Musical Prelude
Brian Turner God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen arr. Kartsonakis |
|
Musical Prelude
Andrea Bailey, Flute and Brian Turner, piano Weaving Greensleeves (What Child Is This?) Based On an English Carol arr. by Judy Nishimura |
|
Advent Wreath
(Read the following along with the video) In our homes we gather around wreaths to pray for our lost hopes, broken peace, limited joys, and love so hard to find and share in this season of coronavirus. We affirm what our candles mean and claim the power to call this season Advent, when God’s light comes into the world and nothing can overcome it. HOPE The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. This language speaks to the deep truth: Christ is coming, Christ is always coming, always entering a troubled world, a wounded heart. And so we light the candle of HOPE and dare to express our longing for peace, for healing, and the well-being of all creation. Prayer: Loving God, we open all the dark places in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. PEACE We light the second candle of PEACE knowing full well that peace is elusive, and in some parts of the world, it is completely absent. Yet we trust that God is never absent from us and is always preparing something new. Even when there is war and discord, whether between countries, within families, or within our own hearts, God is present, gently leading us to new possibilities. Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for the hope and peace you unfailingly offer us. JOY The candle of JOY should be the easy one, but this year is different. How often do we let our struggles and fears push joy aside? Joy is like a muscle, it needs to be exercised. Whatever we face in life, God will make joy possible. We open ourselves to joy, trusting that God has already planted it within us. All we need to do is give it care, and share it with others. Prayer: Loving God, we trust that this is what you offer us: joy-filled hearts and lives. LOVE When we light the candle of LOVE, we stop in awe of God’s unending love that surrounds and fills us at all times. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, grief or despair, stronger even than death. Whatever we face in life, God’s steadfast love surrounds us. Prayer: Loving God, magnify your love within us so that we may be strengthened to love others as you love them. CHRIST Tonight we celebrate God entering our world in the body of a poor child, born on a dark night in a chilly stable, with only a manger for his bed. Jesus became human to show us how to live in the light of hope, peace, joy and love. As we light the CHRIST candle, we remember the brilliant star above the stable and celebrate the light reaching into the darkness. Prayer: Loving God, may the light of your life be kindled in us, and lead us to the shining truth of Emmanuel, God with us. Amen. |
|
Special Music
Andrea Bailey, Flute and Brian Turner, Piano Cradle Song (Away in a Manger) Based on Melodies by William J. Kirkpatrick and Feliz Mendelssohn arr. by Judy Neishimura |
|
Telling of Scripture
The Angel's Good News! Addie Giordano Bob and Kathy William's youngest grandchild |
|
Hymn
Brian Turner Angels We Have Heard On High Traditional French Carol GLORIA SING ALONG: Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. [Chorus] Glo-ria In Excelsis Deo! Glor-ia In Excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? [Chorus] Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Chorus] See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise. [Chorus] |
|
Message
Pastor John Fowler The Purpose of Christmas |
|
Offertory
Andrea Bailey and Brian Turner O Holy Night Adolphe Adam O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior's birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees, O hear the Angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O Holy night, O night divine! Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand; So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming Here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born be our friend; He knows our need, Our weakness is no stranger Behold your King, before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, before Him lowly bend! Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love, and His gospel is peace; Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us Praise His Holy name; Christ is the Lord, Oh, praise His name forever! His power and glory evermore proclaim! His power and glory evermore proclaim! |
|
Children's Message
Kim Garland |
|
Sending the Light into the World
Andrea Bailey and Brian Turner Silent Night Words: Joseph Mohr, Music: Franz Gruber STILLE NACHT SING ALONG: 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, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face With dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Silent night, holy night, Wondrous Star, Lend thy light; with the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the savior is born, Christ the Savior is born! |
|
Postlude
Brian Turner The First Noel Traditional English Carol THE FIRST NOEL SING ALONG: The first Noel the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel. |
|