FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
DECEMBER 20, 2009 10:00 a.m.

THE PRELUDE Piae Cantiones traditional arr. Fox

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Richard & Sharon Raymond

HYMN 83 People, Look East (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!
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together.
People look East and sing today: Love the Star is on the way.

CHIMES & TOWER BELLS

PROCESSIONAL Once in Royal David’s City Hymnal no. 137

*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 Hailey Sgarlata & Grace Anderson

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 2nd grade are invited to go 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 James Santelle

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 James LaBelle

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 McCall Hoerz

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 In the Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

THE FIFTH READING Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.

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 A Babe Is Born Mathias

A babe is born all of a may, With gold and myrrh and frankincense,
To bring salvation unto us. A solis ortus cardine.
To him we sing both night and day.
Veni Creator Spiritus. The angels came down with one cry,

A fair song that night sung they

At Bethlehem, that blessed place, In worship of that child:
The child of bliss now born he was; Gloria tibi Domine.
And him to serve God give us grace,
O lux beata Trinitas. A babe is born all of a may,

To bring salvation unto us.

There came three kings out of the East, To him we sing both night and day.
To worship the King that is so free, Veni Creator Spiritus. Noel!

THE SIXTH READING Alex Meyer

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 Nativity Carol Rutter

Born in a stable so bare, (Refrain)
Born so long ago;
Born 'neath light of star Wise men form from distant far land,
He who loved us so. Shepherds from starry hills

Worshipped this babe so rare,

Hearts with his warmth he fills.
Far away silent lay,
Born today, your homage pay,
For Christ is born for aye,
Born on Christmas Day Love in that stable was born

Into our hearts to flow;

Cradled by mother so fair, Innocent dreaming babe,
Tender her lullaby; Make me thy love to know.
Over her son so dear
Angel hosts fill the sky.

THE SEVENTH READING Cynthia Payette

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 O Little Town of Bethlehem Vaughan Williams

O little town of Bethlehem, Hhow still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep Tthe silent stars to by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth Tthe everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years Are are met in thee tonight.

How silently, how silently, t The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts t The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming; b But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, s still the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, d Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, b Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels t The great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us, o Our Lord Emmanuel.

THE EIGHTH READING Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, M.S., M.F.T.

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 evermore 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 Hodie, Alleluia Lightfoot

Hodie Christus natus est!
Hodie! Alleluia!
Today the angels sing,
Today the angels rejoice!
Today the angels sing for joy!
Rejoicing, singing alleluia!
Gloria in excelsis!

THE COLLECT

*THE BENEDICTION

*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 Joy To The World arr. Fox

*The congregation is invited to stand.

The Christmas decorations are provided by the Board of Deacons

The Christmas decorations are provided by the Board of Deacons and through the generous donations of members in honor of, or in memory of, loved ones.

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.

One Room Sunday School for children 3 years through 2nd grade in room LL5.

Christmas Eve Services
THURSDAY, 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 BandCharlie Brown’s Christmas.” 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 “The TRUTH about Christmas.”

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 “The TRUTH about Christmas.”