Christmas Day 9.00am 25 December 2020

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

We acknowledge that we worship here on the traditional lands of the Yalukit Willum of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to Elders past, present and

emerging. HYMN: One in Royal David’s City

THE GREETING: Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. The Lord be with you. And also with you.

THE LIGHTING OF THE WREATH Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, King of peace: to you be praise and glory for ever. The new light of your incarnate Word gives gladness in our sorrow, and a presence in our isolation. Fill our lives with your light, until they overflow with gladness and praise. Blessed be God for ever.

1. 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.

4. 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.

2. 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 meek and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.

5. 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, when, like stars, his children crowned All in white shall gather round.

3. And through all his wondrous childhood, 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.

Cecil Frances Alexander 1818-95

THE SENTENCE I bring you good news of great joy for all people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 THE PRAYER OF PREPARATION Let us pray together Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. Let us turn to the light and confess our sins. God our Father, you sent your Son full of grace and truth: forgive our failure to receive him. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Jesus our Saviour, you were born in poverty and laid in a manger: forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Spirit of Love, your servant Mary responded to your call: forgive the hardness of our hearts. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to God in faith: pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE GLORIA Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

THE COLLECT: All glory to you, gracious God, for the gift of Jesus Christ, whom you sent to save us. With the angels, let us praise your name, and tell the earth this story, that all may believe, rejoice, and proclaim your love; through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A Reading from Isaiah, Chapter 9, verses 2-7 read by Tom Verghese 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 Counsellor, 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 onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm 96 1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works

among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be

revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Honour and majesty are before him; strength and beauty

are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the

Lord glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in holy splendour; tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king! The world is firmly

established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the

peoples with equity.’ 11

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12

let the field exult, and everything in it.

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13

before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

A Reading from St Paul’s Letter to Titus, chapter 2, verses 11-14 read by Alison Verghese 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 Saviour, 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.

This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God THE GRADUAL HYMN: Away in a manger

A Reading from the Gospel according to St. Luke, chapter, 2, verses 1-14

Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

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

1. Away in a manger, No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay

2. The cattle are lowing The Baby awakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side, 'Til morning is nigh.

3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with thee there

Sir David Willcocks / W.J. Kirkpatrick Away in a Manger lyrics © Oxford University Press.

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 Saviour, 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 favours!’

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

THE SERMON Rev Elizabeth Murray, Vicar THE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father, through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Let us pray for the world and for the church.

…..Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer

Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers: Grant that what we ask in faith, we may by your grace receive, through

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

THE GREETING OF PEACE (all stand)

We are the body of Christ. His spirit is with us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

THE OFFERTORY HYMN: Hark! The herald angels sing

Donations to support the life & work of Holy Trinity are most welcome. We rely on your generosity. Direct EFT details: BSB: 033100; Account

number: 490175; cash/cheques can be left in the plate as you leave today. OFFERTORY PRAYER Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have these gifts to share. Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom. Blessed be God for ever THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you

And also with you

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to giver our thanks and praise.

1. Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the new-born King, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all you 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 new-born King.

3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings: mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more need die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing ...

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased in human flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing ...

Charles Wesley 1707–88 and others

The prayer continues … for ever praising you and saying: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The prayer continues … Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The prayer continues … in songs of never ending praise: Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen. As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen As this bread was once many grains which have been gathered together and made one bread, so may your church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us your peace. HOLY COMMUNION

All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion. If you do not wish to receive communion and would like to receive a

blessing, please also come forward and indicate to the priest your desire for a blessing. After you have received communion, please return to your seats

and sit quietly.

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Let us pray God of heaven, dwelling among us, we thank you for feeding us with this holy food. By your grace keep us ever faithful to your Word made flesh that as his body in the world we may bring your presence to all people. Loving God, we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice through Jesus Christ our Lord. Send us out in the power of your spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.

THE BLESSING May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen HYMN: Joy to the world

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive its king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns; let us our songs employ; while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 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 of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.

Isaac Watts 1674–1748 alt. based on Psalm 98

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The service is from A Prayer Book for Australia, Broughton Books, Australia, 1995.

The hymns are from Together In Song HarperCollinsReligious Australia, 1999 Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version Nashville, TN

(Thomas Nelson Publishers), 1989 Used by permission. No unauthorised copying.

Organist: Mr John Rivers

From all the Holy Trinity Williamstown family,

we wish you and yours a very

happy and holy Christmas.

God bless you and see you in the New Year!

Please take this booklet with you

Contact us:

Website: www.htw.org.au

Email: office@htw.org.au

Vicar: The Reverend Elizabeth Murray

vicar@htw.org.au