EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SANCTUARY 3 pm Children’s Pageant Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020
Prelude Walk in the Light arr. A. Thomas Chancel Choir
Welcome Dr. Bradley D. Smith
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Edward and Tara Frazier, Scarlett, Lily Blair, Beckham
Call to Worship Leader: I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. All: To you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Leader: This will be a sign for you; you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. All: With the angels we say: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
Opening Prayer Rev. Brian J. Marsh
Carol #133 O Come All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES 1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 1st Lesson In the days of Herod the King, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Nazareth. To Mary, a virgin pledged to a man whose name was Joseph. The Angel said to Mary, “Behold! You are blessed among women, for the Lord is with you.” When she saw the angel, Mary was a little bit afraid, but the Angel said, “Fear not Mary: for you have found favor with God. You shall give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”
Carol #133 O Come All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES 3. Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 2nd Lesson During that time Caesar Augustus decreed that a census should be taken, so all the people went to the city of their ancestors. So Joseph went from Nazareth to the city of Bethlehem, with Mary his wife being great with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the day came that she should be delivered. She gave birth to her firstborn, a son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
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Carol #115 Away in a Manger MUELLER 1. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2. The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there. Scripture Lesson: Matthew 2:1-2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Reflection Dr. Bradley D. Smith
3rd Lesson Not too far away, there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.
Here Comes Heaven Brown/Furtick Jubilee Band
4th Lesson The Angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people, for today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This shall be a sign: you will bring forth a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Carol #113 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA 1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
5th Lesson When the Angels were gone, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go into Bethlehem to see this thing which has happened.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Carol #113 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA 2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! 3. Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
6th Lesson When the shepherds saw Mary and Joseph and the baby, they told them about the angels who had appeared to them. Mary and Joseph were amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary treasured these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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Carol #110 Love Has Come BRING A TORCH 1. Love has come; a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies. See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises: Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high. 2. Love is born! Come, share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay. See the glow in the eyes of his mother; what is the name her heart is saying? Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers. Love! Love! Jesus, Emmanuel.
Christmas Prayer and Lord’s Prayer Rev. Nick Demuynck
7th Lesson A while later there came wise men to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the One who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star and have come to worship Him.” Amazingly, the star, which they had seen in the East, went before them, till it stood over where the young child was. The wise men went into the house, saw Jesus with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him and gave him gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Carol #151 (congregation) We Three Kings of Orient Are KINGS OF ORIENT 1. We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! 5. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice: Alleluia! Alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies. Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. 8th Lesson The wise men departed for their own country, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. And the child was named Jesus, as He had been named by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.
*Carol #134 Joy to the World ANTIOCH 1. 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. 2. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
Postlude Noel Tan/Chislett
Thank you to the Holy Family: Peyton, Lyndy and Ellery Bryant; Shepherds: Andrew, Johnny Rollins and Monty Richardson, Louise and Sebastian Covar; Kings: Luke, James, and Grant Sullivan; Angels: Lawson, Blakely, and Madison Stoneburner and McCall Rabe.
We welcome Jubilee Musicians tonight: Augie Gil, John Arnold, Hannah Lea, Becky Loar, Chuck Stiles, Hannah Thompson December 24, 2020
Merry Christmas and Welcome! We welcome you to the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are blessed to have you with us and pray that in a deep and abiding way the power of the living God will touch your heart tonight. Souper Bowl of Caring’s Million Dollar Challenge has begun. Visit the eastminsterpres.org Quick Link to learn more, and for resources to recruit family and friends across South Carolina to help feed the hungry. The time is now! Please sign up to help. Sunday, Dec. 27, 11:15 am Field Worship Will Move to the Sanctuary temporarily. Beginning Dec. 27 you will need to make a reservation through Quick Links (100 max.) This will remain a casual and contemporary worship service led by Jubilee musicians. Christmas morning, Dec. 25 we will stream a Service of Song and Scripture at 10:30 am. Reminder from the Business Office: your contributions must be received at the church by 4 pm, THURSDAY, Dec. 31, or postmarked by THURSDAY, Dec. 31, in order for you to receive a tax deduction in 2020. If you are sending stock, please notify the treasurer’s office for instructions, and to ensure that you receive the proper credit. 2021 Pledging - If you have already made your pledge, thank you! If you have not yet pledged, please do! Your estimate of giving can help you to plan financially, and the church as well. You may pledge online, by email, or with a pledge card available in the narthex. Office Hours - The church office and CLC will be closed Friday, December 25. Church offices will be open Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, from 9 am to 5 pm with a partial staff on duty. Special Thanks - Thank you to the many people whose love and hard work have helped to make this evening a delight. Thank you to the Flower Guild and Decoration Team; to the musicians for the lovely music; to the Ushers and Elders for serving tonight; to the Greeters for welcoming you; and to all whose efforts have added to this sacred season and holy night.
December 24, 2020