Christmas Eve 2022

SERVICE OF LESSON & CAROLS

COME, LET US ADORE HIM

PRELUDE                                            “Still, Still, Still”
                                                                       “O Little Town of Bethlehem”                                        Orlay Alonso, keyboard

                                                                 “Night of Silence”                       Daniel Kantor/arr. Robert J. Ward

                                                                                                     Sanctuary Bells with Skye Johnson, soloist

                                                        “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”                        Orlay Alonso, keyboard    

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN                                  “Once in Royal David’s City”                                                                         IRBY

                        Verses 1-2, sung by the choir alone.  All are invited to stand to sing verses 3-4

WELCOME                                                                                              Rev. Trip Porch

CANDLE LIGHTING                                   Poems by Ann Weems                                            The Bird Family        

“Into this Silent Night”

Into this silent night
   as we make our weary way
   we know not where,

just when the night becomes its darkest
   and we cannot see our path,

just then
   is when the angels rush in,
      their hands full of stars

“Godburst”

When the Holy Child is born into our hearts
there is a rain of stars
   a rushing of angels
      a blaze of candles
this God burst into our lives.
Love is running through the streets                                                                                               

*HYMN No. 583                        “Gloria, Gloria”                                                      GLORIA (Taizé)

                                                                                           Repeat many times

*THE BIDDING PRAYER  written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy               Mark Phlegar

  One: We have waited for a long time

for your hope, your peace, your joy, your love

to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God.

Even now, in our gathering here, we await you.

In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth,

banishing the shadows of this world

and guiding all the people closer to you.

 

All: Yet you did not come into this world

in a show of power and glory.

You did not shine forth for all of creation to behold at once.

  You came as a tiny spark –

a newborn baby,

visible to parents and curious animals.

A host of angels –

away from the populated areas,

singing to migrant workers.

A sparkling star – guiding foreigners to see what neighbors could not.

  One: Open our hearts, merciful God,

to the sparks of your presence still in this world.

Open our eyes,

that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places,

and among the least likely of people.

  All: God with us,

Ignite your spirit within us, that together 

we may shine forth your light into the shadows of this world,

we might proclaim through our life your Christmas miracle:

God, Emmanuel, is with us in this world, now and evermore.

  One: Magnify your love within our hearts, gracious God,

that we might speak anew your word in these words,

And have this ancient story retold afresh this night. Amen.

 *RESPONSE OF PRAISE #113             “Angels We Have Heard on High” (refrain only)                           GLORIA

 PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

 THE FIRST LESSION                                 Isaiah 9:2, 6–7                                     Caroline Fortman

CHOIR CAROL                              “Unto Us a Child is Born”                         arr. David Wilcocks

THE SECOND LESSON                         Luke 1:26–35                                                 Peter Maurath

CHILDREN’S CHOIR ANTHEM      “Bells Over Bethlehem”                     Andalusian Folk Song

WORD WITH CHILDREN                                                            Rev. Trip Porch

THE THIRD LESSON                                  Luke 2:1–20                                                Mike Ayers

*CAROL #119                          “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”                             MENDELSSOHN

MEDITATION                                                                        Rev. Trip Porch

*HYMN # 133                “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (verses 1, 3, 4)                    ADESTE FIDELES

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CALL TO OFFERING  

OFFERTORY                                              “O Holy Night”                                     Adolf Adam

                                                Soloist: Betsy Tullis, soprano

THE FOURTH LESSON                              John 1:1–14                                 Susan Warrener Smith

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST 

As you receive the light, please tip the unlit candle to receive the light from the lit candle.

 *CAROL                                  “Silent Night”                                                         STILLE NACHT

                                    All are invited to sing each verse.

           

                Silent night, holy night!                                         Silent night, holy night!

                All is calm, all is bright,                                          Shepherds quake at the sight

                Round yon virgin mother and Child!             Glories stream from heaven afar,

                Holy infant, so tender and mild,                      Heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia;

                Sleep in heavenly peace,                                      Christ the Savior is born,

                Sleep in heavenly peace.                                      Christ the Savior is born.”

                                               

                                Verse 3: Lifting  candles

                                                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

Leader: May the Christ, who, by his incarnation, gathered into one the things of heaven and earth,

fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill, and the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. 

People: Alleluia!

Leader: Go forth in peace and joy.

People: Thanks be to God! Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE                          “Away in a Manger”      Cradle Song                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The IPC Children’s Choir

           We invite you to extinguish your candles using the communion cups provided.

 

CLOSING CAROL #134                       “Joy to the World”                                              ANTIOCH

POSTLUDE                         “Fugue in E-minor” BWV914                                 J.S. Bach

                           

Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452

   

 Tonight’s Participants

WORSHIP LEADERS

Pastor – Rev. Trip Porch

Liturgists – Mark Phlegar

                   Caroline Fortman

                    Peter Maurath

                    Mike Ayers

                    Susan Warrener Smith

Children’s Message –   Trip Porch      

MUSIC LEADERS

Children’s Choir

Chancel Choir

Sanctuary Bells

Soloist – Skye Johnson

Soloist – Betsy Tullis

Organist – Orlay Alonso

Director of Music – Christopher Dent

Assoc. Director of Music – Ariel Alvarado

Director Children’s Choir  - Mary Rebekah Fortman

Asst. Children’s Choir – Sharon Renkes

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December 18, 2022