“Christmas Eve”
December 24, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
December 24, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Rev. Arlin Roy
Prelude “Deck the Halls” / “The First Noel”
Chalice Lighting and Call to Worship Rev. Arlin Roy
Prologue Rev. Arlin Roy
Christmas Eve Prayer Sara Eileen LaWall (modified)
Silent Meditation and Musical Meditation
Special Offering for Those in Need
Offertory "December: Christmas" from The Seasons by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Kate Ashby, violin, and Alan Murray, piano
Narration 1 The Birth of Jesus Foretold: Luke 1:26-35
Reflection on the Ancient Story Richard Slade
Carol “Annunciation Carol" by Richard Proulx Paul Gross and Diane Guernsey
Narration 2 Luke 2: 1-7
Reflection on the Ancient Story Michael Carman
Carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Offering for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund
Offertory "This is Not a Christmas Carol” by Paul Gross Paul Gross and Diane Guernsey
Narration 3 Luke 2: 8-12
Reflection on the Ancient Story Marietta Api
Carol “Joy to the World!”
Narration 4 Luke 2:13-20
Reflection on the Ancient Story Paul Gross
The Lighting of the Candles
Carol “Silent Night”
What the Christmas Story Means Rev. Arlin Roy
Closing Words
and Chalice Extinguishing Rev. Arlin Roy
Prelude “Deck the Halls” / “The First Noel”
Chalice Lighting and Call to Worship Rev. Arlin Roy
Prologue Rev. Arlin Roy
Christmas Eve Prayer Sara Eileen LaWall (modified)
Silent Meditation and Musical Meditation
Special Offering for Those in Need
Offertory "December: Christmas" from The Seasons by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Kate Ashby, violin, and Alan Murray, piano
Narration 1 The Birth of Jesus Foretold: Luke 1:26-35
Reflection on the Ancient Story Richard Slade
Carol “Annunciation Carol" by Richard Proulx Paul Gross and Diane Guernsey
Narration 2 Luke 2: 1-7
Reflection on the Ancient Story Michael Carman
Carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Offering for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund
Offertory "This is Not a Christmas Carol” by Paul Gross Paul Gross and Diane Guernsey
Narration 3 Luke 2: 8-12
Reflection on the Ancient Story Marietta Api
Carol “Joy to the World!”
Narration 4 Luke 2:13-20
Reflection on the Ancient Story Paul Gross
The Lighting of the Candles
Carol “Silent Night”
What the Christmas Story Means Rev. Arlin Roy
Closing Words
and Chalice Extinguishing Rev. Arlin Roy
Thank you to everyone who helped with today’s service!
Rev. Arlin Roy
Music: Kate Ashby, Paul Gross, Diane Guernsey, Alan Murray
Zoom Hosts: Craig Butler, Betsy Kates
We respectfully acknowledge that our building stands on the unceded territory of the Munsee, Lenape and Wappinger peoples.
Join Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91270844367?pwd=TWRobzBuSS9HSWU3OFBBQzJTeUd4QT09
Or Call 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 912 7084 4367 Passcode: 032663
Annunciation Carol
A message came to a maiden young;
The angel stood beside her,
In shining robes and with golden tongue,
He told what should betide her:
The maid was lost in wonder -
Her world was rent asunder -
Ah! how could she
Christ's mother be
By God's most high decree!
No greater news could a messenger bring;
For 'twas from that young mother
He came, who walked on the earth as a king,
And yet was all men's brother:
His truth has spread like leaven,
'twill marry earth to heaven,
Till all agree
in charity
to dwell from sea to sea.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh, 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
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
Oh, 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.
Joy 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.
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
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.
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,"
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
A message came to a maiden young;
The angel stood beside her,
In shining robes and with golden tongue,
He told what should betide her:
The maid was lost in wonder -
Her world was rent asunder -
Ah! how could she
Christ's mother be
By God's most high decree!
No greater news could a messenger bring;
For 'twas from that young mother
He came, who walked on the earth as a king,
And yet was all men's brother:
His truth has spread like leaven,
'twill marry earth to heaven,
Till all agree
in charity
to dwell from sea to sea.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh, 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
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
Oh, 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.
Joy 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.
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
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.
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,"
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.