Christmas Worship Service Sundays 1300 E Aloha St First Service 9:00 AM Second Service 11:30 AM. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Transcription

1 Christmas Eve Lessons Carols 2015

2 Worship Service Sundays 1300 E Aloha St First Service 9:00 AM Second Service 11:30 AM Nursery Tonight 6 months3 years Christmas 2015 God is light, in him is no darkness at all. I John 1:5 Each year as fall turns into winter days get progressively shorter, many of us begin to experience toll that darkness takes upon us. ur mood sinks we can find it harder to go about daily tasks of life. We begin to long for return of healing light of sun. Certain types of artificial light try to mimic what sun can do, but y are, in end, cheap garish substitutes for real thing. The biblical narrative tells a story of a world that was enveloped in darkness a darkness of sin, prideful autonomy, foolish efforts to create our own light. And, into this great darkness, God true Light has come. The birth of Jesus is pivotal moment in a story that is both ancient modern. It is story of God s loving pursuit of men, women, children he has created even though we have turned away from him. Note: The order of service we are using tonight is an adapted form of order used at Kings College, Cambridge, Engl. Unless orwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Stard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. It is an honest story; one that tells truth about sin shame guilt. It is a story of loneliness alienation yearning loss. But it is also a hopeful story, where God s love for us overcomes all that separates us from him. In Jesus, God has come to dwell with us again. Tonight, we will enter into that ancient glorious story of God s quest to be reunited with his beloved. Truth be told, it is a strange meering tale that encompasses wayfaring strangers, ignored prophets, a frightened teenage bride, apocalyptic dreams too good to be true. But if we follow threads to end, we will see God s pursuit culminate in a joyful loving embrace. Let heaven nature sing!

3 CHRISTMAS EVE 2015 PRELUDE Genesis 1:12 In beginning, God created heavens earth. The earth was without form void, darkness was over face of deep. And Spirit of God was hovering over face of waters. Please silence all mobile phones electronic devices for duration of worship service. Text in bold is read toger by entire congregation. Plain text is read by one of worship service leaders. The song text below is given for reflection. Star of Wonder Sufjan Stevens I call you from comet's cradle I found you trembling by yourself When night falls lightly on your rightwing shoulder Wonderful knowitall, slightly where night gets colder h, conscience, where will you carry me? I found you; star of terrifying effigies When night falls I carry myself to fortress f your glorious cost; h, I may seek your fortress When night falls we see star of wonder Wonderful night falls, we see you we see you re I see stars coming down re Coming down re to yard I see stars coming down re Coming down re to my heart These days, days, days run away Like horses over hills LIGHTING F THE CHRIST CANDLE Christians adopted practice of lighting of cles during Advent in Middle Ages. Anor cle is lit during each of four Sundays of Advent, signifying hope, love, joy, peace. The white Christ cle represents light that has come into world through Jesus Christ. 1

4 Sting PENING PRAYER Let it be our joy tonight to prepare ourselves to hear message of angels: in heart mind to go even to Bethlehem see this thing which has come to be, with shepherds wise men adore Child lying in his mor s arms. Let us read mark in God s word tale of loving purposes of God from first days of human sin to glorious redemption brought to us by this Holy Child; in company with whole Church let us make this our church glad with our songs of praise: But first let us pray: For needs of whole world; for peace goodwill over all earth. (silence) And let us remember poor helpless: The cold, hungry, oppressed; sick in body in mind those who mourn; lonely unloved; elderly little children; all who know not loving kindness of Lord. (silence) Let us also remember all those who have gone before us in faith. Those who rejoice in Christ with us, but upon anor shore in a greater light, that multitude which none can number, whose hope was in Jesus Christ: let us pray that we may be counted among that fellowship of saints, receiving grace to offer unto God our service, living in unity fellowship with all his people, giving honor to all that he has made. (silence) Let us pray toger as Christ taught us, saying: ur Far, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is kingdom, power, glory, forever. Amen. Seated 2

5 FIRST LESSN Genesis 3:819 And y heard sound of LRD God walking in garden in cool of day, man his wife hid mselves from presence of LRD God among trees of garden. But LRD God called to man said to him, Where are you? And he said, I heard sound of you in garden, I was afraid, because I was naked, I hid myself. He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of tree of which I commed you not to eat? The man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of tree, I ate. Then LRD God said to woman, What is this that you have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, I ate. God lovingly graciously comes searching for his people, inviting us to come out of hiding. God tells Adam Eve that y have lost life of Paradise but also promises that a descendant of Eve will triumph over serpent. The LRD God said to serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock above all beasts of field; on your belly you shall go, dust you shall eat all days of your life. I will put enmity between you woman, between your offspring her offspring; he shall bruise your head, you shall bruise his heel. To woman he said, I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husb, he shall rule over you. And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to voice of your wife have eaten of tree of which I commed you, You shall not eat of it, cursed is ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all days of your life; thorns thistles it shall bring forth for you; you shall eat plants of field. By sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, to dust you shall return. 3

6 Sting CARL 12th C. Latin (Trans. John M. Neale 1851) 15th C. French Veni Emmanuel Come, Come, Emmanuel b b el, cheer high, bind, b mourns sperse b us en come, come, come, come, our all Thou Thou De come, Day Wis sire ran som spi rits or der peo ples Em spring dom of cap tive by Thine all things in one man co fro na Is ad far heart me m ra vent u on tions Πel here. nigh; mind. that Di To Bid in vy, lone gloom path strife, ly y of ex clouds know quar ile of ledge rels here night, show, cease. un Fill b til death's cause Re dark us whole Son sha in world of dows her with God put ways hea ap to to ven's 3. pear. flight. go. peace. Πjoice! Re joice! Em man u el shall b come to e, Is ra el. Π17 Seated SECND LESSN Genesis 12:13 God promises that, through Abram Sarai, he will bless world, reversing curse of Genesis 3. Now LRD said to Abram, Go from your country your kindred your far's house to l that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, him who dishonors you I will curse, in you all families of earth shall be blessed.

7 INTERLUDE Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming 15th Century German Trans. Theodore Baker, 189 THIRD LESSN Isaiah 9:27 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a l of deep darkness, on m has light shone. You have multiplied nation; you have increased its joy; y rejoice before you as with joy at harvest, as y are glad when y divide spoil. For yoke of his burden, staff for his shoulder, rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on day of Midian. For every boot of tramping warrior in battle tumult every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Far, Prince of Peace. f increase of his government of peace re will be no end, on throne of David over his kingdom, to establish it to uphold it with justice with righteousness from this time forth forevermore. The zeal of LRD of hosts will do this. God promises that a great king will come into world rescue us from our darkness. This king will rule righteously restore all that is broken in world. 5

8 Sting HYMN F MERCY Adapted from Isaiah 0:15 Smith, Alldredge 2012 Grace Church Seattle Comfort, Comfort You My People Œ 1. Com fort, com fort 2. For her ald's 3. Make you straight what tell of in make 5 5 sit make true Speak For m; way; broad; peace, thus de sert rough er says far pla our ces God; near, plain; in da rkness bowed be neath re pen tance since king hum ble, as be fits you that ir that God's to war glo war hills word you voice once my peo ple, is cry ing was crook ed, com fort bidd ing let your those who us to hearts be o pre ssion's load. dom now is here. God's ho ly reign. Je ru se lem of peace ning cry o bey! Now pre pare ry of Lord o'er earth tell let Œ 5 2 Ó Œ m all fare now is bow down in is ne ver that va flesh o greet bro ir lleys shall Ó Œ ver. ing. ken. sins rise see 1. I in that for is Œ 5 Œ Ó Œ waits for God a shed a co ver, mee ting to ken 5 5 Seated FURTH LESSN Matw 1:1825 The Lord comes to Joseph in a dream tells him that child that Mary is carrying will save us from our sins. Now birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mor Mary had been betrod to Joseph, before y came toger she was found to be with child from Holy Spirit. And her husb Joseph, being a just man unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered se things, behold, an angel of Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from ir sins. All this took place to fulfill what Lord had spoken by prophet: Behold, virgin shall conceive bear a son, y shall call his name Immanuel 6 (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as angel of Lord commed him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

9 Sting CARL Little Town of Bethlehem little town of Bethlehem! How still we see e lie; Above thy deep dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light; The hopes fears of all years Are met in e tonight. Lyrics: Phillip Brooks, 1867 Music: St. Louis by Lewis Radner, 1868 Arr. Mason Neely, Isaac Wardell How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in. holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, enter in, Be born in us today. We hear Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; h come to us, abide with us, ur Lord Emmanuel! Seated 7

10 FIFTH LESSN Matw 2:112 The wise men follow star to find Jesus born in Bethlehem. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in days of Herod king, behold, wise men from east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who has been born king of Jews? For we saw his star when it rose have come to worship him. When Herod king heard this, he was troubled, all Jerusalem with him; assembling all chief priests scribes of people, he inquired of m where Christ was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in l of Judah, are by no means least among rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod summoned wise men secretly ascertained from m what time star had appeared. And he sent m to Bethlehem, saying, Go search diligently for child, when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come worship him. After listening to king, y went on ir way. And behold, star that y had seen when it rose went before m until it came to rest over place where child was. When y saw star, y rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into house y saw child with Mary his mor, y fell down worshiped him. Then, opening ir treasures, y offered him gifts, gold frankincense myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, y departed to ir own country by anor way. The song text below is given for reflection. Adapted from Salvation is Created Pavel Tchesnokov, 1912 arr. Isacc Wardell Mason Neely, 2009 Salvation is Created Salvation is created! Salvation is created! Salvation is created In midst of us. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen! 8

11 HMILY Christmas Grace Rev. John Haralson Sermons can be streamed downloaded at graceseattle.org/resources on itunes. Grace Kids order of worship is available in lobby for kids 5 years old up. THE SACRAMENT F CMMUNIN Communion, also called Lord s Supper or Eucharist, is family meal of Christians. We invite all baptized followers of Jesus Christ who acknowledge ir sins against God ir neighbors confess ir need for grace of Christ to partake of this meal. If you are a Christian haven t been baptized, please talk with one of our pastors. We would be honored to baptize you. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ with his people, church. Allergenfree communion elements (wafer ingredients: organic brown rice flour, organic white rice flour) are available at center of communion table. To partake, please dip in wine cup on table, n proceed through line. The song text below is given for reflection. May We Find The Light Lost weary travelers Searching for way to go Strangers, heavyhearted Longing for someone to know David Gungor John Arndt May we find light May we find light May we find light To guide us home There are weary travelers Searching everywhere we go Strangers who are searching Longing deeply to be known A light shines down on us A star of hope shines bright The light shines bright The light shines bright INTERLUDE It s Christmas Time The Holly Ivy Victor Young English FolkCarol (1911) 9

12 CARL Sting James Montgomery 1816, Henry Smart 1867 Come, All Ye Faithful # # c. umphantta tion, morning: # hold God, Fa Him r, come ye, sing, all ye Je sus, to born King of glo ry in late in flesh ap come, Sing Yea, all ye choirs of Lord, we come ye, to cit izens of Thee be all. an high pear j faith ful, an gels, greet Thee,. Beth heav n glo gels; est; ing; j le a ry w hem; bove; giv n: come, let us a joy ful tri sing in ex ul born this happy come be glo ry to Word of dore Him, # j.. Œ. come let us a dore Him, come let us a dore Him, Christ Lord. CARL Hark Herald Angels Sing! Charles Wesley 1739, Felix Mendelssohn 180 b. b j. Peace Late Light on in earth, time life b Joy Veiled Mild ful, in He all flesh lays j be to ye his b With th'an gel ic Pleased as man with born to raise b. J Hark! her ald an gels sing, adored, of Peace! heav'n Prince mer cy hold Him all He mild, come, brings, na tions, God head glo ry rise, see; by, host men sons Join tri umph Hail th'incathat man nate Born no proclaimto dwell, of earth, an gels sing,. J Hark! her ald Christ, by high est Hail, heav'nborn "Glo ry to newborlast ing Lord! King; Christ, Ev er Hail, Son of Righteousness!. j rec on ciled!" Virgin'in His womb. wings.. "Christ Je Born is sus, to. born our give j God sin ners ffspring of Ris'n with healing of skies; De i ty, more may die, in Beth le hem!" Em man u el. m sec ond birth. j "Glo ry to newborn King" 10

13 CARL The First Noël 3 j 1. The 2. They first look No ed el up an gel did saw a Anonymous "Noël" means "Christmas" or "Christmas time" in old French. say star fields to was shining to where cer in y earth tain poor lay it shep east, herds be in keep gave ing great ir sheep, light, fields as yond on a cold so y m lay; far; in j winter's night that it con ti nued both j was day so deep. night. No el, No el, No el, No el, [* 2nd time repeat chorus] Œ 8 born is King of Is ra el. CARL Love Came Down At Christmas Love Wor Love Wor j j came ship was ship born we down we at Christ God at our Christ mas; Je sus; mas; head; star but love, love all in love ly, car nate, where an gels gave with for sa cred j j love love di di vine. vine. j j sign. sign. Love shall be our to ken; love be yours love be mine. j j Love to God all men. Love for plea, gift, sign. 8 Œ Christina Georgina Rossetti, j j j j Love came down at Christ mas; love, all love ly, love di vine. Love was born at Christ mas; star an gels gave sign. Seated 11

14 SIXTH LESSN Revelation 21:15, 2226 God promises that Jesus will return to complete work of salvation he has begun. We live in hope of Christ's second advent. Then I saw a new heaven a new earth, for first heaven first earth had passed away, sea was no more. And I saw holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husb. And I heard a loud voice from throne saying, Behold, dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with m, y will be his people, God himself will be with m as ir God. He will wipe away every tear from ir eyes, death shall be no more, neir shall re be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for former things have passed away. And he who was seated on throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for se words are trustworthy true. And I saw no temple in city, for its temple is Lord God Almighty Lamb. And city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for glory of God gives it light, its lamp is Lamb. By its light will nations walk, kings of earth will bring ir glory into it, its gates will never be shut by day re will be no night re. They will bring into it glory honor of nations. Sting CARL Isacc Watts, 1719 Joy To The World Joy to world; Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heav'n nature sing. And heav'n nature sing. And heav'n, heav n nature sing. No more let sins sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as curse is found. Far as curse is found. Far as, far as curse is found. Joy to earth, Savior reigns, Let men ir songs employ; While fields floods, rocks, hills, plains, Repeat sounding joy. Repeat sounding joy. Repeat, repeat sounding joy. He rules world with truth grace, And makes nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love. And wonders of his love. And wonders, wonders of his love. 12

15 PRAYER AND BLESSING May Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. God, who makes us glad with yearly remembrance of birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, so may we also with confidence meet him when he returns. Amen. May God of peace grant you fullness of inward peace goodwill, may blessing of God Almighty, Far, Son, Holy Spirit, be upon you remain with you always. Amen! PSTLUDE Gloria! Jess Annie Alldredge, 201 Grace Church Seattle 13

16 STAFF Rev. John Haralson, Pastor Debbie Smith, Community Formation Director Jess Alldredge, Worship Arts Director Heidi Hansen, Grace Kids Director Mary McMurray, Ministry Administrator Emily Tacke, Sunday Facilities Coordinator Bookkeeper Hannah Gaskins, Grace Kids Host MINISTRY CRDINATRS Jessica Jakubiak, YCG Sara Huey, Meals Ministry Renée Huie, Connection Center Coleen Marta, Serving Seattle Abby St. Hilaire, Serving World Jo Taniguchi, Premarital Mentoring ELDERS Dan Huie Matt Parzybok Adam Schuyler Darik Taniguchi Nat Taylor DEACNS Lee Grooms Bob Montgomery on sabbatical DIACNAL ASSISTANTS Hear Andrews Erika Schuyler REFRMED UNIVERSITY FELLWSHIP (RUF) Rev. Drew Burdette MAKING DISCIPLES. SERVING THE CITY. Grace Church Seattle is a worshipping community in Capitol Hill, Seattle rooted in belief that historic Christian gospel is true, compelling, transformative. Worship Location 1300 E Aloha St Seattle, WA ffice Location 00 E Pine, Suite 215 Seattle, WA graceseattle.org office@graceseattle.org