Lisa Frenz 2005
Communion Ware Journey:
Each of the 65 ELCA synods have received a set of Bethlehem communion ware at the August 2005 Churchwide Assembly, launching the new campaign "Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land." The communion ware traveled among congregations to remind us of our companionship in mission with brothers and sisters in the Holy Land and to help us express hope that members will learn how to advocate for peace with justice in Israel and Palestine. Through this service, we at Mt. Carmel, shared in this journey and used the Bethlehem communion ware.
Order of Worship
▲ = Stand ▼ = Sit
Prelude
Call to Worship: English Advent Carol (arr. Liebergen) choir
The Pastor and the Assistant process to the altar carrying lighted candles.
They can put them out after the Isaiah reading.
▲ P: Beloved of God! Come and hear the good news from Bethlehem. Come and be welcome in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
From Heaven Above
Tune Name: VOM HIMMEL HOCH
Music Source: Music: V. Schumann, Geistliche Lieder, 1539
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (c) 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Cantor:
From heav'n above to earth I come... and gladly sing:
Choir:
To you this night is born a child...joy of all the earth.
All:
This is the Christ, God's Son most high,...will set you free.
All:
The blessing which the Father planned... his glory share.
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
A: Hope of the world, Word of life.
P: Promise of redemption, Word of salvation.
A: Victory of God, Word of love.
P: Joy of the world, Word of power and might.
C: Come to us this night. We wait for your bright dawning, O Emanuel, God with us.
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel
Tune Name: VENI, EMMANUEL
Music Source: Music: French processional, 15th cent.
Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Oh, come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by your advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
Prayer:
A: Hope of the world, Word of life,
C: We walk in a darkness of our creating through a world filled with obstacles and fear. Send your great light to shine on us. Lead us to clear paths that transcend our lives without you. Our hope is in you, O God. Renew our hope and give us life. Amen.
▼ I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Music: "Waltham," John Baptiste Calkin , 1872.
Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882), 1867
All I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Cantor And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
All Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!
Reader:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:2-7
From Heaven Above
Tune Name: VOM HIMMEL HOCH
Music Source: Music: V. Schumann, Geistliche Lieder, 1539
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (c) 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Men:
These are the signs which you will see...earth upholds.
All:
How glad we'll be to find it so!... own dear Son.
Women:
Look, look, dear friends, look over there!...God's dear Son.
All:
Welcome to earth, O noble Guest,...such love repay?
Prayer:
P: Promise of redemption, Word of salvation,
C: Our lives are filled with failures large and small, all of which separate us from you and from each other. We look to you, O Lord, for you for guidance and forgiveness, for understanding and redemption. The promise is you, O God. Renew your promise and bring us salvation. Amen.
On Christmas Night
Tune: Sussex Carol
Music: English traditional
Text: Luke Wadding, d.1686, alt.
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
News of great joy and news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King’s birth.
Then why should we on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad?
Then why should we on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad?
When from our sins He set us free
All for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels rejoice with us and sing,
All for to see the new-born King.
All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night;
All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night:
“Glory to God in highest heav’n;
peace on earth, and goodwill. Amen.”
Reader:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:11-14
From Heaven Above
Tune Name: VOM HIMMEL HOCH
Music Source: Music: V. Schumann, Geistliche Lieder, 1539
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (c) 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Cantor:
O Lord, you have created all!...lately fed?
All:
Were earth a thousand times as fair...great as you.
Cantor:
For velvets soft and silken stuff...humble state.
All:
O dearest Jesus, holy child,...never part.
Prayer:
A: Victory of God, Word of love,
C: O God, we give you thanks for the Word of Love, your son, Jesus, whom you sent to live with us as one of us, coming to us as a helpless child to be the child of our triumph. May we always remember that your manifestation as a human is your gift to us. Without that gift we would be lost forever. Amen.
“Shepherd’s Carol” (See Music)
On a theme from Mozart, arr. Ronald E. Nitz
Text: Ronald E. Nitz
Choir:
Hark! The sound of angel’s wings!
Hush! The virgin mother sings.
Shepherds hear the lullaby;
Come and see that god is nigh.
All:
See! His cradle’s rude and bare;
Christ, the Savior, lying there.
With the shepherds, bow before
Him whom heav’nly hosts adore.
Choir:
Lo! God’s Son is born this night;
In our darkness, love’s true light.
With the shepherds, go and tell:
“God with us, Immanuel.”
All:
Sing! God’s Son is born for us;
Born to die upon a cross.
Born to set God’s people free,
Born to save both you and me.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus the Savior is born!
Reader:
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
From Heaven Above
Tune Name: VOM HIMMEL HOCH
Music Source: Music: V. Schumann, Geistliche Lieder, 1539
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (c) 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
All:
My heart for very joy now leaps;...cradle-song:
"Glory to God in highest heav'n,...all the earth!
Reader:
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, `Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, `Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, `Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.' So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:8-20
▲ Joy to the World
Tune Name: ANTIOCH
Music Source: Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
All Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its King;
let ev'ry heart prepare him room
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
Women Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
Men while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
All repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Men No more let sin and sorrow grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
Women he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
All far as, far as the curse is found.
All 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.
Prayer:
P: Joy of the world, Word of power and might,
C: You have loved us, blessed us, and saved us! Your glory is manifold. Your strength is boundless. We praise you for the wonder of your generosity in sharing yourself with us. We shout aloud your marvelous acts of love. May we ever remember to praise your holy name. May we ever sing with all creation the song of your love. Amen.
▼ Music for Meditation
Message
▲ Holy Child within the Manger
Tune Name: JOYOUS LIGHT
Text Source: Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950
Music Source: Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950
Holy Child within the manger, ... where you are found.
Once again we tell the story...kindle ev'ry land and race.
Holy Child within the manger,... spirits strong and true.
Testimony of Faith:
I believe in God, our Creator, who at the beginning of time made us to be sons and daughters: who, after we separated ourselves from God, still gave us hope in the promise of the Word.
I believe in God, our Savior, Christ Jesus, who is one with the Creator. Who at the beginning of time called us to be sons and daughters; who loved us so much that he limited himself to life as a human; who was born at Bethlehem, lived in Galilee, walked in Palestine and Israel; who through his life and death and resurrection in this world reunited us with God, bring to us, in his person, God’s all encompassing love and peace.
I believe in God, our Counselor, who is one with the Creator and the Christ. Who from the beginning of time gathers us to be sons and daughters; who feeds us with wisdom, strength, faith and love so that we may come back to God restored to the wholeness for which we were created.
Greeting of Peace:
P: God calls us to be at peace: with God, with other nations, other races, others of all kinds, with each other. Tonight we beseech God to pour out love and understanding on our troubled world and particularly on the peoples of Palestine and Israel that there may be peace, not walls, justice not inequity, in the Holy Land.
C: Amen, Lord. Give us peace.
Silent prayer
P: As we are forgiven and reconciled to God through Christ Jesus, let us be reconciled to each other. The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also with you.
(All share the peace of Christ.)
▼ Offering & special music
▲ O Come All Ye Faithful
Tune Name: ADESTE FIDELES
Text Source: Text: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2
Music Source: Music: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him
born the king of angels:
Refrain:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
oh, come, let us adore him,
oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
The highest, most holy,
Light of light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Son of the Father
now in flesh appearing! Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
in the highest: Refrain
Prayer:
A: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, we acclaim you!
C: You have given us everything: our family, our friends, our communities; our food, our clothing, our homes; our bodies, our minds, our souls, our very being. We thank you and give you back only a portion of what you have given us. Accept our gifts and use them as you will. Amen.
Table Prayer:
P: (spoken over music) But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;
Michal 5:2-4
Vocal Solo: Mary Did You Know - Verse 1
Words and Music: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
P: (spoken over music) O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
C: Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
P: Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
C: He is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
P: Honor and majesty are before him;
C: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Vocal Solo: Mary Did You Know - Verse 2
Words and Music: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
A: (spoken over music) Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
C: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
A: Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
C: Tremble before him, all the earth.
A: Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established;
C: It shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."
Vocal Solo: Mary Did You Know - Verse 3
Words and Music: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
P: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
C: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
P: let the field exult, and everything in it.
C: Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD;
P: For he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.
C: He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
Psalm 96
P: Child of God, Immanuel, God With Us, has come.
C: And his coming saves all the people.
P: For in the night in which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus, took bread and after giving thanks, said, “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “Take and drink. This is my blood which poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Come for all things are ready. The Holy Child of Bethlehem calls you to partake of new life and be one with God.
Hark! the Herold Angels Sing
Tune Name: MENDELSSOHN
Text Source: Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.
Music Source: Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847; arr. William H. Cummings, 1831-1915
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth. Refrain
▼ Distribution of Holy Communion
▲ Dismissal:
P: May the body and blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, the son of Bethlehem, preserve you, renew you, and keep you always in the light of God’s love.
C: Amen.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Tune Name: ST. LOUIS
Text Source: Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893
Music Source: Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908
All O 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 wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the king,
and peace to all the earth!
Cantor How silently, how silently
the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming;
but, in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
All O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
oh, come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!
Prayer:
A: Child of God, Light of the world, you have fed us with the food of everlasting life, filling us with your never ending radiance. Illumine our lives so that we may be your light in our world as we work, play and live.
C: Thanks and praise be to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(During the reading, the Assistant or Acolyte move(s) down the aisle
carrying a lighted candle from which people light their individual candles.)
Reader:
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:1-7
(The music starts as soon as the reading concludes.)
Litany of Light:
(The litany starts when all have lighted their candles.)
P: (spoken over music) Hope of the world, Word of life.
C: Come to us this night. We await your bright dawning.
P: Promise of redemption, Word of salvation.
C: Come to us this night. We await your bright dawning
P: Victory of God, Word of love.
C: Come to us this night. We await your bright dawning
P: Joy of the world, Word of power and might.
C: Come to us this night. We await your bright dawning
P: Come to us this night, O Light of the Nations, Beloved of God.
C: Come to us this night. We see your bright dawning, O Emanuel, God with us.
Silent Night, Holy Night
Tune Name: STILLE NACHT
Text Source: Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885
Music Source: Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863
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,
heav'nly hosts sing, alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
P: (spoken over music) The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be caring towards you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
C: Amen.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
radiant beams from your holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth.
A: Go in peace and joy. Serve your newborn king!
C: Thanks be to God.
(All extinguish their candles.)
Postlude