C H R I S T M A S D A Y 2 0 1 2

Liturgy [1928 Book of Common Prayer & American Missal Rev.]Music Setting: Healey Willan and TraditionalCanon of the Mass: American Missal Rev.

Christmas dayDecember 25th, 10:30 AM

PRELUDE Introduction from Suite Gothique L. Boëllman

PROCESSIONAL HYMN 775 (see page 24) Joy to the world! Antioch

Musical Note: The Congregation is invited to sing part of the minor propers, which are the Introit, Gradual, Offertory, and Communion Verse, together with the Celebrant. A Choir member will sing the part of the Cantor. The Congregation will please sing the parts marked “Choir” and “All.” The music is set forth in the bulletin.

Minister: The Lord be with you.People: And with thy spirit.Minister: Let us pray.

COLLECT FOR PURITY — ¶The people stand.

Minister: ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

INTROIT Lux fulgebit. Isaiah IX.

¶ Here the Minister may incense the Altar.

SUMMARY OF THE LAW — Minister: Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

KYRIE ELEISON — ¶sung together (The people stand.) Missa de Sancta Mary Magdalena Healy Willan, 1928

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS — ¶ The Gloria is not said or sung in Advent or from Septuagesima through Lent except on Special Feast Days, on Maundy Thursday, and on Holy Saturday, until Easter Even.

Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena Healey Willan, 1928

Minister: The Lord be with you.People: And with thy spirit.Minister: Let us pray.

¶The people remain standing.COLLECT Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that as thou hast poured forth upon us the new light of thy Word made flesh; so he who doth illuminate our hearts by faith may likewise in all our works show forth his glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.¶The Minister may offer additional prayers here.

¶The people sit.EPISTLE — Titus III, 4. Dearly beloved: The kindness and love

of God our Saviour toward man appeared: not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour: that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life: in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL & ALLELUIA Psalm 118 and Psalm 93.

GOSPEL HYMN 2 vs. 6 with refrainO come, O come Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel

Minister: The Lord be with you.People: And with Thy Spirit. Minister: The continuation + of the Holy + Gospel according to +. . .People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

GOSPEL St. Luke II, 15. At that time: The shepherds said one to another: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste: and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them

concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Response: Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

CREED — ¶sung or spoken together, music follows — Minister: may say “Let us say together.”

SERMON HYMN 42 Angels we have heard on high Gloria

¶The people sit.SERMON Mr. Mark Trout, LLR&P

¶ Following the Sermon, The Minister will ascend the Altar and then turn toward the congregation and say:

Minister: The Lord be with you.People: And with Thy Spirit.Minister: Let us pray.

OFFERTORY VERSE ¶ Sung by the choir and congregationPsalm 93.

OFFERTORY HYMN 20 Of the Father’s love begotten Divinum Mysterium

¶During the Altar preparation the Minister may say privately, various prayers

INTENTIONS OF THE MASS ¶ The Minister will state and ask for any additional intentions for the Mass. The mass is offered for all those on the parish prayer list, for the universal church, for all in civil authority, for all Bishops and other ministers, for this congregation and all those in trouble,

sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity; and for all those who have departed this life in our Lord’s faith and fear, as well as for any additional intentions.

Celebrant: Brethren, pray: that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

People: The Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of His name, both to our benefit and that of all His Holy Church.

The Prayer for the Church ¶The People may continue to stand

Minister: Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church.Almighty and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast

taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our [alms and] oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.    We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.    Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.    And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.    And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.    And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants

departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

The Minister may continue with the Exhortation, as follows, or he may proceed instead to the Sursum Corda.

The Exhortation

Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

The General Confession ¶The People kneel and pray together.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Absolution ¶The Minister stands

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm

and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Comfortable Words

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.

Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matt. xi. 28.    So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16.    Hear also what Saint Paul saith.    This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15.    Hear also what Saint John saith.    If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. 1 St. John ii. 1, 2.

THE PREFACE TO THE CANON OF THE MASS ¶ The Minister shall proceed, saying or chanting,

SURSUM CORDA

PROPER PREFACE — Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the liturgical season or feast day, if there be any specially appointed; or else immediately shall be said or sung by the Minister, the following:

SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS QUI VENIT ¶ sung together

Missa de Sancta Mary Magdalena Healy Willan, 1928

¶ The people kneel.PRAYER OF CONSECRATION ¶ Then the Minister, standing before the Holy Table, having so ordered the Bread and Wine, shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth.

ALL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son V Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, + perfect, + and sufficient sacrifice, + oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again: Ω(= bells) For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake 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. VΩ^ ΩVΩ

Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for

many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. VΩ^ ΩVΩ

OBLATION — WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make + here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy + gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the + memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

INVOCATION — AND we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless + and sanctify, + with thy Word + and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed + Body and + Blood. AND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our + sacrifice of + praise and + thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers V of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious + Body and + Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be + filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. Remember also, O Lord, thy servants and handmaidens . . . who have gone before us with the sign of faith and are at rest in the sleep of peace. . . . To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, we

beseech thee to grant a place of refreshment, of light and of peace. And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ +++ our Lord; Vby + whom, and with + whom, in the + unity of the Holy Ghost, all + honour and + glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty^, world without endV. People: Amen.

Minister: Let us pray. And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say: ¶ all together

LIBERA NOS Minister may say aloud: Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and at the intercession of the blessed, glorious and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with that of thy blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Andrew and all the Saints, favourably grant + peace in our time, that by help of thy v mercy, we may ever be kept free from sin, and safe from all disquietude;

Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, Who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God,Minister: World without end. People: Amen.The Minister makes the sign of the Cross three times over the Chalice with the particle, saying or chanting:

Minister: The+peace of the+Lord be+always with you.People: And with thy spirit.

HAEC COMMIXTIO. The Minister continues: May this mingling and consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ avail us who partake thereof unto life eternal. Amen. (Here the Minister genuflects.V)

AGNUS DEI ¶ said together The People kneel

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy Vupon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy Vupon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant Vus thy peace.

Missa de Sancta Mary Magdalena Healy Willan, 1928

¶If the General Confession of sin hath not previously been made, the Minister here will say “Let us confess our sins unto Almighty God, devoutly kneeling, by saying together the General Confession found after the previous Exhortation”, after which he may pronounce the absolution following: The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you Absolution + and Remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.

DOMINE JESU CHRISTE — Minister: O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst to thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church; and

grant to it that peace and unity which is according to thy will. Who livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen

PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS — ¶The People kneel.

Then shall the Minister first genuflecting (or kneeling down) at the Lord's Table, say together with all those who shall receive the Communion or a Blessing, this Prayer following.

VWe do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy 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.

¶ Here the Minister says: “I will receive the Bread of Heaven and call upon the name of the Lord” then repeating thrice “Lord, I am not worthy . . . .” Ω and administering his communion and afterwards presenting the Host saying:

COMMUNION DEVOTIONS ¶ The People kneel.

¶ The Minister then turns toward the congregation and presents the consecrated Sacrament, and says: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him that takest away the sins of the world.

People: ¶Repeated three times. Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.

COMMUNION —¶ All are invited to come forward; those who wish to receive a Blessing instead of Holy Communion (where those who partake believe Christ is really and truly present) should so indicate by crossing their arms over their chest while kneeling at the Altar Rail.

COMMUNION HYMNSHYMN 36 What child is this GreensleevesHYMN 31 Good Christian men, rejoice In Dulce JubiloHYMN 40 God rest you merry God Rest You Merry

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING — ¶The People kneel. Minister: Let us pray.

Minister and the People say:

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

COMMUNION VERSE Zechariah 9.

POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT — O God, who hast given us grace at this time to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ: we laud and magnify thy glorious Name for the countless blessings which he hath brought unto us; and we beseech thee to grant that we may ever set forth thy praise in joyful obedience to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

DISMISSAL Celebrant: The Lord be with you.Response: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Depart in Peace, Alleluia, Alleluia!Response: Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!

¶ Here the Minister turns toward the Altar and says silently the following prayer:

PLACEAT TIBI: Let this my bounden duty and service be pleasing unto thee, O Holy Trinity; and grant that this sacrifice which I, all unworthy, have offered in the sight of thy Majesty, may be acceptable unto thee; and be for me and all them for whom I have offered it, a propitiation of thy loving-kindness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE BLESSING ¶ The People kneel. The Priest or Bishop first facing the Altar, then turns toward the congregation, while bestowing the Blessing.

Minister: The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. V And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

LAST GOSPEL ¶The People stand.

Minister: The Lord be with you.People : And with thy spirit.Minister: The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to

St. John. St. John I, 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was

with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which 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 beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

People: Thanks be to God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECESSIONAL HYMN 12 O come, all ye faithful Adeste Fideles

POSTLUDE Prelude and Fugue in B b major J. S. Bach

__________________________________________THANK YOU!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Thank you to those who contributed to the Christmas Decoration Fund and/or helped with the decorating. The efforts of all who took part in the Lessons and Carols service, including the reception, and also the preparations and cleaning for that and for the Christmas Season are greatly appreciated. Our Choir and Cantor, as well as Peter Biro our organist, our Youth Choir with the assistance of their accompanist, Kathy Eggleston, have helped immensely to bring us joy this Christmastide.

Christmas Greens and PoinsettiasThe Altar flowers and decorations are given to the Greater Glory of God the Father for giving His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who in the greatest Humility and Love came as our Infant King. The Cadden Family – In Thanksgiving for our

parents/grandparents May Straughan and William and Clare Cadden and in memory of Joseph M. Straughan. In Thanksgiving for all the blessings God has given our family.

Jack and Mary Nell Fried – In thanksgiving for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Charlotte Godsman – In Thanksgiving for my church family at St. Mary’s.

Doug Kerr – In memory of my parents, James Gordon Kerr and Dora McKay Kerr.

Bill and Jenny Moon – In grateful thanksgiving for the Clergy and Staff of St. Mary’s Church, for their loving and dedicated care.

Joe & Virginia Stratton – To the Honor and Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the Blessings of the Christmas Season.

Mark Trout – For continued growth of St. Mary’s Church.

The Andrews Family - To the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The Tashma Family – In loving memory of Ruth Tashma.

The Farrar Family – To the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the healthy birth of Delaney Estelle Glenn.

Ms. Mary Bell – For St. Mary’s Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel West – In thanksgiving for our Lord’s many Blessings.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Becker – In thanksgiving for St. Mary’s Church.

The Bell Family - To the glory of God, and in thanksgiving for our beautiful daughters, Nikki and Mary.

The Very Rev’d DeWitt F. Truitt – To the Glory of God and in grateful Thanksgiving for the many Blessings and prayers received by St. Mary’s and me from His many loving servants.

775 Antioch Arr. From George Frederick Handel, 1685 – 1759 By Lowell Mason 1792 – 1872

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THE INNOCENT SUFFER 1

"When they (the Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.' So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son.' When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." St. Matthew 2:13-18

I have chosen a passage of scripture that completes an Old Testament prophecy in a New Testament narrative, although it is not normally an element in any Lessons and Carols service. It is traditionally an Epiphany narrative. However, I believe this year, reflecting on the recent tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut, it is an extremely appropriate "Christmas" story.

Twenty innocent children ages five to seven were violently slaughtered, and six heroic women died with them trying to keep them out of harm’s way. There are toy’s that will remain unopened this Christmas day or be placed in the grave with a loved one. With less than two weeks to Christmas, this unimaginable and senseless attack on the least able to defend themselves, has turned the joy and happiness in the glowing faces of the children into a somber and unimaginable grief in the sad faces of parents, grandparents, husbands,

siblings and children. Our nation is in a season of national mourning, and everyone has been touched by the gravity of suffering and grief being experienced in this small New England town. Sadly, we are not shocked nearly as much as we might have been in earlier years. The seemingly logical response of the community is to take down the "holiday" decorations and cancel all holiday parties and other activities.

Our President spoke emotionally about the sad fact that these children would never experience a chance at life; they would never have an opportunity to have children and find loving spouses, etc. Indeed, it is a great tragedy, as is the tens of thousands of children violently killed in the wombs of their mothers. And yet, there is not the sense of national grief over these thousands of innocents, who will never "have a chance at life." Perhaps they are a matter of "out of sight, out of mind."

As the narrative tells us, untold babies were murdered by Herod in a failed attempt to hold onto his power. Their blood cried out to heaven, and God the Father grieved mightily. And yet the infant Jesus lived to die a violent death on a crude cross, taking upon himself all the violence and death the Evil One could muster, and, in so doing, redeemed the whole world, offering eternal life to all who would call upon his Name.

Even so, the Evil One continues his destructive mischief. We saw his face in Colorado, in Arizona, in Virginia, and in so many other places where senseless violence has resulted in the death of large numbers of people and usually a suicide. In looking for answers, we must begin with the realization that evil does exist and that we are in a cosmic battle for the kingdom of God and his perfect goodness.

Some Christmas word! I can imagine your thoughts as to why I have chosen to approach Christmas from such a somber perspective. I hope to remind us that the world into which the Son of God was born was one of darkness, in which thousands of innocent infants were slaughtered by a deranged

politician. Ultimately, however, they died at the hand of the Evil One, as did these Connecticut innocents. "Holiday Trees" (another device of the Evil One) will never bring the comfort and healing that Christmas trees bring because holiday trees have little or nothing to do with the birth of God's only Son into a dark world as the Savior of mankind.

The families who have lost loved ones in this evil tragedy may not find comfort, initially, in the fact that all of those innocents are now in the bosom of our God, held close to his heart, having been escorted to that safest of all places in the Universe by his holy angels. Our Father in Heaven did not take them from us. He received them back unto himself, healed them and made them whole again.

The faithful among those families will someday be reunited with their child or parent when our Father in heaven conquers evil, casts the Evil One into outer darkness, and establishes his eternal kingdom upon the earth. This is the message of Christmas, as the hymn says, "Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal" and as another well-known carol says "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

Let us also remember that as at this time

“ . . . is born a Saviour of a pure virgin bright to free all those who trust in him from Satan’s power and might.”

May our Lord’s Blessing rest upon you this Christmas and in the coming New Year.

+D. Presley

The Rt. Rev’d D. Presley Hutchens, Episcopal Visitor and Vicar Capitular to the Diocese of the Holy TrinityBishop Ordinary, Diocese of New Orleans (Ret.)1 Copyright: December 22, 2012, +D.P. Hutchens – All rights reserved.

_____________________________________________________________________________________RECTOR’S CHRISTMAS LETTER

“And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1: 14.] This Christmas we again celebrate the coming to us at Bethlehem [in the humble guise of an infant child born in a stable with a manger for his crib] of the offspring of a travelling carpenter and his wife, both of seemingly no importance.

We know that this child is the creator of all things that have been made and is the Divine co-equal with God the Father from the beginning before all time. And yet, He left his Divine position in Heaven, took human flesh by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a young virgin, and was born in impoverished circumstances of a mother of low estate in a town, then and even now, in and of itself, of little or no earthly importance.

He chose these circumstances of His birth to convey to each of us that He and His birth and His life portray that most elemental quality of character in an earthly progression toward an eternal life. That quality is humility, which proceeds from the greatest of the theological virtues, which we know as charity, frequently referred to as the gift of love.

You and I also are born of love; of God the Father through His only-begotten Son, by the Holy Spirit. We are created by God who, himself, is Love, as related to us by St. John. That Love is ever creating, expanding, and sharing. Consequently, we are created by God to share in His Love and to communicate it to all creation and also to Him our Creator.

Clothing Himself with the “garment” of humility, Christ offers us the manner through which we can acquire both understanding of His commandments and teachings and

obedience to them. This enables us avoid or recover from sin through His mercifuly forgiveness and rest in His guidance.

And thus each of us may then discover, as did St. Augustine, “ . . . that our heart is restless until it rests God.” [ cf. Confesions, I, I, 1. See, Magnificat Magazine, Dec. 1012, Vol. 14, No. 10, at p. 257.] And resting in God, we can say with the Apostle John, who said of Him (who called himself the Son of Man and was the Son of God), “Which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes . . . and touched with our hands.” [1 Jn 1: 1] And we will know that we have seen His Glory in His Church with fullness of Grace and Truth.

With thankfulness to our Savior, and to you for your prayers and kindness to me and my family, and for your love expressed to the clergy, to this congregation and to all our visitors, throughout this year past, may our Lord grant you a Blessed Christmas, and a Joyful New Year. May His example of humility empower our love for Him and for each other and for all whom we encounter at Saint Mary’s and in our daily walk. Merry Christmas. -- Fr. Truitt + 12/25/12. _____________________________________________________________________________________

WEEKLY SCHEDULE WITH MASS & PRAYER INTENTIONSDecember 24, 2012 through December 29, 2011

_____________________________________________________________________________________MON. FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS Mass: 10:30 p.m.24 (violet/white) Daily Office: 10:00 p.m. Intention: To be prepared for Christ’s arrival._____________________________________________________________________________________TUES. NATIVITY OF OUR LORD Mass: 10:30 a.m.25 (white) Daily Office: 10:00 a.m. Newcomer and Inquirers’ (By appointment) 6:00 p.m. resumes Jan. 8th Intention: To be thankful for Christ’s appearance. ______________________________________________________________________________________WED. ST. STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR 26 (red) Bible Study: Lehman Library—10:30 a.m. resumes Jan. 9thIntention: To be faithful to Christ when persecuted._____________________________________________________________________________________THUR. ST. JOHN, AP, EV. Mass: 9:30 a.m.27 (white) Daily Office: 9:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.Intention: To love Christ daily._____________________________________________________________________________________FRI. HOLY INNOCENTS Mass: 12:00 p.m. 28 (violet) Daily Office: 11:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.Intention: To pray for the Innocent and their persecutors. _____________________________________________________________________________________SAT. St. Thomas of Canterbury, B.M. Holy Rosary: 8:30 a.m.29 (red) Daily Office: 9:00 a.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Confessions: 10:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m.Intention: To pray for the opponents of the Church

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CLERGY & STAFF

Rector: The Very Rev’d Fr. DeWitt F. Truitt 720-219-7799Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Fr. David Knight 303-304-7775Parish Administrator: Sandy Campbell 303-758-7211 Treasurer: Penny Bell 720-256-5421 Sr. Warden: T.J. Hanley 720-208-8537Jr. Warden: Henry Carter 303-435-7357Organist: Peter Biro 719-578-8468Sexton: Bryan Tyson 720-273-2237Bishop Visitor: The Rt. Rev’d D. Presley Hutchens 318-527-9213Metropolitan: The Most Rev’d Mark D. Haverland 706-543-8657