Christmas, Dec 24, 2025
8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, a welcoming and diverse community seeking to walk in the Way of Jesus and to reveal Christ’s reconciling love in our city, nation, and world.
Get Involved: If you fill out a “Let’s Get Connected Card” found in your pew, or at the Welcome Table by the door where you came into the church, we’d be glad to keep you up to date with all that’s happening at Holy Communion. Or, simply scan the QR code below to visit holycommunion.net where you can share your contact information, find a worship bulletin, read the latest news, and more.
Communion: “These are the gifts of God for the people of God.” At Church of the Holy Communion, we believe that it is Christ himself who invites us to meet him in the bread and the cup. Though it is known by many names - Communion, Mass, Holy Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar - it is how Christ’s real presence abides with us by faith. Therefore, all are welcome to receive. When it comes time for Communion, please follow the directions of the Greeters. The bread is offered to all, with gluten free wafers available, upon request, from the minister. If you would like to receive the wine, you may either drink from the cup, or intinct (dip) the wafer in the wine. Likewise, it is acceptable to receive only the bread, if for personal or health reasons you prefer to not consume wine. Those not receiving Communion, may also come forward. Indicate to the minister that you do not wish to receive Communion by simply crossing your arms across your chest, and the minister will offer a prayer for God’s blessing in your life.
Children in Worship: Kids are expected and encouraged to participate in worship! The Pray Ground (the carpeted area at the front of the Sanctuary) is open for those in need of some wiggle room. Children are welcome to help with greeting and passing the offertory plate. Godly Play is also offered on the second Sunday of each month starting at 10:15 am. Meet in the Godly Play room downstairs by the lower level entance.
Children’s Chapel: After the Gospel reading, children are welcome to proceed to the Children's Chapel (at the end of the lounge) for engaging in a scripture lesson, pray and sing as an alternative to the sermon. For children infant through early elementary age though all ages are welcome. Older kids are invited to be worship leaders. Kids under the age of four need to bring their caregiver.
Accessibility: “Priority Seating” is provided for caretakers of those with mobility needs. Our entrances have AutoOpen buttons, and our elevator is ADA compliant. Both the downstairs restrooms and one of the upstairs restrooms are accessible.
Hearing Assistance: Hearing assistance devices are available from the welcome table. If you have any questions, just ask a Greeter.
Donations: We welcome donations to support the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion. Monetary donations can be placed in the offering plate that will be passed during the service, put in the wooden offering box found at the Welcome Table, by scanning the QR code below, or by electronic donations set up through your bank or on the church website, holycommunion.net. Thank you!
December 24, 5:00 PM
A welcoming and diverse community seeking to walk in the Way of Jesus and to reveal Christ’s reconciling love in our city, nation, and world.
Prelude From Heaven On High to Earth I Come (H80) by Pachelbel
There is No Rose by Orin Johnson
Kyrie Eleison Mass Sancti Gabrielis by Joseph Michael Haydn
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy)
The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
The Twenty-fifth Day of December,
when ages beyond number had run their course from the creation of the world,
when God, in the beginning, created heaven and earth, and formed humankind in his own image and according to his own likeness;
when century upon century had passed since the Almighty, as a sign of covenant and peace, set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood;
in the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith, and his wife Sara came out of Ur of the Chaldees;
in the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Moses in the Exodus from Egypt;
eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges;
around the thousandth year since David was anointed King;
in the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel;
in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
in the year seven hundred and fifty-two since the foundation of the City of Rome;
in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus, the whole world being at peace;
Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming and loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since his conception, was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea, and was made man.
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
Processional Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful H83, vs 1,3,4 & 6
Opening Acclamation Please rise in body or spirit
Celebrant Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Thanks be to God!
Celebrant Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from your no secrets are hid. 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
Gloria Please be seated; Sung by Choir. Missa Sancti Gabrielis by Joseph Michael Haydn
Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, Adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, [Suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.] Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, Tu solus altissimus, [Jesu Christe.] Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris, Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, And peace on earth to all of good will. We praise You, we bless You, We adore You, we glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory. Lord God, King of Heaven, God the Father Almighty. Lord only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. You who take away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us. You who take away the sin of the world, [Hear our prayer. You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.] For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, You alone are the Most High, [Jesus Christ.] With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father, Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
The Lessons
The First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
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 Counselor, 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 onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn The Snow lay on the Ground H110
The Second Reading Titus 2:11-14
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 Savior, 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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Angels we have heard on high H93 vv 1-2
The Holy Gospel Please rise in body or spirit.
Before the Gospel Reading
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
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 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 Savior, 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 favors!"
[When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]
After the Gospel Reading
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sequence Hymn H96 vs 3-4
Sermon The Rev. Julie Graham
A moment of silence is observed, following the sermon.
Affirmation of Faith Spoken in unison. The Nicene Creed [Expanded]
Deacon Let us affirm our faith in the One, Holy and Living God.
Silence is kept for a time.
Deacon We believe in one God, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
People We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Creator, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Creator. Through him all things were made.
Deacon For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary and became truly human.
People In his life among us, he proclaimed good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, sight to the blind, and release to the oppressed.
Deacon Jesus ate with outcasts, forgave sinners, challenged injustice, and embodied the boundless love of God.
People In word and deed, he revealed the reign of God drawing near.
Deacon 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 Creator.
People He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Deacon We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Creator and the Son. With the Creator and is worshiped and glorified. Who has spoken through the Prophets.
People 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.
Hymn In the Bleak Midwinter
The Peace
Celebrant Sisters and Brothers, the peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
We greet one another with a sign of God’s peace.
Welcome and Announcements
Offertory Sentence
Celebrant God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. – John 3:16
The Offering
We welcome donations to support the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion. Monetary donations can be placed in the offering plate that will be passed during the service, or by scanning the QR code below. Thank you.
Offertory Anthem The Work of Christmas by Dan Forrest
Poem by Howard Thurman
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
Offertory Hymn What Child is this? H115
The Liturgy of the Table
The Eucharistic Prayer
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is truly right to glorify you, Holy One, and to give you thanks;
for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light
inaccessible from before time and forever.
Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all
things and fill them with your blessing; you created them
to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance.
Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you
night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence,
they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and
giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you,
and glorify your Name, as we sing,
Sung by Choir Sanctus and Benedictus from Missa Sancti Gabrielis by Joseph Michael Haydn
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus que venit in nomine Domini
Hosanna in excelsis.
The people stand or kneel, in body or Spirit.
Then the Celebrant continues
We acclaim you, holy God, glorious in power. Your mighty
works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your
own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in
obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all
your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you,
you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy
you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find
you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you,
and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.
Holy God, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of
time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by
the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus lived as one of
us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news
of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To
fulfill your purpose Jesus gave himself up to death; and, rising
from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole
creation new.
And that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for Christ
who died and rose for us, you sent the Holy Spirit, your own
first gift for those who believe, to complete your work in
the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.
When the hour had come for Jesus to be glorified by you, his
heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the
world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them Jesus took
bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and
gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body,
which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine; and when he had given
thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “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. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Almighty God, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption.
Recalling Christ’s death and descent among the dead,
proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and ascension to your right
hand, awaiting Christ’s coming in glory; and offering to you, from
the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise
you and we bless you.
Celebrant and People
We praise you, we bless you,
we give thanks to you,
and we pray to you, Lord our God.
The Celebrant continues
God our Creator, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy
Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying
them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people,
the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood
of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one
body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise
of your Name.
Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic
Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its
unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.
Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ,
and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them into
the place of eternal joy and light.
And grant that we may find our inheritance with Mary the God-bearer,
with matriarchs, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs,
and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past.
We praise you in union with them
and give you glory through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and
glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, and in the language of our heart, we pray:
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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant The gifts of God for the people of God.
Agnus Dei Sung by Choir from Missa Sancti Gabrielis
by Joseph Michael Haydn
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Communion Hymns
The congregation is invited to join in the singing of communion hymns
What Star is This? H124
Twas in the Moon of Wintertime H114
Go Tell it on the Mountain L21
Angels We Have Heard on High H96
Post Communion Prayer
Please rise in body or in spirit.
Celebrant Together, let us pray
Celebrant and People
Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Lighting of the Candles
If next to the center aisle, please allow the Greeter to light your candle by tipping it towards the flame when they arrive at your pew. Then “pass” the flame on, by allowing your neighbor to light from your candle, as we sing Silent Night.
Hymn Silent Night H111
The Blessing
Recessional Hymn Joy to the World H100
Dismissal
Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
People Thanks be to God!
Postlude In Dulci Jubilo by J. S. Bach
Christmas Flowers 2025
A special thank you to those who contributed to our beautiful Christmas flowers and greens.
Rebecca Rugen: In memory of Robert, Carolyn & Leah Rugen
Marlene O’Brien: In Thanksgiving of our musicians.
Rudy Walz: In memory of Betty Walz & Leonard Walz Sr.
Andy Carpentier: "AMDG...to the greater glory of God."
Mary & Matt Chapman: In thanksgiving for the musicians who share their time and talent to enhance our worship.
Julie Graham: In thanksgiving for the beautiful people of Holy Communion.
