1
Welcome to our Christmas Eve Service We re delighted that you re here! With the open arms of Christ, we welcome persons of every age, ability, race, or ethnicity fully into the life of the church, recognizing and respecting all sexual orientations and gender identities. Because we do things differently for Christmas Eve, below is an overview of activities and times for what we do regularly. We hope that you will join us! Regular Services take place each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel and 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. You can view our service times on our website or Facebook page. Christian Education classes for all ages take place most Sunday s at 9:00 a.m. You can visit our online calendar to view future class dates, times, and subjects. First Presbyterian Church offers a wide variety of ministries and study groups including: quilting and knitting groups; Friend s Class; men s, women s, and couple s fellowship groups; caregiver and bereavement support groups; Chancel Choir; middle and high school youth groups; local and national mission trips; several different weekly/monthly bible study groups; and much more. For a full listing of ministries, please visit our website or Facebook page. Large print bulletins (with hymns included) are available. Please ask an usher. Hearing Assistance: First Presbyterian has a hearing loop for hearing aid users equipped with T- coils. Brochures explaining this feature are available in the pews. There are also head phones available in the Narthex (aka the entryway) if you don t have hearing aids. Childcare (infants and toddlers through 2 years old) is available in the nursery located across from the Library. We welcome infants and small children in worship, but if your child needs care or becomes uncomfortable during the service, feel free to leave and return as you wish. Worship Bags with activities, and Bibles for Children are available near the entrances of the Chapel and the Sanctuary. Online Connections: Please learn more about us on our website, www.firstpresneenah.org, and Like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/firstpresneenah, for updates on church activities. Readers: Jack Keller, Steven Paul Spears, Ella Buksyk, and Paris Schafer. 2
December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve *Those who are able are invited to stand. 4:00 p.m. Prelude Away in a Manger arr. John Carter Go Tell It on the Mountain arr. John Carter I Wonder as I Wander arr. Nancy Raabe Silent Night, Holy Night! arr. Nancy Raabe Sing Lullaby! arr. Nancy Raabe The First Noel arr. Nancy Raabe I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve arr. John Carter Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming arr. John Carter What Child is This arr. John Carter Blake Doss, piano In the Bleak Midwinter Jack Keller, violin, Will Volkman, tenor saxophone, Steven Paul Spears, piano Variations on In dulci jubilo Blake Doss, organ 3 Gustav Holst, arr. K. Lee Scott Denis Bédard Greeting and Announcements The grace of our Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. * Call to Worship, Carol 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES Opening Prayer * Carol 121 (v. 1 3) O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS The Christmas Story First Reading Vision of God s Peaceable Reign Isaiah 11:1-10 In the peaceable reign of God, enemies become friends. We will work for peace in our lives and in our world. During this and the next several carols, the ushers will direct the children, section by section, to come forward with their strips of cloth and lay them in the manger, to soften it for Baby Jesus. Carol 123 (v. 1, 2, & 5) It Came Upon the Midnight Clear CAROL Cloth for the Cradle children from the front section come forward.
Second Reading The People Who Walked in Darkness Isaiah 9:2-7 Lighting of the first four Advent Candles The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. We will walk in the light of God. Brittany & Evelyn Golden Carol 119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN Cloth for the Cradle children from the second section come forward. Third Reading The Angel s Announcement to Mary Luke 1:26-38 Carol The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came GABRIEL S MESSAGE Cloth for the Cradle children from the back section come forward. 4
Fourth Reading The Angel Speaks to Joseph in a Dream Matthew 1:18-25 The Greek word for angel means messenger. Like Mary and Joseph, we will open our ears to God s message to us, and open our hearts to respond. Carol 143 Angels, from the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE Cloth for the Cradle children from the balcony come forward. Fifth Reading The Savior Is Born Luke 2:1-14 Narrator: 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, Angel: 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. Narrator: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Congregation: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those who find favor! Response As the child was wrapped in bands of cloth, so we are wrapped in God s love. With grateful hearts, we will share that love with all. Carol 115 Away in a Manger MUELLER 5
Offering Prayer (Adapted from The Book of Common Worship 1993 Westminster/John Knox Press) Eternal God, we rejoice at the birth of Jesus, for he is the daystar from on high, the light dawning on those who have walked in darkness, and the presence of new life for a weary world. By the light of this gift of our Savior, we see how generous all your blessings are. Especially we thank you for those whom we love and who love us, for freedom to worship and serve you, and for forgiveness and healing to begin life anew. Gracious God, kindle a flame in our hearts to warm our love for others, even as you loved this world enough to send your Son. We remember in our prayers all who are in need: those who are lonely, those who are grieving, the outcast, the abandoned, the homeless, the imprisoned, and those burdened by despair. Take these gifts and use them, that peace may come to the world, and that all may learn to live together in Christ s love. And as we seek to live in Christ s way, so we pray: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Sharing of Our Gifts and Offerings (Please sign and pass the Fellowship Pads) Sharing the Light of Christ Offertory Mary s Lullaby Almon C. Bock II Jack Keller, violin, Paris Schafer, viola Blake Doss, piano * Sung Response, Carol 136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT Sixth Reading The Light Shines in the Darkness John 1:1-14 Lighting of the Christ Candle Carol 134 Joy to the World MUELLER The Lighting of the Candles The worshiper lights the candle by dipping it to a neighbor s lighted wick. Be careful of the lighted candles and use special caution with children. Raise your candle when the pastors raise theirs. After the service, extinguish and leave it at the door. 6
Carol Silent Night, Holy Night STILLE NACHT (*Congregation rises at the second 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. * Christmas Prayer 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. * Charge and Benediction Postlude Toccatina on Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Richard Elliott ***************** Ushers during the service this evening are: Amy Foster, Debbie and Warren Griffith, Nolan Knapp, Christina Keller, Art McFarland, Tanya and Matt Schroeder, Dave Struensee, and Karl Volkman. Please join us tomorrow from Noon to 1:00 p.m. for the Christmas Dinner. Enjoy a full turkey buffet and celebrate Christ s birth in a warm relaxed setting. On the menu: turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, green bean casserole, rolls, and pie. We ask that participants bring a dish to share. 7
8