First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Rev. John G. Hughes, II, Senior Pastor Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist Judy Haley, Pastoral Assistant Priscilla Duda, Christian Education Director Jared Hamilton, Youth Director Church office: 978-526-7661 ext. 1 Fax: 978-526-7882 Email: office.fpchurch@verizon.net Website: First Parish Church Congregational
WORSHIP SERVICE Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2011 7:00 p.m. ORGAN PRELUDE: Greensleeves Setting by Richard Purvis (1913-1994) *[Please stand for the Presentation of the Flame ] CALL TO WORSHIP: Ever-Faithful God, through prophets and angels, you promised us a holy and blessed child; you promise he who would be Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, an Ever-Lasting Father, a Prince of Peace. You promised us a Kingdom of God, we had yet to imagine. Open our hearts to receive your gift of Grace, to receive your Son, the babe called Jesus. Allow us to establish in our lives, the Kingdom you establish this night. *HYMN "O Come, All Ye Faithful" PH 132 LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: Nigel, Caroline, Harriet, Charlotte, Kate, and Hannah Cheshire EVENING PRAYER *THE LORD'S PRAYER (trespasses) 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, the power and the glory, forever. Amen. *GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen" SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 96
*HYMN: The First Nowell PH 141 SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 9:2-7 ANTHEM: Angels, from the realms of glory Words by James Montgomery (1771-1854) Music by Malcolm Archer (b.1952) 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: Worship Christ, the newborn King! Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light; Worship Christ, the newborn King! Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star; Worship Christ, the newborn King! Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear: Worship Christ, the newborn King! Gussie Doane Memorial Music SCRIPTURE READING: Micah 5:2-5a
*HYMN What Child Is This, Who, Laid to Rest PH 140 OFFERTORY ANTHEM: Child of the stable s secret birth Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926) Music: Thomas Hewitt Jones (b.1984) Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano, and Melissa Glaister, soloists Child of the stable's secret birth, The Lord by right of the lords of earth, Let angels sing of a king newborn The world is weaving a crown of thorn: A crown of thorn for that infant head Cradled soft in a manger bed. Eyes that shine in the lantern s ray; A face so small in its nest of hay, Face of a child who is born to scan The world he made through the eyes of man: And from that face in the final day Earth and heaven shall flee away. Voice that rang through the courts on high, Contracted now to a wordless cry, A voice to master the wind and wave, The human heart and the hungry grave: The voice of God through the cedar trees Rolling forth as the sound of seas. Child of the stable s secret birth, The Father s gift to a wayward earth, To drain the cup in a few short years Of all our sorrows, our sins, and tears- Ours the prize for the road he trod: Risen with Christ; at peace with God. Gussie Doane Memorial Music *DOXOLOGY: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen." SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:1-14
*HYMN: O Little Town of Bethlehem PH 134 CHRISTMAS MEDITATION: One Dark, Cold Night THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES HYMN: "Silent Night, Holy Night" PH 138 (please remain seated) *[Please stand for The Removal of the Flame ] THE POSTLUDE: Swiss Noël, with Variations Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) * * * * * * * The greeters this evening are Fran Bachman and The Cheshire Family. The lay reader this evening is Fran Bachman. The Acolyte is Santana Tosi The Bell Ringer is Colton Tosi. The flowers on the altar are given in Celebration of the birth of the Christ Child and in loving memory of Dr. Wilson E. Hughes, Ernest W. and Gladys Mander, and Barbara Jean Robinson, by the Rev. John and Marilyn Hughes and their family. The flowers in front of the pulpit are given in loving memory of Dr. Joachim Kraft and Dr. Sarah Williams from Christiane and Joseph Alsop. The deacons are Lance Walker and Mary Lumsden. The sexton is Jennifer Gallagher. The Christmas poinsettias will beautify our sanctuary through tonight s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and on Christmas Sunday. Please take your plant after this evening's worship service or on Christmas Sunday.
Thank you to all who donated to purchase poinsettias to beautify our Sanctuary for the Christmas season. Donations to the Diaconate Fund were $140. For the Diaconate Fund Jane Pearson Jolene & Kate Larsen Richard & Ann Greenleaf and Family Chip & Pam Price Alrie & Vin Terrill Family In Celebration of Jan & Al Ireton The birth of Andrew Lauren Breakiron The Gudonis Family Anne & Charles Murphy In Loving Memory of Sally Curry Guy & Doris Willmonton, George Willmonton, Harriet Ernest, Richard & Emily Greenleaf Richard & Ann Greenleaf and Family Glenn J Loucks Larry L Larsen His son Glenn Jolene & Kate Larsen
Hildegarde Sterling In Loving Memory of Jen & Erich Buddenhagen Peter, Jim, Fred & Effie Bachman, Leo & Dorothy MacKenzie Dottie & Fran Bachman Carl A O'Brien Mary-Lou O'Brien and Family Carla Zilbersmith, beloved aunt & sister Jason Smith & Allison Moir-Smith Bill & Barbara Simmons Pauline Bzdula & Ted Bzdula Margit Breakiron Our Loved Ones Antone S DeMoura Jr, Florence Lincoln DeMoura Shirley McColgan Richard & Barbara Smith Paula Bzdula The Gudonis Family Mary, David, Ryan & Rebecca Lumsden David DeMoura Mac McColgan Henrietta T. Burnett, Frederick Peterson, Robert, Gloria & Marion Driscoll Paul Driscoll & Nancy Peterson Martha & Randolph Farmer, Lois & Bill Carhart Martha Farmer & Steve Carhart Rev. Lester & Alice Newman and Grace & Mickey Budrow Steve, Nancy & Shawn Newman Paul Lord, Ruth Lord & Doreen Johnson The Klebart Marcaurelle Family
A warm welcome to all who worship here this evening. If you are a guest or visitor to our church, please fill out the Welcome Card in the pew, place it in the collection plate and sign the guest book located in the narthex. UPCOMING EVENTS May be found on the calendar hung in the narthex, in the Church Bell or on the Church website: www.firstparishchurch.org Sunday, December 25 10am Christmas Day worship Service