First Sunday after Christmas - Lessons and Carols

A Bidding Prayer (Contemporary)

Dear People of God: In this Christmas Season, let it be our duty and delight to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.

Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God's loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city.

And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all.

Amen.

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A Service of  📖Lessons and  🎶Carols 

with 🍷🙏🏻 Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Innocents

 We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

 Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

 We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Christmas Day

 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Our Christmas service was held on Christmas Eve. 

See that entry here.

Christmas Eve

 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People for Christmas

Brothers and sisters, on this most holy day of our

Lord’s birth, that we may find peace, joy, and

contentment in this holy season, let us pray for

ourselves and all those in need of our prayers, saying:

Lord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For the church of Christ, and especially for Justin, the

Archbishop of Canterbury, our Presiding Bishop Sean,

and the bishop of this diocese, Nicholas, that they may

faithfully proclaim the good news of salvation and care

for the needs of God’s people. We pray to you: Lord,

in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For peace in our troubled world, that the darkness of

war, disease, violence, poverty, and injustice may be

replaced by the light of peace and love, we pray to

you: Lord, in your mercy.. Hear our prayer.

For all those in need of our prayers: The homeless, the

unemployed, the under-employed, the hungry, the

lonely, the addicted, those who are hospitalized, those

who are imprisoned in body or soul; and for all those

for whom this season is one not of joy but of trial and

sadness, we pray to you, Lord, in your mercy..

Hear our prayer.

For the sick, that their illnesses may be turned to

health and their sorrow into rejoicing, we pray to you,

Lord, in your mercy.. . Hear our prayer.

For those who labor this day on behalf of others:

doctors and nurses, caregivers, police and fire fighters,

store clerks, bus and taxi drivers, train conductors and

pilots and crew, for all whose work prevents them from

sharing this day with those they love, and those who

serve in the armed forces and especially those away

from home, we pray to you: Lord, in your mercy..

Hear our prayer.

With thanksgiving, we remember the lives of those who

have gone before us in the faith, that we, like them,

may remain faithful to the end and live forever in the

light of your eternal glory. We pray to you: Lord, in your

mercy…Hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Almighty God, mercifully hear the prayers

of your people. Give us zeal in our ministries and joy

in our work, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Upcoming Events as of December 22

Today - Vestry Meeting

December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM 

December 25 - Rev. Liz will celebrate and Marguerite play guitar and she and Rev. Pam will sing at St. Michael's in Bristol at 10 AM

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People

May our hearts leap for joy as we gather in prayer to await the

Lord’s coming. With Mary, may our souls proclaim God’s

greatness as we say,

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the church. As the celebration of your incarnation

draws near, we remember the many ways your revelation is

lifted up in the world and we pray for our sisters and brothers in

Christ throughout the world, and especially for those whose very

faith endangers their lives.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For an end to violence, oppression and injustice: As you lead

us, Lord, from darkness to light, may we be among those who

exalt the lowly and fill the hungry with good things, rooting out

the proud of heart and drawing courage from your power.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our own spirits: May our hearts be magnified and made

much bigger than we think possible. May this season of Advent

stir in us such faith that we exert ourselves to be your light in a

darkened world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this community: May we be enriched by welcoming the

stranger and be drawn to a bright future in service to you, while

also remembering and honoring those in the past who guided us

into faith.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the sick and suffering. May they find healing and peace.

Especially we pray for those on our Parish Prayer List.

The flowers are given in memory of Shirley Silvia.

May she, and all who have died and whom we remember

in our hearts this day, rest in the peace of the Lord.

We pray for Sean Rowe, our Presiding Bishop and the

Bishop of Rhode Island, Nicholas Knisely.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and

clergy of St. Stephen’s in Providence; St. John’s

in Barrington; St. John the Evangelist, Newport; and,

the Chapel of St. John the Divine, Saunderstown.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we gather up the prayers of this household, confident in

your promise to be with us always.

Guide us in wisdom and faith, that we might live our lives trusting in you. Amen.

Saint Thomas the Apostle

 Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Upcoming Events as of December 15

Today - Holiday Potluck, music by Louis Couto

December 22 - Vestry Meeting

December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM 

December 25 - Rev. Liz will celebrate and Marguerite play guitar at St. Michael's in Bristol at 10 AM

Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. 

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Prayers of the People

For peace in the church: May we intensify our efforts at peace-making with the separated churches, that peace may prevail over conflict, and that we may be reconciled into one family, exercising one baptism, one eucharist, and one common ministry in its many forms.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our Presiding Bishop, Sean Rowe, the Bishop of Rhode Island, Nicholas Knisely, and for all bishops and other ministers, and for all who serve God in his Church.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Thomas in Alton and St Thomas in Greenville.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For peace in the world: May conflicts cease, may refugees and survivors find new homes and the spirit to begin again.May wounds be healed, losses grieved, and honorable deeds remembered. May grace abound in all lands, and may the lion and the lamb be content.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this assembly. That the world might know us by our love. Help us with the grievances we harbor within our families and communities and among our co-workers and friends. Help us build trust and teach us forgiveness that we might know reconciliation in your love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For peace where we live, work and play, and for peace within ourselves. May the noises in and around us diminish so that we can hear the quiet sounds of Creation. And grant us time and space to listen for you, our hearts’  true desire.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all those who suffer, may we be messengers of hope, peace and healing. Especially we pray those on our prayer list.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The flowers are given in honor of Marilyn and Ken Brockway.

For those who are gone and beyond our reach, fill the empty spots in our hearts and souls with reassurance of your love for them and fill them also with the hope of our reuniting someday in your eternal kingdom.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, fill our minds and hearts with everything that is good and loving and worthy of thanksgiving and praise, everything that comes to us under the sign of your peace and in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Upcoming Events as of December 8

  December 15 - Holiday Potluck, music by Louis Couto

 December 22 - Vestry Meeting

 December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM 

[December 25 - Rev. Liz will celebrate at St. Michael's in Bristol at 10 AM]

Second Sunday of Advent

 

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People

Holy God, wherever we are, you are there. Stir our hearts wherever we may go that we may see you and offer thanksgiving for the life you have given us. Hear these prayers we offer as we say, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the church in every place: May we be ever mindful of the richness of the family of God’s people, those next to us here, those in neighborhood churches, and those worshipping today across the globe. Help us to grow into a unity of mission and ministry in our common devotion to Christ that we might be faithful witnesses of your love. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

For all in civil authority: may they be guided by hope, not fear. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

For this faith community; amid joys and sorrows: Let us remember those who have gone before us; those who have sacrificed for us. Let us give thanks for gathering of God’s people and for the renewal of life we are given. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

For the gifts of creation, for the sun that lights our day and the moon and stars that shelter the night: May our eyes be open to the beauty around us. Help us to protect and nurture the creation and ever proclaim its wonders. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

For those at greatest risk among us: Let us pray for those who are lonely or neglected, and for those facing illness and disability. Especially, we pray for those on our Prayer List. 

The flowers are given in honor of Alvin Reise, Jr. 

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for all Laity in their several ministries that they may truly and devotedly serve God.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

For those who have died, for those who are dying, and for those who grieve, that they may find hope in your promise of everlasting life. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Lord, gather up our prayers with those of your people in every place and time, and guide us to Christ, preparing the way for us by making every valley filled and every mountain low. Amen

Happy New Year!

 The First Sunday of Advent begins a new liturgical year.

First Sunday of Advent

 Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People

Faithful God, we offer our prayers in hopeful anticipation of your response as we say, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your church waits in anticipation for the fulfillment of your promises, grant us perseverance and urgency to continue Christ’s mission as we await His return.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sow the seeds of your love throughout this nation, that our people and leaders might work towards building a society where all people have an equitable place and the opportunity to thrive.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As we enter into this season of anticipation, grant this congregation a discerning spirit that we might confidently follow where you are leading us, be beacons of hope, and a place of refuge for our neighbors.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your creation cries out from the devastation wrought by our unsustainable use of its resources, show us how we might change and advocate for a holy stewardship of the natural world.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Open our hearts to know the suffering of those who are sick, afraid, alone, or oppressed; grant them relief, healing, and wholeness and show us how to be present with them. Especially

for those on our Prayer List.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The flowers are given the loving memory of George and Helen Campbell and Pat Church. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, rest in peace.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the clergy and people of Emmanuel, Cumberland and Emmanuel, Newport.

Grant to the dying peace and rest in your loving care; and grant to them an entrance into the resurrected life of Christ.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear the hopes and needs of your people and keep your people

in your grace, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who with you and

the Holy Spirit lives and reigns. AMEN

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Learn more about this delightful calendar here and download a copy for printing here.

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