The Parish Church of St Paul, Drighlington

Celebration of Christmas 25th December 2013 10.00am

We stand to sing 62 ! come all "e faithful #omit $$ 3,%,5& we remain standing
The Lord be with you 'n( also )ith "ou Christ the Light of the World has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus Forgive our disobedience to your will. *orgi$e us an( heal us Jesus was born in poverty slept in a cattle shed. Forgive our greed and re!ection of your ways. *orgi$e us an( heal us "hepherds left their flocks to go to #ethlehem$ Forgive our self%interest and lack of vision. *orgi$e us an( heal us Wise men followed a star in search of Jesus Forgive our reluctance to seek you *orgi$e us an( heal us May &od who loved the world so much that he sent his "on to be our "aviour forgive you your sins and make you holy to serve him in the world$ through Jesus Christ our Lord. 'men

Let us pray Lord Jesus Christ$ your birth at #ethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth' accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you$ our saviour and our eternal &od. 'men

(L) T*"T+M*,T -*+).,& .saiah /01$2%3

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light' those who lived in a land of deep darkness 4 on them light has shined. 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 &od$ *verlasting Father$ 5rince of 5eace. 6is authority shall grow continually$ and there shall be endless peace for the throne of )avid and his kingdom. 6e will establish and uphold it with !ustice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore. The 7eal of the L(-) of hosts will do this.
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This is the word of the Lord Than+s be to ,o(.

we stand to sing #%%& 'ngels from the realms of glor" turning to face T6* &("5*L
6ear the &ospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke ,lor" to "ou ! -or(

.n those days a decree went out from *mperor +ugustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while 8uirinius was governor of "yria. +ll went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of ,a7areth in &alilee to Judea$ to the city of )avid called #ethlehem$ because he was descended from the house and family of )avid. 6e went to be registered with Mary$ to whom he was engaged and who was e9pecting a child. While they were there$ the time came for her to deliver her child. +nd she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth$ and laid him in a manger$ because there was no please for them in the inn.: .n 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. #ut the angel said to them$ ;)o not be afraid' for see%% . am bringing you good news of great !oy for all the people0 to you is born this day in the city of )avid a "avior$ who is the Messiah$ the Lord. This will be a sign for you0 you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.; +nd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host$ praising &od and saying$ ;&lory to &od in the highest heaven$ and on earth peace among those whom he favours<; This is the &ospel of the Lord Praise to "ou ! Christ

we sit for T6* "*-M(, T6* .,T*-C*"".(,"

we stand to share T6* 5*+C* =nto us a child is born$ unto us a "on is given and his name shall be called the 5rince of 5eace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you an( also )ith "ou Let us offer one another a sign of peace

we sing #53& .ar+ the heral( angels sing during which The Collection is taken and the bread and wine brought to the altar. we remain standing The Lord is here .is S/irit is )ith us
Lift up your hearts 0e lift them to the -or( Let us give thanks to the Lord our &od 1t is right to gi$e than+s an( /raise &lory to Jesus$ "on of Mary' born a child$ sharing our humanity0 ,lor" to ,o( in the highest &lory to Jesus$ "on of )avid' born a king$ he receives gifts from the wise0 ,lor" to ,o( in the highest &lory to Jesus$ "on of Man' born to save$ he is the Light of the World0 ,lor" to ,o( in the highest

We praise and bless you$ loving Father$ through Jesus Christ$ our Lord' and as we obey his command$ send your 6oly "pirit$ that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear "on. (n the night before he died he had supper with his friends and taking bread he praised you. 6e broke the bread$ gave it to them and said0 >Take eat this is my body which is given for you' do this in remembrance of me.? When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. +gain he praised you$ gave it to them and said0 >)rink this$ all of you' this is my blood of the new covenant$ shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. )o this in remembrance of me.? "o$ Father we remember all that Jesus did. #ringing before you the bread of life and the cup of salvation$ we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory. -or( b" "our cross an( resurrection "ou ha$e set us free. 2ou are the Sa$iour of the )orl(. Lord of all life$ help us to work together for that day when your @ingdom comes and !ustice and peace will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people$ gather us in your loving arms and bring us with 5aul and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ$ and with Christ$ and in Christ$ in the unity of the 6oly "pirit$ all honour and glory are yours$ loving Father$ for ever and ever. '345

we sit and silence is kept

-e!oicing in the presence of &od here among us$ let us pray with confidence as our "aviour has taught us !ur *ather )ho art in hea$en, hallo)e( be th" name. Th" +ing(om come, th" )ill be (one on earth as it is in hea$en. ,i$e us this (a" our (ail" brea(. 'n( forgi$e us our tres/asses as )e forgi$e those )ho tres/ass against us. 'n( lea( us not into tem/tation6 but (eli$er us from e$il. *or thine is the +ing(om the /o)er an( the glor" for e$er an( e$er. 'men We break the bread of life$ and that life is the light of the world. ,o( here among us, light in the mi(st of us, bring us to light an( life. Christ is the true bread which has come down from heaven. -or(, gi$e us this brea( al)a"s.

5lease come forward as directed by the stewards to receive the bread and wine or a blessing. )uring the administration of Communion we sing
+nthem0 =p< good Christen folk$ and listen Aarr. WoodwardB. #%5& ')a" in a manger
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The prayer after communion ,o( our *ather, )hose 0or( has come among us in the .ol" Chil( of 7ethlehem8 ma" the light of faith illumine our hearts an( shine forth in our )or(s an( (ee(s6 through him )ho is Christ the -or(. 'men
T6* #L*"".,& May the eagerness of the shepherds$ the !oy of the angels$ the perseverance of the wise men$ the obedience of Mary and Joseph and the peace of the Christ%child be with you today and always and the blessingCCCCC.

we stand to sing 59 :o" to the )orl(

&o in peace. 5roclaim the Word made flesh. ,lor", than+s an( /raise to ,o(.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas!