Welcome to worship HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH UTRECHT

Welcome to worship! HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH UTRECHT Christmas Day Festive Communion 25 December 2020 AD The Nativity, Carl Bloch And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory… full of grace and truth.

Christmas Day Choral Communion according to Common Worship (Music mass setting: Festive Eucharist, Noel Rawsthorne) Opening Hymn: 62 (vs 1, 2, 6, 7) O come all ye faithful (sung by St Martin’s Voices) 1 O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come, and behold him, Born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 2 God of God, Light of Light, lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb; Very God, Begotten, not created; O come, let us adore him, Continued… Christ the Lord.

6 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above; Glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 7 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning: Jesus, to thee be all glory given; word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Words: John Francis Wade, circa 1743; trans. Frederick Oakeley, and William Thomas Brooke. Music: Adeste fideles (18 th century melody, probably John Francis Wade)

of All In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The priest greets the people The Lord be with you and also with you. All Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse 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.

Summary of the Law Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord; You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. ’ There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. All Amen. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie

Gloria in excelsis (stand)

The Collect Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Epistle: Hebrews 1: 1 -12 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God's angels worship him. ” Continued…

Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. ” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. ” And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end. ” This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Gospel: St John 1: 1 -14 When the Gospel is announced, the priest says, Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St John. Glory to you, O Lord 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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. Continued…

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, to them gave he power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. This is the Gospel of the Lord All Praise to you, O Christ Sermon

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 from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. 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. Prayers of Intercession (we kneel or sit) The intercessor prays: Lord, in your mercy We respond: Hear our prayer And at the end: Merciful Father We all say: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Confession and Absolution Priest Hear the words of the angel to Joseph: ‘You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ’ Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God through Jesus the Saviour of the world. cf Matthew 1. 21 Silence is kept All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest says Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; 
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen. The Peace (we stand) Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you. All and also with you. All may exchange a sign of peace.

Offertory Hymn: 63 O little town of Bethlehem Your offerings will be received during this song. Today for charitable givings, we support: Huize Agnes During Christmas charitable giving centres on refugees struggling to claim asylum. Huize Agnes in Utrecht provides temporary shelter to refugee women and their children residing in the Netherlands without a valid residence permit. They help women and their children in the areas of health, education, language and finances. For the regular mission of Holy Trinity Chaplaincy: NL 84 INGB 0000 132 950 (t. n. v. Holy Trinity Church, Utrecht) For charitable giving: NL 92 TRIO 0197 723 861 (t. n. v. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Utrecht)

O little town of Bethlehem (sung by St Martin’s Voices) 1 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 to-night. 2 O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth! For Christ is born of Mary; And, gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wond’ring love. Continued…

3 4 How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heav’n: No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in. O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast our sin and enter in; Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel. Words: Phillips Brooks (1835 -1893) Tune: Forest Green, Traditional English melody collected and arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 -1958)

Eucharistic Prayer The Lord be with you. All And also with you. Lift up your hearts. All We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to give thanks and praise. All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere, mighty Creator, ever-living God. And now we give you thanks because, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he took our nature upon him and was born of the Virgin Mary his mother, that being himself without sin, he might make us clean from all sin. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:

Sanctus and Benedictus

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Great is the mystery of faith: And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

The Lord’s Prayer Let us pray 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Agnus Dei

Prayer of Humble Access All We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Administration of Communion An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You offer yourself to us in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You, believing You are already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Communion Hymns: 41 A great and mighty wonder (sung by St Martin’s Voices) 1 A great and mighty wonder, a full and holy cure, the Virgin bears the Infant with virgin-honour pure. Repeat the hymn again! 'To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!' 2 The Word becomes incarnate and yet remains on high. And Cherubim sing anthems to shepherds from the sky. Repeat the hymn again! 'To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!' Continued…

3 Since all he comes to ransom, by all be he adored, the Infant born in Bethl'em, the Saviour and the Lord. Repeat the hymn again! 'To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!' 4 And idol forms shall perish, and error shall decay, and Christ shall wield his sceptre, our Lord and God for ay. Repeat the hymn again! 'To God on high be glory, and peace on earth to men!' Mega Kai paradoxon thauma Germanus (c. 634 -c. 732) Translated John Mason Neale (1818 -1866)

What child is this (sung by St Martin’s Voices) 1 What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping? whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds worship and angels sing: haste, haste to bring him praise the babe, the son of Mary. 2 Why lies he in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding? Come have no fear, God’s son is here, his love all loves exceeding. Nails, spear, shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you: hail, hail the Saviour comes, the babe, the son of Mary. Continued…

3 So bring him incense, gold and myrrh, all tongues and peoples own him, the King of kings salvation brings, let every heart enthrone him: Raise, raise your song on high while Mary sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born the babe, the son of Mary. William Chatterton Dix (1837 -1898) and others

Prayer after Communion All [silence is kept] Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing The priest prays, Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. All Amen. Notices After the notices we sing the closing hymn

Closing Hymn: 53 Hark! the herald angels sing (sung by St Martin’s Voices) 1 Hark, the herald-angels sing Glory to the new-born 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 new-born King. 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 as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the herald-angels sing Glory to the new-born King. Continued…

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 man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald-angels sing Glory to the new-born King. Words: Charles Wesley (1707 -1788) and others Music: Mendelssohn, from a chorus by F Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (18091847)

A minister says Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All In the name of Christ. Amen.

A warm welcome to you this day! Words: copyright © 2000 -2006 Common Worship, The Archbishops’ Council, CCLI licence number 639346 Hymns recorded by St martin’s Voices in collaboration with the Church of England the Royal School of Church Music. Mass setting Rawsthorne sung by the Choir of Holy Trinity Utrecht.