessing
(Officiant 2) - As we leave from here, remember this: All God’s gifts are right in front of you! Not only that, but God, is right alongside, to keep you steady and on track, until Jesus returns. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, will do this out of faithfulness, and will never give up on you.. Amen.
(Officiant 2) - Closing Hymn
Carol Medley
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay;
remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas Day,
to save us all from Satan’s power
when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy!
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God,
glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
(Officiant 1) – Dismissal
Just as God’s Word was sent into the world to heal and redeem, so God sends you into the world this day to be light and love, healing and hope. Go now to be light for the world! Amen.
Postlude
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Rebecca Owens
(Usage of music images is authorized through Church Publishing, Inc., for The Riteseries Online.
Reprinted/podcast/streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE A-726450. All rights reserved.)
Special thanks to our worship assistants this morning:
Greeter/Usher/Candle Lighter Ginna Coulson
Zoom Prayer Host: Erika Bianchi
1st Lesson and Psalm: Jan Briggs
2nd Lesson: Sally Gamble
Prayers of the People: Allen Hill
Voice of the People: Bill Hooper
Counters: Sue Dugan
Chuck Orphanos
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