Sharing the Heart of Christ from the Heart of Cary Christmas Eve 2018 Prepare Him Room Page 1
PRELUDE AN ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE ENTRANCE A RESPONSE (to be sung by all) No. 251 Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born. Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born. * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. People: And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory. All: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! * HYMN 234 O Come, All Ye Faithful adeste fideles O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, Lo, he shuns not the Virgin s womb; Son of the Father, begotten, not created; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Page 2 First United Methodist Church Cary
See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, We would embrace thee with love and awe. Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. OPENING PRAYER O God, you brought us again to the glad season when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that his Spirit may be born anew in our hearts this day and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us. Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old. Open our lips that we, too, may sing with uplifted hearts: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD FIRST LESSON Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. First United Methodist Church Cary Page 3
A RESPONSE (to be sung by all) No. 218 For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, When with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing. SECOND LESSON Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. ANTHEM * GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Page 4 First United Methodist Church Cary
* A RESPONSE (to be sung by all) No. 238 See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! SERMON Prepare Him Room RESPONSE TO THE WORD HYMN 246 Joy to the World antioch 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 world, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. 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. THE PRESENTATION OF GOD S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS OFFERTORY * A DOXOLOGICAL STANZA No. 184 Christ, to thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: Honor, glory and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore. Amen. THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION * HYMN 626 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence picardy (Stanzas 1 and 2) Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. First United Methodist Church Cary Page 5
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood; He will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food. * TAKING THE BREAD AND CUP * THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. The pastor gives thanks appropriate to the occasion, remembering God s acts of salvation, and concludes: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! The pastor continues the thanksgiving, recalling the institution of the Lord s Supper, and concludes: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. The pastor invokes the work of the Holy Spirit, and praises the Trinity, concluding: All honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever. People: Amen. * THE LORD S PRAYER 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 trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. BREAKING THE BREAD GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP Gluten-free elements are available at the Pastor s station. During the communion, the congregation is invited to join in singing the following hymns: Page 6 First United Methodist Church Cary
HYMN 230 O Little Town of Bethlehem st. louis O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth! 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. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! HYMN 240 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing mendelssohn 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, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King! Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, off-spring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the God-head see; hail th incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King! First United Methodist Church Cary Page 7
HYMN 220 Angels from the Realms of Glory regent square Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o er all the earth; Ye who sang creation s story now proclaim Messiah s birth: Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king. Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: Refrain Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star: Refrain Saints, before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear; Suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear: Refrain HYMN 219 What Child Is This greensleeves What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him; The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION O almighty God, by the birth of your holy child Jesus you gave us a great light to dawn on our darkness; and, in this holy mystery, you have given yourself to us. Grant that in Christ s light we may see light, that through his life we may know grace. And bestow on us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all people, so that the likeness of your Son may be formed in us, that we may share the ever brightening hope of everlasting life; Through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Page 8 First United Methodist Church Cary
THE SENDING FORTH * THE SHARING OF THE LIGHT During the singing of Silent Night, the ushers will pass through the congregation and light the candle of the person on the end of each row. You are invited to share the light of Christ from person to person until all candles have been lit. To avoid dripping wax, the person with the lit candle will keep their candle upright, and the person beside them will then light their candle from the upright candle. When we have completed the singing of the hymn, we shall sing the first stanza again. You are invited to keep your candle lit until the pastor has spoken the dismissal. You may return your candles to the baskets provided by the exits. When we sing the word light, in Silent Night, Holy Night, please raise your candle. * HYMN 239 Silent Night, Holy Night stille nacht 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. 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! (Repeat 1st stanza) * DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING * THE CHIMING OF THE TRINITY To honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, please remain standing for all the chimes of the Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. * POSTLUDE * Please stand as you are able. First United Methodist Church Cary Page 9
Music and Worship Leaders 6:30 P.M. SERVICE Anthem: Breath of Heaven, Allison Mease, soloist Preacher: The Reverend Carl Frazier Liturgist: The Reverend Ben Adams Organist: Christy Farrior Pianist: David Griffin Acolyte: Samantha Armand and Matthew Manning Crucifer: Nicholas Armand Fellowship Hall Worship Leader: Patti Cook 9:00 P.M. SERVICE Anthem: The Jesus Gift, Maddie Alger, soloist Preacher: The Reverend Carl Frazier Liturgist: The Reverend Heather Herrin Wong Organist: Christy Farrior Pianist: David Griffin Acolyte: Trevor Laserna and Anna Hudson Crucifer: Connor Hudson Fellowship Hall Worship Leader: Brent Hubbell 11:00 P.M. SERVICE Anthem: Preacher: Liturgist: Organist: Pianist: Acolyte: Crucifer: O Holy Night, Sarah Gothard, Jordan Miller, Nathaniel Belles, Jackson Chauvaux The Reverend Carl Frazier Kollin Absher-Baer Christy Farrior David Griffin Lela Player Colleran Player Page 10 First United Methodist Church Cary
Christmas is a Season of praise and thanksgiving for the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. Our celebratory colors of white and gold are used for the Christmas Season. First United Methodist Church Cary Page 11
Christmas Eve Offering Hurricane Florence was devastating for many communities and for our churches. This year s Christmas Offering will support the restoration of parsonages and church facilities that were centers of ministry for many of these communities. When wind and water had closed many doors, our churches were open, in spite of damage, to meet the needs of their communities. Thank you for supporting the local ministry of our movement with a financial gift to help restore churches to their places of worship and ministry by giving generously in our 2018 Christmas Offering.