Bulletin Date: January 7, 2012 5:00 am
The Feast of the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist, Rite I
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Catherine D. Hicks
(BCP—Book of Common Prayer, H-Hymnal 1982)
As you enter this sacred space that has been set aside for time with God, join us in silence as we go to God in prayer.
The church is in darkness and the service begins in silence.
Tolling of the bell
Priest: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Reader:
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Priest:
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighting of the candles
The First Nowell H 109
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Let us pray.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 BCP 685
Second Reading Ephesians 3:1-12
Sequence Hymn Earth Has Many a Noble City H127
The Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
Homily The Rev. Catherine D. Hicks
Nicene Creed BCP 326
The Prayers of the People Back
The Confession of Sin BCP 331
The Peace BCP 332
Announcements
The Holy Communion
The Offertory
Eucharistic Prayer I BCP 333
Sanctus S 130
The Lord’s Prayer BCP 336
The Breaking of the Bread BCP 337
The Communion of the People of God
Communion Hymn What Star is This H 124
Post Communion Prayer BCP 339
The Blessing
Closing Hymn As With Gladness Men of Old H 119
Dismissal
Prayers of the People
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for the darkness is at hand, and the day is past; be our light along the way, kindle our hearts and awaken our hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in scripture and in the breaking of the bread. Grant that we may be witnesses to your light for the sake of your love. Amen.
We pray that as the people of God, called together to be the church, we may be witnesses to your light and love to a world that waits in darkness. Amen.
We pray for our nation, divided by distrust and suspicion of one another. We pray that the light of your love will lead us toward understanding, tolerance and love for one another, so that we can be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Amen.
We pray for those among us who are ill, those among us who are suffering from depression, those among us who are suffering from grief, those among us who are suffering from addiction, those among us who are dying. We pray that we may be witnesses to them of your healing light and love. Amen.
We pray for those serving in our military, that they may have the light of Your way ever in front of them as they enter into the darkness of battle and conflict. Amen.
We pray for those who have died, that they come to dwell in the joy of your eternal light and life. Amen.
God of light, hear the prayers of your people, offered either silently or aloud.
O God, the source of eternal light: send your unending light upon us who watch for you, that together we may sing your praises, and that our lives may reflect your light. Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from the darkness of this night, through the love of your Son, the true light that has come into the world. Amen.
The Feast of EPIPHANY
January 6, 2012
ST. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Port Royal, VA