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
EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE Family Candlelight Service - Christmas Eve December 24, 2011 5:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS PRELUDE: "Greensleeves Richard Purvis (1913-1994) *[Please stand for the Presentation of the Flame ] CALL TO WORSHIP: Sing praises to the LORD, who has done magnificent things: Let God s deeds be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One, our God. As the earth brings forth its shoots, and as what is sown springs up in a garden, so the LORD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations. We will greatly rejoice in the Lord, we will praise God with our whole being. *CHRISTMAS CAROL: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" PH 132 LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE: The Peterson/Driscoll Family *INVOCATION (unison) God of earth and heaven: when you brought your firstborn into the world, you sent your angel messengers, swift as the winds, and your servants, like flames of fire, to tell the glad news: Give us courage in the midst of all earth s shadows to praise you for the Light that overcomes; to sing the glory of your beloved Son, who came to live among us, full of grace and truth. It is in his name that we pray *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: Isaiah 62:10-12 Luke 2:1-7 CHRISTMAS CAROL: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come PH 130 OFFERTORY SENTENCE OFFERTORY DUET: Child of the stable s secret birth Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926) Music: Thomas Hewitt Jones (b.1984) Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano, and Paul Knox, baritone 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. Gussie Doane Memorial Music 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. *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 2:8-20 CHRISTMAS CAROL: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing PH 120 CHRISTMAS MEDITATION: Let the Children Lead Us Jared Hamilton, Youth Director PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God of angels and shepherds, we thank you for taking care of Mary and Joseph. We thank you for the warm stable and the soft hay. We thank you that Jesus your Son came to live on earth, and that he was a sweet baby, cradled in his mother s arms. Help us to remember that he sometimes cried and got hungry. Help us to remember that he was like us in every way, but he was also your Son. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God s people on earth. God of glory, we thank you for Christmas, for laughter and singing, for family and friends, for presents and good food. Help us to remember the people who are hungry,
the people who are sick or sad, the people who are afraid. Help us to remember all year long that Jesus is the Prince of peace. Glory to God in the highest and peace to God s people on earth. AMEN. *CHRISTMAS CAROL: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen PH 122 LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES CHRISTMAS CAROL: "Silent Night, Holy Night" PH 138 BENEDICTION *[Please stand for The Removal of the Flame ] THE POSTLUDE: Swiss Noël, with Variations Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) * * * * * * * The greeters are the Peterson/Driscoll family. The lay reader is Nancy Peterson. The Acolyte is Toni Rerisi. The Bell Ringer is Nico Rerisi. The flowers on the altar are given in Celebration of the birth of the Christ Child and in loving memory of our parents, Dr. Wilson E. Hughes and Ernest W. and Gladys Mander, 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 Christmas poinsettias will beautify our sanctuary through tonight s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and Christmas Sunday. You may take your plant after this evening 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
The deacons are Lance Walker and Dan DeOreo. The sexton is Jennifer Gallagher. 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 Thursday, December 24 Evening 7pm Candlelighting worship service Rev. John Hughes Sunday, December 25 10am Christmas Day Worship Service Rev. John Hughes