Christmas Eve Expectation

Lisa Frenz 2006

Christmas Eve

Expectation

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude & Lighting of Candles

Stand

Call to worship:

P: The world is on the edge,

Taut with expectation

Breathless with imminence

Caught up in anticipation.

Some thing is going to change

Something . . .

Something hovers just out of sight

Beyond our imagining

Beyond our dreaming

Beyond our hoping

God moves

And we are on the brink

Of the incredible.

Come, Emmanuel, come.

Song: Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel

Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Koln, 1710; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

Music: VENI, EMMANUE, French processional, 15th cent.

Vs. 1 - Solo, Vs. 2 - Men, Vs. 3 - Choir, Vs. 4 - Women, Vs. 5 - All

Solo:

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

All:

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

Men:

Oh, come, oh, come, great Lord of might,

who to your tribes on Sinai's height

in ancient times once gave the law

in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

All - Refrain

Choir:

Oh, come, strong Branch of Jesse, free

your own from Satan's tyranny;

from depths of hell your people save

and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

All - Refrain

Women:

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.

All - Refrain

All:

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.

All - Refrain

Litany:

A: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

C: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

A: Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

C: and he delivered them from their distress; he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town.

A: Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

C: For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.

A: Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

C: and he saved them from their distress; he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Psalm 107:1-15

Sit

Song: The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem

Music: PROSPECT, W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835

The hills are bare at Bethlehem,... earth's old dust a greenwood stem.

The stars are cold at Bethlehem,...joy burns new, a fiery gem.

The heart is tired at Bethlehem,... hope renewed cries out: "Amen!"

Reading:

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

Song: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn

Tune Name: REJOICE, REJOICE

Vs. 1,3,4

Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn, ... lives now inside us forever.

In darkest night his coming shall be, ...weapons be broken asunder.

Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night, ...bring us at last into glory.

.Reading:

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

Song: It Came upon the Midnight Clear

Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876, alt.

Music: CAROL, Richard S. Willis, 1819-1900

Vs. 1,4

It came upon the midnight clear,

that glorious song of old,

from angels bending near the earth

to touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, good will to all,

from heav'n's all-gracious king."

The world in solemn stillness lay

to hear the angels sing.

For lo! The days are hast'ning on,

by prophets seen of old,

when with the ever-circling years

shall come the time foretold,

when peace shall over all the earth

its ancient splendors fling,

and all the world give back the song

which now the angels sing.

Stand

P: 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.

A: Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

C: For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

P: For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

C: Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

A: Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

C: ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

P: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

C: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

A: Worship the LORD in holy splendor;

C: tremble before him, all the earth.

P: Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."

C: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

Psalm 96

Song: Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Text: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2

Music: ADESTE FIDELES, attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786

Vs. 1,2

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,

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

Sit

Reading:

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

Choir Anthem or other Special Music:

Reading:

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!"

Luke 2:8-14

Song: Away in a Manger

Text: North American, anonymous, 19th cent.

Music: AWAY IN A MANGER, North American, anonymous, 19th cent.

Vs. 1,2

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

the stars in the sky looked down where he lay;

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,

but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky

and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Reading:

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 2:15-20

Choir Anthem or other Special Music:

Message

Stand

Theme Song: Joy to the World

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Music: ANTIOCH, George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872

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 heav'n and nature sing. Continued

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let all their songs employ,

while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sin and sorrow grow

nor thorns infest the ground;

he comes to make his blessings flow

far as the curse is found,

far as, far as the curse is found.

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, wonders of his love.

P: God’s love is everywhere, in every place, every time and every people. The Wonder of Love that is Jesus Christ empowers us and makes us bold to pray,

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.

Greeting of Peace:

P: On this night of quietness and joy 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, remembering those for whom peace is unknown and sorrow is the stuff of everyday life. We particularly pray for the blessing of peace upon 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.)

Sit

Offering:

Stand

Offering Song: What Child Is This

Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898

Music: GREENSLEEVES, English ballad, 16th cent.

Vs. 1,3

What child is this, who, laid to rest,

on Mary's lap is sleeping?

whom angels greet with anthems sweet

while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the king,

whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

haste, haste to bring him laud,

the babe, the son of Mary!

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;

come, peasant, king, to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings;

let loving hearts enthrone him.

Raise, raise the song on high,

the virgin sings her lullaby;

joy, joy, for Christ is born,

the babe, the son of Mary!

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.

Song: Of the Father's Love Begotten

Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite

Music: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, plainsong, mode V, 13th cent.

Vs. 1,2

Of the Father's love begotten

ere the worlds began to be,

he is Alpha and Omega,

he the source, the ending he,

of the things that are, that have been,

and that future years shall see,

evermore and evermore.

Oh, that birth forever blessed,

when the virgin, full of grace,

by the Holy Ghost conceiving,

bore the Savior of our race,

and the babe, the world's redeemer,

first revealed his sacred face,

evermore and evermore.

P: 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.

John 1:1-5

C: Come Lord Jesus. You are our source and our life.

P: 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.

John 1:6-9

C: Come Lord Jesus. You are our light and our life.

P: 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.

John 1:10-14

Song: Of the Father's Love Begotten

Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite

Music: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, plainsong, mode V, 13th cent.

Vs. 3,4,5

This is he whom seers in old time

chanted of with one accord,

whom the voices of the prophets

promised in their faithful word;

now he shines, the long-expected;

let creation praise its Lord

evermore and evermore.

Let the heights of heav'n adore him;

angel hosts, his praises sing;

pow'rs, dominions, bow before him

and extol our God and King;

let no tongue on earth be silent,

ev'ry voice in concert ring

evermore and evermore.

Christ, to thee, with God the Father,

and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,

hymn and chant and high thanksgiving

and unwearied praises be:

honor, glory, and dominion,

and eternal victory

evermore and evermore! Amen

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.

Sit

Distribution of Holy Communion

Stand

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.

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.)

R: 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.)

(The song starts when all have lighted their candles.)

Silent Night, Holy Night

Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885

Music: STILLE NACHT, 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!

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