Christmas 2015

Wow! It's been a while!

Well, here is a really first rough draft of Christmas:

10:50  Pastor, choir, meet for prayer

10:55  Welcome, announcements

Chiming the hour of worship

Prelude (Organ)

Lighting the Advent Candle

Bidding Prayer

Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child; and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.

These prayer and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Hymn  Suggestions???? 

Offertory  Handbells or Orchestra

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.

Processional

LiftUp Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates SJMP 1:45 (Fiddle, Percussion, 4 bells, Trombone)

First Lesson
God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head. 
GENESIS 3: 8-15, 17-19

Carol 

God Walked in Eden’s Garden Fair (Choir, handbells) 3:15

https://youtu.be/_bMhz4h9jdY

Second Lesson
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 
GENESIS 22: 15-18

Carol  I Hear the Prophet Callin’ (Lorenz) 3:06

Third Lesson
The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.
ISAIAH 9: 2, 6-7

Carol  All Earth Is Waiting (piano, trumpet) 6:48

Fourth Lesson
The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown. 
ISAIAH 11: 1-4, 8-9

Carol  Lo, How a Rose SJMP  flute/violin/organ est. 3:30 (not the one we usually do)

Fifth Lesson
The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
ST LUKE 1: 26-35, 38

Carol  The Angel Gabriel  2:31  or congregational hymn

https://youtu.be/pliqObTHxUQ

Sixth Lesson
St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. 
ST LUKE 2: 1-7

Carol Mendelssohn Behold a Star FromJacob Shining  5:33

https://youtu.be/4unsl9ek4bU

Seventh Lesson
The shepherds go to the manger. 
ST LUKE 2: 8-16

A reading from the gospel of Saint Luke:

Cong Hymn Shepherds, Shake Off YourDrowsy Sleep

Eighth Lesson
The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. 
ST MATTHEW 2: 1-11

Carol Say, Where Is He? 2:07 TTB

Ninth Lesson (congregation stands)
St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. 
ST JOHN 1: 1-14

Carol  A Carol SJMP 1:05

Prayer and Blessing (All standing)

Minister:     The Lord be with you
People:     And with thy spirit.
Minister:    Let us pray.

O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only son, Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him, when he shall come to be our judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

All:  Amen

Hymn   
O Come All Ye Faithful (or other hymn)

Benediction: 

May he who by his Incarnation, gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, grant you the fullness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always.

All:     Amen

Dismissal

Postlude