Welcome to the TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL PARISH OF CASTINE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Transcription

1 Welcome to the TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL PARISH OF CASTINE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Castine, Maine December 24, 2016

2 Welcome to the TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL PARISH OF CASTINE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Castine, Maine Christmas Eve December 24, :00 pm Church Musician: Paul Dickson Pastor: Rev. Tim Hall Deacon: Ray Nualla Lector: Ray Nualla Ministers: All Members GATHERING AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH We welcome you to worship in this special place, and hope that you feel free to greet your friends and neighbors as you arrive. Please let the playing of the organ prelude signal a settling time of quiet and meditation as we prepare ourselves for the Word of God. PRELUDE GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS INTERLUDE/ACOLYTE *CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively) Today we gather to anticipate and celebrate. It s a two thousand year old story, but it is made new each year at this time. The hope, of course, is that the newness remains: Let a new way of seeing, doing, and being fill our hearts and cause us to put aside all the things that keep us apart and afraid; let us embrace God s way. *CAROL O Come, All You Faithful (P) 132 2

3 LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE The Goodson family HEARING THE WORD Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 9:2-7 Epistle Titus 3:4-7 ANTHEM In the Bleak Mid-winter trad. Suzanne Eaton, soprano James Eaton, tenor Tom Tootill, bass THE CHRISTMAS STORY MARY S ANNUNCIATION Luke 1:30, CAROL Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming (P) 131 Verse 1 and 2, seated JOSEPH S DREAM Matthew 1:18 25 *CAROL O Come, O Come Emmanuel (P) 110 Verse 1 and 2, standing THE MARKETPLACE Luke 2:4 5 CAROL O Little Town of Bethlehem (P) 134 Verse 1 and 3, seated THE INN Luke 2:6 7 CAROL What Child is This? (P) 140 Verse 1 and 2, seated 3

4 ANGELS IN THE HEAVENS Luke 2:8 12 CAROL It Came upon the Midnight Clear (P) 129 Verse 1 and 2, seated SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELDS Luke 2: *CAROL Angels We Have Heard on High (P) 116 Verse 1, 2, and 3, standing THE MANGER Matthew 2:1 2 CAROL Away in a Manger (P) 137 Verse 1 and 2, seated THE CHOIR Luke 2:20 *CAROL Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (P) 120 Verse 1, 2, and 3, standing THE OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS INVITATION TO OFFERING Offertory On This Day Earth Shall Ring Tom Tootill, baritone *Doxology (Unison) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Trad. *Prayer of Dedication (Unison) God of wonder, we rejoice in the good news of the birth of Jesus; with the angels, the shepherds, and the 4

5 faithful of every nation, we glorify your holy name. Amen. Anthem I Wonder as I Wander traditional Arthur Blake, voice THE CHURCH AT PRAYER Pastoral Prayer Lord s Prayer (Unison) Our Father, 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, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen THE LIGHT ENTERS THE WORLD The pastor will light a candle from the Christ candle. The ushers will light their candles from the pastor s candle, and then light the candle of the worshipper nearest each isle. The light is then passed on. Note: only the unlighted candle should be tipped when lighting a candle. HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night (P) 138 Verse 1, 2, and 3, seated (Extinguish candles after the hymn) GOING FORTH INTO THE WORLD *CAROL Joy to the World (P) 130 Verse 1, 2, and 3 standing 5

6 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Fantasy on Angels We Have Heard' *All who are able, please stand P. Dickson Notes: (NC) New Century Hymnal (black) (P) Pilgrim Hymnal (blue) *All who are able, please stand Hanging of the Greens Special thanks go out to all who have contributed plants, flowers, time, and talent to the decorating of our church for this special season of hope, peace, joy, and love. Poinsettia plants have been donated by: Dianne and Silas Yates, in honor of their children; Tim and Irene Hall, in honor of their family: Travis, Mary, and Parker; Jean Cass; David and Elise Adams, in honor of their family and relatives; and Bobby and Ruth Anne Vagt, to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ruth and C. V. Green, Ruth Anne's parents. The Christmas Story And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto 6

7 the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:1 20, KJV) 7

8 Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine United Church of Christ PO Box Main Street Castine, Maine Our Website: Our Sermon Blog: Check us out on Facebook: Rev. Tim Hall Pastor and Teacher Church Office: Home: Emergencies: Home: Paul Dickson Church Musician Nina Stewart Chair, Church Home: Council Jean Cass Clerk Home: Kay Hightower Treasurer Home: Ray Nualla Chair, Board Home: of Deacons 8