CHILMARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
CHRISTMAS EVE 2009
Prelude Pastorale from the Christmas Concerto by Corelli
CALL TO WORSHIP
Rejoice, for God is with us — Emmanuel.
In the darkness of our world shines God’s holy light.
Now there is reason to hope, to love, to laugh, to live.
God is truly with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God!
* O Come, All Ye Faithful
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,
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
True God of true God, Light from Light eternal.
Lo, He shuns not the virgin’s womb.
Son of the Father, begotten, not created.
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation.
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
OPENING PRAYER
Gracious God,
With joy and thanksgiving we gather as your people.
We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ’s birth.
In the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts
that we may know the peace and fullness of this holy time.
Shine, O Light, in the darkness of our world.
Sing, O angels, in the stillness of our hearts,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all people.”
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7, John 1:1-2, 4-5
O Come . O Come, Emmanuel The Lighting of the Christ Candle
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, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of the people be;
before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
The Coming of Jesus Is Announced to Mary and Joseph
Luke 1:26-38
“The Slumber Song” by Francois Gezaert ( Gabriel candle and Mary and Joseph candles are lighted.)
The Preparations for the Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-5
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 street shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Jesus is Born
Luke 2:6-7
Away in a Manger(As congregation sings, the Baby Jesus candle is lighted.)
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky look down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Jesus’ Birth is Announced to the Shepherds
Luke 2:9-14
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear ( the angel candles are lighted.)
It came upon the midnight clear that glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King.
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
The Shepherds Find the Baby Jesus
Luke 2:15-18
The First Noel While congregation sings, the shepherd candles are lighted
The first noel the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, noel, noel, noel. Born is the King of Israel
And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from county far.
To seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, noel, noel, noel.Born is the King of Israel.
Then entered in the wise men three, full reverently upon the knee.
And offered there in His presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, noel, noel, noel.Born is the King of Israel.
The Wise Men Bring Their Gifts to Jesus
Matthew 2:1-11
We Three Kings (While congregation sings, the king candles are lighted. )
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
UNISON PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION
Merciful God, we confess that often we find darkness more comfortable than light. We confess that we find your good news frightening and unsettling, especially when we consider its demands as well as its promises.
Give us the courage to lay ourselves open to the wonder and healing of your coming. Be born again into our world, be born again into our hearts and lives. Hear now our silent and personal thoughts as we prepare ourselves for your nativity.
Silent prayer
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE PASSING OF THE LIGHT candle light shared ( Choir NIGHT OF SILENCE BY DANIEL KANTOR then joined by congregation with)
Silent 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 ”
We are filled with joy for we have heard good news of great joy.
We are filled with love for we have heard the story of God’s great love.
We are filled with hope for the angels still sing in our world
and there is a Light for us to follow.
Joy to the WorldJoy to the World
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.
He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.
Postlude: “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow “ spriritual
Worship Leader Ann Deitrich
Organist: Carol Loud
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POINSETTIAS
Ann and Bob Deitrich…………..in honor of loved ones
Marilyn and Warren Hollinshead…For their parents
Phyllis and Bob Conway…in memory of David and Lorna Flanders
Pam and Clark Goff………in memory of Matt Jones
Ethel Sherman………. In memory of Blanche &Al Trczinski
Katy Upson…….., in memory of Bill & May Haynes
Mabel and Allan Darrow
Kathie Carroll … in memory of Caroline Crocker