Lesson and Carols for December 27, 2020 10:30 AM Join us for our livestream at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnssummit/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/StJohnsSummitNJ THERE WILL BE NO VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR TODAY. PRELUDE “On This Day Earth Shall Ring” from Piae Cantiones “O Come All Ye Faithful” from John F. Wade’s Cantus Diversi Calvary Bell Choir, Jeanne Elmuccio – Director of Music Calvary Lutheran Church, Cranford, NJ

GATHERING HYMN ELW 269 Once in Royal David’s City Fred Lentz – Soloist, Don Ehrmann – Organist St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Parsippany, NJ BIDDING PRAYER Beloved in Christ, in this , let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto , and see this thing which is come to pass, and the babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the story of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this holy child; and let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and justice on earth; and for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially in this, our own community. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord , or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus Christ, we forevermore are one. These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen. FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:1-15, 17-

HYMN ELW 288 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Shea Velloso – Minister of Music Faith Lutheran Church, New Providence, NJ SECOND LESSON Isaiah 11:1-11

HYMN ELW 279 O Little Town of Bethlehem Bob and Steel Burkhadt Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Morristown, NJ THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

HYMN ELW 267 Jon Torgrimsen – Director and Rhythm Guitar, Heather Marks – Vocals, Stan Gergen –Electric Guitar, Jim Dascoli – Guitar, Alex Overzat – Percussion Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Union County, NJ FOURTH LESSON Luke 1:26-38

HYMN ELW 269 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Good Shepherd Choir, Arnold Osmundsen – Director Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Florham Park, NJ FIFTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7

HYMN ELW 278 Away in a Manger Donna Garzinsky – Director of Music St. John’s Lutheran Church, Summit, NJ SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16

HYMN ELW 290 Go tell it on the Mountain Carol Beadle – Minister of Music, John Leister – percussion Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Chatham, NJ SEVENTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-12

HYMN ELW 296 What Child Is This Christ Church Bell Choir Christ Church (Episcopal), Short Hills, NJ EIGHTH LESSON John 1:1-14

HYMN ELW 294 In the Bleak Midwinter Calvary Virtual Choir: Alyssa Gautieri, Bridget Gautieri, Matt Spatz, Meg Spatz, Pallas Gerszt, Patrice Patterson, Sean Garnhart, Virginia Dearborn Jeanne Elmuccio, Director of Music, Calvary Lutheran Church, Cranford, NJ COLLECT The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only son, Jesus Christ: grant that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him, when he shall come to be our judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

BLESSING May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the ☩ Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

POSTLUDE Three Settings of Divinum Mysterium Prelude Frederick H. Candlyn (1892–1964) Of the Father’s Love Begotten Wilbur Held (1914–2015) Paean John Cook (1918–1984)

Shea Velloso – Minister of Music Faith Lutheran Church, New Providence, NJ

Participants in Today’s Service

The Rev. Dr. Christa M. Compton, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Chatham, NJ The Rev. Dr. J. David Knecht, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Union County, NJ The Rev. Frederick L. Lentz, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Parsippany, NJ The Rev. Dr. Carol A. Lindsay, Calvary Lutheran Church, Cranford, NJ The Rev. Jane McCready, Faith Lutheran Church, New Providence, NJ The Rev. Gladys G. Moore, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Summit, NJ The Rev. Beau Nelson, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Florham Park, NJ and St. Mark Lutheran Church, Morristown, NJ The Rev. Blake A. Scalet, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Summit, NJ The Rev. Tristan Shin, Christ Church, Episcopal, Short Hills, NJ

Special thanks to Lucas Mohs for video editing of today’s service.