SUNDAY MORNING December 25, 2011 ELEVEN O’CLOCK A CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE OF POETRY, CAROLS, AND CANDLELIGHT The liturgical color for the Season of Christmastide is white. White is the color of celebration and new life. We gather this evening to celebrate the birth of Christ and the promise of new life we find in Christ Jesus. We light the white Christ candle to celebrate the birth of Christ. Featured Chrismon: Crèche from The Children’s Corner While many children realize the Chrismon Tree is special, they do not understand its deeper significance. For this reason, we have chosen to decorate a lower section of our tree with a children’s corner where the Chrismons are less fragile, allowing children to touch them. In this area, we feature a crèche surrounded by miniatures of some of our larger ornaments, reminding us all of the humble setting of Christ’s birth. THE PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Please use the moments prior to the sounding of the chimes for prayer, reflection and meditation in preparation for the service of worship. THE CHIMING OF THE TRINITY THE OPENING SENTENCES THE PRELUDE Roy De Brand Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming arr. John Ferguson The organ prelude is based on the text and tune of hymn 27. THE CHORAL INTROIT Call to Advent Jim Jerome Williams The introit is based on the texts and tunes of hymns 2 and 16. THE CALL TO WORSHIP (Congregation Standing) LEADER: The Lord be with you! Sue Young PEOPLE: And also with you! LEADER: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. PEOPLE: On them the Light has shined! LEADER: Live in heavenly peace! PEOPLE: Christ, our Savior, is born! LEADER: O come, let us adore him! PEOPLE: Let us adore him, Christ the Lord! THE PROCESSIONAL CAROL 38 Once in Royal David’s City Stanza 1: Solo Stanzas 2-5: Choir and Congregation A POEM The Sky Can Still Remember IRBY Phillips Brooks THE LIGHTING OF THE HOPE CANDLE A CAROL The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came arr. Joel Raney The carol is based on the text and tune of hymn 23. A POEM Christmas Everywhere Phillips Brooks THE LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE A CAROL The Snow Lay on the Ground arr. William Cutter The snow lay on the ground, the star shone bright when Christ, our Lord, was born on Christmas night. Venite adoremus Dominum! (Come, that we may adore the Lord!) ‘Twas Mary, virgin pure, of holy Anne (Mary’s mother) that brought into this world the God made man. And thus that manger poor became a throne, For he whom Mary bore was God the Son. -Traditional English Carol A PRAYER Roy De Brand A POEM What Is Christmas? Allen B. Sanger THE LIGHTING OF THE JOY CANDLE A CAROL O Holy Night THE GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 2: 1-20 Adolph Adam Roy De Brand THE LIGHTING OF THE LOVE CANDLE A CAROL There’s a Song in the Air arr. Michael Larkin There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky! There’s a mother’s deep prayer And a baby’s low cry! And the star rains its fire while the angels sing, For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King! There’s a tumult of joy O’er the wonderful birth, For the Virgin’s sweet Boy Is Lord of the earth. By the light of that star Lie the ages unfurled, And the song from afar Has swept over the world. Every heart is aflame, And all Christians shall sing In the homes of all peoples where Jesus is King! We rejoice in the Light, And we echo the song That comes down through the night From the heavenly throng As we shout to the lovely evangel they bring, And we greet in the cradle our Savior and King! -Joshua Heiland THE MEDITATION Christmas Moments Roy De Brand THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE THE LIGHTING OF CANDLES THE RECESSIONAL CAROL 40 (All) STILLE NACHT Silent Night, Holy Night arr. Betty Garee STILLE NACHT Assisting with this evening’s service is Sue Young. Music for the service is offered by treble Robert Hopper, The Bells of Wyche with percussionist Brian Westbrook, sopranos Jane Frazier and Melody Frazier Doster, and The Chancel Choir.