HANGING OF THE GREENS November 29, 2020 Greeting, Announcements and Opening Prayer As we enter the Holy Season of , we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Messiah. Advent means “Coming.” We celebrate these days of Advent in expectation and preparation for Christ’s arrival. The Advent season is a time of reflection, but its mood is joyful. Advent makes innkeepers out of all of us, asking each of us to make room for the arrival of Christ the King. Let us, today, prepare Him room in our hearts, our lives, and our homes!

Hymn: Come, Thou Long–Expected 196 1. Come, thou hope of all the earth thou now thy gracious long-expected Jesus, art; dear desire of every kingdom bring. born to set thy people free; nation, By thine own eternal spirit from our fears and sins joy of every longing heart. rule in all our hearts alone; release us, 2. Born thy people to by thine all let us find our rest in thee. deliver, sufficient merit, Israel’s strength and born a child and yet a King, raise us to consolation, born to reign in us forever, thy glorious throne

https://youtu.be/aKEUlJRQVbA?t=209 Call to Worship Leader: We turn to you, O God, in the midst of our lives, In the midst of the rush. People: We gather together to remember your mighty works of old. Leader: We lay our hopes and fears before you, in joyful anticipation of the future you are bringing into being. People: We come to open our hearts to your presence in this Advent season, that we might celebrate the birth of your son and sing with uplifted hearts, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to all.”

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7 The prophet Isaiah shares these words of hope again to us today: Isaiah 9:2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great Light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned… Isaiah 9:6-7: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end; He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Introduction to the Service This is a special service called “The Hanging of the Greens” to mark the beginning of the church season of Advent. Today we will decorate our place of worship with various traditional items and symbols to remind us of the birth of Christ. The custom of decorating churches and homes with evergreens at began in ancient times. Some of these decorations are already in place (door , tree); others will be put in place as we go through the service. As we prepare our sanctuary for the celebration of Advent and Christmas, it helps us to prepare our hearts as well for Christ to come in. So come, let us transform this sanctuary and our hearts to receive the Light of the world which has been given to us through the love of God.

The Advent Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23: 5-6 “For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will place a righteous branch upon King David’s throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earth.” The is a symbol of Christ’s endless love and faithfulness. On each of the four Sundays of Advent, we will light one more candle to symbolize another step in our preparation for the coming of Christ. Each of the four outside candles can represent our need for readiness, repentance, hope and promise in our hearts. The center candle in the middle, the Christ candle, will be lit on to remind us of the gift of love God gave us in the birth of Jesus Christ. LIGHTING OF THE FIRST A Star for Hope Reader: (holding up a star): This is a star! It reminds us of Jesus. Reader: The star reminds us of Jesus. Jesus said that strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do. Every power in the sky will be shaken. Reader: Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave! You will soon be set free. Reader: Jesus told them a story: “When you see a tree putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come. So, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom will soon be here. The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will. Don’t spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you like a trap. That day will surprise everyone on earth.” Reader: Today we light the first candle of Advent, the candle of Hope. In a world where many people are afraid, we are called to share our hope. (Light 1 purple candle) The star reminds us that Jesus is our hope, for today and for the future. Reader: Jesus was. Jesus is. Jesus will come again. Amen.

Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel p.211 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKEUlJRQVbA 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, times once and conquer death’s and ransom gave the law deep misery. captive Israel, in cloud and majesty [Refrain] that mourns in and awe. 6. O come, thou Dayspring, lowly exile here [Refrain] come and cheer until the Son 4. O come, thou Root our spirits by thy of God appear. of Jesse’s tree, justice here; [Refrain] an ensign of disperse the gloomy 2. O come, thou wisdom thy people be; clouds of night, from on high, before thee rulers and death’s dark shadows and order all things silent fall; put to flight. far and nigh; all peoples on thy [Refrain] to us the path of mercy call. 7. O come, Desire of knowledge show [Refrain] nations bind and cause us in her 5. O come, thou Key all peoples in ways to go. of David, come, one heart and mind. [Refrain] and open wide our From dust thou brought 3. O come, O come, heavenly home. us forth to life; great Lord of might, The captives from their deliver us from who to thy tribes prison free, earthly strife. on Sinai’s height in ancient [Refrain] Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. Hymn: All Things Bright and Beautiful p.147 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmpkFSoWuo [Refrain] the sunset 4. God gave us 1. Each little flower and the morning eyes to see them, that opens, that brightens up the sky. and lips that we might tell each little bird that sings, [Refrain] how great is God made their 3. The cold wind God Almighty, glowing colors, in the winter, who has made and made their tiny wings. the pleasant summer sun, all things well. [Refrain] the ripe fruits [Refrain] 2. The purple-headed in the garden: mountains, God made them every one. the river running by, [Refrain] Refrain: All things bright all things wise and beautiful, and wonderful: all creatures the Lord God great and small, made them all.

The Greens Scripture: Isaiah 11: 1-2: “A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

DECORADING WITH EVERGREENS Around the world, many kinds of greenery are used to decorate the church at Christmas-time. Among ancient Romans, evergreens were an emblem of peace, joy, and victory. The early Christians placed them in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered the home. Holly and ivy, along with pine, and fir are called evergreens because they never change color. They are ever – green, ever – alive, even in the midst of winter. They symbolize the unchanging nature of God. And they remind us of the everlasting life that is ours through Christ Jesus.

Hymn: Deck the Halls (In green book p175 for pianist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgEVI8DEkF8 Deck the halls with boughs of Holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la; ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la, la la la la; Toll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la. THE The Christmas tree has become a central focus in the holiday decorations in our homes. Sometimes we forget that it too has a larger meaning that points back to Christ. Martin Luther, who began the Protestant Reformation and the Lutheran church, is the one credited with starting the tradition of a Christmas tree. One of Luther’s chief concerns was to help people understand and appreciate the days of Christmas time. Even when he was a boy, he loved holiday celebrations, and as a young man, he went out with friends singing carols. It is said that after he had married and had a family, one Christmas Eve he was walking home through the forest and he was deeply impressed that night by the wondrous array of stars in the winter sky and by the beauty of the stately evergreens he passed. When he reached home, he tried to explain the glory of the scene to his wife and

children, but words failed him. So he went out and cut down a small fir tree, took it into the house and placed lighted candles in it, to represent the starry sky above the stable the night Christ was born. Today we bring this symbol from our homes into our church to remind us that the evergreen tree represents the eternal life that Christ promises us, and the lights on the tree remind us of God’s creation of the universe with its many stars.

Hymn: O Christmas Tree (music in green book p176 for pianist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Or1IzrxUE O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you bear a wondrous message. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you bear a wondrous message. You do proclaim the Savior’s birth, Good Will to men & peace on earth! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you bear a wondrous message.

Light in the Windows and on Tree Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9: 2, John 1:1-5, 9 Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land of the shadow of death.” John 1:1-5:9 “Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all humankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Perhaps no other symbol is more appropriate for the Christian than light. Light speaks to us of Christ as the Light of the World. The candles in worship each Sunday symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit. The acolytes light them as a signal that worship is about to begin in a holy place in the presence of God. As they leave the service, they take the light out of the Sanctuary into the world. We will return to this at the end of the service, for now let us enjoy the symbol of light as lighted candles are placed in each of the windows. We have also placed lights on our Christmas tree. The white of these lights are a reminder of the completely pure and unselfish love of God who gave his only Son for our salvation. In the same way, the lights remind us of the grace of God and his unlimited love.

Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light 206 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ionKh1dL9o0 1. I want to walk I want to look I want to be as a child of the light. at Jesus. with Jesus. I want to follow Jesus. Clear Sun When we have run God set the stars of Righteousness, with patience the race, to give light to the world. shine on my path, we shall know The star of my life and show me the way the joy of Jesus. is Jesus. to the Father. [Refrain] [Refrain] [Refrain] 2. I want to see 3. I’m looking for the brightness of God. the coming of Christ. Refrain: In him there is The Lamb is the light no darkness at all. of the city of God. The night and the day Shine in my heart, are both alike. Lord Jesus.

THE CHRISMONS The Christmas tree is significant in and of itself, but it can be made even more special by the decorations that are used. A Christian tradition is to decorate it with Chrismons. The word Chrismon is a compound of Christ and monogram, and is used to refer to ornaments that have specific Christian meaning. Many of these are early Christian symbols of faith, representations of the triangle, circle, fish, and the cross such as those found carved and drawn in the catacombs by some of the early Christians. Using Chrismons as meaningful Christmas tree ornaments is a custom that is spreading far and wide, and is a wonderful thing, for they bring out distinctively the real reason we celebrate this day of the year.

The The nativity scene or crèche generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Christ. The word crèche refers to the animals’ ‘crib’ or ‘manger’ in which Jesus was born. It later became known as the place of the Nativity, or The Nativity. The first crèches were very simple, often using live animals and people as St. Francis of Assisi did for his followers. Nativity scenes are everywhere at Christmastime-small and large, wooden and plastic, on tables and in yards, in churches, homes, and businesses. The nativity scene is traditionally not taken down until the end of the season. There is nothing more humbling than the image of baby Jesus tucked inside a manger meant for barn animals. Nativity scenes will always remind us of the miracle that took place in a lowly stable.

Hymn: Away in a Manger 217 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eb_2Bn9N0w 1. Away in a manger, I love thee, Lord Jesus, no crib for a bed, look down from the sky the little Lord Jesus and stay by my cradle laid down his sweet head. till morning is nigh. The stars in the sky 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, look down where he lay, I ask thee to stay the little Lord Jesus, close by me forever, asleep on the hay. and love me, I pray; 2. The cattle are lowing, bless all the dear children the baby awakes, in thy tender care, but little Lord Jesus, and fit us for heaven no crying he makes; to live with thee there.

Congregational Prayer (in unison): Prepare our hearts, O God, for the coming of Jesus Christ, Your son. Deepen our joy as we make ready for the anniversary of his birth. By true faith in him, who is the desire of the nations, the promise of the prophets, the prince of peace, the redeemer of humanity, help us to prepare the way for his birth into our hearts again this year. Help us to rightly welcome him as the Savior of our souls and the Lord of our lives. Amen.

Offering Before we leave, let us remember that in this season of giving, that we should not forget to give gifts to the one whose birthday we are celebrating. So let us pause and take an offering to remind us. Offertory Doxology Praise God, from whom Ye heavenly host; all blessings flow; Praise Father, Son, praise him, all creatures And Holy Ghost. here below; Amen. Praise him above,

The Ringing of the Christmas Bells

Bells have been used throughout the centuries to call people to worship or to bring them good news. When heirs to royalty were born in European countries, bells would be sounded. When wars were over, the bells would be rung to celebrate. Bells in churches have been used to call Christians to worship and also to peal out the joyous news of a birth or to solemnly toll the death of a loved one. Today bells ring to call us to remember the birth which is soon to be celebrated among us - that of the Lord Jesus Christ. (AT THIS POINT SIGNAL IS GIVEN AND BELLS START TO RING) May the bells we hear this season call to our remembrance that great gift that changed the history of the world; the gift to us of God’s own son.

Hymn: Joy to the World p.246 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xo64Q2ucQ8 1. Joy to the world, 3. No more let sins the Lord is come! and sorrows grow, Let earth receive her King; nor thorns let every heart infest the ground; prepare him room, he comes to make and heaven and nature sing, his blessings flow (and heaven and nature sing,) far as the curse is found, and heaven and nature sing, (far as the curse is found,) (and heaven and nature sing,) far as the curse is found, and heaven, and heaven, (far as the curse is found,) and nature sing. far as, far as 2. Joy to the world, the curse is found. the Savior reigns! 4. He rules the world Let all their songs employ; with truth and grace, while fields and floods, and makes rocks, hills and plains the nations prove repeat the sounding joy, the glories of (repeat the sounding joy,) his righteousness, repeat the sounding joy, and wonders of his love, (repeat the sounding joy,) (and wonders of his love,) repeat, repeat and wonders of his love, the sounding joy. (and wonders of his love,) and wonders, wonders of his love. Benediction May the Prince of Peace who came into the world to show us God’s love come into your heart and go with you each day. May the light of Christ shine forth from your life as bright as the star so that wise people may see you and be led to Christ.

Postlude