Messiah - St.

Bartholomew Episcopal Church

The First Sunday after Christmas
December 27, 2020
10:00 a.m.
(an online service)

The Rev. Isaac K.N.O. Bonney, Priest-In-Charge

Clifford Michael Gale and Donna M. Strickland, Wardens
 Introit Emmanuel
Opening Hymn Siyahamba Pg 9

Opening Acclamation
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Almighty God to you all hearts are open, all desires known and from you no secrets
are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that
we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Collect
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 forever. Amen.
First Reading Isaiah 61:10- 62:3
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has
clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of
righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns
herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes
what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for
Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her
salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings
your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will
give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in
the hand of your God.

Psalm 147
Refrain: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

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3 He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10 He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12 But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.]
13 Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
14 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
15 He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16 He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
17 He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18 He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
19 He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20 He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.

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21 He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!

Second Reading Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith
would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that
we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to
a disciplinarian. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that
we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the
Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave
but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Gradual Jesus, The Light of the World Pg 9

The Holy Gospel John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and
without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,
and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He
himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world
came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his
own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed
in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or
of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh
and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full
of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said,
'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his
fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through
Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God
the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Homily Fr. Isaac Bonney

During the Creed, unmute or press *6 on your phone to recite together.

Nicene Creed
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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.

Prayers of the People

During the Prayers of the people unmute or press *6 on your phone to join in the responses.
In Christ God’s Word has become flesh, dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. Let us
pray to the true light which enlightens the world, asking that all creation may receive grace
upon grace from the fullness of God, saying: What has come into being in Christ was life,
and the life was the light of all people.
You have called the Church to witness to the light which enlightens everyone: Empower our
testimony that all persons may know themselves to be children of God and share the gospel of
the Word made flesh.
What has come into being in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Inspire the leaders of our nation and all in authority in the ways of grace and truth, that we may
no longer be a people enslaved under the law, but know ourselves to be heirs, adopted as God’s
own children.
What has come into being in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Be light in the darkness for all the world, that the fullness of Christ's heart may be made known
for the healing of the earth.
What has come into being in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people.

Live among us, O Word made flesh, and reconcile this community to your light.
What has come into being in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people.
May your people sing a new song for your marvelous work, as we pray in faith for ___.
Hear our gratitude for your glory manifest among us, especially for ___ .
Receive those who have died as heirs of eternal life, especially ___.
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What has come into being in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Loving and gracious Creator, from the beginning you have brightened our darkness with the
light of your life: Let your vindication shine out like the dawn, and your salvation like a
burning torch, that your Word made flesh may bring grace upon grace to all the earth, in the
power of your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Peace
The Lord’s Prayer
The Blessing
May you receive the true light which enlightens everyone, for you are children of God,
born of God.

May you testify to the Word made flesh, living among us, full grace and truth.
May the Spirit give you life, the life that is the light which shines in the darkness and
cannot be overcome.
And the blessing of our glorious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and
enlighten you, now and forever. Amen.

Closing Song This Little Light Of Mine Pg 9

The Dismissal
Director of Music: Darius Fearrington
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THE SECOND DAY OF KWANZAA

Ujima
Ujima is the principle of collective work and responsibility. It recognizes the need for
African Americans to work together to build and maintain our communities. We must
make our sisters’ and brothers’ problems our problems, and solve them together.
Let us also remember our ancestors who are now at rest.
Our fathers and mothers came here, lived, loved struggled and built here. At this place, their
love and labor rose like the sun and gave strength and meaning to the day. For them, then,
who gave so much, we give in return. On this same soil, we will sow our seeds and build and
move in unity and strength. Here too, we will continue their struggle for liberation and a high
level of human life. May our eyes be like the eagle, our strength like the elephant, and the
boldness of our life like the lion. And may we remember and honor our ancestors and the
legacy they left for as long as the sun shines and the waters flow.
A Christmas Message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

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Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare
him room, and heaven and nature sing.
Perhaps like me, you’ve sung this hymn for years in church, at home with your family,
gathered with friends and neighbours. Perhaps you’ve sung it to yourself in your car, on
a walk, or quietly in the dark of night.
Joy to the world!

While we may not feel joyful this year as the pandemic of disease continues to bring
sickness and death, when fear and mistrust – a darkness – threatens to overcome the
light, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, must bear joy to this aching world. We must
shine light into the darkness – Joy to the world!
Like much in our lives, proclaiming joy is difficult work – also good and essential work
– especially now. Though we mourn that which is lost in our lives, our families, and our
communities – Joy to the world!
While we strive to pull up the twisted and thorny vines of hatred and bigotry and anger
– Joy to the world!
Through streaming tears and gritted teeth – Joy to the world! – because God is breaking
into our lives and into this world anew.
While this is a strange year, the ministry He gives us remains the same. We will prepare
him room in our hearts by taking on the ministry Jesus demands of us: feed those who
are hungry; welcome the stranger; clothe those who are naked; heal those who are sick;
visit the prisoner. Love God. Love your neighbour. Sing joy into this old world. Prepare
him room.
Saint Luke writes of the first Christmas, “[Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and
wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room
for them in the inn.” There, in the simplest bed, in the cool of the night, in a trough, in
bands of cloth, lies the One for whom no room was made. And yet strangely, there lies
the One whom not even the universe can contain.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come. In your hearts, in your homes, in your lives,
prepare him room.
God love you; God bless you; and may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.

SPECIAL INTENTIONS
Please pray for those in distress of body, mind or spirit: Marzelle, Laura,
Dianne, Renee, Sarah, Florence, Ted, Van, Mary Hope, Shirley W.,
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 Covid-19 patients, Our Nation, Jean Anthony, Jacob Blake Jr., Louis Jordan.
Darryl Fleming, Adrian, Pansy, George D., George and Matthias, and Trinity families
December Birthdays: Derrick Watkins – 2 * Rev. Juan Reed – 14 * Carolyn Cooper - 17
Rev. Mary Tororeiy – 18 * Dolores Williams Wright -22 * Jacqueline Faniel – 23

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Service at 10 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81276874031?pwd=S2xSVTJ4T0t1RWdFUjV5NSt1MFZ5UT09
Phone: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 812 7687 4031
Passcode: 902663

.DIOCESAN NEWS
A NEW DAY!!!
On December 12th, The Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark was elected to be the thirteenth
bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. She will be the first Black person and the
first woman to hold the position. Clark, who currently serves as canon to the ordinary and
chief of staff in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, was chosen unanimously on the
fourth ballot in an election conducted on Zoom from a slate originally composed of four
candidates. She received 229 clergy votes and 284 lay votes
Clark, who is scheduled to be consecrated on April 24, will succeed Bishop Jeffrey D. Lee,
who is retiring on December 31, as bishop of a diocese that includes 122 congregations and
more than 31,000 members in northern, central and southwestern Illinois. Under the canons
of the Episcopal Church, the diocese’s Standing Committee will serve as its ecclesiastical
authority during the interim.

SERVICE HYMNS
Siyahamba, ekukanyen' kwenkos',
Siyahamba, ekukanyen' kwenkos',
Siyahamba, ekukanyen' kwenkos',
Siyahamba, ekukanyen' kwenkos',
Siyahamba, siyahamba, oh,
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'.
Siyahamba, siyahamba, oh,
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'.
3 Christ, by highest heav'n adored. 
Jesus, the light of the world.
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain] 8
4 Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace. 
Jesus, the light of the world.
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain]
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MESSIAH-ST. BARTHOLOMEW EPISCOPAL CHURCH
8255 S. DANTE AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60619
(773) 721-3232
Email: messiahstbarth@comcast.net
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