Calvary Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve
The Holy Night Worship Service with Candlelight and Holy Communion December 24, 2012 7:00 P.M. The Opening Voluntary Roberta Jones, organ Bell Choir and Women s Choir, directed by Kasandra Buente Qualitas Brass: Mason Stiver, trumpet; Jacob Dopp trumpet; Mike Heuft, horn; Nathaniel Lease, trombone; and Tashio Jefferson, tuba The Striking of the Bell A Christmas Welcome (Please sign and pass the blue fellowship register at this time.) The Choral Introit Make Way Graham Kendrick (Stand for the opening Hymn followed by The Prayer of Adoration.) * A Carol, Hymn 41 O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles Qualitas Brass Verse 1: 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! Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Verse 2: Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! Refrain: Verse 3: repeat Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation! Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all Glory in the highest!
Refrain: repeat * The Prayer of Adoration Leader: Mighty God, the shepherds of old were full of your praises, proclaiming all that they had heard and seen. Move among us now with your Spirit, that we too might hear and experience the wonder and joy of the Christ Child as we seek to welcome your gift of love into our lives. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. (All be seated.) The Call to Confession Leader: When Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, he entered human frailty on our behalf. May we be renewed in him and be free from our wrong and hurtful ways. Let us seek God s grace as we pray together: The Prayer of Confession People: Generous God, you give us the greatest gift of all, your Son, but often we find it hard to take notice; we are caught up with our own gifts, given and received. Forgive us, generous God, for the casual way we treat your gift of love. (A time of silence for personal confession.) Leader: Lord Jesus, bless us with your tender care and fit us for heaven to live with you there. Amen. (Sing with the Chancel Choir.) The Congregational Response Away in a Manager Verse 3: Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, Hymn 25 Mueller
And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there. The Assurance of God s Forgiveness Leader: Holy Scripture tells us: I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. In Christ, the light of God s love shines brightly and removes the darkness of our sin. For love s sake, we are forgiven. (All stand with the Chancel Choir for the singing of The Congregational Response.) * The Congregational Response Angels We Have Heard on High Hymn 23 Gloria Refrain: Glo - - - ria in excelsis Deo; Glo - - - ria in excelsis Deo. (All be seated.) The Prayer for Illumination Leader: Eternal God, in the reading of Holy Scripture, may your Word be heard; in the meditations of our hearts, may your Word be known; and in the faithfulness of our lives, may your Word be shown. Amen. The Scripture 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. Leader: People: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. A Christmas Sermon Wings and Halos Rev. David J. Hanna (Stand with the Chancel Choir for the singing of The Hymn and The Affirmation of Faith.) * A Carol, Hymn 53 What Child is This Greensleeves Verse 1: 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? Refrain: This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary! Verse 2: Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Refrain: Repeat Verse 3: So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh; Come, one and all, to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Refrain: Repeat
* The Affirmation of Faith, in unison In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing was created. The life that was in him became light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -adapted from the Gospel of John, chapter 1 (All be seated.) The Call to Offering Leader: No one gives oneself freely and willingly to God s service unless, having encountered God s love, that one is drawn in love and worships God in return. In response to God s great love, let us present the offerings of our life and labor to God.. The Offertory Anthem O Holy Night arr. Richard A. Nichols Chancel Choir (Stand with the Chancel Choir for the singing of The Doxology, The Prayer of Dedication, and The Hymn.) * The Presentation of the Offering and Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him, above ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. * The Prayer of Dedication Leader: God of wonder, we offer you these humble gifts, signs of your goodness and mercy. Receive them with our gratitude, that through us, all people may know the riches of your love in the Word-made-flesh. Amen. * A Carol, Hymn 44 O Little Town of Bethlehem St. Louis Verse 1: 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. Verse 2: 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. Verse 3: 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. Verse 4: 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! The Sacrament of Holy Communion The Invitation to the Lord's Table The Prayer of Thanksgiving (All be seated.) Monk The Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy William Henry
The Lord s Prayer, in 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 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. The Serving of Holy Communion (The table of our Lord Jesus Christ is open to all who are in communion with the Church universal. We therefore invite members of any branch thereof who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, to join us in this holy fellowship. To come forward, please exit your pew by way of the side aisle and return to your seat from the center aisle. If you do not wish to come forward, remain in your seat and communion will be served to you.) The Communion Anthem Only a Manager Courtney Craig The Prayer after Holy Communion, responsively Leader: Let us pray in unison. People: Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light found in the Child of Bethlehem: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (All remain seated during the candle lighting and the singing of The Hymn.) (Tip the unlit candle toward the lit one.) A Carol Silent Night, Holy Night Hymn 60 Stille Nacht Words & Music: Joseph Mohr Franz Xaver Gruber Verse 1: Silent Night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright,
Verse 2: Verse 3: Verse 4: 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. The Benediction (Carefully continue to hold your candle upright and deposit it in the bins upon exiting the sanctuary.) The Response Born in the Night, Mary s Child Geoffrey Ainger The Organ Postlude * Congregation standing, as able. Hymn History Silent Night, Holy Night Melissa Howard informs that, Joseph Mohr wrote the words for the hymn Silent Night in 1816. Mohr was a village priest in the Austrian village of Oberndorf. Mohr s friend, musician Franz Gruber, composed a guitar accompaniment for the lyrics. The hymn was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818. The hymn spread through the efforts of traveling folks singers and was commonly known as the Tyrolean Folk Song. For many years, the origins of the song and the writer of its lyrics were unknown. In 1994, an original manuscript written by Mohr with credit to Gruber was discovered. As part of popular legend, Silent Night was written on a night when the plans for music were disrupted by a broken organ in the new church. Father Joseph Mohr was prepared for the midnight service at the Church of St Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria. The midnight service had been planned with carefully selected music as part of the celebration. Mohr was
troubled because they would not be able to sing in celebration of Christ s birth. Then it occurred to him that he could write something that did not require an organ to accompany it. On that night, December 24, 1818, a humble hymn was written to be accompanied by the equally humble instrument, the guitar. However, the humble song sung on that fateful night was not to be silenced by the repair of the organ. Karl Mauracher came to Oberndorf to repair the organ. When he heard the story, he requested a copy of the song. He carried the song with him throughout Austria and told the story of the Tiroler Volkslied. The song s success was assured when the Strasser children began singing it. The Strasser children would stand in front of their parents business booth and sing in order to attract customers. Soon Silent Night became one of their most popular performances. As a result, the Tiroler Volkslied became very popular and even attracted the attention of the king and queen who requested a performance. Silent Night was elevated above the ranks of folk tune, in 1838, when it was published in a German hymnbook to be used for congregational singing. Soon, German-speaking congregations in the United States began to use hymnal. In 1863, it was translated into English and included in a collection of Sunday school songs. Article Resources Reynolds, Virginia. The Spirit of Christmas: A History of Best-Loved Carols. Peter Pauper Press, Inc. 2000. Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World s Greatest Hymn Stories. Thomas Nelson Publishers. 2003.