Lessons and Carols
For Prayer & Contemplation
If holiness and the awful power and majesty of God were present in this least auspicious of all events, this birth of a peasant’s child, then there is no place or time so lowly and earthbound but that holiness can be present there too.
– Frederick Buechner
Prelude Tyler Bell Choir – “West Indies Carol” – arr. Tucker
Opening Hymn #140 “Once in Royal David’s City”
Welcome
Bidding Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Advent Candle Lighting
Who are we, Lord God,
that you should come to us?
Yet you have redeemed your people
and redeemed us in your son.
As we prepare to celebrate his birth,
make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word,
and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works.
The First Lesson Genesis 2:18-23
Anthem Sanctuary Choir – “Adam Lay Ybounden” – Ord
The Second Lesson 2 Kings 22:8-22, 23:1-4, 21-25
Anthem Sunshine Singers – “The Savior Comes” Franck, arr. Hopson
The Third Lesson Isaiah 11:1-9
*Hymn No. 141 “On This Day Earth Shall Ring”
The Fourth Lesson Zephaniah 3:14-20
Anthem Tyler Bell Choir – “Fum, Fum, Fum” – Spanish carol, arr. Ingram
The Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-38
Presentation of Tithes/Offering
Offertory “The Angel Gabriel” – arr. Eggert
*Doxology # 606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
God of wonder, we offer you these humble gifts, signs of your goodness and mercy. Receive them with our gratitude, so that through us all people may know the riches of your love in the word made flesh. Amen.
The Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1-7
Anthem Women’s Ensemble – “There is No Rose” – Anonymous, c. 1420
The Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8-20
*Hymn No. 133 “O Come All Ye Faithful”
The Eighth Lesson John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Closing Prayer
Benediction Hymn No. 134 “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.
Organ Postlude “Joy to the World” – arr. Phillips