Sunday Bulletin

Prelude                                                           Carol Van Dyke

Welcome

The Lighting of the Christ Candle              The Loomis family

Leader: Rejoice, people of God! The light has come into the world.

All: God, now we light the candle of your nativity!

Leader: With the company of heaven and with sounds of great joy, you come to us. This is the time of light and joy. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a time when those who walked in the shadows would see a great light. A light would shine, and a child would be born to us. The evangelist Luke painted the nativity sky and repeated the heavenly song of the angels, “Glory, peace on earth and goodwill!” John declared that this great light is Christ, the Word made flesh. 

All: This great light lives among us. By it we behold God’s glory—full of grace and truth. At Christ’s nativity, we now rejoice.

Carol*                         “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” (Verses 1 & 2)

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to bethlehem come and behold him
Born the king of angels 

Refrain
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him Christ the Lord

O sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above
Glory to God, all glory in the highest
Refrain

Unison Prayer

God, our Life and Light, thank you for coming this night to us. Thank you for touching all heaven and earth with your splendor. In every corner of the world, shine this night with your peace. In every corner of our hearts, shine this night with your grace. Amen.

Storytime                   “Buddy the Elf”                        Rev. Dan Haugh

Special Music:           “A Christmas Song”                Elf, Jr. Ensemble

Carol*              “Away in a Manger” (Verses 1, 2 & 3)

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky look down where He lay.
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is night.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Special Music            “The Little Drummer Boy”
                                          Lisa Macalaster and Carol Van Dyke
Amy Cobaugh – flute

Storytime                   “THE Christmas Story”           Rev. Dan Haugh

Carols*                       “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”  (Verses 1 & 2)

Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new born king!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
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,
Off-spring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see;
Jail the incarnate Deity,
Please in flesh with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!”

“Angels We have Heard on High” (Verse 1)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains
Glo---ria in excelsis Deo.
Glo---ria in excelsis Deo.

Christmas Offering   “What Child Is This?”
                                           Lisa Macalaster and Carol Van Dyke
Amy Cobaugh, flute

Christmas Prayers

Carol*                          “Joy To The World” (Verses 1 & 2)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

Benediction

Closing                          “Go Tell It On The Mountain”           Everyone

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching 
o'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens, 
there shone a holy light. 

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.

Postlude                                                                         Carol Van Dyke

Prelude                                                                     Chris Vigneau              

Welcome

The Lighting of the Christ Candle                      The Dabrowski Family  

Leader: Rejoice, people of God! The light has come into the world.

All: God, now we light the candle of your nativity!

Leader: With the company of heaven and with sounds of great joy, you come to us. This is the time of light and joy. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a time when those who walked in the shadows would see a great light. A light would shine, and a child would be born to us. The evangelist Luke painted the nativity sky and repeated the heavenly song of the angels, “Glory, peace on earth and goodwill!” John declared that this great light is Christ, the  Word made flesh.

All: This great light lives among us. By it we behold God’s glory-full of grace and truth. At Christ’s nativity, we now rejoice.

Hymn*              “O Come, All Ye Faithful”                                      (insert)

Unison Prayer

God, our Life and Light, thank you for coming this night to us. Thank you for touching all heaven and earth with your splendor. In every corner of the world, shine this night with your peace. In every corner of our hearts, shine this night with your grace. Amen.

Children’s Message                                                             Taryn Noelle

Special Music            “Believe”                         Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri

                                         Addison Kneale, soloist

Words of Introduction

Scripture Lesson            Luke 2:1-7                       

Hymn                “O Little Town of Bethlehem”                      v 1, 2, 3 (insert)

Special Music                “What Child Is This?”               William Chatterton Dix

                                         Cami Cobaugh, soloist   

Scripture Lesson            Luke 2:8-14

For the next two hymns we invite the children to come up front to ring bells while we sing the hymns.

Hymn                              “Angels We Have Heard on High”  v. 1, 2, 3 (insert)

Scripture Lesson            Luke 2:15-20

Hymn*                            “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”     v 1 (insert)

Message                          “Fear Not”                       Rev. Dan Haugh

Offertory:                        “O Holy Night”                      

                                         Adella Perrotti, soloist                  

Christmas Prayer

Hymn*                            “Silent Night, Holy Night”                v. 1, 2, 3 (insert)

(As we sing, “Silent Night” receive the light for your candle from the aisle

and pass it down your pew, dipping the unlit candle into the flame.)

Christmas Benediction

(Please blow out your candle before exiting the sanctuary and deposit in the basket in the narthex. Thank you!)

Postlude                                                             Chris Vigneau

Prelude             “Nativity Suite”                                                  Alec Wyton

Introit               “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”   

Words of Welcome

The Lighting of the Christ Candle          Lay LeaderNikki Mustin

Leader: Rejoice, people of God! The light has come into the world.

All: God, now we light the candle of your nativity!

Leader: With the company of heaven and with sounds of great joy, you come to us. This is the time of light and joy. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a time when those who walked in the shadows would see a great light. A light would shine, and a child would be born to us. The evangelist Luke painted the nativity sky and repeated the heavenly song of the angels, “Glory, peace on earth and goodwill!” John declared that this great light is Christ, the  Word made flesh.

All: This great light lives among us. By it we behold God’s glory-full of grace and truth. At Christ’s nativity, we now rejoice.

Hymn*             “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Unison Prayer

God, our Life and Light, thank you for coming this night to us. Thank you for touching all heaven and earth with your splendor. In every corner of the world, shine this night with your peace. In every corner of our hearts, shine this night with your grace. Amen.

Anthem           “I Wonder as I Wander”                         Niles/Horton
                             Barbara Stotsenburg, soloist

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:1-7                                

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.
Your voices raise to God in praise; and peace to all on earth. 

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the joys of highest heaven.
No ear may hear Christ 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 God, Emmanuel.

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:8-14

Anthem           “The Snow Lay on the Ground”             Leo Sowerby

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:15-20

Anthem           “Nativity Carol”                              William Mathias

Message          “Fear Not”                                      Rev. Dan Haugh

Hymn*            “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ, who comes in lowly birth.
Come adore on bended knee Jesus, joy of heav’n and earth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 

See within a manger laid, Christ, whom choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Offering          

Offertory         “An English Carol (Greensleeves)”    Charles Callahan

Offertory Prayer

Hymn*            “Silent Night, Holy Night”

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child,
holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. 

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born! 

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. 

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, alleluia to our King;
Christ, the Savior, is born, Christ, the Savior, is born.

Benediction*

Closing            “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”   

Postlude            “Noel Fanfares”                                              Charles Callahan

Prelude             “Nativity Suite”                                      Alec Wyton

Words Of Welcome

The Lighting of the Christ Candle                    Lay Leader: Charlie Burnham

Leader: Rejoice, people of God! The light has come into the world.

All: God, now we light the candle of your nativity!

Leader: With the company of heaven and with sounds of great joy, you come to us. This is the time of light and joy. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a time when those who walked in the shadows would see a great light. A light would shine, and a child would be born to us. The evangelist Luke painted the nativity sky and repeated the heavenly song of the angels, “Glory, peace on earth and goodwill!” John declared that this great light is Christ, the  Word made flesh.

All: This great light lives among us. By it we behold God’s glory-full of grace and truth. At Christ’s nativity, we now rejoice.

Hymn*             “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Unison Prayer

God, our Life and Light, thank you for coming this night to us. Thank you for touching all heaven and earth with your splendor. In every corner of the world, shine this night with your peace. In every corner of our hearts, shine this night with your grace. Amen.

Words of Introduction

Anthem            “It’s Still the Greatest Story Ever Told”           Gaither/Miller
                          Mort Butler and Frank Springer

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:1-5

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.
Your voices raise to God in praise; and peace to all on earth.

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the joys of highest heaven.
No ear may hear Christ 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 God, Emmanuel.

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:6-7

Hymn              “What Child Is This?”

What Child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary. 

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary. 

So Bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, some, rich and poor to own him,
The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:8-14

Hymn*            “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ, who comes in lowly birth.
Come adore on bended knee Jesus, joy of heav’n and earth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 

See within a manger laid, Christ, whom choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:15-16

Anthem           “Gesu Bambino”                                   Yon/Berry
                     Piano duet: Susanna Burnham and Karen Miller

Scripture Lesson          Luke 2:17-20

Christmas Reflection                                                   Rev. Dan Haugh

Anthem           “Some Children See Him”                      Burt/Martin
                                    Greg Morrill, soloist           

Offering

Offertory         “An English Carol (Greensleeves)”     Charles Callahan

Christmas Poem  “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”                

Offertory Prayer

Hymn*            “Silent Night, Holy Night”

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child,
holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. 

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born! 

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. 

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, alleluia to our King;
Christ, the Savior, is born, Christ, the Savior, is born.

Benediction*

(Please blow out your candle before exiting the sanctuary and deposit in the basket in the narthex. Thank you!)

Closing             “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”

Postlude          “What Child Is This?”                         Robert A. Hobby