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Welcome to all who seek after Christ this evening.

At Christmas, we face our own weakness as we meditate on how God entered our human frailty to bring us Love.  Your weaknesses, hurts, confusions, struggles, and hopes are welcome here – it is often in these things that we come to know God most clearly.  Be at peace here.  May you know the love of God shared in community, in scripture, in prayer, and in bread and wine.  God bless you. What follows is adapted from the Anglican Book of Alternative Services beginning at page 185.  At the final blessing you may wish to mark the sign of the cross upon yourself as a way of acknowledging and receiving the grace of God within you.  If Anglican worship is unfamiliar to you, there are a number of explanations throughout this leaflet to help you feel at home.

Candlelight

Well, we are online for this one, so we leave the candle to you!  Why not try to create some 'sacred space' in your own home designing a space that feels set-apart and special to you.  Candles are helpful, essential oils or other scents might help, removing clutter and creating a focal point on a cross, or even just your computer with the service.  Small things can make a difference.  (But don't stress: being gently together with Christ remains the most important thing.)

Communion

We will celebrate communion tonight.  A few mechanics:

  1. Participation. While the entire service will be streamed via Facebook live like we normally do, but, at communion, Rev. Jonathan will also have a laptop at the altar to link in with those who would like to participate via zoom (usual St. A's meeting link. Contact the office if you need it.).
  2. Receiving. As well, after we have completed the entire service, if you would like to come by the church to receive the bread of communion, we will make accomodation for you to do that at the front door.  Jonathan will be at the church for 45minutes following the service to accomodate that.  
  3. Spiritual Communion.  For those who will remain at home, we encourage you to make use of this booklet for spiritual communion that was mailed out or is available to print off here: Spiritual Communion Booklet

Creche Building

As we guide you through the process of building a creche, you might like to gather in advance the following:

  1. A creche you have at home to 'rebuild' as we go through the service with a stable, animals, Mary, Joseph, angels, Shepherds, and of course the baby Jesus. (the Magi are optional at this point, since we officially celebrate their coming at Epiphany, January 6).  If you don't have a nativity scene, you might print one off (two options attached below) or create your own!
  2. A small blanket or some cedar boughs
  3. A candle
  4. A bell