Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ. Founded in 1665

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1 Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ Founded in 1665

2 W elcome to this special service of worship at First Congregational Church on this most holy of nights. May the mystery and magnitude of these moments shared together renew your heart with the light and love which came into the world in the Christ Child. A blessed and Merry Christmas to you and our entire church family! Candlelight Service Christmas Eve 24 December o clock in the evening ************************************************************** *All who are able please stand PRELUDE Mary Fike, flute; Lynette Wardle, harp; Tod Hedrick, bass Pastorales de Noël André Jolivet I. L Étoile (The Star) II. Les Mages (The Wisemen) III. La Vierge et l Enfant (The Virgin and the Child) IV. Entrée et Danse des Bergers (Entrance and Dance of the Shepherds) CHRISTMAS PROMISE (spoken by minister) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2, 6) *CAROL O Come, All Ye Faithful Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 132 LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CHILD CANDLE Rev. Avery C. Manchester and Pamela Armstrong-Manchester Opening Sentences

3 Scripture: Luke 2:6-7 Prayer: O God, our journey in faith brings us to this special night when we see the in-breaking of your light and love in one so frail and fragile. In awe and admiration, we give thanks for your incarnate presence now among us. Amen. Lighting of the Christ Child Candle: We light the Christ Child Candle in the radiance of this magnificent evening, praising God with the Heavenly Host for the vessel of love offered through the birth of a baby. *CAROL Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 131 THE FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 11:1, 2, 6-9 Paul Kretschmann The prophet points to the reign of peace when the Messiah has come. ANTHEM Thou Whose Birth on Earth Thou whose birth on earth Angels sang to men, While stars made mirth, Saviour, at thy birth, This day born again; As this night was bright With thy cradle ray, Very light of light, Turn the wild world s night To thy perfect day. Thou, the Word and Lord, In all time and space Heard, beheld, adored, With all ages poured Forth before thy face, The Chancel Choir Derek Healey Lord, what worth in earth Drew thee down to die? What there-in was worth, Lord, thy death and birth? What beneath the sky? Yet, thy poor endure, And are with us yet. Be thy name a sure Refuge for thy poor, Whom men s eyes forget. Bid our peace increase, Thou that madest morn; Bid oppression cease; Bid the night be peace; Bid the day be born! THE SECOND LESSON: Luke 1:26-35, 38 Barbara Norrgard The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing she will bear a son, Jesus.

4 *CAROL O Little Town of Bethlehem Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 134 THE THIRD LESSON: Luke 2:1-7 Ginny Breismeister Saint Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. *CAROL On Christmas Night All Christians Sing New Century (black) Hymnal 143 THE FOURTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-16 Mary Ranta The shepherds go to the manger. ANTHEM The Chancel Choir Shepherd s Pipe Carol John Rutter Going through the hills on a night all starry On the way to Bethlehem, Far away I heard a shepherd boy piping On the way to Bethlehem. (refrain) Angels in the sky brought this message nigh: Dance and sing for joy that Christ the new-born King is come to bring us peace on earth, and he s lying cradled there at Bethlehem. Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily On the way to Bethlehem, Who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely On the way to Bethlehem? (refrain) None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely On the way to Bethlehem; But a King will hear me play sweet lullabies When I get to Bethlehem. Hovered over the manger where the babe was lying cradled in the arms of his mother Mary, sleeping now at Bethlehem. Where is this new King, shepherd boy piping merrily, Is he there at Bethlehem? I will find him soon by the star shining brightly In the sky over Bethlehem. (refrain) May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily, Come with you to Bethlehem? Pay my homage too at the new King s cradle, Is it far to Bethlehem? (refrain) Angels in the sky brought this message nigh: Dance and sing for joy that Christ the infant King is born this night in lowly stable yonder, Born for you at Bethlehem. THE FIFTH LESSON: Matthew 2:1-11 The wise men worship the child. Ken Kolb

5 ANTHEM Qui creavit celum Qui creavit celum, Nascitur in stabulo, Rex qui regit seculum. Joseph emit panniculum, Mater involvit Puerum, Et ponit in presepio. Inter animalia, Jacent mundi gaudia, Dulcis super omnia. Lactat Mater Domini, Osculatur parvulum, Et adorat Dominum. Roga, mater, Filium, Ut det nobis gaudium, In perenni gloria. In sempiterna secula, In eternum et ultra, Det nobis sua gaudia. The Chancel Choir Roland E. Martin He who created the heavens Is born in a stable, The King who rules for ever. Joseph buys a little swaddling-cloth; The mother wraps the boy And places him in the manger. Among the animals Lies the joy of the world Sweeter than all else. The Mother of the Lord gives milk; She kisses her Infant And worships the Lord. Mother, ask your Son To grant us joy In eternal glory. For ever and ever, To eternity and beyond, May he give us his joys. THE SIXTH LESSON: John 1:1-14 Dr. David D. Young Saint John interprets the mystery of the Incarnation. CHRISTMAS EVE MEDITATION The Midnight Madness Sale (Tonight we transition quietly to a time of offering.) OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir; Eric Phinney, snare drum Il est né le divin enfant (He is Born) Jackson Berkey He is born the Divine Child. Play the musetta, play the joyous oboe, Sing we all and rejoice this day! Now is born the Child Divine! O, how lovely, and O, how mild. See this perfectly charming child, O, how lovely and O how pure, Il est né, rejoice this day! Sing we all his Holy birth! Through the ages and evermore, Prophets and wise men foretold His coming. Twice two thousand years, or more. Now the Age of Gold restore! Jesus, Lord of all the world. Coming as a child among us is this perfect Child of heaven, gracious Gift of God to Man!

6 O, how lovely, and O, so pure See this charmingly perfect, Holy Child. Through the ages and evermore, Let all sing and rejoice this day. All rejoice on a Christmas Day! *OFFERTORY RESPONSE (verse 3 of As With Gladness Men of Old) As they offered gifts most rare, At the manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ to thee, our heavenly King. Amen. CHRISTMAS PRAYER CHRISTMAS POEM The Sheep Stood Stunned in Sudden Light Thomas Troeger PASSING OF THE LIGHT (The ministers will go to the central Christ candle and receive the light. Then, the light will move out into the entire congregation, with the choir sharing in this movement. Each one receives and passes on the light as those receiving the light tip their unlit candles into the flame.) *CAROL: Joy to the World! The Lord is Come Joy to the world! the Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns: Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love.

7 *CAROL: Silent Night, Holy Night (The congregation lifts their candles on the last verse.) 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, Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. *THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING (After the Christmas Blessing all candles are extinguished.) POSTLUDE Terence J. Flanagan, organ Carillon (from 24 Pièces en style libre, Op. 31) Louis Vierne The participation of Lynette Wardle and Eric Phinney in tonight s service is made possible by the Dorothy and Frank Crabill Memorial Fund. We gratefully acknowledge the donated musical services of Mary Fike and Tod Hedrick. The Church Offices will be closed Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28 for the Christmas Holiday. Merry Christmas and a healthy, Happy New Year to all from the staff and officers of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich.

8 Sunday Afternoons Live is a series of chamber music, vocal, piano and jazz concerts held in the Auditorium during the months of January and February. The audience is seated at candlelit tables, creating a comfortable atmosphere. Hot chocolate, tea and cookies are served from 3:30 pm and the performances begin at 4:00, concluding between 5:15 and 5:30 pm. There is no admission charge, but a $15.00 donation is requested from those who are able to contribute Schedule January 3 Andrew Armstrong, piano January 10 Ed Wright, guitar January 17 No performance January 24 Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, cabaret duo January 31 Mauro Bertoli, piano February 7 No performance February 14 Susan Hytken, violin, Rheagan Osteen, horn, Christine Diwyk, piano February 21 Donald Vega Jazz Trio February 28 Melissa Westgate, cello, Amaryllis Glass, piano

9 The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, (203) Ministers: Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. David D. Young Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Associate Pastor for Christian Education: Rev. Kate S. Forer Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Director of Music/Senior Organist: Dr. John Stansell Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove