St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Feast of St. Stephen

December 26, 2021 •Ê10:00 am

The Order for Worship Congregational responses are in bold print. Music is found in the Hymnal, or as indicated. PRELUDEÊ Fum, Fum, Fum settingÊbyÊJohnÊLeavitt Come All Ye Shepherds settingÊbyÊJohnÊLeavitt ÊÊÊÊ ÊÊ (INÊPERSONÊONLY) (Please rise.) PROCESSIONAL It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Hymnal1982 #89 LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE After all the candles are lit, the Celebrant offers a prayer

All are welcome at St. Stephen’s.

TheÊpeopleÊofÊSt.ÊStephen’sÊseekÊtoÊbeÊtheÊheartÊandÊhandsÊofÊChristÊtoÊeachÊotherÊandÊtheÊworld.ÊForÊus,ÊpartÊofÊthatÊisÊrecognizingÊGodÊisÊinÊourÊmidstÊandÊinÊeachÊofÊus.ÊWeÊhopeÊourÊworshipÊgivesÊyouÊaÊsenseÊofÊthatÊsacredÊpresence.Ê

ThankÊyouÊforÊhelpingÊusÊkeepÊeveryoneÊinÊourÊchurchÊcommunityÊsafeÊduringÊCOVIDÊbyÊwearing a mask and maintaining social distance.ÊÊIfÊyouÊareÊjoiningÊusÊviaÊzoom,ÊthankÊyouÊforÊkeepingÊyourÊmicrophoneÊmutedÊunlessÊitÊisÊanÊappropriateÊtimeÊtoÊspeakÊtoÊtheÊcongregationÊasÊaÊwhole.Ê

OtherÊthanÊtheseÊrequests,ÊweÊinviteÊyouÊtoÊparticipateÊinÊourÊworshipÊinÊwhateverÊwayÊisÊmostÊlife-givingÊforÊyou.ÊÊBecauseÊweÊareÊdifferentÊpeopleÊworshipingÊtogether,Êyou’llÊnoticeÊthatÊdifferentÊpeopleÊdoÊdifferentÊthingsÊatÊdifferentÊtimes.ÊFeelÊfreeÊtoÊstandÊwhenÊothersÊsit,ÊmakeÊtheÊsignÊofÊtheÊcross,ÊholdÊhandsÊwithÊyourÊpartner,ÊorÊsingÊoffÊkey.ÊGodÊlovesÊandÊacceptsÊyouÊunconditionallyÊandÊsoÊdoÊwe.Ê

-theÊPeopleÊofÊSt.ÊStephen’s

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OPENING ACCLAMATION Celebrant: Alleluia!ÊForÊuntoÊusÊaÊchildÊisÊborn. People: For unto us a child is given. Alleluia! COLLECT FOR PURITY

AlmightyÊGod,ÊtoÊyouÊallÊheartsÊareÊopen,ÊallÊdesiresÊknown,ÊandÊfromÊyouÊnoÊsecretsÊareÊhid:ÊCleanseÊtheÊthoughtsÊofÊourÊheartsÊbyÊtheÊinspirationÊofÊyourÊHolyÊSpirit,ÊthatÊweÊmayÊperfectlyÊloveÊyou,ÊandÊworthilyÊmagnifyÊyourÊholyÊName;ÊthroughÊChristÊourÊLord.ÊAmen.

Ê

GLORIA Angels We Have Heard On High Hymnal 1982 #96 (refrain only)

COLLECT OF THE DAY Celebrant: TheÊLordÊbeÊwithÊyou. People: And also with you. Celebrant: LetÊusÊpray.Ê

WeÊgiveÊyouÊthanks,ÊOÊLordÊofÊglory,ÊforÊtheÊexampleÊofÊtheÊfirstÊmartyrÊStephen,ÊwhoÊlookedÊupÊtoÊheavenÊandÊprayedÊforÊhisÊpersecutorsÊtoÊyourÊSonÊJesusÊChrist,ÊwhoÊstandsÊatÊyourÊrightÊhand:ÊwhereÊheÊlivesÊandÊreignsÊwithÊyouÊandÊtheÊHolyÊSpirit,ÊoneÊGod,ÊinÊgloryÊeverlasting.ÊAmen

(Please be seated.)

ÊÊÊTHE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15IÊÊÊ

AtÊtheÊbeginningÊofÊtheÊreignÊofÊKingÊJehoiakimÊsonÊofÊJosiahÊofÊJudah,ÊthisÊwordÊcameÊfromÊtheÊLord:ÊThusÊsaysÊtheÊLord:ÊStandÊinÊtheÊcourtÊofÊtheÊLord'sÊhouse,ÊandÊspeakÊtoÊallÊtheÊcitiesÊofÊJudahÊthatÊcomeÊtoÊworshipÊinÊtheÊhouseÊofÊtheÊLord;ÊspeakÊtoÊthemÊallÊtheÊwordsÊthatÊIÊcommandÊyou;ÊdoÊnotÊholdÊbackÊaÊword.ÊItÊmayÊbeÊthatÊtheyÊwillÊlisten,ÊallÊofÊthem,ÊandÊwillÊturnÊfromÊtheirÊevilÊway,ÊthatÊIÊmayÊchangeÊmyÊmindÊaboutÊtheÊdisasterÊthatÊIÊintendÊtoÊbringÊonÊthemÊbecauseÊofÊtheirÊevilÊdoings.ÊYouÊshallÊsayÊtoÊthem:ÊThusÊsaysÊtheÊLord:ÊIfÊyouÊwillÊnotÊlistenÊtoÊme,ÊtoÊwalkÊinÊmyÊlawÊthatÊIÊhaveÊsetÊbeforeÊyou,ÊandÊtoÊheedÊtheÊwordsÊofÊmyÊservantsÊtheÊprophetsÊwhomÊIÊsendÊtoÊyouÊurgently--ÊthoughÊyouÊhaveÊnotÊheeded--ÊthenÊIÊwillÊmakeÊthisÊhouseÊlikeÊShiloh,ÊandÊIÊwillÊmakeÊthisÊcityÊaÊcurseÊforÊallÊtheÊnationsÊofÊtheÊearth.

TheÊpriestsÊandÊtheÊprophetsÊandÊallÊtheÊpeopleÊheardÊJeremiahÊspeakingÊtheseÊwordsÊinÊtheÊhouseÊofÊtheÊLord.ÊAndÊwhenÊJeremiahÊhadÊfinishedÊspeakingÊallÊthatÊtheÊLordÊhadÊcommandedÊhimÊtoÊspeakÊtoÊallÊtheÊpeople,ÊthenÊtheÊpriestsÊandÊtheÊ

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prophetsÊandÊallÊtheÊpeopleÊlaidÊholdÊofÊhim,Êsaying,Ê"YouÊshallÊdie!ÊWhyÊhaveÊyouÊprophesiedÊinÊtheÊnameÊofÊtheÊLord,Êsaying,Ê`ThisÊhouseÊshallÊbeÊlikeÊShiloh,ÊandÊthisÊcityÊshallÊbeÊdesolate,ÊwithoutÊinhabitant'?"ÊAndÊallÊtheÊpeopleÊgatheredÊaroundÊJeremiahÊinÊtheÊhouseÊofÊtheÊLord.Ê

ThenÊJeremiahÊspokeÊtoÊallÊtheÊofficialsÊandÊallÊtheÊpeople,Êsaying,Ê"ItÊisÊtheÊLordÊwhoÊsentÊmeÊtoÊprophesyÊagainstÊthisÊhouseÊandÊthisÊcityÊallÊtheÊwordsÊyouÊhaveÊheard.ÊNowÊthereforeÊamendÊyourÊwaysÊandÊyourÊdoings,ÊandÊobeyÊtheÊvoiceÊofÊtheÊLordÊyourÊGod,ÊandÊtheÊLordÊwillÊchangeÊhisÊmindÊaboutÊtheÊdisasterÊthatÊheÊhasÊpronouncedÊagainstÊyou.ÊButÊasÊforÊme,ÊhereÊIÊamÊinÊyourÊhands.ÊDoÊwithÊmeÊasÊseemsÊgoodÊandÊrightÊtoÊyou.ÊOnlyÊknowÊforÊcertainÊthatÊifÊyouÊputÊmeÊtoÊdeath,ÊyouÊwillÊbeÊbringingÊinnocentÊbloodÊuponÊyourselvesÊandÊuponÊthisÊcityÊandÊitsÊinhabitants,ÊforÊinÊtruthÊtheÊLordÊsentÊmeÊtoÊyouÊtoÊspeakÊallÊtheseÊwordsÊinÊyourÊears."

Reader:Ê TheÊWordÊofÊtheÊLord. People: Thanks be to God. PSALM 31:1-5 InÊyou,ÊOÊLord,ÊhaveÊIÊtakenÊrefuge; letÊmeÊneverÊbeÊputÊtoÊshame;Ê deliver me in your righteousness. InclineÊyourÊearÊtoÊme;Ê make haste to deliver me. BeÊmyÊstrongÊrock,ÊaÊcastleÊtoÊkeepÊmeÊsafe, forÊyouÊareÊmyÊcragÊandÊmyÊstronghold;Ê for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me. TakeÊmeÊoutÊofÊtheÊnetÊthatÊtheyÊhaveÊsecretlyÊsetÊforÊme,Ê for you are my tower of strength. IntoÊyourÊhandsÊIÊcommendÊmyÊspirit,Ê for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. SECOND LESSON Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60 Stephen,ÊfullÊofÊgraceÊandÊpower,ÊdidÊgreatÊwondersÊandÊsignsÊamongÊtheÊpeople.ÊThenÊsomeÊofÊthoseÊwhoÊbelongedÊtoÊtheÊsynagogueÊofÊtheÊFreedmenÊ(asÊitÊwasÊcalled),ÊCyrenians,ÊAlexandrians,ÊandÊothersÊofÊthoseÊfromÊCiliciaÊandÊAsia,ÊstoodÊupÊandÊarguedÊwithÊStephen.ÊButÊtheyÊcouldÊnotÊwithstandÊtheÊwisdomÊandÊtheÊSpiritÊwithÊwhichÊheÊspoke.ÊThenÊtheyÊsecretlyÊinstigatedÊsomeÊmenÊtoÊsay,Ê"WeÊhaveÊheardÊhimÊspeakÊblasphemousÊwordsÊagainstÊMosesÊandÊGod."ÊTheyÊstirredÊupÊtheÊpeopleÊasÊwellÊasÊtheÊeldersÊandÊtheÊscribes;ÊthenÊtheyÊsuddenlyÊconfrontedÊhim,ÊseizedÊhim,ÊandÊbroughtÊhimÊbeforeÊtheÊcouncil.ÊTheyÊsetÊupÊfalseÊwitnessesÊwhoÊsaid,Ê"ThisÊmanÊneverÊstopsÊsayingÊthingsÊagainstÊthisÊholyÊplaceÊandÊtheÊlaw;ÊforÊweÊhaveÊheardÊhimÊsayÊthatÊthisÊJesusÊofÊNazarethÊwillÊdestroyÊthisÊplaceÊandÊwillÊchangeÊtheÊcustomsÊthatÊMosesÊhandedÊonÊtoÊus."ÊAndÊallÊwhoÊsatÊinÊtheÊ

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councilÊlookedÊintentlyÊatÊhim,ÊandÊtheyÊsawÊthatÊhisÊfaceÊwasÊlikeÊtheÊfaceÊofÊanÊangel. ThenÊtheÊhighÊpriestÊaskedÊhim,Ê"AreÊtheseÊthingsÊso?"ÊAndÊStephenÊreplied:Ê"BrothersÊandÊfathers,ÊlistenÊtoÊme.ÊYouÊareÊforeverÊopposingÊtheÊHolyÊSpirit,ÊjustÊasÊyourÊancestorsÊusedÊtoÊdo.ÊWhichÊofÊtheÊprophetsÊdidÊyourÊancestorsÊnotÊpersecute?ÊTheyÊkilledÊthoseÊwhoÊforetoldÊtheÊcomingÊofÊtheÊRighteousÊOne,ÊandÊnowÊyouÊhaveÊbecomeÊhisÊbetrayersÊandÊmurderers.ÊYouÊareÊtheÊonesÊthatÊreceivedÊtheÊlawÊasÊordainedÊbyÊangels,ÊandÊyetÊyouÊhaveÊnotÊkeptÊit." WhenÊtheyÊheardÊtheseÊthings,ÊtheyÊbecameÊenragedÊandÊgroundÊtheirÊteethÊatÊStephen.ÊButÊfilledÊwithÊtheÊHolyÊSpirit,ÊheÊgazedÊintoÊheavenÊandÊsawÊtheÊgloryÊofÊGodÊandÊJesusÊstandingÊatÊtheÊrightÊhandÊofÊGod.Ê"Look,"ÊheÊsaid,Ê"IÊseeÊtheÊheavensÊopenedÊandÊtheÊSonÊofÊManÊstandingÊatÊtheÊrightÊhandÊofÊGod!"ÊButÊtheyÊcoveredÊtheirÊears,ÊandÊwithÊaÊloudÊshoutÊallÊrushedÊtogetherÊagainstÊhim.ÊThenÊtheyÊdraggedÊhimÊoutÊofÊtheÊcityÊandÊbeganÊtoÊstoneÊhim;ÊandÊtheÊwitnessesÊlaidÊtheirÊcoatsÊatÊtheÊfeetÊofÊaÊyoungÊmanÊnamedÊSaul.ÊWhileÊtheyÊwereÊstoningÊStephen,ÊheÊprayed,Ê"LordÊJesus,ÊreceiveÊmyÊspirit."ÊThenÊheÊkneltÊdownÊandÊcriedÊoutÊinÊaÊloudÊvoice,Ê"Lord,ÊdoÊnotÊholdÊthisÊsinÊagainstÊthem."ÊWhenÊheÊhadÊsaidÊthis,ÊheÊdied. Reader: TheÊWordÊofÊtheÊLord. People: Thanks be to God.

(Please stand as you are able.) SEQUENCE HYMN In The Bleak Midwinter The Hymnal 1982 #112 THE GOSPEL Matthew 23:34-39 Celebrant: TheÊHolyÊGospelÊofÊourÊLordÊJesusÊChrist,ÊaccordingÊtoÊMatthewÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊPeople: Glory to you, Lord Christ JesusÊsaid,Ê"ThereforeÊIÊsendÊyouÊprophets,Êsages,ÊandÊscribes,ÊsomeÊofÊwhomÊyouÊwillÊkillÊandÊcrucify,ÊandÊsomeÊyouÊwillÊflogÊinÊyourÊsynagoguesÊandÊpursueÊfromÊtownÊtoÊtown,ÊsoÊthatÊuponÊyouÊmayÊcomeÊallÊtheÊrighteousÊbloodÊshedÊonÊearth,ÊfromÊtheÊbloodÊofÊrighteousÊAbelÊtoÊtheÊbloodÊofÊZechariahÊsonÊofÊBarachiah,ÊwhomÊyouÊmurderedÊbetweenÊtheÊsanctuaryÊandÊtheÊaltar.ÊTrulyÊIÊtellÊyou,ÊallÊthisÊwillÊcomeÊuponÊthisÊgeneration. "Jerusalem,ÊJerusalem,ÊtheÊcityÊthatÊkillsÊtheÊprophetsÊandÊstonesÊthoseÊwhoÊareÊsentÊtoÊit!ÊHowÊoftenÊhaveÊIÊdesiredÊtoÊgatherÊyourÊchildrenÊtogetherÊasÊaÊhenÊgathersÊherÊbroodÊunderÊherÊwings,ÊandÊyouÊwereÊnotÊwilling!ÊSee,ÊyourÊhouseÊisÊleftÊtoÊyou,Êdesolate.ÊForÊIÊtellÊyou,ÊyouÊwillÊnotÊseeÊmeÊagainÊuntilÊyouÊsay,Ê`BlessedÊisÊtheÊoneÊwhoÊcomesÊinÊtheÊnameÊofÊtheÊLord.'" Celebrant: TheÊGospelÊofÊtheÊLord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

THE SERMON GeorgeÊBiedenstein,ÊPostulantÊtoÊtheÊDeaconateÊ

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Please rise.

THE NICENE CREED BCPÊp.358 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, by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from 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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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.

(Please remain standing or kneel.)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE : Form II, Book of Common Prayer, page 385

IÊaskÊyourÊprayersÊforÊGod'sÊpeopleÊthroughoutÊtheÊworld;ÊforÊourÊBishops;ÊforÊthisÊgathering;ÊandÊforÊallÊministersÊandÊpeople. PrayÊforÊtheÊChurch. Silence

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IÊaskÊyourÊprayersÊforÊpeace;ÊforÊgoodwillÊamongÊnations;ÊandÊforÊtheÊwell-beingÊofÊallÊpeople. PrayÊforÊjusticeÊandÊpeace. Silence IÊaskÊyourÊprayersÊforÊtheÊpoor,ÊtheÊsick,ÊtheÊhungry,ÊtheÊoppressed,ÊandÊthoseÊinÊprison. PrayÊforÊthoseÊinÊanyÊneedÊorÊtrouble. Silence IÊaskÊyourÊprayersÊforÊallÊwhoÊseekÊGod,ÊorÊaÊdeeperÊknowledgeÊofÊGod. PrayÊthatÊtheyÊmayÊfindÊandÊbeÊfoundÊbyÊGod. Silence IÊaskÊyourÊprayersÊforÊtheÊdeparted. PrayÊforÊthoseÊwhoÊhaveÊdied. Silence PraiseÊGodÊforÊthoseÊinÊeveryÊgenerationÊinÊwhomÊChristÊhasÊbeenÊhonored. PrayÊthatÊweÊmayÊhaveÊgraceÊtoÊglorifyÊChristÊinÊourÊownÊday.

Silence The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect. . PRAYERS FOR BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

THE PEACE

Celebrant: TheÊpeaceÊofÊChristÊbeÊalwaysÊwithÊyou.Ê People: And also with you. Please greet those around you.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

OFFERTORY Prelude from Incarnation Suite on "Puer natus est nobis" JoelÊMartinson

(INÊPERSONÊONLY) InÊtheÊbeginningÊwasÊtheÊWord,ÊandÊtheÊWordÊwasÊwithÊGod,ÊandÊtheÊWordÊwasÊGod.ÊInÊhimÊwasÊlife,ÊandÊtheÊlifeÊwasÊtheÊlightÊofÊhumankind. Note: The Incarnation Suite consists of four parts. The Prelude begins with a brief statement of the first phrase of the introit harmonized by complex chords. A livelier section follows leading to a return of the opening statement. Joel Martinson comes from two generations of clergy-musician families. He is known for his fresh, modern approach to composing enjoyed by congregations. Some of his music is represented in the hymnal, Wonder, Love and Praise which you can find in our pews.

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We appreciate your generous support of our ministry and mission. No matter how much you have to offer, we hope you will take this time to offer your gratitude to God.

(After the collection, the gifts are brought forward and all stand and sing:)

OFFERTORY RESPONSE Hymnal1982 # 380 (Verse 3)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host: Praise /Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING: Prayer B, Book of Common Prayer, page 367

TheÊLordÊbeÊwithÊyou.ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ And also with you. LiftÊupÊyourÊhearts We lift them up to the Lord LetÊusÊgiveÊthanksÊtoÊtheÊLordÊourÊGod.ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ It is right to give God thanks and praise. ItÊisÊright,ÊandÊaÊgoodÊandÊjoyfulÊthing,ÊalwaysÊandÊeveryÊwhereÊtoÊgiveÊthanksÊtoÊyou,ÊFatherÊAlmighty,ÊCreatorÊofÊheavenÊandÊearth.Ê.Ê.Therefore,ÊjoiningÊwithÊAngelsÊandÊArchangelsÊandÊwithÊtheÊfaithfulÊofÊeveryÊgeneration,ÊweÊliftÊourÊvoicesÊwithÊallÊcreationÊasÊweÊsay:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ(Please stand or kneel.) WeÊgiveÊthanksÊtoÊyou,ÊOÊGod,ÊforÊtheÊgoodnessÊandÊloveÊwhichÊyouÊhaveÊmadeÊknownÊtoÊusÊinÊcreation.Ê.Ê.ÊTherefore,ÊaccordingÊtoÊhisÊcommand,ÊOÊFather We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory.

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AndÊweÊofferÊourÊsacrificeÊofÊpraiseÊandÊthanksgivingÊtoÊyou,ÊOÊLordÊofÊall.Ê.Ê.ÊByÊhim,ÊandÊwithÊhim,ÊandÊinÊhim,ÊinÊtheÊunityÊofÊtheÊholyÊSpiritÊallÊhonorÊandÊgloryÊisÊyours,ÊAlmightyÊFather,ÊnowÊandÊforÊever.ÊÊAMEN. THE LORD’S PRAYER AsÊourÊSaviorÊChristÊhasÊtaughtÊus,ÊweÊnowÊpray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Celebrant: AlleluiaÊChristÊourÊPassoverÊisÊsacrificedÊforÊus;ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊPeople: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Celebrant: TheÊGiftsÊofÊGodÊforÊtheÊPeopleÊofÊGod.Ê THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE All are welcome to receive Communion. As the ushers direct, you may come forward to receive, standing at the Altar Rail, or let the usher know you wish to receive Communion in your pew. Leave masks in place until the Altar party is socially distanced from you. You may then consume the bread then the wine or hold onto your bread to dip into the wine and then consume both. Please remember to replace your mask after you have consumed communion. Acolytes will come by to collect the cups. If you do not wish to receive communion, cross your arms to receive a blessing. If you need a gluten free wafer, fold your hands down or let the priest know. COMMUNION MUSIC Cantilena from Incarnation Suite JoelÊMartinson

(INÊPERSONÊONLY) AndÊtheÊWordÊbecameÊfleshÊandÊdweltÊamongÊus,ÊfullÊofÊgraceÊandÊtruth.

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(Please stand as you are able.) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION LetÊusÊpray.Ê 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 for ever. Amen. THE BLESSING RECESSIONAL How Bright Appears the Morning Star Hymnal 1982 #496 THE DISMISSAL The Celebrant dismisses the people. People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia POSTLUDE Good King Wenceslas arrangedÊbyÊVirgilÊFox

(INÊPERSONÊONLY)

TheÊpostludeÊisÊpresentedÊinÊhonorÊofÊSt.ÊStephen'sÊDay.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED LEAD TODAY’S WORSHIP

Usher:ÊÊ TomÊBurkhart,ÊMaryÊBazel

Acolytes:ÊÊ GeorgeÊBiedenstein,ÊKathyÊEverett

Readers:ÊÊ BettyÊRich,ÊDonneÊPuckle,ÊHarryÊSeese

AltarÊGuild:ÊÊ JeanÊBurkhart

TechnicalÊSupport: TheÊBradleys

Coming Soon to St. Stephen’s

FeastÊofÊtheÊEpiphany Sunday, January 9 @10am

AnnualÊMeeting Sunday, January 23 @11:30am (immediately following worship)

5thÊSundayÊNewcomerÊMeetÊandÊGreet Sunday, January 30@11:30am

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1ÊDelÊMarÊCircleÊ•ÊAurora,ÊCOÊÊ80011Ê•Ê303-364-3186 www.ststephensaurora.orgÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ

www.facebook.com/ststephensaurora

St. Stephen’s Staff

TheÊReverendÊKateÊBradsen,ÊRector GwenÊBlumenschein,ÊDirectorÊofÊMusic

CathiÊLong,ÊOfficeÊAdministrator

PatrickÊWilson,ÊFacilities