6:30 pm Christmas Eve Pageant and Eucharist 2007

St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church San Francisco, California

Revised January 4, 2007

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Set-Up: Advance
Entry:
! Madonna & child icon on stand ! Standing candlestick with candle lit

Altar Table:
! Cross Stand

Presiders Chair:
! Cross stand

Stage
! Change out candelabra candles ! Remove from Nave: o o o o o Deacons chair Cantors chair Cross-stand, brass candlesticks 1st chair in left front row (for bells) last chair in front right row (for candle stand)

Recruitment: Advance
! Five intercessors

Set-Up: Deacons
Altar Table:
! Light Altar Lamps ! Tablecloth ! 3 patens and 8 chalices ! 2 palls placed on either side of altar table. ! Insert Christmas anaphora and post communion prayer in missal. ! Sistrum
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Kitchen:
! 1 large paten with 8 loaves of bread ! 2 Flagons filled with wine ! Prep 2 swinging thuribles

Vestry:
! Deacon's candle ! Ethiopian Presider's cross ! Four beeswax tapers for lighting chandelier ! (NO Gospel Book or umbrellas needed)

Presiders Chair:
! Cough drops ! Small bells ! NO glass of waterput one under As chair instead

Seated Area:
! Reserve seats for: Deacons and Choir (check with Sanford will the choir be specially seated?) ! Bells & striker go beside Sanfords chair on small carpet (check with Sanford where he wants to sit!!!) ! Candle-stand goes beside Deacon C chair

Extra day-of Recruitment

! 2 helpers to lower the chandeliers to waist height, then raise them as soon as they are lit. ! 2 volunteers to light chandeliers (in addition Deacons A & B will help light) ! 1 thurible prep person

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Greeters notes:
Set up
! Find 6:30 Programs (Pageant Cast List) on TOP SHELF in welcome closet. Do NOT stuff programs into music books as the books will be reused at the later service. ! Set out Music Book "recycling" boxes with "Please return" signs on either side of entrance doors. ! As people walk in, greet them, hand out Christmas Eve Music Booklet and 6:30 PM Program, and ask them to be seated. ! Collection: Recruit THREE helpers for Collection.

during the liturgy:

! Set any folding chairs ONLY AS NEEDED on the wood floor in straight rows facing the Presiders chair. Front legs of the first row should touch the seam between the concrete and wood floors. Leave a 6 foot wide center aisle, and pay attention to sightlines and access. Rows should be 2 feet apart. ! During Lords Prayer: Help to stack folding chairs onto dollies and roll them into closets (during Lords Prayer) ! During the Carol: TWO Welcomers go to chapel & carry out the table with food as soon as the Carol ends.

after the liturgy:

! Collect Christmas Eve Music Booklets in "recycling" boxes and leave them in the welcome closet. Put 6:30 Programs in the paper recycling box inside the welcome closet.

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Entrance
Vested Party are all gathered in the Vestry, waiting at the door

Cantor

comes in and stands on the stage:

Will this be Deacon K?

Merry Christmas!
All Merry Christmas!

Cantor

Please stand and sing number _____ in your books ____________________, number _____.
Ushers IMMEDIATELY lower chandeliers

Vested party: Enter simply. Deacon C with lit Deacons candle Presider with cross Deacons A and B and Two Volunteers with unlit tapers Deacons and volunteers stand up on the stage to light candles.

Presider Deacon C

goes to the Presiders chair and stands facing the people. gives fire to others at chandeliers,

Deacons B/A, and Ushers/Fire-lighting volunteers go quickly to the chandeliers and light them, top down, then go to seats. Deacon C goes to the kitchen to charge 2 swinging thuribles.

Cantor Ushers

goes to his seat. Repeat hymn as needed to insure all the candles are lit. raise the chandeliers

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Incense Hymn Deacon A Deacon C Presider

All:

The incense hymn is ____________, number ____ in

your service book; number ____.

Charges the swinging thuribles and brings them to the Presider and Deacon B. The Lord be with you!
And also with you!

Presider

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true light: 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 and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Cantor leads Incense Hymn.

Presider & Deacon B cense the congregation up and down the solea; returns thurible to Deacon C.

Deacon C

takes the thurible from the Presider and Deacon B to the kitchen, then returns and stands by the stage.

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drop in here: incense hymn music

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after the incense hymn

Presider

A shoot shall spring out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, With righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

Cast entrance hymn Cantor We will be singing carols throughout the pageant, so keep your carol books near! Well begin by singing number___ in your books: __________. Number ___.
during hymn (something upbeat, like adeste fidelis) kids come into the room and get in place

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drop in here: kids entrance music

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Pageant
As soon as kids entrance hymn ends, Deacon stands in place and sings:

Deacon C

!The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

according to ___________.
Cantor announces hymns all the way through the pageant. PAGEANT ENDS WITH JOY TO THE WORLD, during which players line up for their bow. After hymn, players take 2 bows to applause, and then sit on the solea.

Note to Office: insert Pageant music on following pages

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BLANK

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Sermon
Preacher takes presiders chair and begins sermon immediately Midway through, preacher dismisses players to the Sunday School rooms to get out of their costumes. (PLAYERS STAY THERE UNTIL THE LORDS PRAYER, WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR WAY VIA THE OUTSIDE DECK TO THE KITCHEN FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE GIFTS.) When sermon ends, Cantor Presider rings the bells ONE minute silence (may have to remind the presider that it is a one minute silence). rings the hand bells.

Announcements Deacon B __________ has some announcements for us.

after announcements:

Deacon A

Jesus welcomes everyone to his Table, and so we offer the bread and wine, which are Christs body and blood to everyone. After we receive communion, we take up an offering for the churchs work because all that we give, we give in response to all that God gives us. Tonights service was created thanks to the congregations work with children, with music, with pastoral care, and with leadership development. Please give generously to support these efforts, and all our congregations work.

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Prayers Deacon B Well sing The Lord's Prayer found at number ___ in your books; number ___. Come this way [motion in direction of presiders chair] as close as you can so the ushers can collect the folding chairs. When we get to the center of the prayer, add your own petitions, and keep your place in the book so that we can finish singing together. Stand and sing number ___.
Deacons A & C Cantor Ushers herd people away from the folding chairs

leads congregation in singing Lords Prayer through and deliver us from evil help stack chairs onto dollies & quickly roll the chairs into the closet

Fire person gets the swinging thurible ready now at the end of the prayers

Deacon B

For peace in the whole world. For peace in Bethlehem, Iraq, Afghanistan and for what other places shall we pray? --- ALLOW PEOPLES PRAYERS --- Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
ALLOW PEOPLES PRAYERS HERE, INTERSPERCING THE FOLLOWING PRAYERS WHICH ARE SAID NOT

People

SUNG:

Intercessor 1 For our bishop Marc and for the presbyters,! the deacons and all who minister in Christ,! and for all the holy people of God. Let us pray to the Lord.
People Lord have mercy.

Intercessor 2 For all who seek light in the darkness and for all who put their trust in the incarnate Son of God. Let us pray to the Lord.
People Lord have mercy.
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Intercessor 3 For those who exercise authority in the world, that they may be inspired by the great humility of God who comes to us as a homeless baby. Let us pray to the Lord.
People Lord have mercy.

Intercessor 4 For all who travel this night, seeking comfort and safety and for those who live without any home. Let us pray to the Lord.
People Lord have mercy.

Intercessor 5 For the sick and the suffering,! for the hungry and the oppressed,! and for those in prison. Let us pray to the Lord.
People Lord have mercy.

Presider
People

For peace for the dead, and comfort for mourners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

Deacon B

For those we have wronged, for our enemies and all who wrong us, let us pray to the Lord. For forgiveness, generosity and love among all people everywhere, and for the coming kingdom of peace, Let us pray to the Lord. In fellowship with Gregory of Nyssa, with Mary, Jesus mother, and with all Gods holy people in every time and place, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our lives through Christ to God.

All

To you, Oh Lord our God.

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Presider

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, For the kingdom, the power...

All

Tripudium
Deacon B/C move to the waist of the building:

Deacon A

We'll go up to the Table in step singing, ____________ number ____ in your books; number ____. The step is very simple, and if you'll look this way, we'll show you how it goes. Starting on your right foot, go rightleftrightback; Place your right hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you, and [cantor] will tell us when to step off.

Cantor

When we reach the word ____,please step off in the right left, right, back pattern.
Deacon B/C & Ushers go quickly to the kitchen to help the children with the gifts. Fire Person gets the swinging thurible for Thurifer.

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drop in here: Tripudium music

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Eucharist
Peace
As soon as the tripudium is ended:

Presider

Christ is born to give us the gift of his peace share that gift with those around you. The peace of the Lord be with you all!
And also with you.
All pass the peace

All:

Cantor Deacons

Please open your books to number ____.

!Draw Near, Draw Near Deacon [assigned] !Parents take your children in hand, Let us
love one another that we may offer the holy sacrifice in peace. Eucharistic Prayer
Presider sings the Christmas Anaphora

Communion Deacon A Jesus welcomes everyone to His Table so we offer communion to everyone, and to everyone by name. If you think we'll need help with your name, please help us out. _________ the Body of Christ. The Blood of Christ

Presider

offers bread and cup first to Cantor and Deacon A, then others at the Table

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Deacons and recruits: distribute communion according to plan below; communicate choir as soon as music is finished. While the choir receives communion we will sing: ________________.

Deacons Deacon B

return all patens and chalices to table and cover with palls; brings Missal or Script to the Table and marks proper page for Presider

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Post-communion Prayer
After the Choir receives communion,

Presider

Go with us, O Lord, as we journey to the heavenly country that following your star we may not wander in the darkness of this worlds night while you who are the true and living way shine with us to the journeys end. Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more. Amen

Collection Deacon A Now seeing how greatly God loves us, let us share freely of the gifts we have received from God. Please put your offerings of money for the work of the church in the plate as it comes around, so that the whole world may know Gods love.

Collection anthem:

**Note - No Polychronia**

Carol Deacon B The feasting continues! Refreshments are coming to the Table Stay and share Christs hospitality. Please sign the guest book here [hold up the guest book for people to see, then place it right on the altar, where it should stay throughout coffee hour] And now ____________ will teach us the carol found at number _______ in your books.

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Teacher:

Carols are sung dances, and well make it easy for you to dance the carol by surrounding you with people whove done it before. Mix yourselves up until youve got somebody on either side of you who has done it before. Now place your right hand on the shoulder of the person to your right, and start walking to the right until we can all move. Teacher teaches step until familiar.
Cantor offers pitch, then leads the Carol. As soon as the singing stops, WELCOMERS bring food tables out of chapel. When the Carol is finished: (LOOK TO SANFORD FOR CUE:)

All Vested LET US BLESS THE LORD!

People Thanks be to God!

END.

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drop in here: Carol music

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Clean up (all hands)

Hospitality
greet newcomers for 10 minutes, especially those with red/black badges

Candles
blow out all candles

Scripts
return scripts to vestry note any issues in corrections book (or deacons listserve)

Seating area
collect maniples and re-hang in vestry (right hand closet) straighten chairs, crosses assist (if needed) in re-setting the platforms of the solea

Vestry
rehang all vestments clean up clutter; straighten room record attendance in book (whos counting this?)

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