2

3

A Festival of Lessons and Carols

ABOUT TODAY’S SERVICE

The lessons and carols service for Christmas is a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s in England. Originating at Truro Cathedral , the lessons begin with prophetic scriptures from the Old Testament; narratives from the Gospels then recount the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. The final scripture is traditionally from the beginning of the Gospel according to John, which focuses on what Christ’s birth means for us, even today. The lessons are interspersed

with anthems and carols, which offer expressions that help each of us to understand the good news of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

PRELUDE

Brass Ensemble: Carols for Christmas

Calvin Bell Choir: Sleep, Holy Babe Deborah Holden-Holloway He is Born French carol

THE PROCESSIONAL OF THE PEACE LIGHT

Christus natus est Sammy Nestico

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN (page 2) Once in Royal David’s City IRBY

BIDDING PRAYER and LORD’S PRAYER Rev. Marc Oehler

Friends in Christ, in this Christmas season we delight to hear again the message of the angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger. Let us therefore open the Holy Scriptures and read the story of the loving purpose of God in the glorious redemption brought to us by this Holy Child, and let us make this place glad with carols of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world: for peace and justice on earth . . . for the unity and mission of the Church for which Christ died . . . And because Christ particularly loves them, let us remember in Christ’s name: the poor and helpless . . . the cold, the hungry, the oppressed . . . the sick and those who mourn . . .

The prayer continues. *The congregation may stand

December 24, 2017 West Side Presbyterian Church 4:00 p.m.

4

the lonely and unloved . . . the aged and little children . . . Finally, let us remember before God that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one forevermore . . . And now, let us pray the words which Christ taught us, saying,

Our Father . . . (using “debts” and “debtors”)

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT AND CHRIST CANDLES Neal and Genevieve Coxworth Grace and Beckett THE PREPARATION

Choir: Prepare your hearts to receive the light of the world.

Congregation: The Family: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Family Member: Why do we light five candles?

Family Member: We light five candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Advent means coming. We are preparing ourselves for the days of hope, peace, joy, love, and light as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 2: “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.” Let us walk in the light of the Lord!

THE RESPONSE (congregation) Christ is the Light of the World

5

INTROIT Wake, Awake! For Night is Flying Johann Sebastian Bach

Wake, Awake! For night is flying: the watchmEn on the heights are crying:

Awake, Jerusalem arise!

Midnight’s solemn hour is tolling; His chariot wheels are nearer rolling;

He comes! O Church lift up thine eyes!

Rise up, with willing feet; go forth, the Bridegroom meet: Hosianna!

Lo, great and small, we answer all; we follow where Thy voice shall call.

Chapel, Covenant, and John Knox Boy Choirs, Senior High Choir trebles

In the nine lessons which follow, the reading of each lesson concludes with the phrase “the Word of The Lord.” The congregational response is “Thanks be to God.”

THE FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Rev. Penny Hogan Associate Pastor

A new day of deliverance will dawn with the birth of Christ,

bringing great joy to all people.

ANTHEM Fum, Fum, Fum setting, William Llewellyn

Ancient prophets first foretold Him: fum, fum, fum, John the Baptist did extol Him: fum, fum, fum.

Refrain: Come join the marching throng of Christians, come, and away to fill the churches

with your voices praising Heaven: fum, fum, fum.

Hear the prophet tell his story: fum, fum, fum. Christ is coming in His glory: fum, fum, fum. Refrain

Hear, you people round about me: fum, fum, fum. Come and have your sins forgiven: fum, fum, fum. Refrain.

Chapel, Covenant, and John Knox Boy Choirs

6

THE SECOND LESSON: Isaiah 11:1-6 Harrison Burns, Chorister John Knox Boy Choir

The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.

ANTHEM Dance and Sing, for the Lord Will Be with Us Ancient Hebrew melody

setting, Hal Hopson

Dance and sing, for the LORD will be with us: Glory, hallelujah! Peace and justice soon will be with us: Glory, hallelujah!

Clap your hands and sing: Glory, hallelujah! Joyful voices ring: Glory, hallelujah!

Soon a Son will come through Jesse, His delight shall be the LORD. He shall reign with truth and justice. Come, O Savior, come!

Wolf and Lamb shall dwell together; calf and lion shall join as friends, peace shall come to all nations. Come, O Savior, come!

-Isaiah 11:1-7

Carol Choir; Chapel, Covenant, and John Knox Boy Choirs

THE THIRD LESSON: Micah 5:2-4 Sarah Heuer, Chorister Covenant Choir

The Messiah will come from little Bethlehem. He will rule as a shepherd; His kingdom will be world-wide.

*CAROL HYMN 44 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS

THE FOURTH LESSON: Luke 1:26-38 Stephanie DeNobile, Chorister Senior High Choir

The Angel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her that she will give birth to the Messiah.

ANTHEM Cornerstone Carol setting, Deborah Holden-Holloway

One day while Mary knelt in prayer, she saw an angel standing there. His glory filled the dwelling place. He said to her, “Hail, full of grace.” Then Mary said the blessed word: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.

As Thou has said, so be it done.” The Son of God became her son. That blessed Babe to Mary born, who did for all our sins atone,

is Christ, the Lord, Emmanuel, our ever faithful Cornerstone.

The Anthem continues.

7

So let us all, with one accord give homage to our blessed Lord, and share our joy, let it be known that Jesus is our Cornerstone.

Senior High Choir

THE FIFTH LESSON: Matthew 1:18-25 Christine Park, Pastoral Intern

The angel announces that Mary is to have a Son by the creative act of the Holy Spirit. She will name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

ANTHEM En Natus est Emanuel Michael Praetorius

Senior High Choir THE SIXTH LESSON: Luke 2:1-7 Donald Reeder, Chair, Worship and Music Council

Luke tells the story of the birth of Jesus. He was poor and unnoticed, yet in Him, God has entered human life.

ANTHEM Dormi Dormi Italian Carol, setting, Mary Goetze

Chapel, Convenant, and John Knox Boy Choirs

En natus est Emanuel, Dominus, quem praedixit Gabriel Dominius Salvator noster est. Hic jacet in praesepio Dominus puer admirabilis. Haec lux est orta hodie, Dominus, ex Maria Virgine.

Lo! Emmanuel, the Lord, is born, whom Gabriel foretold, the Lord is our savior. Here He lies in a manger, the Lord, wondrous boy. This light has dawned this day, the Lord, from the Virgin Mary.

Dormi, dormi, bel bambin. Re devin, re devin. Fala nanna fantolino. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la… Perche piangi, o mio tresor. Dolce amore, Dolce amore.

Sleep, sleep, beautiful baby, King divine, lullaby, nursing Child; Do not weep, my treasure, sweetest love. Lullaby, dear son. Lullaby, beautiful one.

8

THE SEVENTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-14 Erik Eickhoff, Assoc. Minister of Music

To the shepherds in the field comes the good news of the birth of the Savior of the world.

ANTHEM While By My Sheep

While by my sheep I watched at night glad tidings brought an angel bright! Refrain: How great my Joy! Joy, joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! There shall be born, so he did say, in Bethlehem a Child today. Refrain There shall He lie in manger mean, who shall redeem the world from sin. Refrain Lord, evermore to me be nigh, then shall my heart be filled with joy! Refrain

Quartet: Eileen Leon, soprano; Alicia Rivers, mezzo-soprano Kevin Hanse, tenor; Robert Holloway, baritone

Senior High Choir

*CAROL HYMN 23 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA

THE EIGHTH LESSON: Matthew 2:1-11 Deborah Holden-Holloway, Minister of Music

The coming of the Wise Men indicates that Jesus was for all people. When Jesus came, the ends of the earth gathered at His cradle.

ANTHEM Three Wise Kings Douglas Wagner

Three wise kings, in long procession marching, three wise kings, who set out on their way,

hearken now to sweet and gentle singing, songs of the angels far away:

Refrain: Hodie Christus natus est, alleluia. Today Christ is born, alleluia. Three wise kings, who seek the tiny Savior,

three wise kings, led onward by a star, gifts they bring of gold and myrrh and incense, treasures and devotions from afar: Refrain

Three wise kings, who kneel in solemn splendor, three wise kings, their humble offering bring,

now with all that dwell in earth and heaven bow before the infant King. Refrain

Senior High Choir

9

THE NINTH LESSON: John 1:1-14 Rev. Marc Oehler Pastor, Head of Staff

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the eternal Word of God, who “became a human being and lived among us.”

As the book itself says, this Gospel was written so that its readers might believe that Jesus is the promised Savior, the Son of God,

and that through their faith in Him they may have life.

*CAROL HYMN 36 In the Bleak Midwinter CRANHAM

THE OFFERING Rev. Marc Oehler

THE OFFERTORY CAROL God Has Come In John Barnard

A stable roof above His head,

no canopy of silk is spread to show the place where Jesus lies: yet heav’nly light adorns the skies.

Refrain: So sing, so ring, so joyfully bring your song, your bells for Jesus the King.

And dance for delight this cold Christmas night, for God has come in, God has come in Christ the King.

No palace gates of bronze are found, but stable walls stand all around

to watch the place where Jesus lies: yet Jesus’ name an angel cries. Refrain

The lambs upon the hillside bleat, and shepherds scan the humble street

to find the place where Jesus lies: yet songs of holy angels rise. Refrain

And all the bells of heaven ring for Christ the babe is Christ the King, and from the place where Jesus lies

there shines a light to make us wise. Refrain -Paul Wigmore

Combined Choirs 10

*CAROL HYMN 46 On This Day Earth Shall Ring PERSONENT HODIE BENEDICTION seated Rev. Marc Oehler CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE seated HYMN 60 Silent Night STILLE NACHT

Please remain seated while the choirs recess.

The carol will be sung by the choirs first in German, then all join in to sing all verses.

Parents, please pick up your children in the Chapel.

POSTLUDE Joy to the World setting, Sammy Nestico

Go Tell It on the Mountain setting, Sammy Nestico

The postlude concludes our service.

If you leave before it is concluded, please do so quietly.

11

Greeters: We thank Mary Jo Freebody and John Hahn for greeting today.

Advent Paraments, Wreath, Bulletin Cover, and Banners: During Advent, we use our blue paraments (pulpit and lectern hangings), given in loving memory of Ruth and Ted Conner, and the Advent Wreath, given in loving memory of Marian Wiepert Yasso. The Advent cover design is the artwork of West Side member Laura Vriesema. The banners, using the same motif, were constructed by Ed Kopf, another West Sider. We are blessed to have such talented individuals in our family of faith. We are deeply grateful for all these gifts of love which we are able to use each year.

The Peace Light: The Advent Wreath and Christ Candle are being lit today with a flame that came from a lamp in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Thanks to a child from Austria who lit two miner's lamps from the grotto lamp, the dedication and generosity of Austrian Airlines who flew a live flame across the Atlantic, and the Hahn family, who have kept the flame alive throughout Advent, we have a visible reminder of the spiritual truth that the peace that came in Jesus seeks to touch all corners of the world and each of us in a personal way. For more information on the peace light, including a map of where the peace light has traveled, please check out their website, www.peacelight.org.

The Waterford Crystal Crèche in the Narthex: Lloyd Rogers, the donor of our beautiful Waterford Crystal crèche located in the Narthex, was a longtime member of West Side until his death in 2007. His mother, Victoria Rogers, likewise a longtime member, encouraged his affiliation; she is acknowledged in the dedication of the gift. Lloyd Rogers was an actor within our Hillside Players as well as in life. His regular excursions to the Metropolitan Opera, where he was well known, became a display of his carefully chosen wardrobe. Those who knew him will know the meaning of “making an appearance.”

A crèche—a model of the manger scene at the birth of Christ—is found in many Christian homes the world over as Christmas approaches. It may include simply Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, or it may also include shepherds, angels, magi, and even the animals that one would find in a stable. Some families set up their crèche, but don’t put the baby in the manger until Christmas morning.

12

Participants in the Service

Crucifer Torches

Stephanie DeNobile Emma Matthews, MeiLiu Merchant

Procession of Worship Elements & Lighting of the Advent and Christ Candles:

Neil and Genevieve Coxworth, Grace and Beckett

Banner Carriers

Adrianna Monaco, Tommy Montgomery, Lisa Wolf, David Yang, Joshua Yang

Calvin Bell Choir

Kyle Blanchard Liam Blanchard

Christine DeNobile Stephanie DeNobile

Morgan Fuld

Amanda Garcia Kevin Hanse Jason Hanse

Emily McNamara

Peter McNamara Alicia Rivers

Peter Schertz Katie Weispfenning

Flute Caroline Sonett

Clarinet

Lynne Schreur

French Horn Deloss Schertz Chris Wilhjelm

Trumpet Michael Connor Albert Semler Roger Widicus

Trombone Henry Heyzer

Daniel Montella

Euphonium John Palatucci

Percussion Michael Klopp

Choir Accompanists Erik Eickhoff

Esther Van Ness

Choir Assistants Grace Coxworth

Adrianna Monaco