A Service for the Lord's Day
2nd Sunday of Advent
* Indicates that those who are able may stand.
December 9, 2012, 11:00 A.M.
Bold type is spoken by the people.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE Eric, Dina, Juliette & Annabelle Smith
The Lord is near. Prepare the way.
The Lord is coming: holy, pure and righteous.
God calls us to truth, mercy and peace
Let us enter God’s presence with humility
The Lord is near. We prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah.
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Candle Carol K. Lee Scott
Kneeling in Bethlehem
by Michael Burkhardt
with poetry by Ann Weems
CAROL Angels, From the Realms of Glory Henry T. Smart
All: Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Once you sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
Women: Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night;
God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
Men: Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations; you have seen his natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
All: All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son;
Evermore your voices raising to th’eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
READING In December Darkness
CHANT Creator of the Stars of Night Plainsong Mode IV
Choir: Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all, we pray you hear us when we call.
When this old world drew on toward night, you came; but not in splendor bright,
Not as a monarch, but the child of Mary, blessed mother mild.
All: At your great name, O Jesus, now all knees must bend, all hearts must bow:
All things on earth with one accord, like those in heav’n, shall call you Lord.
Come in your holy might, we pray, redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below from all assaults of our dread foe.
To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might and glory be from age to age eternally.
Choir: Amen.
READING The Church Year – Advent
CAROL ANTHEM Morgenstern Francis F. Hagen
Kevin Salter, solo
Choir: Morgenstern, auf finstre Nacht, der die Welt voll Freude macht;
Jesulein, komm herein, leucht in meines Herzens Schrein.
Ei nun, wahres Seelenlicht! Komm herein und säume nicht:
Jesulein, komm herein, leucht in meines Herzens Schrein.
Morning Star in darkest night, in the world full joy makes;
Little Jesus, come in, shine in my heart’s shrine.
There now, true soul light! Come in and hem not:
Little Jesus, come in, shine in my heart’s shrine.
READING The Child Is Born Again
CAROL All My Heart Again Rejoices Johann Crüger
Choir: All my heart again rejoices
As I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices;
“Christ is born,” their choirs are singing,
Till the air ev’rywhere now with joy is ringing.
Hark! A voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, does entreat: “Flee from woe and danger;
Come and see; from all that grieves you
You are freed; all you need I will surely give you.”
All: Come, then, let us hasten yonder;
Here let all, great and small, kneel in awe and wonder;
Love him who with love is yearning;
Hail the star that from far bright with hope is burning.
READING The Decree
CAROL Twas in the Moon of Wintertime French folk tune
Choir: ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled,
That God the Lord of all the earth sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim, and wand’ring hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your king is born! Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria!
All: O children of the forest free, the angels’ song is true;
The holy child of earth and heav’n is born today for you.
Come, kneel before the radiant boy, who brings you beauty, peace, and joy.
Jesus your king is born! Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria!
READING Sitting on the Hillsides
ANTHEM Glory to God in the Highest from Messiah George Frideric Handel
Lindsey Slaughter, solo
Solo: There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:
Choir: Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill toward men.
READING Had We Been There
CAROL ANTHEM Gesu Bambino Pietro Yon
Josh Voiles, solo
Choir: When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows upon a winter night,
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose, the King of Love and Light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang, the grateful earth rejoiced;
And at His blessed birth the stars their exultation voiced.
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Again the heart with rapture glows to greet the holy night,
That gave the world its Christmas Rose, its King of Love and Light.
Let ev'ry voice acclaim His name, the grateful chorus swell.
From paradise to earth He came that we with Him might dwell.
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
READING In Search of Our Kneeling Places
CAROL Angels We Have Heard on High French carol
Men: Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
All: Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Women: Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song?
All: Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo!
All: Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king.
Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo!
READING Unexpected
CAROL Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head Appalachian carol
Hailey Hancock, solo
Choir: Jesus, Jesus, rest your head, you have got a manger bed;
All the evil folk on earth sleep in feathers at their birth;
Jesus, Jesus, rest your head, you have got a manger bed.
Have you heard about our Jesus? Have you heard about his fate?
How his mother went to that stable on that Christmas eve so late?
Winds were blowing, cows were lowing, stars were glowing.
Jesus, Jesus, rest your head, you have got a manger bed;
All the evil folk on earth sleep in feathers at their birth;
Jesus, Jesus, rest your head, you have got a manger bed.
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Debts, Debtors)
OFFERTORY Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
CAROL Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Piae Cantiones, 1582
All: Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger;
There he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger.
Such a babe in such a place, can he be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found his favor.
Choir: Angels sang about his birth, Wise Men sought and found him;
Heaven’s star shone brightly forth glory all around him.
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night, all the hills were ringing.
All: Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled but no more a stranger.
Son of God of humble birth, beautiful the story;
Praise his name in all the earth; Hail the king of glory!
READING God So Loved the World
CLOSING CAROL Prepare the Royal Highway Swedish folk tune
All: Prepare the royal highway; the King of kings is near!
Let ev’ry hill and valley a level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory, foretold in sacred story;
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s word!
Choir: God’s people, see him coming: your own eternal king!
Palm branches strew before him! Spread garments! Shout and sing!
God’s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you!
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s word!
All: Then fling the gates wide open to greet your promised king!
Your king, yet ev’ry nation its tribute too may bring.
All lands will bow before him; their voices join your singing:
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s word!
His is no earthly kingdom; it comes from heav’n above.
His rule is peace and freedom and justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding for kindness so abounding:
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s word!
POSTLUDE Personent Hodie (On This Day Earth Shall Ring) K. Lee Scott, arr.
Thanks to all of today’s participants:
Reader
Emily McCormick
Chancel Choir
Marilyn Aitken Marilyn Ledbetter Marge Rios
Steve Chapman Ron Ledbetter Donna Simpson
Diane Glasgow Gary Lovellette Grace Anna Sine
Ted Hayes Virginia Lovellette Janis Swim
Chelsea Holland Ed Milner, Jr. Anne Thurmond
Jonathan Holland Ed Milner, Sr. Michael Thurmond
Joanne Kibbons Sharon Myers Barry Turner
Katie Kumar Eliseo Rios Heide Weidner
Soloists
Hailey Hancock
Kevin Salter
Lindsey Slaughter
Josh Voiles
Orchestra
Rebecca Woodard, flute
Josh Hamilton, oboe
Chase Ramsey, horn
Wei Tsun Chang, violin
Lauren Carlton, violin
Seanad Chang, viola
Rachel Smalling, cello
Sarah Ransom, bass
John Wells, organ
Jonathan Holland, percussion
Michael Thurmond, percussion
Paul Thurmond, director