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 Priscilla Duda, Christian Ministry Coordinator Jessica Skidmore, Youth Director David Reid, Sexton Nancy Klebart, Office Manager Church office: 978-526-7661 ext. 1 Fax: 978-526-7882 Email: office.fpchurch@verizon.net Website: www.firstparishchurch.org
EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service December 24, 2015 5:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS PRELUDE: Greensleeves Richard Purvis (1913-1994) *[Please stand for the lighting of the candles] CALL TO WORSHIP: Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place. Let us go and see what God has done. Let us go and try to understand what has happened in this manger. Let us ponder what God wishes us to know. CHRISTMAS CAROL: O Come, All Ye Faithful PH #132 LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: The Kozyrev Family INVOCATION (unison) What do you bring this evening to the Christ-child? God has brought angels, messengers as swift as the winds; God has brought shepherds, as witnesses to divine wonder, God will give Shepherds tongues of fire, to spread Good News; God has brought Magi, And led them through the wilderness; these wise men will stand at the manger; these sages will bow down in worship.
God has brought the powerful, the elite, the entitled to their knees. The powerful will lash out, they will seek to silence this child of hope. Now God has brought us to this Holy Eve. What shall we bring? The gift we bring is the longing we have to give Christ our hearts, so he may be born anew. 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, 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 9:2-3, 6-7 Psalm 98 CHRISTMAS CAROL: The First Nowell PH # 141(1-3) OFFERTORY SENTENCE
OFFERTORY DUET: O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand; So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from the Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend; He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger; Behold your King! before him lowly bend! O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël) Music by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano Paul Knox, baritone *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 Truly he taught us to love one another; His law is love and his Gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother. And in his Name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise his holy Name. Christ is the Lord, Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim. CHRISTMAS CAROL: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing PH #120 CHRISTMAS MEDITATION Rev. John G. Hughes OUR CHRISTMAS PRAYER (in Unison) 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, He needed to be fed, burped, and cradled in his mother s arms.
We remember that he sometimes cried and needed consoling. Jesus was like us in every way and Jesus 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 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, so, help us pound swords into plowshares. Glory to God in the highest and peace to God s people on earth. Amen. CHRISTMAS CAROL: Away in a Manger PH #137 LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES CHRISTMAS CAROL: Silent Night, Holy Night PH #138 BENEDICTION *[The Removal of the Flame ] THE POSTLUDE: Swiss Noël, with Variations Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) * * * * * * * The greeters and lay readers are The Smith Family; Jason, Allison, Annabel and Atticus. Lighting the Advent Candles are The Kozyrev Family; Vitaly, Ksanna, Anton, and Erika.
The flowers are given in Celebration of the birth of the Christ Child and in loving memory of our parents, Dr. Wilson E. and Janet Hughes and Ernest W. and Gladys Mander, by the Rev. John and Marilyn Hughes and their family. Listening devices are available for those in need; they are at the back of the Sanctuary. Feel free to address a Deacon should you need help using them. Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list -fill out a Welcome Card to place in the collection plate or contact office.fpchurch@verizon.net, 978-526-7661 ext 1. First Parish Church Congregational uses candid photos of church activities on its website and in its publicity from time to time. Any photos of children used will not contain personally identifiable information. Members of the community not wanting their photos depicted (or those of their children) should inform the church office. AN HOUR OF TRANQUILITY Wednesdays 6:30 PM An evening of peaceful music and private meditation on Wednesdays when Vespers are not held. All faiths are welcome to join in this space. If you are interested in helping out with the Hour of Tranquility this year, please contact Jason Smith at jason@jungiantherapist.net, or by phone at 617-935-3451. Looking for Knitting Needles and Yarn The Seaside Parish Knitters are looking for knitting needles and yarn that you might be considering "casting" aside. We continue to knit blankets, shawls, and scarves; and for our military troops: helmet liners, neck gators, and scarves. We use both 100% wool and synthetic fibers for yarn, and straight and round knitting needles...all sizes. Contact Penny Lapham at 978-526- 7128 or laphenpen@live.com We welcome anyone wishing to join us.
Book Group continues with a new selection for December; The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown We hope you will join us on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 7:00. All are welcome! SUNDAY SCHOOL Sundays at 10:00 a.m. In the Chapel. Engaging the whole child: heart, mind, hands, senses, intuition. Godly Play is a Montessori-related approach to learning which enables children to experience the presence of a loving God. NURSERY Sundays 9:45 am. to 11:30 a.m. In the Chapel for children from infancy through age 3 in our dedicated Nursery during the worship service. YOUTH Middle School Youth Group Grades 6-8 Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and other times for fun events. High School Youth attend Confirmation, play an active role in our Sunday School as volunteers and Mission projects and trips are offered. Soup and Conversation will resume on January 31with Barbara and Richard Smith presenting- Courage and Light Exploring Passion, Renewal and Creativity with Jim Brandenburg (Nationally acclaimed writer and educator) and Parker Palmer (National Geographic photographer), a life changing project Brandenburg undertook when he was at the peak of his career yet felt drained of his creative passion for his work. This is a beautiful presentation that will help us all renew, strengthen and nurture our purpose. Time to be announced we are considering presenting this as a Supper and Conversation so that the room will be darker allowing for better viewing of the beautiful photos that will be shared. Save the Date for a special Epiphany Service to be hosted by the Confirmation Class on Wednesday, January 6, at 7 pm.
Thank you to all who donated poinsettias to our Church for the Christmas season, if you donated a plant you may take your plant after this evening s worship service. In Celebration of: Mara, Laney & Naomi! With Admiration and Gratitude: The First Parish Church Choir Barry & Cynthia Franklin Fran Bachman In Loving Memory of: Larry Larsen, (husband & father), Jack Dixon (uncle), Sharon Pfannkuche (sister & aunt), Regina Dixon (cousin) Iva Rohr and Mel Cole Glenn J. Loucks Betty Cole His son Glenn Guy & Doris Willmonton, George Willmonton, Emily & Richard Greenleaf, Cynthia Greenleaf Richard & Ann Greenleaf & Family Henrietta Taylor Burnett, Frederick & Lee Peterson, Robert, Gloria & Marion Driscoll The Peterson Driscoll Family Dorothy & Leo MacKenzie, Effie & Fred Bachman, Peter & Jim Bachman Dottie & Fran Bachman Paul & Leatrice Lord Laurie Topham D'Onofrio The Klebart Marcaurelle Family Lindy & Glenn