Blue Christmas
December 16, 2023
10:30am
…on the road you cannot see, this is the night when you can trust that any
direction you go, you will be walking toward the dawn.
Jan Richardson
direction you go, you will be walking toward the dawn.
Jan Richardson
Grace Episcopal Church, Vineyard Haven
Thank you for being with us for this service. We appreciate that it is difficult to be here, and we give thanks for your strength.
It is our intent that this service can be a time when we, with others, acknowledge the “blue” or “darker” feelings we experience during the holidays. For many who have lost a loved one, holidays without them can be painful. Others may experience loneliness, still others may experience a reminder of deep loss. Many feel isolated and disconnected from those who appear to be having a good time. “Season’s Greetings” may not be greetings of joy for everyone.
This service is an Easter liturgy in Advent. We will hear readings that reflect loss and, despite it all, show a way through the grief, isolation, loss, and disconnection that keep us in the shadows. We will be invited to name them, and we will pray together for strength, hope and comfort. The liturgy concludes with the invitation to receive the Sacrament that is God’s gift to the world: the Presence of Jesus, and the promise that, even when things seem at their worst, God is with us.
We are blessed by your presence with us this morning. Thank you for being here.
The Reverend Stephen Harding
Rector
Advent, 2023
It is our intent that this service can be a time when we, with others, acknowledge the “blue” or “darker” feelings we experience during the holidays. For many who have lost a loved one, holidays without them can be painful. Others may experience loneliness, still others may experience a reminder of deep loss. Many feel isolated and disconnected from those who appear to be having a good time. “Season’s Greetings” may not be greetings of joy for everyone.
This service is an Easter liturgy in Advent. We will hear readings that reflect loss and, despite it all, show a way through the grief, isolation, loss, and disconnection that keep us in the shadows. We will be invited to name them, and we will pray together for strength, hope and comfort. The liturgy concludes with the invitation to receive the Sacrament that is God’s gift to the world: the Presence of Jesus, and the promise that, even when things seem at their worst, God is with us.
We are blessed by your presence with us this morning. Thank you for being here.
The Reverend Stephen Harding
Rector
Advent, 2023
Order of Worship
Please use the musical prelude and
postlude as time of quiet meditation.
Please use the musical prelude and
postlude as time of quiet meditation.
Prelude
Call to Worship
(Those who are able, please stand)
One May God, who created the dark and the light be with us.
All God’s love endures for ever.
One The night seems dark and it is hard to see the guiding star above us. Invitations to joy abound in the sky, but their cheerful light is so bright they sometimes make the shadows deeper. If we turn our faces away, what will we see? Something that we want to see? If we dare to look, will we find a glimpse of loving kindness breaking through?
All Let us be with each other now, we who stand on the margins and shadows of this moment.
One Peace be with you.
All And also with you.
Call to Worship
(Those who are able, please stand)
One May God, who created the dark and the light be with us.
All God’s love endures for ever.
One The night seems dark and it is hard to see the guiding star above us. Invitations to joy abound in the sky, but their cheerful light is so bright they sometimes make the shadows deeper. If we turn our faces away, what will we see? Something that we want to see? If we dare to look, will we find a glimpse of loving kindness breaking through?
All Let us be with each other now, we who stand on the margins and shadows of this moment.
One Peace be with you.
All And also with you.
Blessing for the Longest Night
All throughout these months, as the shadows have lengthened, this blessing has been gathering itself, making ready, preparing for this night.
It has practiced walking in the dark, traveling with its eyes closed, feeling its way by memory, by touch, by the pull of the moon even as it wanes.
So, believe me when I tell you this blessing will reach you even if you have not light enough to read it; it will find you even though you cannot see it coming.
You will know the moment of its arriving by your release of the breath you have held so long; a loosening of the clenching in your hands, of the clutch around your heart; a thinning of the darkness that had drawn itself around you.
This blessing does not mean to take the night away but it knows its hidden roads, knows the resting spots along the path, knows what it means to travel in the company of a friend.
So, when this blessing comes, take its hand. Get up. Set out on the road you cannot see.
This is the night when you can trust that any direction you go, you will be walking toward the dawn.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
All throughout these months, as the shadows have lengthened, this blessing has been gathering itself, making ready, preparing for this night.
It has practiced walking in the dark, traveling with its eyes closed, feeling its way by memory, by touch, by the pull of the moon even as it wanes.
So, believe me when I tell you this blessing will reach you even if you have not light enough to read it; it will find you even though you cannot see it coming.
You will know the moment of its arriving by your release of the breath you have held so long; a loosening of the clenching in your hands, of the clutch around your heart; a thinning of the darkness that had drawn itself around you.
This blessing does not mean to take the night away but it knows its hidden roads, knows the resting spots along the path, knows what it means to travel in the company of a friend.
So, when this blessing comes, take its hand. Get up. Set out on the road you cannot see.
This is the night when you can trust that any direction you go, you will be walking toward the dawn.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
Isaiah 54: 6-10
For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.
This is like the days of Noah to me: just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.
People Thanks be to God.
For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.
This is like the days of Noah to me: just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.
People Thanks be to God.
In Blackwater Woods
By Mary Oliver
Look, the trees
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars
of light,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,
the long tapers
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders
of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is
nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have learned
in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side
is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.
People Thanks be to God.
By Mary Oliver
Look, the trees
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars
of light,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,
the long tapers
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders
of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is
nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have learned
in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side
is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 69 What is the crying at Jordan?
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew (11:28-30)
People Praise be to you, Lord Christ.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ
Homily The Rev. Stephen Harding
People Praise be to you, Lord Christ.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ
Homily The Rev. Stephen Harding
Hymn 666 Out of depths I call
Words: A Supplement to the New Version of the Psalms of David, 1698, alt.; para. of Psalm 130
Music: St. Bride, Samuel Howard (1710-1782)
Music: St. Bride, Samuel Howard (1710-1782)
Candle Lighting & Litany of Remembrance
Leader We light this Advent candle to remember those persons who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice. We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us this season which anticipates Christmas.
All May God’s eternal love surround them.
Leader We light the second candle to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. As we gather up the pain of the past, we offer it to You, O God, asking that into our open hands, You will place the gift of peace.
All Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and Lead us into your future.
Leader We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember the past weeks, months and for some of us, years of down times. We remember the poignancy of memories, the grief, the sadness, the hurts, the pain of reflecting on our own mortality. And we remember those moments God broke through the darkness with glimpses of grace and joy.
All Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.
Leader This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which God offers to us in the Christmas story. We remember that God who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering.
All Let us remember the one who shows the way and who goes with us into our tomorrow.
Leader We light this Advent candle to remember those persons who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice. We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us this season which anticipates Christmas.
All May God’s eternal love surround them.
Leader We light the second candle to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. As we gather up the pain of the past, we offer it to You, O God, asking that into our open hands, You will place the gift of peace.
All Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and Lead us into your future.
Leader We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember the past weeks, months and for some of us, years of down times. We remember the poignancy of memories, the grief, the sadness, the hurts, the pain of reflecting on our own mortality. And we remember those moments God broke through the darkness with glimpses of grace and joy.
All Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.
Leader This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which God offers to us in the Christmas story. We remember that God who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering.
All Let us remember the one who shows the way and who goes with us into our tomorrow.
Prayers of the People
Leader In the spirit of this season, let us now ask our God for what we need for ourselves as we participate in the holiday season as people coping with our loss, pain, suffering, loneliness, grief, sadness.
All God, keep shadows without and light within; let your face shine that we may be saved.
Leader God, we come to you now, each with our own sense of loss and grief, growing inside us. As the nights have been growing longer, so has the darkness wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of our longest nights, we offer to you all we are holding in our hearts: betrayal, pain, grief, loss of trust, and traumas some of us cannot put into words. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All God, keep fear without and justice within; comfort, comfort your people.
Leader Compassionate God, there are those among us who are grieving over what has been. A death or loss has changed our experience of the holidays. Once they were a special day for us too, but someone has died, moved away, ended the relationship, or abused our trust. Or we have lost a job, a dream, a goal, a
cause, or trust in one another. We find ourselves adrift, alone, betrayed, lost. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All God, keep chaos without and life within; may those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Leader The holiday season reminds us of all that used to be and cannot be any more. The memories of what was, the fears of what may be, stifle us. All around us we hear the sounds of celebration. But all we experience is a sense of isolation and being disconnected from others. Please be near us this night. Loving God, hear our prayer.
All God, keep despair without and hope within; be our deliverance that we may rejoice.
Leader The sounds of celebration, the surrounding love of family and friends, and the decorations of anticipation and shining hopefulness, sometimes become a comment on what is not there for us or on our selves. The contrast between the excitement and preparations for the coming of peace and love, and what we experience, together with the shame of not being able to participate, is written large in our lives.
All Come, O Advent God, and reveal your promise in us now.
Leader Will the Christ, the Child of comfort and peace, really come near to us? Let us share our grieving, daring to touch its reality in the silence.
A silence is kept.
I invite you to say one word or phrase which describes what lies within your heart, or to join your grieving with that of others in silence. If you wish to say a word or phrase, I will repeat it and pour a symbol of our gathered tears into this bowl.
(Silence and spoken words….)
Our tears come together in this hour. Our weeping is heard by others and our pain, loneliness or loss is held close to the heart of God, who knows all that we feel.
Leader In the spirit of this season, let us now ask our God for what we need for ourselves as we participate in the holiday season as people coping with our loss, pain, suffering, loneliness, grief, sadness.
All God, keep shadows without and light within; let your face shine that we may be saved.
Leader God, we come to you now, each with our own sense of loss and grief, growing inside us. As the nights have been growing longer, so has the darkness wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of our longest nights, we offer to you all we are holding in our hearts: betrayal, pain, grief, loss of trust, and traumas some of us cannot put into words. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All God, keep fear without and justice within; comfort, comfort your people.
Leader Compassionate God, there are those among us who are grieving over what has been. A death or loss has changed our experience of the holidays. Once they were a special day for us too, but someone has died, moved away, ended the relationship, or abused our trust. Or we have lost a job, a dream, a goal, a
cause, or trust in one another. We find ourselves adrift, alone, betrayed, lost. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All God, keep chaos without and life within; may those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Leader The holiday season reminds us of all that used to be and cannot be any more. The memories of what was, the fears of what may be, stifle us. All around us we hear the sounds of celebration. But all we experience is a sense of isolation and being disconnected from others. Please be near us this night. Loving God, hear our prayer.
All God, keep despair without and hope within; be our deliverance that we may rejoice.
Leader The sounds of celebration, the surrounding love of family and friends, and the decorations of anticipation and shining hopefulness, sometimes become a comment on what is not there for us or on our selves. The contrast between the excitement and preparations for the coming of peace and love, and what we experience, together with the shame of not being able to participate, is written large in our lives.
All Come, O Advent God, and reveal your promise in us now.
Leader Will the Christ, the Child of comfort and peace, really come near to us? Let us share our grieving, daring to touch its reality in the silence.
A silence is kept.
I invite you to say one word or phrase which describes what lies within your heart, or to join your grieving with that of others in silence. If you wish to say a word or phrase, I will repeat it and pour a symbol of our gathered tears into this bowl.
(Silence and spoken words….)
Our tears come together in this hour. Our weeping is heard by others and our pain, loneliness or loss is held close to the heart of God, who knows all that we feel.
Concluding prayer, said by all
Lord, soon it will be night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. The days are shorter, and the nights are longer. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be. The night will be dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our lives rest in you. The night will be quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen.
(adapted from the New Zealand Prayer Book)
Lord, soon it will be night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. The days are shorter, and the nights are longer. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be. The night will be dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our lives rest in you. The night will be quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen.
(adapted from the New Zealand Prayer Book)
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of God be always with you.
People And also with you.
All move and gather around the altar for Communion
Celebrant The peace of God be always with you.
People And also with you.
All move and gather around the altar for Communion
Hymn 112 In the Bleak Midwinter
Collect of the Day
The Celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit
Celebrant Let us pray.
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit
Celebrant Let us pray.
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Holy Communion
Eucharistic Prayer A
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
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 sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
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
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body of your Son, the holy food of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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,
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.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
All say together
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.
Online leader
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 is kept]
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.
Blessing
Dismissal
Leader Go in peace to serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Eucharistic Prayer A
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
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 sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
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
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body of your Son, the holy food of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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,
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.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
All say together
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.
Online leader
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 is kept]
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.
Blessing
Dismissal
Leader Go in peace to serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Closing Hymn 662 Abide with me
Postlude
At the end of the service please feel free to stay in the church for a time of quiet reflection and meditation.
Thank you for being part of this service.
May it give you consolation, comfort, and strength to continue walking
through this holy season.
May you be touched by God’s Grace; and even now, by a moment of joy.
At the end of the service please feel free to stay in the church for a time of quiet reflection and meditation.
Thank you for being part of this service.
May it give you consolation, comfort, and strength to continue walking
through this holy season.
May you be touched by God’s Grace; and even now, by a moment of joy.
December Birthdays and Anniversaries
Ben Clark, Jesse Shaw Dawson, Jamie Douglas, David Grey, John Hickey, Ryan O’Malley, Sean O’Malley,
Jack O’Malley, The Rev’d Storm Swain, Emma Yuen
Anniversaries
Lorraine and Richard Clark
Please email [email protected] to update or include yours!
Sunday Prayers
Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Alan and Carol, our Bishops
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 Border Ministries
The Cape & Islands Deanery
Joe, our President, Kamala, our Vice 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, the people of Sudan
All Refugees
The Campers, Counselors, and Staff of Camp Jabberwocky; The People of Pine Ridge
For our planet
All those affected by climate change
All those affected by fire or flooding
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
We pray for all those who are sick with Covid-19; the Flu, or RSV and those who are caring for them
Those working to address racial injustice
Algernon John Baptiste, Aquinnah Steadman, Aya and her family, Becky, Betty, Billy, Bryan E., Christine & Richard, Debbie and Alan, Deanna, Bill, Deborah & Marcia, Devin & Jolene, Dottie and her family, Eileen, Fala, Bernadine & Jill, Garrett, Gerry, Joe, Jon, Joni, Kathy, Kim, Lester & Betsy, Lloyd, Lydia, Lyric, Margaret, Mardi & Simon, Marie,
Mark & Donna, Maureen M., Nancy & Paul, Nevenka & Milica, Pat, Paul, Phyllis, Ralph, Richard, Ruben, Shauna, Suzanne, Isaac, William
Those who have died and their families:
Jackie Baer, Gertrude Prygrosky, Trudy Russell & Yossi Monahan, Waylon Sauer
All those killed by the gun violence in Lewiston, Maine and all those killed in the Middle East.
All those killed because of oppression, gun violence, hatred, war, or the color of their skin.
GRACE CHURCH
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
(508) 693-0332
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
(508) 693-0332
|
Rector:
Priest Associates: Parish Administrator: Director of Music: Sexton: Cellist: Bookkeeper: |
The Reverend Stephen Harding
The Rev'd Sharon Eckhardt The Rev'd Dr. Storm Swain Heather Raveling Wes Nagy Christopher Berry Jan Hyer David Smith |
Vestry Officers:
Senior Warden: Deborah Medders
Junior Warden: Fala Freeman
Treasurer: Jon Bates
Clerk of the Vestry: Karen Huff
Vestry Members:
Lorraine Clark, Bryan Garrison, Jennifer Haynes, Lew Laskaris, Maranda Post, Bernadine Prygrosky
Senior Warden: Deborah Medders
Junior Warden: Fala Freeman
Treasurer: Jon Bates
Clerk of the Vestry: Karen Huff
Vestry Members:
Lorraine Clark, Bryan Garrison, Jennifer Haynes, Lew Laskaris, Maranda Post, Bernadine Prygrosky
ASSISTING IN OUR WORSHIP
Videographer & Curator: Karen Huff
Zoom Hosts: The Rev’d Ribbons Harris & Karen Huff
Hospitality: Lorraine Clark, Joan Merry
Readers and Intercessors: Teri Culletto, Carolyn Eddy, Fala Freeman, Ribbons Harris, Jennifer Haynes, John Hickey, Karen Huff, Faith Laskaris, Maranda Post, Bernadine Prygrosky & DiAnn Ray
Eucharistic Ministers: Abby Bates, Judy Carter, Carolyn Eddy, Fala Freeman, Jennifer Haynes & DiAnn Ray
Singers: Abby Bates, Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, David Grey, Rev. Stephen Harding,
John Hickey, Betsy Holcomb, Jan Hyer, Trudy Russell
Ushers: Lorraine Clark and BeBee Green
We welcome you to join us! Please email [email protected]
Videographer & Curator: Karen Huff
Zoom Hosts: The Rev’d Ribbons Harris & Karen Huff
Hospitality: Lorraine Clark, Joan Merry
Readers and Intercessors: Teri Culletto, Carolyn Eddy, Fala Freeman, Ribbons Harris, Jennifer Haynes, John Hickey, Karen Huff, Faith Laskaris, Maranda Post, Bernadine Prygrosky & DiAnn Ray
Eucharistic Ministers: Abby Bates, Judy Carter, Carolyn Eddy, Fala Freeman, Jennifer Haynes & DiAnn Ray
Singers: Abby Bates, Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, David Grey, Rev. Stephen Harding,
John Hickey, Betsy Holcomb, Jan Hyer, Trudy Russell
Ushers: Lorraine Clark and BeBee Green
We welcome you to join us! Please email [email protected]
PO Box 1197 • 24 Woodlawn Avenue • Vineyard Haven MA 02568
www.graceepiscopalmv.org • 508 693-0332
www.graceepiscopalmv.org • 508 693-0332