CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE

Transcription

1 CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE Wednesday, December 24, :00 p.m. THE GATHERING MUSIC Christmas Carol Medley...Guitar Ensemble THE PRELUDE O Little Town of Bethlehem... arr. Maria Rejino Anna Ball, piano THE INTROIT How Far Is It to Bethlehem?... David W. Music The Concord Choir, The Carol Choir, The Chapel Choir How far is it to Bethlehem? Not very far. Shall we find a stable room lit by a star? Can we see the little child, is he within? If we lift the wooden latch, may we go in? May we stroke the creatures there, oxen or sheep? May we peek like them and see Jesus asleep? If we touch his tiny hand will he awake? We he know we ve come so far just for his sake? Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever and love me. I pray; Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there. THE GREETING AND INVOCATION... Bob Setzer, Jr. *THE CONGREGATIONAL CAROL NO. 173 O Come, All Ye Faithful...ADESTE FIDELES THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE...Whitney, Jodi, and Len Preslar One Voice: It is an old, old story of dirty shepherds on a cold, dark night Many Voices: And a sudden gleaming angel gladly proclaiming Messiah s birth. One Voice: Glad tidings! First to these lowly ones had come and so to Bethlehem they ran Many Voices: Trembling, amazed, and wondered by God s outrageous plan. One Voice: A Holy Child? Many Voices: In a manger bed? One Voice: Great Joy! Many Voices: Announced to dirty shepherds? One Voice: A Savior, Christ the Lord! Many Voices: Given to all people? One Voice: It is an old, old story of a dirty, cold and darkened world Many Voices: Waiting, like lowly shepherds for God s own sudden light. One Voice: So on this holy night, let us wonder Many Voices: Trembling and amazed, like dirty shepherds, One Voice: That this Holy Child, this great joy Many Voices: This Savior, Christ the Lord, ALL: Is born to us. ~Mary Hix THE CAROLS Hydom, Hydom...Czechoslovakian, arr. Tom Mitchell The Chapel Choir, The Carol Choir Long ago a boy was born. Gift of God on Christmas morn. Shepherds watched their sheep that night, under starry sky so bright. Hydom, hydom, tidlidom. Hydom, hydom, tidlidom. * Those who are able will stand. Ushers will seat those waiting. Hearing aids and large print hymns are available from the ushers.

2 Angels sang Good news to all, born this day a child so small. Go, the angels said to them, Hurry now to Bethlehem. There you ll find the holy child, baby Jesus meek and mild. See him sleeping on the hay, Hope for all the world today. South African Gloria... William Bradley Roberts The Youth Choir Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to all people. *THE GOSPEL: Luke 2: Molly Brummett, Lucrecia Norman One Voice: This is the Gospel of Christ. Many Voices: Thanks be to God. *THE CONGREGATIONAL CAROLS The First Noel The first Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. THE CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS STORY... Bob Setzer, Jr. THE CAROLS God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen... arr. Stephen Bulla Daniel Winkelman, French horn; David Winkelman, piano On Christmas Night... arr. Glen Wonacott The Youth Choir [Text may be followed at No. 168 in the hymnal.] THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES... Bob Setzer, Jr. Silent Night Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright; Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King: Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th angelic host proclaim,

3 Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING... Bob Setzer, Jr. *THE POSTLUDE Angels, from the Realms of Glory... arr. Edwin C. Johnson Lauren Winkelman, organist ABOUT OUR WORSHIP Tonight we celebrate Christmas Eve and the birth of Jesus. We welcome new member Whitney Preslar as well as her parents Len and Jodi as the Christ candle lighters. We express appreciation to the guitar ensemble, under the direction of Marty Edwards, for their musical offerings this evening. We also thank Anna Ball, Daniel Winkelman, and David Winkelman for sharing their musical gifts; and Charlotte Brown and Allison Smith for their children s choir leadership. ABOUT OUR BANNERS Drawing on biblical stories and images, the Advent banners depict the four movements of the Advent season: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. The Advent season anticipates the coming of the Christ child at Christmas.

4 CANDLELIGHT, CAROLS AND COMMUNION Wednesday, December 24, :00 p.m. THE PRELUDE What Child Is This?... arr. Timothy Albrecht Lauren Winkelman, organist THE CHORAL INTROIT On Christmas Night All Christians Sing... arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams The Chancel Choir [Text may be followed at No. 168 in the hymnal.] *THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN OF PRAISE, NO. 173 O Come, All Ye Faithful... ADESTE FIDELES THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE... Judy Iannuzzi One Voice: It is an old, old story of dirty shepherds on a cold, dark night Many Voices: And a sudden gleaming angel gladly proclaiming Messiah s birth. One Voice: Glad tidings! First to these lowly ones had come and so to Bethlehem they ran Many Voices: Trembling, amazed, and wondered by God s outrageous plan. One Voice: A Holy Child? Many Voices: In a manger bed? One Voice: Great Joy! Many Voices: Announced to dirty shepherds? One Voice: A Savior, Christ the Lord! Many Voices: Given to all people? One Voice: It is an old, old story of a dirty, cold and darkened world Many Voices: Waiting, like lowly shepherds for God s own sudden light. One Voice: So on this holy night, let us wonder Many Voices: Trembling and amazed, like dirty shepherds, One Voice: That this Holy Child, this great joy Many Voices: This Savior, Christ the Lord, ALL: Is born to us. ~Mary Hix THE PASTORAL GREETING... Bob Setzer, Jr. THE SOLO O Holy Night...Adolphe Adam Virginia Browne, soprano [Text may be followed at No. 160 in the hymnal.] *THE GOSPEL: Luke 2: Lucrecia Norman, Molly Brummett Leader: This is the Gospel of Christ. People: Thanks be to God. *THE HYMN OF DEVOTION, NO. 170 It Came upon the Midnight Clear... CAROL THE COMMUNION MEDITATION... Bob Setzer, Jr. * Those who are able will stand. Ushers will seat those waiting. Hearing aids and large print hymns are available from the ushers.

5 THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION... Bob Setzer, Jr. The Invitation to the Table The Sursum Corda Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise! The Confession The Words of Institution Sharing the Bread and the Cup We invite the congregation to come forward for communion, beginning with the choir. Please approach the rail using the two center aisles, and exit down the side aisles. You may kneel or stand as you wish and receive the bread and cup. If you prefer to have communion served at your seat, please indicate with a raised hand and a deacon will assist you. The Bread and the Cup Away in a Manger... arr. Mark Hayes Virginia Browne, soprano [Text may be followed at No. 147 in the hymnal.] Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes...Hal H. Hopson The Chancel Choir Thou shalt know him when he comes; not by any din of drums, nor the manner of his airs, nor by anything he wears; Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by his crown or his gown, but his coming known shall be by the holy harmony. Thou shalt know him when he comes. Amen. *THE PASSING OF THE LIGHT... Bob Setzer, Jr. Silent Night Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright; Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. The First Noel The first Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Good Christian Friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say:

6 Jesus Christ is born today; Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today! Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. *THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING... Bob Setzer, Jr. [At the conclusion of the blessing, please extinguish the candles. Please return the candle holders to the container in the narthex. You are free to take your candles to bring the blessing of Christmas light into your home.] *THE BENEDICTION... Bob Setzer, Jr. *THE POSTLUDE In Dulci Jubilo... Johann Sebastian Bach Lauren Winkelman, organist ABOUT OUR WORSHIP Tonight we celebrate Christmas Eve and the birth of Jesus. We welcome Judy Iannuzzi as the Christ candle lighter. We express appreciation to Virginia Browne for sharing her musical gifts. ABOUT OUR BANNERS Drawing on biblical stories and images, the Advent banners depict the four movements of the Advent season: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. The Advent season anticipates the coming of the Christ child at Christmas.