GRACE CHURCH OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD

  • WELCOME
  • Contact Us
  • 2024 Evaluation Form
  • Leadership
  • Parish Calendar
  • Online Sunday Services at Grace
    • 01.18.26 The Second Sunday After the Epiphany
    • 01.11.26 The First Sunday After the Epiphany
    • 01.04.26 2nd Sunday after Christmas
    • 12.28.2025 1st Sunday after Christmas
  • Church and Faith
    • African American Heritage Trail
    • Our Three-Year Plan
    • Weddings
    • History of Grace Church
  • Praise and Sweat Classes
  • Climate Change
  • Donate
  • Liturgies to Say at Home
    • Spiritual Communion
    • Morning Prayer
    • Daily Devotions
    • Noonday Prayer
    • Evening Prayer
    • Compline for nightly use
    • The Angelus
    • BCP Services
  • Community Suppers
    • Community Suppers
    • Summer Lobster Rolls
  • WELCOME
  • Contact Us
  • 2024 Evaluation Form
  • Leadership
  • Parish Calendar
  • Online Sunday Services at Grace
    • 01.18.26 The Second Sunday After the Epiphany
    • 01.11.26 The First Sunday After the Epiphany
    • 01.04.26 2nd Sunday after Christmas
    • 12.28.2025 1st Sunday after Christmas
  • Church and Faith
    • African American Heritage Trail
    • Our Three-Year Plan
    • Weddings
    • History of Grace Church
  • Praise and Sweat Classes
  • Climate Change
  • Donate
  • Liturgies to Say at Home
    • Spiritual Communion
    • Morning Prayer
    • Daily Devotions
    • Noonday Prayer
    • Evening Prayer
    • Compline for nightly use
    • The Angelus
    • BCP Services
  • Community Suppers
    • Community Suppers
    • Summer Lobster Rolls
Picture

Christmas Eve
Grace Episcopal Church, Martha’s Vineyard
 
December 24, 2025
7:30 pm Carols
8:00 pm Festal Eucharist

All music printed by permission in accordance with ONE LICENSE, License #A-734784.  
​Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with License #A-734784.

All rights reserved.

7:30 pm Carols

Hymn 110 The snow lay on the ground
Picture

Hymn 115 What child is this
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Hymn 79 O little town of Bethlehem
Picture
Picture

Picture

Picture

H 39 Endris Night, vv. 1-3, 12-15
Picture
Picture
Hymn 111 Silent Night 
Picture

THE HOLY EUCHARIST: RITE TWO: PRAYER B


Welcome

Throughout the service, the people joining via zoom remain muted, but join in the responses in bold in the bulletin
Introit Es ist der Stern von Bethlehem, sung by the Choir
 
Celebrant   The glory of the Lord has been revealed:
People        And all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.
​

Almighty and everliving God, you have given us a new revelation of your loving providence in the Coming of your Son Jesus Christ to be born of the Virgin Mary: Grant that as he shared our mortality, so we may share his eternity in the glory of your kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn 83   O come all ye faithful, vv. 1-5
Picture
Picture

Station at a Christmas Creche
 
Celebrate    The word was made flesh and dwelt among us:
People        And we beheld his glory.
Celebrant    Let us pray.
 
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.
 
Hymn 83 Concluding verse v. 6
 
Celebrant    Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.                                                                  
People         And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
 
Celebrant
 
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 your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Hymn 102 Once in David's Royal City vv 1-5
Picture

Gloria: Hymn 93 From the realms of glory
Picture

Celebrant          God be with you.
People             And also with you.
Celebrant          Let us pray.
 
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.
 
The Lessons
 
The First Reading:  Isaiah 9:2-7
 
The people who walked in darkness
        have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
        on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
        you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
        as with joy at the harvest,
        as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
        and the bar across their shoulders,
        the rod of their oppressor,
        you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
        and all the garments rolled in blood
        shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
        a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
        and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
        and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
        He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
        from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
 
The Word of the Lord
 
People             Thanks be to God.

​Psalm 96
 
Sing to the Lord a new song; *
        sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.

Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *
        proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations *
        and his wonders among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
        he is more to be feared than all gods.

As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
        but it is the Lord who made the heavens.

Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
        Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!

Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
        ascribe to the Lord honor and power.

Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *
        bring offerings and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
        let the whole earth tremble before him.

Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! *
        he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
        he will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
        let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
        let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
        before the Lord when he comes, *
        when he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness *
        and the peoples with his truth.

The Second Reading:  Titus 2:11-14
 
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
 
The Word of the Lord
 
People             Thanks be to God.
​

Hymn 71 My Dancing Day, vv.1-3
Picture
Picture
v.3
In a manger laid and wrapped I was,
   So very poor, this was my chance,
 
Betwixt am ox and a silly poor ass,
   To call my true love to my dance:
 
Sing O my love etc.
​

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (2:1-14)

​People    Glory to you, Lord Christ

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
 
                         "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
                                 and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
 
The Gospel of the Lord.

People    Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Homily                                        The Rev. Stephen Harding

The Nicene Creed                                                                                                               
 
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.



The Prayers of the People, Form II
 
In addition to your prayers during the service please click here to add a person to the Parish Prayer List.

In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
 
I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world; for Sean, our Presiding Bishop, Julia, our Bishop; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.  Pray for the Church.

Silence

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison.  Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed, especially those in whose memory flowers have been given.
​Pray for those who have died.

Silence
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

The Celebrant adds a concluding collect.

The Peace
Celebrant          The peace of the Christ be always with you.
People             And also with you.

​Announcements

Offeratory Hymn 90 It came upon a midnight clear
Picture

The Doxology
Hymn 380 v 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.
Eucharistic Prayer B
Picture
Celebrant        
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.


Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children.

​Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
 
Celebrant and People
Sanctus S124 Holy, holy, holy Lord
Picture
The Celebrant continues

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
 
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
 
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
 
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death, 
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;


The Celebrant continues

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. 
 
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 
 
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen
​
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
 
The Lord’s Prayer                                                                       
 
Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy Name,
    thy kingdom come,
    thy will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those
        who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever. Amen.


 The Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant          Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People             Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Agnus Dei  S161  Jesus, Lamb of God
Picture

People who are online
 
In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Your church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer You praise and thanksgiving.  We present to you our souls and bodies with the earnest wish that we may always be united to you.  And since we can not now receive you sacramentally, we beseech you to come spiritually into our hearts. We unite ourselves to you, and embrace you with all the affections of our souls. Let nothing ever separate you from us. May we live and die in your love. Amen.
 
The Leader continues
 
Let us spend a few moments reflecting on the fact that God so loved each one of us that God sent God's Only-Begotten Son into the world for all of us.
 
Silence
Hymn 81 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
Picture

Postcommunion Prayer                                                                                    
 
Let us pray.
 
Celebrant and People
 
Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body
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.

A Christmas Blessing


Picture

Dismissal 
            
Leader          Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People        Thanks be to God.
On behalf of the Congregation, Vestry, Staff, and Clergy of Grace Church, we wish you all the joy and blessings of the Christmas Season!

​The Flowers for Christmas are given in Memory of

Carl Green
Erica Eckhardt
The Reverend Dr. Franklin Fry
Ovila E. Beaucaire
Beatrice Beaucaire
Richard Clark Sr.
Dale R. Clark
Robert Clark Sr.
Robert Clark Jr.
Phyllis Clark Smith
Carol Clark
Thelma Baird
Henry & Lee Tallman
Don Creighton
Lisa Gail
Gordon Bassett
Robert & Lydia Chidsey
Ralph Knapp
The Rev’d William C. Riker
Fr. Brian Murdoch
Robert Kinnecom
Valerie Murphy
Thomas Gallagher &Frances Sylvester
Raymond & Marilyn Hoehn
L. Joseph Norris
Maxwell McCreery
Rev. & Mrs. Fred Stimson
Judith Nichols
 
May their + souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
 
 
And in Thanksgiving for:
 
Meredith, Lillian & Natalie
Dawn Noel Arcudi
 
 

December Birthdays
David Grey, Storm Swain, Ryan O’Malley, Ben Clark, Jack O’Malley, John Hickey,
Lorraine Wells, Donna Griffen, and Jamie Douglas
Anniversaries
Richard & Lorraine Clark
Please email [email protected] to update or include yours!
 
Sunday Prayers
Sarah, the Archbishop of Canterbury
Sean, our Presiding Bishop; Julia, our Bishop
Stephen, Storm, and Sharon, our Priests
The Very Reverend Amy McCreath & the Cathedral Congregation of St. Paul
The Manna Community, The Diocese of Rio Grande Borderland Ministries
The Cape & Islands Deanery
 
Donald, our President
The Members of Congress; Maura our Governor, and all our elected officials
Pray for Our Country
 
For peace in the Middle East
For the people of Ukraine; the people of Iran; All Refugees
The Campers, Counselors, and Staff of Camp Jabberwocky; All those relying on SNAP benefits

For our planet
All those affected by Hurricane Melissa
​
All Staff of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
Our Vineyard EMS, Fire and Police Departments
All the Members of the New York City Fire Department
 
Those working to address racial injustice

            Sarah & Richard, Chelsea, Debbie and Alan, Bill, Deborah, Jen B., Judy B., Kathy, Lorraine & Richard, Margaret, Mark & Donna, Mary & Gregg, Maureen M., Nancy, Pat, Paul, Suzanne, Janet, Corby, Molly, Lorraine S. and her family, James and his family, Jon, Rhonda, John, Newton and his family, Deborah & Kenneth, Milica Radoyevich and family, Siobhan, Bill, Liam & Delany, Howard Leonard Jr & his family, Lewis, Luiza and Wayne

Those who have died and their families, especially Debbie Alves,
Deanna Williams, Carolee Aiello, Ralph Knapp, Marcia Burke, and Lewis Waring

 All those killed because of oppression, gun violence, hatred, war, or the color of their skin.
GRACE CHURCH
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
(508) 693-0332
                                        Rector:                                    The Reverend Stephen Harding
                                        Priest Associates:                   The Rev’d Sharon Eckhardt
                                                                                         The Rev’d Dr. Storm Swain
                                       Parish Administrator:             Heather Raveling
                                       Cellist:                                       Jan Hyer
                                       Bookkeeper:                            David Smith
Vestry Officers:

​Senior Warden:  Jennifer Haynes
Jr. Warden: Jamie Norton
Treasurer:  Andrea Wong-Monteiro

Clerk: Liz DaSilva
​Vestry Members:
Teri Culletto, Karen Huff, Lew Laskaris, and Maranda Post
​ASSISTING IN OUR WORSHIP
 
Pianist: Molly Sturges
A/V Wizards: Selden Griffen, Betsy Holcomb, Gary Eckhardt,
& The Rev’d Dr. Storm Swain
Videographer & Curator: Karen Huff
Zoom Hosts:  The Rev’d Ribbons Harris & Karen Huff
Hospitality: Lorraine Clark, Bebee Green & members of the parish
Readers and Intercessors: Judy Carter, Carolyn Eddy, Kim Garrison,
David Grey, Ribbons Harris, Jennifer Haynes, John Hickey, Betsy Holcomb, Karen Huff,
Jan Hyer, Faith Laskaris, Michelle Lynch, Maranda Post & DiAnn Ray
Eucharistic Ministers: Abby Bates, Judy Carter, Carolyn Eddy,
Jennifer Haynes & DiAnn Ray
Singers:  Abby Bates, Judy Carter, Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, David Grey, Donna Griffen,
Rev. Stephen Harding, John Hickey, Betsy Holcomb, Jan Hyer
Ushers:  Lorraine Clark and BeBee Green
We invite you to join us! Please email [email protected]