Welcome

Prelude

Pastorale from Christmas Concerto Arcangelo Corelli

Ding Dong! Merrily on High arr. Carolyn Jennings

Ding dong! merrily on high in heav’n the bells are ringing,
Ding Dong! verily the sky is riv’n with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below, let steeple bells be swungen,
And “i-o-i-o-i-o,” be priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you dutifully prime your Matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime your Evetime Song, ye singers:
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Invocation

Carol 208: O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles/arr. David Willcocks

Verse 1 = Unison, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison, Verse 4 = Unison

Prayer of Adoration (Congregation)

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, what shall we render to You for the gift of gifts, Your own dear Son, begotten, not created, our redeemer, surety, substitute, His infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders: He came below to raise us above, was born like us that we might become like Him. Herein is love: when we cannot rise to Him, He draws near on wings of grace, to raise us to Himself. O God, take us in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge our minds; let us hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise and adore. In Christ You have given us so much that heaven can give no more. All praise be to You: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 Geroge McFarland (Dec. 23), Jamin Ferner (Dec. 24)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day John Gardner

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play, To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a virgin pure, Of her I took fleshly substance;
Thus was I knit to man’s nature, To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; This have I done for my true love.

In a manger laid and wrapped I was, So very poor this was my chance,
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; This have I done for my true love.

Then afterwards baptized I was; The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above, To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; This have I done for my true love, for my true love.

Carol: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen God Rest Ye Merry/arr. Colin Howland

(Please see the following page)

Second Lesson: Micah 5:2–5 Michaela Katt (Dec. 23), Jack Butler (Dec. 24)

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.

Mid-Winter Bob Chilcott

In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter, long ago.

Our God, heav’n cannot hold him nor earth sustain:
Heav’n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But only his mother in her maiden bliss
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him—Give my heart.

Third Lesson: Luke 1:26–38 Alma Zensen (Dec. 23), Katherine Savage (Dec. 24)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Magnificat Herbert Murrill

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoic’d in God my Saviour: For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed, For he that is mighty hath magnified me, And holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shew’d strength with his arm: He hath scatter’d the proud in th’imagination of their hearts: He hath put down the mighty from their seat, And hath exalted the humble and meek: He hath fill’d the hungry with good things, And the rich he hath sent empty away. He, rememb’ring his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promis’d to our forefathers Abraham and his seed forever. 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.

Fourth Lesson: Matthew 1:18–25 Scott Sweeney (Dec. 23), Brian Savage (Dec. 24)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

To Us Is Born Immanuel, Christ Our Lord Michael Praetorius

To us is born Immanuel, Christ our Lord; As foretold by Gabriel Christ our Lord,
Christ our Lord: Our Saviour He ador’d, Our Saviour He ador’d.

Here in a manger lying low, Christ our Lord: Yet this Child is God, we know, Christ our Lord,
Christ our Lord; Our Savior He ador’d, Our Saviour He ador’d.

There falls on us a radiant light, Christ our Lord, ‘Tis from Mary, Virgin bright, Christ our Lord,
Christ our Lord: Our Saviour He ador’d, Our Saviour He ador’d.

Carol 196: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Hyfrydol/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Unison, Verse 2 = Women, Verse 3 = Men, Verse 4 = Unison

Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:1–7 Elise Olmstead (Dec. 23), Stanley Sollie (Dec. 24)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Glory to God, from Messiah George Frideric Handel

Suzannah Waddington, soprano

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: Glory to God, glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

Carol 230: Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor Quelle Est/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Parts, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison

Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:15–20 Rev. Josiah Vanderveen (Dec. 23), Brigida Norris (Dec. 24)

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Cradle Hymn Kim André Arnesen

Hush my dear, lie still and slumber, Holy angels guard thy bed! Heavenly blessings without number gently falling on they head. See the kindly shepherds round Him, telling wonders from the sky! When they sought Him, there they found Him, with His Virgin mother by. See the lovely babe a-dressing; lovely infant, how He smiled! When He wept, the mother’s blessing soothed and hush’d the holy child. May’st thou live to know and fear Him, trust and love Him all thy days; then go dwell forever near Him, see His face, and sing His praise! Hush my dear, Holy angels guard thy bed. Amen.

Homily Rev. Josiah Vanderveen (Dec. 23), Rev. Greg Hobaugh (Dec. 24)

Carol 195: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come Antioch/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Parts, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison, Verse 4 = Unison

Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:25–35 Juan Estevez (Dec. 23 - read in Spanish), Adam Norris (Dec. 24)

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Joys Seven arr. Stephen Cleobury

The first good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of one;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, When he was first her son:
(Refrain) When he was first her son, good man: And blessed may he be,
Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, To all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of two;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, To make the lame to go:

The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of three;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, To make the blind to see:

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of four;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, to read the Bible o’er:

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of five;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, To bring the dead alive:

The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of six;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, upon the crucifix:

The next good joy that Mary had it was the joy of sev’n;
To see her own son, Jesus Christ, To wear the crown of heav’n.

Eighth Lesson: John 1:1–14 Rev. Josiah Vanderveen (Dec. 23), Jamin Ferner (Dec. 24)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

See, Amid the Winter’s Snow arr. Dan Forrest

Alleluia. See, amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below, see the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years. Hail, thou ever-blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia.

Lo, within a manger lies he who built the lofty skies, he, who, throned in light sublime, sits amid the cherubim. Hail, thou ever-blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia.

Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine, thus to come from highest bliss, down to such a world as this. Hail, thou ever-blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia.

Carol 210: Silent Night! Holy Night! Stille Nacht/arr. Colin Howland

Carol 203: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn/arr. David Willcocks

Verse 1 = Unison, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison

Benediction

Postlude: Adeste Fideles Herbert Sumsion