first parish church, congregational...on the village green manchester-by-the-sea, massachusetts rev....
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First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor
Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist
Jessica Skidmore, Christian Ministry Coordinator
Tori Potter, Sexton
Nancy Klebart, Office Manager
978-526-7661
www.firstparishchurch.org
EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE
Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service
December 24, 2017 – 7:00 p.m.
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us…” (Isaiah 9:6)
CHRISTMAS PRELUDE: “Greensleeves”
Richard Purvis (1913-1994)
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP/ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
Readers, The Lumsden Family
The Christ Candle
READER: Tonight is the night for which we have been waiting. We
relight each candle in our advent wreath, completing the
circle.
PEOPLE: We light the candle in the center, the Christ Candle, to
remind us that Christ is the Light of the world.
READER: Christ is the center of our lives.
PEOPLE: Tonight the Holy Light of God enters the dark of this
world. [READER lights first candle]
READER: We light the first candle remembering that we wait for
Christ.
[READER lights second candle]
READER: We light the second candle remembering that we must
also prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
[READER lights PINK candle]
READER: We light the third candle to remind us to bear witness to
Christ’s Love.
[READER lights 4th candle]
READER: We light this candle to remind us that we accept God’s love
in all its forms.
[READER lights Christ Candle]
READER: Let us pray.
ALL: Dear God, tonight we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus.
Let the power of Christ come into our hearts and lives
that we may find peace with you forever. Amen.
*CHRISTMAS CAROL: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” PH #132 blue
OPENING PRAYER Unison (from Touch Holiness)
O Holy God, we hear the story of shepherds and magi, of maiden
and carpenter, of prophets and angels, and we too come to
Bethlehem for a blessing. You are born in our hearts because you
have chosen the weakness of our bodies for your birth. We are filled
with love because you have taken upon yourself our humanity. We
are filled with hope because you have offered us your Spirit, your life
and your light. We are filled with faith because all that is meek and
lowly and humble in us-- and in creation-- becomes holy on this
night. Our salvation has come into this holy time, and we say
together, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and
goodwill to all!”
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.
*ADVENT GLORIA – NEW FOR ADVENT ONLY NCH #756
ANTHEM: “Mid-winter” Words by Christine Rossetti (1830-1894)
Music by Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter long ago.
Our God, heav’n cannot hold him
Nor earth sustain:
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable, a 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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
*CHRISTMAS CAROL: “What Child Us This” PH #140 blue
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Christmas Lullaby”
Words and music by John Rutter
Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem:
Angels are singing, their sound fills the air.
Wise men have journeyed to greet their Messiah;
But only a mother and baby lie there.
‘Ave Maria, ave Maria’:
Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.
‘Ave Maria, ave Maria,
Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King.’
Where are his courtiers, and who are his people?
Why does he bear neither sceptre nor crown?
Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people,
With peace as his sceptre and love for his crown.
‘Ave Maria, ave Maria’ ...
What though your treasures are not gold or incense?
Lay them before him with hearts full of love.
Praise to the Christchild, and praise to his mother
Who bore us a Saviour by grace from above.
‘Ave Maria, ave Maria’...
*ADVENT DOXOLOGY – NEW WORDS FOR ADVENT ONLY:
To God, all glorious heavenly Light,
to Christ revealed in earthly night,
to God the Spirit now we raise
our joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:1-7
*CHRISTMAS CAROL: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” PH #134 blue
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:8-20
*CHRISTMAS CAROL: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
PH #120 blue
STORY-SERMON “The Shepherd” written by Frederick Buechner
CHRISTMAS PRAYER and SILENT PRAYER
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
Pastor Rev. Schmidt
Hear these words from the Gospel:
“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it!”
As our candles will soon shine
in the windows of our church building,
so may the church reflect Christ’s light
and love in the world.
After all the candles are lit we will stand and sing.
“Silent Night, Holy Night”
1) Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. 2) 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! 3) 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.
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
Joy to the World! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
THE POSTLUDE: “Swiss Noël, with Variations”
Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)
* * * * * * *
Thank you for worshipping with us this Christmas Eve! We hope this
service enables you to enter into the heart of Christmas and joyfully
celebrate the gift of God’s love in Jesus.
If you do not already have a church you call home, we invite you to join
us again for worship, spiritual growth, fellowship, and service! Sunday
worship is at 10:00 a.m.
The Readers and Greeters are The Peterson Driscoll Family, Nancy, Megan,
Sam and Paul.
The Deacon is John Feuerbach.
Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the
Deacons, or you can also sign up online.
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.
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 service.
In Celebration of: Our wonderful children, Mara, Laney & Naomi! Barry and Cynthia Franklin
My family and friends Liz Loomis
Merry Christmas Marianne and John Round
In Honor of Susan & Jeffrey Parker Anonymous
In Loving Memory of Willard, Barbara & Steve Simmons Richard and Barbara Smith
Guy & Doris Willmonton, George Willmonton, Emily & Dick Greenleaf, &
Cynthia Greenleaf Annie & Dick Greenleaf and Family
Glenn J. Loucks His son Glenn
Annie & Bill Emslie Sheila Carrassi
Wayne, Helen &Walter Jan Marshall
Robert Wilkinson & Robert Parker Susan and Jeffrey Parker
Pauline & Ted Bzdula Paula Bzdula
William G. Moir Allison, Jason, Annabel and Atticus Smith
Carla Zilbersmith Allison, Jason, Annabel and Atticus Smith
Paul & Edith Gudonis, Margit Breakiron, Lauren and Paul Gudonis
William J. O’Brien II The Erdmann Family
Of Past Christmases George and June Nickless
My Dad Christopher Phillips
Bill Grampy Lawrence who is our hearts always The Lawrence Family
All Our Loved Ones The Lumsden Family
Henrietta Taylor Burnett, Frederick & Lee Peterson, Robert, Gloria
& Marion Driscoll The Peterson Driscoll Family
Our Grandparents The Klebart Marcaurelle Family
PRAYER TEAM
“For where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them”. Matthew 18:20
Would you like to request prayers?
Email [email protected]. All are welcome to gather in the parlor of First Parish, on the 1st & 3rd
Thursdays of each month. We will start promptly at 6:00 PM and end at
7:00 PM. We will be praying in one accord, a form of conversational
prayer. Bring your concerns to the Lord whether they are for Yourself,
Family, Friends, our Country, and the World! You may pray along
silently or pray aloud.
SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS has begun again! We
would love to have you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays
of the month in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5
PM. Read more about us here.
Weekly Food Donations When you go to church
Sunday mornings remember to take one item that can be
donated to Open Door through the food basket placed in
the Narthex. It is easy to forget, but you can think ahead
and bring one food item that will be much appreciated by folks who
really need our help.
Brown Bag Lunch on Friday, December 29, sign up to help online or
see Lelly Smith or Muriel Parker.
BOOK GROUP “Waking Lions” by Aylet Gundar-Goshen.
Dr. Eitan Green is a good man. He saves lives. Then,
speeding along a deserted moonlit road in his SUV, he hits
someone. Seeing that the man, an African migrant, is beyond
help, he flees the scene. It is a decision that changes everything. Because
the dead man’s wife knows what happened. Goodreads Next gathering,
January 29, 7 PM at the home of Nancy Peterson. Please RSVP to the
hostess so she knows how much food and drink to provide.