Soli Deo Gloria Sharon Neff, soprano
Wexford Carol arr. Richard Walters
Good people all, this Christmas time, consider well and bear in mind, what our good God for us has done, in sending his beloved Son. With Mary holy we should pray to God with love this Christmas day; in Bethlehem upon that morn there was a blessed Messiah born. The night before that happy tide this noble virgin and her guide were long time seeking up and down to find a lodging in the town. But mark how all things came to pass; from every door repelled, alas! As long foretold, their refuge all was but a humble oxen stall. Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep; to whom God’s angels did appear, which put the shepherds in great fear. “Prepare and go,” the angels said, “To Bethlehem, be not afraid; for there you’ll find, this happy morn, a princely babe, sweet Jesus born.” With thankful heart and joyful mind the shepherds went the babe to find, and as God’s angel had foretold, they did our Savior Christ behold. Within a manger he was laid, and by his side the virgin maid, attending on the Lord of life, who came on earth to end all strife.
Midnight Noel (Trinity Hymnal 200) arr. Mark Hayes
Away in a Manger (Trinity Hymnal 204) arr. Mark Hayes
Gesu Bambino Pietro Yon/arr. Mark Hayes
When blossoms flower e’er ‘mid the snow upon a winter night was born the Child, the Christmas Rose, the King of Love and Light. The angels sang, the shepherds sang, the grateful earth rejoiced; and at his blessed birth the stars their exultation voiced: O come let us adore him Christ the Lord. Again the heart with rapture glows to greet the holy night that gave the world its Christmas Rose, its King of Love and Light. Let ev’ry voice acclaim his name, the grateful chorus swell; from paradise to earth he came that we with him might dwell. O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Call to Worship
Advent Collect (from The Book of Common Prayer)
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn 227: On Christmas Night All Christians Sing Sussex Carol
Hymn 199: See, amid the Winter’s Snow See Amid The Winter’s Snow
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Doxology (Trinity Hymnal 732) Tallis’ Canon
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.
Prayer of Illumination (concluding with 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 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.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:6–20 (page 857)
Sermon: Mary’s Christmas Rev. Carroll Wynne
Hymn 232: O Jesus Sweet, O Jesus Mild O Jesulein Suss
Offering Prayer
Offertory: Il est né (sung in French) arr. Alice Parker
He is born the divine child, play oboes, ring out bagpipes; he is born the divine child, let’s all sing his advent. For over four thousand years, the prophets promised him to us; For over four thousand years, we were awaiting this happy time. Ah, how beautiful he is! How charming he is! Oh, how perfect are these graces! Ah, how beautiful he is! How charming he is! How sweet, this divine child! A stable is his lodging, a little straw is his bedding; stable is his lodging, for God what abasement! He wants our hearts, he waits for them, he comes to conquer them; he wants our hearts, he waits for them, may they be his from this moment! O Jesus! O Almighty King! Such a little child that you are, O Jesus! O Almighty King, rule over us entirely!
Tenth Church Choir
Question of Preparation (from the Heidelberg Catechism, 29; congregation reads answer in unison)
Question: Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “savior”?
Answer: Because He saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (gluten-free bread is in the center cup)
Words of Institution
Distribution of the Bread: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Trinity Hymnal 216) W Zlobie Lezy
Distribution of the Cup: O Holy Child of Bethlehem (Trinity Hymnal 201) St. Louis
Proclamation of the Mystery of Our Faith: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
Hymn 193: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Picardy
Benediction
Choral Response: Rejoice! Rejoice! Veni Emmanuel
Postlude: Toccata on Mendelssohn David Willcocks
Serving this evening:
Travers Oliver, platform
Colin Howland, organist