PRELUDE Medley of Christmas Music from Around the World Arranged RESPONSE, No. 115 Away in a Manger MUELLER This is the word of the Lord. Congrega on and Choir Thanks be to God. PREPARING TO HEAR GOD’S WORD Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay MEDITATION Ques onable Risk Management Rev. Dr. Chris Currie CHIMES (The congrega on is asked to pray for the blessing of God upon this service.) Close by me forever and love me, I pray. God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, the gentleness of your Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD Spirit lead us, and the gi s of your Spirit be our goal and our strength. Amen. And fit us for heaven to live with thee there. †AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - The Nicene Creed INTROIT Kling, Glöckchen (Ring Bells ) Tradi onal German carol We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven arr. Vicki Hancock Wright ASSURANCE OF PARDON The Children’s Choirs - Raynelle Ramsey, conductor and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. †ACT OF PRAISE, No. 583 Glory to God GLORIA (Taizé) Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling, Ring with glad rejoicing on this night so holy. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally Kling, Glöckchen, kling! Shepherds on the hillside watching flocks by night, Congrega on and Choir bego en of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true Ring, bells, oh, ring-a-ling-a-ling, Suddenly they’re frightened by a heav’nly light. Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! God, bego en, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all Ring, bells, oh, ring! Go, the angels tell them, see the wondrous birth, Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia! things were made. For us and for our salva on he came down from Born the Baby Jesus, in a stable lowly, Bethlehem now hurry, Christ has come to earth! heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary and became truly †PASSING OF THE PEACE ADVENT OPENING SENTENCES AND CANDLELIGHTING human. For our sake he was crucified under Pon us Pilate; he suffered Faith Community Nursing Team Stand, as you are able, and greet one another saying: death, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with “The peace of Christ be with you.” the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of L: Every year we light candles as we prepare for the coming of Christ. More Respond by saying: “And also with you.” the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and more candles, more and more light, as we watch and wait for Jesus, and his kingdom will have no end. the Light of the World, to come. THE WORD We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from People: But why did he come? A TIME WITH CHILDREN Lynace Pabst Veit the Father (and the Son), who with the Father and the Son is worshiped L: Jesus came down so that we may have light. Leader: As you depart from us now, the children of God say: and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one RESPONSE, No. 137 He Came Down HE CAME DOWN Children: God be with you as you stay. holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one bap sm for the Congrega on and Choir Congrega on: God be with you as you go. forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrec on of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. He came down that we may have light; RESPONSE, No. 155 Raise a Song of Gladness JUBILATE DEO Congrega on and Choir He came down that we may have light; †HYMN, No. 132 Good Chris an Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO
He came down that we may have light; Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth. Hallelujah forevermore. Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart. MOMENT FOR DISCIPLESHIP
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart! PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING L: We light this candle to remind us of the Light of Christ: Light that Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart! brought God’s people out of darkness; Light that is called Wonderful Offertory Lovely Child, Holy Child Folk carol Counselor, Mighty God, Everlas ng Father, Prince of Peace. Adapted by David N. Johnson Children are invited to stay in worship. If, however, childcare is needed – parents of The Sanctuary Choir children 5 years old and younger may take their children to the CE building for People: Let us walk in the Light of the Lord. Extended Session, Room CE 103. There is no Worship Center this evening. Lovely Child, holy Child, Rest thy head, sweetest head; Gentle, mild, undefiled; Gi s we’ll spread at thy bed. †OPENING HYMN, No. 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES Infant King, fairest King, Jesus Lord, be adored, Descant: David Willcocks PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Gi s we’ll bring and anthems sing: May this word now be outpoured: Accompanied by Youth Bell Choir Members Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 9:2-7 Child of light, born tonight, To this Boy, our great joy, PRAYER OF CONFESSION Pew Bible, page 600; large print, page 780 Our delight, promise bright; We employ hymns of joy; (Bibles are located in the racks beneath the pews.) Child so fair: see him there; Child so fair: see him there; When the world was dark and the city was quiet, you came, O Lord. You Now declare him everywhere: Now declare him everywhere: crept in beside us through a Galilean peasant family and no one knew, ANTHEM Stars Are For Those Who Li Their Eyes Pauline Delmonte Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! except for a few who dared to believe, that you might do something The Youth Choir different. Do the same this Christmas, we pray, O Lord. Come into the Stars are for those who li their eyes. The heavenly host proclaim †Doxology, No. 606 OLD HUNDREDTH darkness of our world in which people have stopped believing that We stand on a cloudless night The wonder of His coming Praise God from whom all blessings flow; warfare will end, that food will come, that poli cs can change, that the And look up at a million stars And the power of his name. So distant and so bright. If stormy clouds should hide the stars, Praise God, all creatures here below; church cares. I wonder if that shining night, No fearful thought is mine. Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Come into the dark corners and quiet places of our lives. We pray this The night of Jesus’ birth, Far beyond all earthly storms Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. not so we can wring our hands and be guilt-ridden, but to live as open The stars sang with the angels The heavenly stars s ll shine! and vulnerable before you as you were when you came to us. Above the sleeping earth. Stars are for those who li their eyes. The shepherds heard, near Bethlehem, SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER When the world was dark and the city was quiet you came and crept in Invita on beside us. Do the same this Christmas, Lord. SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:1-20 Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. (Con nue your personal prayer of confession in silence.) Pew Bible, page 54; large print, page 71 And also with you. Li up your hearts. †HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night! STILLE NACHT We li them to the Lord. Congrega on and Choir Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 1. Silent night, holy night! 2. Silent night, holy night! It is right to give our thanks and praise. . . All is calm, all is bright Shepherds quake at the sight; . . .who forever sing to the glory of your name: `Round yon virgin mother and child! Glories stream from heaven afar, . . .who forever sing to the glory of your name: Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia: Sleep in heavenly peace, Christ the Savior is born; A Service for the Worship of God Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ the Savior is born!” Christmas Eve Service of Communion and Candles 3. Silent night, holy night! 4. Silent night, holy night! December 24, 2019 Son of God, love’s pure light Wondrous star, lend thy light; Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the angels let us sing 5:30 p.m. With the dawn of redeeming grace, Alleluia to our King: Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Christ the Savior is born, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Christ the Savior is born. †CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
†RESPONSE HYMN, No. 134 Joy to the World ANTIOCH †POSTLUDE From Heaven Above to Earth I Come J. S. Bach Great is the mystery of faith: † Worshipers standing if able. Great is the mystery of faith: Clergy: Organist/Choir Director: Rev. Dr. Chris Currie Dr. Hollice Watson Alexandra Pappas, Stoer Pastoral Resident Liturgist: Archer Frierson . . .All glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Servers and Candle Lighters: College Students and Elders
WORSHIP NOTES WE WELCOME FRIENDS AND VISITORS. This church is for anyone who wants to be counted as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and who wants to be included in its worship and work. Thank you for signing your name The Lord’s Prayer and address on the a endance pad. There is an informa on center with material about our church and Presbyterianism in the foyer of the Jordan Street entrance to the sanctuary. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME IN WORSHIP! Children are invited to stay in worship. If, however, kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us childcare is needed – parents of children 5 years old and younger may take their children to the CE this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our building for Extended Session, Room CE 103. There is no Worship Center this evening. A Cry Room is debtors; and lead us not into tempta on, but deliver us from evil. located on the same floor as the sanctuary down the hall from the elevators. It is equipped with a speaker and volume control, so you may hear the service. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. WORSHIP BAGS are available for children elementary age and younger. Inside each bag a variety of worship aids can be found to help children par cipate fully in worship, including bookmarks, children’s bulle ns, crayons, pencils, and more! Worship Bags can be found in the narthex and at the front Communion of the People entrances of the sanctuary. Please return them at the end of the service. Children’s Bibles are also available for children’s use during worship and can be found at the end of every pew. Special music Sing Aloud on This Day! PERSONENT HODIE The Sanctuary Choir Piae Can ones , 1582 A LISTING OF POINSETTIA honorariums and memorials may be found in the narthex and other entrances to the sanctuary. Poinse as which were purchased and not designated for delivery may be Sing aloud on this day! Children all raise the lay. From the far Orient guiding star wise men sent; picked up following the service. Cheerfully we and they hasten to adore thee, Him to seek their intent, Lord of all crea on;
Sent from highest glory, Kneel in adora on. THE CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING will support the work of our Outreach Ministry mission partnership For us born on this morn of the Virgin Mary. Gi s of gold, frankincense, myrrh for their obla on. with the Church of Bangladesh and the St. Ma hias School in Hai . Now a child he is born, swathing bands him adorn, All must join him to praise; men and boys voices raise
Manger bed he’ll not scorn, ox and ass are near him; On this day of all days; angel voices ringing, THANKS TO Ty Foster and to Tower Arts Ministry for contribu ng pieces of artwork for our use in We as Lord revere him, Christmas dings bringing. worship this Advent and Christmas season. Tower Arts Ministry meets on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. and And the vain powers of hell spoiled of prey now fear him. Join we all, ‘Gloria in excelsis’ singing. welcomes ar sts of all persuasions (quilters, painters, cra ers).
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION is adapted from Cloth for the Cradle (Wild Goose Publica ons, 2000), 92- The people who walked in darkness 93. have seen a great light An usher will light a candle at the end of each row of pews. by Ty Foster MIDDAY PRAYER WILL NOT MEET December 25 or January 1. Midday Prayer will resume on Worshipers are encouraged to pass the light down the pew. Wednesday, January 8, 2020.
900 Jordan St. Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 318.222.0604 www.fpcshreveport.org