Special Services

This Eucharist in the chapel makes space for all of the ways that this time of year is also hard. It is a Christmas liturgy of hope for those of us also living with loss, regret, disappointment, and pain. All are welcome.

The Collect
God of mercy, hear our prayer in this Advent season for ourselves and those we love, who await your kingdom in the midst of suffering and loss. We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow, and peace for the past. We ask these things in the name of Christ who entered the world at Christmas to share our life in sorrow and joy, death and new birth, despair and promise. Amen.

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, at the 11 a.m. service, our children and youth will lead our worship service with their performance of “The Friendly Beasts.” It is the story of Jesus’ birth told through the eyes of the animals.  This performance is a gift from the young people of our church to our congregation. After the service, you are invited to a reception to celebrate our children and youth. This the perfect time to tell your favorite little “Friendly Beasts” what a joy it is to share moments like this with them and take pictures.

These celebratory services incorporate Holy Eucharist, traditional carols for the whole congregation to sing, and wonderful anthems from the Saint Paul’s Choir accompanied by local musicians. A nursery is available at the 4:00 p.m. service in the Children’s Ministry Wing. Both services will be live-streamed on our Facebook and YouTube pages; the 10:00 p.m. service will be broadcast live on WGAC 580 AM and 95.1 FM, and online at wgac.com.

Collect for The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day
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.

Joy to the World!  Join us as we celebrate Christ’s birth with Communion and Carols.  This is a small, but warm gathering in the Chapel of the Church on Christmas morning.

Collect for The Nativity of Our Lord: 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. 

Christmastide is the joyous and short season between the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and the Feast of the Epiphany. On the First Sunday of Christmas, we continue to celebrate with A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 11:00 AM. This beloved tradition helps us to set the mystery of the incarnation into the larger sweep the biblical story of God’s salvation for the world. These are the stories that shape our lives as we pass through the church’s year of grace, year after year, season by season, and Sunday by Sunday.

Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. 

The Prayer Book notes Holy Baptism is especially appropriate on four dates: at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or All Saints’ Sunday, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, January 12, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord. All who wish to be baptized are invited to contact Fr. Eric

Collect for Baptism
Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, you turn us from the old life of sin: Grant that we, being reborn to new life in him, may live in righteousness and holiness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.