FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
DECEMBER 21, 2008 10:00 a.m.
THE PRELUDE O Come, O Come, Emmanuel setting by Ferguson
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Steve, Mary, Oliver & Sadie Chapin
Reader #1: Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for God to send God’s love and light into our dark, human world.
Reader #2: How does this happen?
Reader #1: God’s most perfect love comes through Jesus. Jesus became a human being just like you and me, so that he could show us God’s light and saving love.
ALL: Make our hearts and minds pure, O Lord, so that when your Son Jesus arrives, he will find us prepared and ready to receive him. We thank you for a time of waiting and preparation. We thank you for the gift of Jesus your Son. We await the Light of the World with joy and expectation.
Reader #3: A reading from the Gospel of Luke, which is known as the Magnificat, sung by Mary: “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. . .He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.” (Luke 1:48-49, 52-55a)
Reader #1: Today, we continue to wait for the coming of Jesus. We wait for the Light of the World to shine into the darkness of our lives. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the fourth candle.
[First, second, third and fourth candles are lit. While the candles are being lit, the following is read:]
Reader #2: Each candle that we light reminds us that the Light of the World will soon come to us in the human form of Jesus, who was born to homeless and poor people. Now, at the end of Advent, all four candles burn bright in hope and anticipation of the Light of the World. On Christmas Eve, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord, we will finally light the center candle, the Christ Candle. Come, Lord Jesus.
ALL: Our time of waiting is almost over. May we, with Mary, the mother of our Lord, proclaim God’s greatness. May we see God in those who are weak, humble, poor, hungry, who come to God empty-handed and expect to be fed. May we pray for the Light of the World to shine into our lives, and then through our lives, into the darkness of the world. May the Word indeed become flesh and dwell among us. Amen.
HYMN 88 Canticle of the Turning (verse 4)
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebearers heard is the promise which holds us bound, ‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. My heart shall sing of the day You bring. Let the fires of Your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn!
CHIMES & TOWER BELLS
PROCESSIONAL Once in Royal David’s City
*BIDDING PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYER/BLESSING Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
*HYMN Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he; Of the things that are, that have been, and that Future years shall see, Evermore and evermore! O ye heights of heaven adore him; Angel hosts, his praises sing; Powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King; Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring, Ever more and ever more! Christ, to thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: Honor, glory and dominion, and eternal victory, Ever more and ever more! Amen.
THE FIRST READING Max Hawthorne
God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.
Genesis iii
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou has done this, thou art cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Thanks be to God.
*HYMN Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light
[Children age 3 through 3rd grade are invited to got to One Room Sunday School in LL5 during the singing of the hymn.]
Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, and usher in the morning; Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright, but hear the angel’s warning. This child, now weak in infancy, our confidence and joy shall be, The power of Satan breaking, our peace eternal making.
THE SECOND READING J. Fred Rennebohm
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed.
Genesis xxii
And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Thanks be to God.
HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1 and 4)
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! Amen.
THE THIRD READING Matt Johnson
Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
Isaiah ix
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Thanks be to God.
HYMN Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming as men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night.
THE FOURTH READING Cindy Davis
The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
Isaiah xi
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. With righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Thanks be to God.
*HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! Amen.
THE FIFTH READING Rev. Robert J. Brink
The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Luke i
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM The Time Draws Near Williams
The time draws near the birth of Christ:
The moon is hid; the night is still;
The Christmas bells from hill to hill
Answer each other in the mist.
Four voices of four hamlets round,
From far and near, on mead and moor,
Swell out and fail, as if a door
Were shut between me and the sound:
Each voice four changes on the wind,
That now dilate, and now decrease.
Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace,
Peace and goodwill to all mankind.
Peace.
Peace.
THE SIXTH READING James LaBelle
St. Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
St. Matthew I
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Coventry Carol Helvey
Lully, lulla, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor Youngling for Whom we sing
By, by, lully, lullay?
Herod the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.
That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever morn and day
For Thy parting neither say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lully, lulla, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
THE SEVENTH READING Mary Chapin
The shepherds go to the manger.
St. Luke ii
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them in heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Ding Dong! Merrily on High arr. Beechey
Ding dong! merrily on high in heaven the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky is riven with angels singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Even so here below, let steeple bells be sungen,
And i-o, i-o, i-o, by priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you, dutifully prime your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime your eventime song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
THE EIGHTH READING Rev. Samuel R. Schaal
The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
St. Mathew ii
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he has privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed: and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh. Thanks be to God.
*HYMN As With Gladness Men of Old
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; So, most gracious Lord, may we Eevermore be led to thee. As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed, There to bend the knee before him whom heaven and earth adore; So may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat. As they offered gifts most rare, at the manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly King. Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way; And, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide. Amen.
THE NINTH READING Dr. Peay
St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
St. John I
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Galacian Christmas Carol, On the Feast of the Holy Kings arr. Frederic
Viva, viva, viva,
Tis great incivility for those low of station
To sing before nobility without any salutation.
Good morrow, your lordship, may long life attend you
Your ladyship and your children, all happiness God may send you,
Good morrow! Viva!
At the door a little boy was crying,
And he was handsome as could be, sir.
Through his tears he said, "With cold I'm dying"
He was almost naked, O dear me, sir.
"Go and bid him enter, warm himself in here,
For in all this cold world there's no pity near."
Then the child came in before the fire
And soon he was as warm as you or me, sir,
And the lady gently did inquire
And ask him in what land his home might be, sir.
"Lady dear, my Mother came from long ago,
Father is in heaven, I'm from here below."
So let us be gracious to those low of station
Lest we should deny the Christchild room in our habitation.
Good morrow, your lordship, may long life attend you
Your ladyship and your children, all happiness God may send you,
Good morrow! Viva Viva! Viva!
THE COLLECT
*THE BENEDICTION
*THE COMMISSION AND DISMISSION OF REV. SAMUEL R. SCHAAL
*HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain: Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the God-head see; hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hail the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings, Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
POSTLUDE Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying setting by Ferguson
*The congregation is invited to stand.
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
One Room Sunday School for children 3 years through 3rd grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, December 28, 10:00 A.M. Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled: “All in the Family.” Ralph Ehlert is the organist. Sarah Gorke, Jill Bruss, Roger Jacobi, and Nicolas Sluss-Rodionov |
Christmas Eve Services
Wednesday, December 24
Family Service 4 p.m.
The Pilgrim Fellowship will present their annual Christmas play in a worship service for all ages. This year’s play is entitled “The Baddest Angel Band.” Bring your friends and neighbors to enjoy this fifty plus year tradition here at First Church.
Candlelight Communion Service 7 p.m.
This service will celebrate God’s love for us in word and sacrament. Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled “Christmas: Home, Never Alone.”
Candlelight Choral Service 11 p.m.
This service will highlight the superb seasonal music of the Choir of First Church. Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled “Christmas: Home, Never Alone.”