Ten Thirty in the morning

Ministers: The Rev Susan Lassalle The Reverend Aaron Ochart                            

Bold face indicates congregational participation.          

indicates to stand in body or in spirit

GATHERING

WORDS OF WELCOME

PRELUDE                                    Partita on ES IST EIN ROS                        

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP (Lighting the Advent Candles)

Candle Lighter: Why am I worried? 

Fathers and Grandfathers: Why do I worry about what I will wear, or how many gifts I have to buy? 

Mothers and Grandmothers: Why am I buying gifts? Because I have to? Or out of love? 

Children and youth: Do I have enough? What can I share? 

(Light the candle)

(Video) Matthew 1:21-23 

“She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: 

Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, 

And they will call him, Emmanuel. 

(Emmanuel means “God with us.”)”

Readers: God has given us so much, yet we insist on acquiring more. 

Choir: God doesn’t ask for things, God asks for our hearts. 

Congregation: I can give something more valuable than a box, that costs less and means more. Let us pray 

Great joy giver, you  have given us all that we need to flourish as your children. Help us find the deep joy  that comes not from treasure, but from you. Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be

world without end, amen, amen. 

HYMN                       “My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout”   

1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, 

and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.

You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, 

so from east and west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain: 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.

2. Though I am small, my God my all, you work great things in me, 

and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.

Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,

you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.

Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.

The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;

there are tables spread; every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

4. Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:

God’s mercy will deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.

This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, 

till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. (Refrain)

PROCLAMATION

THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: 

SCRIPTURE READING                             Isaiah 55:1-13

CHRISTMAS CANTATA         “Night of the Father’s Love”                    by Pepper Choplin

Narration: Louise Ochart, Joseph Palermo, and David Russo

Choir:Bill Bottomly, Sandy Cranfill, Sharon Fortin, Sam Garnett, Aaron Ochart, Paula Palermo, Ron Palmisano, Evelyn Tobey, Ann Trapani

“The Coming of the Lord”

Lift up your heads O gates, and make the highway straight,

Prepare to celebrate the coming of the Lord.

Your waiting soon will end, God’s glory will descend,

Rise up and welcome in the coming of the Lord!

Prepare the way for the coming of the Lord!

The ancient words foretell, God with us, He will dwell,

Christ, our Emanuel, and all will see the glory of the Lord!

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.

And then the deaf will hear, the blind will see Him clear,

The mute will find their voice, the lame will leap for joy,

Prepare the way for the coming of the Lord!

“Waiting”

We gather here to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We come to remember when God visited the earth in the form of a child. And we meet to worship the Lord and celebrate the new life he offers us. We pray that we will experience God’s presence in a fresh way. This is the true meaning of Christ’s birth. The angel said that he would be “Emmanuel,” which means, “God with us”. God is always with us. But when we welcome His Spirit into our hearts and minds, we experience the comfort and power of God’s presence. 

Before Christ came into the world, God’s people awaited his arrival for centuries. So now, we wait- that God will move among us as we listen to the story of the Christmas miracle. The psalmist said, “…the Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him, it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Come… let us be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. 

Waiting, we are waiting, Lord. Waiting, we are waiting, Lord. Fill our mind ‘til we find Your light, Your truth.

Now let us know Your presence, Lord, Emmanuel, God, be with us. 

We welcome you with open hearts, Emmanuel, God be with us. God be with us, Emmanuel. 

Listening, we are listening, Lord. Listening, we are listening, Lord. Draw us near, let us hear Your Word for us. 

Now let us know your presence, Lord, Emmanuel, God be with us. 

We welcome you with open hearts, Emmanuel, God be with us. God be with us. Emmanuel.

Patience, give us patience, Lord. Patience, give us patience, Lord. 

When we pray, give us faith that You hear ev’ry prayer. As we’re waiting… We are waiting… Waiting.

Angels are Making Their Rounds

Narration: While the world waited, the Spirit of God was stirring. Angels began to appear and brought messages to earth as they prepared for Christ’s birth. And the angel said to Mary, Then the angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. Behold, the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Fear not…” “Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard.” “…fear not, Joseph, to take Mary as your wife…” “Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” “Zechariah, your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name, John.” “And behold, Mary, you will conceive in your womb, and you shall bring forth a son…” “…and she shall bring forth a son…” “…and you shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.” “…and you shall call his name Jesus.”

Angels are making their rounds, O what a beautiful sound, angels are making their rounds.

Fear not Zechariah, for the Lord has heard your prayer. Elizabeth will bear a son.

Hail, O blessed one, you have favor with God. 

Angels are making their rounds, O my, what a beautiful sound. 

Heaven’s glory comes down when angels are making their rounds.

Fear not, Joseph, go and take Mary to be your wife, for she carries a holy Child.

Unto you is born a Savior, glory to God and peace on earth,for now the Lord is with you. 

Angels are making their rounds, O my, what a beautiful sound. 

Heaven’s glory comes down when angels are making their rounds.

“Night of the Father’s Love”

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to see,

He is Alpha and Omega.  He the source, the ending He.

Of the things that are, that have been and the future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore.

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.  

“The Shepherd’s Song”

While shepherd’s watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came near and glory shone around.

He said, “Fear not for I bring good news, it shall be for all people.

For unto you is born this day a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

For unto you is born this day, there, in Bethlehem,

A Savior, who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be your sign:

And this shall be the sign to you: for you shall find the baby,

there, all wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.”

The angel then was surrounded by a great and glorious throng,

And while the shepherds watched by night, the angels raised their song:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

“Seeking the King”

Seeking, seeking the newborn King.

The road is dark, the dust is dry.  We find our path by star-light.

We are seeking the King.

Though we are tired, the journey’s long, we walk in faith to carry on.

We bring gold to crown Him with royalty,

Frankincense to show His divinity. 

We bring myrrh, the fragrance used when someone dies,

Though we’re not sure the reason why.

Now, we are so tired, we’ve come so far,

But now, once again, we see the star,

Now we rejoice with great joy,

We’re rejoicing, now we see the star of wonder, star of night,

Star of royal beauty bright.  Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to Thy perfect light.

And when we find the newborn King, our greatest gift we then shall bring

When we worship the King.  We’ll worship the newborn King.

“Fall on Your Knees”

Come see the Child, He is here by the fire,

Silently come, draw near the manger side.

Look in His face and see the world’s salvation,

And feel the holy peace, fall on your knees.

Open your eyes, now the holy star is rising,

Rays of the light will shine to touch your soul.

Open your heart to the glory and the wonder.

Feel the holy peace, fall on your knees.

Fall on your knees!  O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born.

Come now, and fall on your knees as you worship in His presence.

Thanks be to God you have found the holy Child.

Blessed are all who have seen the Lord’s salvation.

Come and lift your voice.  Let your heart rejoice

And praise the Prince of peace, fall on your knees.

“Christ is Born, Nowell!”

Hark!  The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.

Nowell! Heaven’s angel come to tell, “Christ is born, Nowell!”

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,

and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.

Nowell!  Joyous news we come to tell, “Christ is born, Nowell.”

“Now Christ is born!  Now all is well!”

Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace!  Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, ris’n 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.

Hark!  The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

 RESPONSE 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                              Heidelberg Catechism: BOC 4.001                

Q1: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

A1: That I belong body and soul, in life and in death not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                            “O Come All Ye Faithful”                         Arr. Patricia Cota

Handbells: Bill Bottomley, Sandy Cranfill, Sharon Fortin, Cindy Fredenthal, Karla Russo, and Ann Trapani

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

HYMN 5                       “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; 

ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand

Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. 

2. King of kings yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,

Lord of Lords inhuman vesture, in the body and the blood,

he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.  

3. Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,

as the Light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day,

that the powers of hell may vanish as the shadows clear away.

4. At his feet the six-winged seraph, cherubim with ceaseless eye,

veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice their cry,

“Alleluia, aleluia, alleluia Lord most high!”

PARTING PRAYER                                                                    Prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE         Carillon from 24 Pieces en style libre (excerpt) – Louis Vierne