We warmly invite you to join us for Morning Prayer on December 29, 2024, at 9 am as we continue to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas.
Whether you are looking for a spiritual home, seeking solace during the holiday season, or exploring the Episcopal tradition for the first time, we welcome you with open arms. This service is an excellent opportunity for reflection, community, and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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The Collect for the 1st Sunday after Christmas 2024
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.
Scripture Readings for 1st Sunday after Christmas 2024
Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
10I 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. 11For 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.
1For 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. 2The 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. 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Psalm: 147 or 147:13-21
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.
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.
21 He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!
Epistle: Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7
23Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Gospel: John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14And 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.
15(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.’”)16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Reflection on the Readings for the 1st Sunday after Christmas 2024
The readings for this Sunday highlight the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives and the world. In Isaiah, we are reminded of the joy and salvation that come from God’s righteousness and faithfulness. This passage calls us to rejoice in the Lord and celebrate His redeeming love.
Psalm 147 praises God’s care and provision, emphasizing His power and blessings upon His people. This psalm encourages us to trust God’s strength and grace and recognize His work.
In Galatians, Paul speaks of the liberation and adoption we receive through Christ. This passage reassures us of our identity as children of God and heirs to His promise, reminding us of the profound love and grace that Jesus brings into our lives.
The Gospel of John proclaims the incarnation of the Word, the light of all people. This profound passage invites us to reflect on the mystery of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us, filling our hearts with His light and truth.
Hymns
- Opening: 87 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Hymn of Praise: 96 Angles We Have Heard On High vs 1 and 3
- Sequence: 107 Good Christian Friends Rejoice
- Closing: 110 The Snow Lay on the ground
Join Us for the 1st Sunday after Christmas 2024
Experience the beauty and reverence of our worship through our live stream, available during the service. If you cannot attend in person, catch the replay and podcast. Our community is here to support and uplift you, and we look forward to celebrating this blessed season together.
We hope to see you this Sunday as we continue to celebrate the birth of our Savior and the light He brings into the world. May the light of Christ shine brightly in your hearts this season and always.
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