ORDER FOR WORSHIP
A Service of Lessons and Carols
The service of Lessons and Carols was developed in the late nineteenth century and first used at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, UK. The service is a re-telling of the story of the coming Christ. It follows a simple pattern: each lesson is told through a song and a Scripture reading. May you hear anew the story of the birth of Jesus as we listen, sing, and worship God this evening.
PRELUDE: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Simon Walsh, Elizabeth and Patrick Mahowald
WELCOME & PRAYER OF INVOCATION
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
O Magnum Mysterium Morton Lauridson
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Ray Durney
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For the darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)
We welcome you, Lord Jesus, our light and our salvation.
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
FIRST LESSON
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
*Hymn #163 Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming
SECOND LESSON
Luke 1:26-38
Instrumental: Flute Sonata in Eb: Siciliano J.S. Bach
Simon Walsh
THIRD LESSON
Matthew 1:18-23
*Hymn #152 Angels We Have Heard On High
FOURTH LESSON
Luke 1:46-56
Anthem : Love Came Down at Christmas John Carter
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine.
FIFTH LESSON
Micah 5:2-5a
*Hymn #155 O Little Town of Bethlehem
SIXTH LESSON
Luke 2:1, 4-7
Duet: A Welsh tune, text by Sir Harold Boulton
All Throughout the Night
Maureen and Emerson Chen
Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee all through the night.
Guardian angels God will send thee all through the night.
Soft and drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and vale in slumber steeping,
I my loving vigil keeping, all through the night.
While the moon her watch is keeping all through the night.
While the weary world is sleeping all through the night.
O'er spirit gently stealing, visions of delight revealing,
Breathes a rare and holy feeling all through the night.
SEVENTH LESSON
Luke 2:8-14
Anthem: Christmas Lullaby John Rutter
Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem:
Angels are singing their sounds fill the air.
Wise men have journeyed to greet their messiah;
But only a mother and baby lie there.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria:
Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria:
Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King.
Where are his courtiers, and who are his people?
Why does he bear neither scepter nor crown?
Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people,
With peace as his scepter and love for his crown.
What though your treasures are not gold or incense?
Lay them before him with hearts full of love.
Praise to the Christ child, and praise to his mother
Who bore us a Savior by grace from above.
EIGHTH LESSON
Luke 2:15-18
*Hymn #173 O Come, All Ye Faithful
NINTH LESSON
John 1:1-14
Anthem: O Holy Night Adolphe Adam
Elizabeth Mahowald, soloist
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine
HOMILY Rev. Blaine Crawford
PRAYER OF BLESSING
OFFERING
(The loose offering will be given to our Deacon’s Fund to help individuals in need.)
Offertory Hymn: The First Noel
Verses 1-3: sung by the choir
Refrain: sung by the congregation and choir
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
ANTHEM: Still, Still, Still Norman Luboff
Still, still, still
One can hear the falling snow
For all is hushed
The world is sleeping
Holy Star its vigil keeping
Still, still, still
One can hear the falling snow
Sleep, sleep, sleep
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth
The night is peaceful all around you
Close your eyes
Let sleep surround you
Sleep, sleep, sleep
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth
Dream, dream, dream
Of the joyous day to come
While guardian angels without number
Watch you as you sweetly slumber
Dream, dream, dream
Of the joyous day to come
*LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES: 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 Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour 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 Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.
*BENEDICTION