Christmas Eve Worship

Transcription

1 Christmas Eve Worship Monday, December 24, :00 PM The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 Living out radical hospitality to all 116 South Highland Avenue Pittsburgh, PA

2 EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA As a diverse community of believers, we strive to follow God the Creator who calls us, Jesus who teaches us, and the Spirit who empowers us. We show God s unconditional love by providing a refuge for spiritual growth, ardently pursuing justice, and extending Christ s radical hospitality to all. (Strategic Vision mission statement, 2011) DECEMBER 24, :00 PM CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE PRELUDE Joy to the World Jeff Sultanof Prelude on Greensleeves Richard Purvis Coventry Carol James Christensen Sweet Little Jesus Boy Robert MacGimsey David Jennings-Smith, soloist The First Noel Bill Holcombe Quia Fecit Mihi Magna (from Magnificat) Johann Sebastian Bach Todd Farwell, soloist In Dulci Jubilo Marcel Dupré O Holy Night Adolphe Adam Gail Mosites, soloist Brittney Krieger and Lauren Uranker Welcome to our Christmas Eve service here at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Long ago the angel said, Good news of great joy I bring, for to you a savior is born. Long ago the angel choir sang, Peace on earth, goodwill among all, for God reigns in the highest. On this night, a star beckons saying, Follow me, for hope was born in Bethlehem. On this night, our advent journey is complete. We light for one last time the candles of hope, peace, love and joy. Yet we know that Emmanuel, Christ the Lord, has come and is coming again. Let us gather to worship God! CALL TO WORSHIP & ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: * PROCESSIONAL HYMN (music printed in bulletin) ADESTE FIDELES O Come, All Ye Faithful * PRAYER OF THE DAY The Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush * HYMN (music printed in bulletin) Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT SCRIPTURE READINGS & CHRISTMAS QUOTES The Rev. Dr. Bush The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan The Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf CHORAL ANTHEM Ding Dong! Merrily on High arr. Charles Wood * Indicates where you may please rise in body or spirit.

3 Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service GOSPEL READING Luke 2:22-32 The Rev. Dr. Bush SERMON Seeing a Newborn with Old Eyes The Rev. Dr. Bush * HYMN (music printed in bulletin) Angels, from the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE OFFERING INVITATION The Rev. Schoenewolf OFFERTORY ANTHEM Sussex Carol arr. Francis Melville * DOXOLOGY AT THE PRESENTATION OLD HUNDREDTH The communion bread is being presented by Brandon and Tim Tenbrink. THE LORD S SUPPER INVITATION TO THE LORD S SUPPER The Rev. Callahan The Rev. Dr. Bush Leader: El Señor esté con ustedes. The Lord be with you. People: Y también contigo. And also with you. Leader: Levantemos nuestros corazones. Lift up your hearts. People: Lo tenemos levantado al Señor. We lift them up to the Lord. Leader: Demos gracias al Señor nuestro Dios. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: Es justo dar gracias y alabanzas a Dios. It is right to give God thanks and praise. Leader: You are holy, O God of majesty PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING THE LORD S PRAYER The Lord s Prayer can be found on pg. 35 (English), on pg. 40 (Español) or on pg. 45 ( 한국어 ) in the Glory to God hymnal. WORDS OF INSTITUTION The Rev. Fowler-Searcy and The Rev. Schoenewolf SHARING THE BREAD & THE CUP Note: The communion elements are bread and grape juice. Gluten-free wafers are also available. The congregation is invited to come forward to one of the four stations by using the center aisle to the communion servers where each may partake of the bread and the cup, placing the used cup in the basket provided, then returning to seats via the side aisles. Those not able to come forward will be served in their seats.

4 Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service MUSIC DURING COMMUNION Solo Who Would Imagine a King Marvyn Warren/Hallerin Hilton Hill Adrianna Cleveland, soloist Solo Christmas Lullaby Jason Robert Brown Denise Sheffey-Powell, soloist Hymn (music printed in bulletin) Away in a Manger MUELLER The Rev. Callahan Gracious God, as Christmas Eve draws to an end, may all the weary world lie down in peace, fed once more by you, confident that your love will break the darkness as surely as the sun rises each new morning. We entrust ourselves and those we love to your care as we go forth to spread the light of Christmas joy. In Christ s name we pray. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (unison) LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE John 1:1-5, 14 The Rev. Dr. Bush * HYMN (music printed in bulletin) Silent Night STILLE NACHT * CHARGE & BENEDICTION The Rev. Dr. Bush * RECESSIONAL HYMN (music printed in bulletin) THE FIRST NOWELL The First Nowell POSTLUDE In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729 Johann Sebastian Bach For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

5 Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service P A R T I C I P A N T S I N T O D A Y S S E R V I C E Preaching: Liturgists: Musicians: Soloists: The Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan The Rev. Patrice L. Fowler-Searcy The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf Brittney Krieger and Lauren Uranker Dr. Edward Alan Moore Organist and Music Director Michael Painter, Organ Accompanist ELPC Chancel Choir Adrianna Cleveland Todd Farwell David Jennings-Smith Gail Mosites Denise Sheffey-Powell Brass Roots: Sam Eisenhandler, trumpet Matthew McCormack, trumpet Rana Jurjus, horn Morgan Wynn, trombone John Caughman, tuba Acolyte: Beadles: Crucifer: Sound: David Bellin Michele Bossers and Lenore Williams Charlotte Bush Tim Benedict and Wayne Gaines W E E K D A Y W O R S H I P Labyrinth Prayer Walk A 35-foot floor mat with curved paths leading inward; an ancient tool for walking and seated meditation. Mondays, 7 am to 1 pm Wednesdays, 9 am to 9 pm Holiday Availability: Daily through New Year s Eve Taizé Sung Prayer Chants and periods of meditative silence modeled after the Taizé community in France. Wednesdays, 7 pm No Taizé service on Dec 26. Prayer Room (in Highland Ave hallway) Come to sit and pray in silence. Come to experience the quiet in the midst of the wonderful busyness that is ELPC. Open everyday W O R S H I P F L O W E R S The poinsettia plants in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of the Honorable Andrew W. Mellon and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Beatty Mellon. N E X T S U N D A Y There will be no Journey service on Sunday, Dec am... Sanctuary Worship. Our largest service with a multi-cultural congregation and music from organ, piano and choir. Dec 30 The Rev. Jim Davidson, preaching. N EW Y E A R S E VE On Monday, Dec 31, the following events are open to all: 6:50 am... World Healing Day. Join us in body or spirit from 6:50 8 am for meditation and a walk on the labyrinth in the Social Hall. Add your love and light to the healing of this world. 9 am... Year-End Examen Mini-Retreat. Find God in your life as you review the year ending and consider intentions as you look forward into the year ahead at this mini-retreat from 9 am 12 pm in the 2nd floor Parlor. A continental breakfast will be provided. W E L C O M E V I S I T O R S! We are delighted that you have chosen to celebrate this season with us at ELPC. We invite you to stop by the Visitor s Table in the Highland Lobby or the Narthex for a small welcoming gift, a sweet treat and perhaps some other information about ELPC s programs and ministries. To learn more about our programs, church activities and volunteer services, we invite you to: Pick up a copy of our newsletter, the Reaching Out, either in the Narthex or at the Hospitality Desk near the Highland Avenue doors. Attend an Inquirers Class on February 3 and 10 for an opportunity to learn more about ELPC, Presbyterian theology, and to explore membership. Lunch will be provided. Contact Gloria Knopp for more information (GloriaK@coh.net; x122). Call the Church Office ( ), or visit the ELPC website at

6 O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL Public domain

7 GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN CCLI #689547

8 ANGELS, FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY Public domain

9 AWAY IN A MANGER Public domain

10 SILENT NIGHT Public domain

11 THE FIRST NOWELL Public domain

12 Photo courtesy of Dr. Ed Moore