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The E-pistle of
Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2023
&
Christmas Day, December 25th, 2023
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The Cathedral Church of St. Luke
in the
City of Portland
and the
Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Whoever you are,
and wherever you may be on the journey of the spirit,
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.
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A Christmas Welcome
from the Cathedral Church of St. Luke!
Dear Friends-
The first service held at the Cathedral of St. Luke was on Christmas in 1868. In the 155 years since, this community has sought to share the good news of Jesus Christ through worship, service to our community and fellowship. We are glad that you have chosen to join us on this joyful occasion.
The Christmas story told in the Gospel of Luke includes an angel appearing to shepherds watching their flocks proclaiming ‘the good news that will bring great joy for all the people’. The angel was, of course, announcing our Savior’s unlikely arrival in a manger in Bethlehem. The arrival of God, in the person of Jesus, is called incarnation.
The Doctrine of the Incarnation says that God became human so that we might become one with him through his body. Jesus is 100% human while maintaining full 100% divinity. If the math sounds wrong it’s because this is a mystery, something we will never be able to fully grasp. The Apostle Paul calls it “the mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:16).
In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes of how the Incarnation of Jesus transforms our relationship with one another. He says, “The Incarnation is the ultimate reason why the service of God cannot be divorced from the service of others.”
As a cathedral, St. Luke’s is the seat of the bishop and chief mission church of the Diocese and people of Maine. We gratefully serve the people of Portland and beyond by hosting the St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry, the St. Luke’s Food Pantry and many other outreach ministries. Information about our many outreach ministries, educational opportunities and history can be found on our website at www.stlukesportland.org
If you are visiting with us, I hope that you will find the Cathedral a place of welcome. Thank you for sharing in the good news and joy of this blessed season.
Merry Christmas!
The Rev. George R. Stevens
Interim Dean
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Christmas Eve Family Service Welcoming the Birth of Christ | |
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Holy Eucharist, Rite II
5:00PM in the Nave & Livestreamed
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Christmas Eve Family Service Participants | |
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Celebrant
The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown, Bishop of Maine
Assisting
The Reverend Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon
The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean
Music Leader & Organist
Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music
Advent Wreath Prayers Leader
Louisa Radtke-Rowe
Ushers
Susan McCuller, Chester Bishop, Stan Kuziel
Head Verger
Eleanor Roberts
Verger
John Hennessy
Crucifer
Charlie Hornor
Live Streaming
Jack Swanton, Sam Allen
Contributing Ministries
Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild
This Evening's Christmas Pageant
This evening the Christmas pageant will serve as the Liturgy of the Word in our 5 pm Service. Many thanks to our Pageant Director, Sarah Dowling and Musical Director, Christian Clough; and all the incredible Adults, Youth and Children who participated in this wonderful Pageant today!
All children are welcome to participate in the pageant.
Please gather in the back chapel before the service begins.
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The Christmas Pageant Cast | |
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Narrator
Matthew Okulski
Mary
Jessica Pride
The Angel Gabriel
Lucy Pride
Joseph
Misha Pride
Innkeeper 1
Lucy Pride
Innkeeper 2
The Rev. Suzanne Roberts
Shepherd
To be announced
Sheep
Alex Palmer
Angel of the Lord
Cece Lavoie
The Star of Bethlehem
The Rev. George Stevens
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King Melchior
The Rev. Rebecca Grant
King Gaspar
The Rev. Suzanne Roberts
King Balthazar
David Lavoie
King’s Page
Oscar Hickman
Soloist/Angel
Cece Lavoie
Angel
Rosie Lavoie
Angel
Charlotte Pride
Angel
Hila Palmer
Angel of the Shepherds
June Spencer
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Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV). | |
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service | |
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00PM in the Nave & Livestreamed
Prelude with Organ & Festival Brass beginning at 9:30PM
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Participants | |
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Celebrant
The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown, The Tenth Bishop of Maine
Preacher
The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean
Assisting
The Reverend Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon
The Reverend Suzanne Roberts, M.D., Assisting Clergy
Music Leader & Organist
Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music
Advent Wreath Prayers Leader
Mary Linneman
Lector
Susan McCuller
Prayers Leader
Curtis Maurand
Ushers
Peter Bingham, Susan McCuller, Gail Swanton
Thurifer
Will Armitage
Incense
Michael Thorne
Head Verger
Eleanor Roberts
Crucifer
Louisa Radtke-Rowe
Acolytes
Liam Coy, Lucy Pride
Choral Verger
Randi Hogan
Diocesan Banner
Alec Thorne
Bishop’s Verger
David Savage, Head Verger Emeritus
The Healing Team
Sara Schmalz, Judd Hume
Live Streaming
Jack Swanton, Sam Allen
Contributing Ministries
The Cathedral Choir, Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild, The Healing Team
The Cathedral Choir
Georgia Bancroft • Onnie Benoist • Phoebe Blume • Robert Brokaw • Linda Carleton
• Joseph Colquhoun • Lynn Dalheim • Ellise Johnson • Curtis Maurand • Jamie Moore • Suezan Moore • Parker Roberts Shana Rose • William Salomon • Connie Schmalz •
Dan Schmalz • Gay Tucker • Kathy Watt • Stacie Webb
Festival Brass & Timpani
Michelle Boggs, trumpet • Matt Lagarde, trumpet • Sophie Flood, French horn
Parker Kenyon, trombone • Tom Michaud, bass trombone • Mark Fredericks, timpani
Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV).
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Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed
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Christmas Day Service Participants | |
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Preacher & Celebrant
The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown, The Tenth Bishop of Maine
Assisting
The Reverend Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon
The Reverend Christopher Worthley, Assisting Clergy
Music Leader & Organist
Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music
Lector &Prayers Leader
Susan McCuller
Ushers
Deb Marcoux, Chester Bishop, Melissa Coy, Anna Messmer
Head Verger
Eleanor Roberts
Verger
John Hennessy
Crucifer
Eleanor Roberts
Live Streaming
Jack Swanton, Sam Allen
Contributing Ministries
Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild
Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV).
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Christmas Greens & Flowers | |
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The Christmas Greens and Flowers are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for…
our children and their families
by Peter & Connie Bingham
my family
by Carolyn Buteau
the ministry of the Rev.’d George Stevens among us
by Robyn & Alice Goshorn
Kristen Buteau and Craig Masse; Melissa, Michael, and Liam Coy
by Susan McCuller
Christmas Offerings given in support of the cathedral & outreach ministries…
in support of cathedral ministries
by Philip Grantham Jr., in memory of Phil & Jane Gould
for the Food Pantry
by Sonja Di Risi, in memory of Donald A. DeRice Sr.
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The Christmas Greens and Music are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of…
Mike Pride
by Jessica & Misha Pride
our mothers, Constance Donovan and Lydia Kesich
by the Kesich Family
Joseph H. Edgar Jr., M.D.
by Mrs. Jeri D. Edgar, Michael Edgar, Joseph Edgar, Andrew Edgar, and their families
Roland Buteau
by Carolyn Buteau
G.A. & Doris Mackay
by Carolyn Buteau
Arthur Marcoux
by Debra Marcoux
Edward & Ellen Lynsky
by Dick & Ellen Farnsworth
Richard & Bessie Farnsworth
by Dick & Ellen Farnsworth
Arthur & Faith Jones
by Susan McCuller
Michael “Mac” McCuller
by Susan McCuller
Jim Kise
by Sallie Smith (Kise)
Elsa & May Dalheim
by Lynn J. Dalheim
Elsa Eklof
by Lynn J. Dalheim
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Christmas message 2023:
‘A sign for you’
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"Hello to my family of faith in The Episcopal Church, and to all of our ecumenical and interfaith friends, and to all people of love and goodwill.
I want to first thank you all for your prayers and well wishes this year as I have weathered some health issues. Please know that I’m doing well, following the doctor’s orders.
I’m also ever more aware of the power of the messages of Advent to watch, to wait, and to listen to the pregnant voice of silence, as one version of the Bible says. And out of that watching, waiting, and listening, following the way of Jesus of Nazareth and his way of love, the Spirit of God being our helper.
Click here to read or watch Presiding Bishop Curry's Full Message
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stlukesportland.org
(207)-772-5434
Physical Address:
143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101
Parking Available at:
134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101
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