GraceCovenantPresbyterianChurchChristmasEveCandlelightCommunionService

December24,20199:00PM

Prelude AppalachianConsort Introit HeavenlyLight A.Kopylow

Sentfromheaven,thyraysweregivenongreatandsmalltoshine,OLightDivine!Mayeachsoulinsorrow'snightseetheheavenlylight!Thoublessingtoallcreation,leadustooursalvation!Allthosewhosefeetmayfalter,leaduntothesacredaltar!Oh,shinefromabove,DivineLightoflove!ShowusthewayuntoourGod,wepray.Thouourbeaconandguideshaltbe!LightDivine,wepraiseThee!

LightingoftheChristCandle LitanyofIncarnation(adaptedfromIsaiah9) Thepeoplewhowalkedindarkness haveseenagreatlight.

WonderfulCounselor!Thosewholivedinalandofdeepdarknessonthemlighthasshined.MightyGod!Forachildhasbeenbornforus.EverlastingFather!Authorityrestsuponhisshoulders,andhisauthorityshallgrowcontinually,andthereshallbeendlesspeacewithjusticeandrighteousness.PrinceofPeace!

*ProcessionalHymn133 OCome,AllYeFaithful ADESTEFIDELIS

Ocome,allyefaithful,joyfulandtriumphant;Ocomeye;OcomeyetoBethlehem!Come,andbeholdhim,borntheKingofangels!REFRAIN:Ocome,letusadorehim;Ocome,letusadorehim;Ocome,letusadorehim,Christ,theLord!

Sing,choirsofangels;singinexultation;sing,allyecitizensofheavenabove!GlorytoGod,allgloryinthehighest![Refrain]Yea,Lord,wegreetthee,bornthishappymorning;Jesus,totheebeallglorygiven;WordoftheFather,nowinfleshappearing![Refrain]

* CalltoReconciliation * PrayerofConfession

GodBeyondandIntheMidst,Youcomecloserandclosertous,yetwepersistinourdistractionandourdisbelief.Weprefertojudgeothersandfocusonhowtheyshouldchange.Wefeelcomfortablewiththestatusquoandavoiddoingourowninternalwork.WecreateyouinourownimageandresistyourSpirit'surgingustochangethewaywelive.Helpusfindthecouragetofullyembraceyourpresenceandyourpromise.Amen.

* AssuranceofForgiveness*HymnofResponse GoodChristianFriends,Rejoice INDULCIJUBILO

GoodChristianfriends,rejoice withheartandsoulandvoice; nowyehearofendlessbliss: JesusChristwasbornforthis! Hehasopenedheaven’sdoor, andweareblestforevermore. Christwasbornforthis! Christwasbornforthis!

FirstReading Luke1:26-35 Hymn121 OLittleTownofBethlehem ST.LOUIS/FORESTGREEN [Pleaseremainseatedandsingstanzasinboldasdirected]

OlittletownofBethlehem,howstillweseetheelie!Abovethydeepanddreamlesssleepthesilentstarsgoby.Yetinthydarkstreetsshineththeeverlastinglight;thehopesandfearsofalltheyearsaremetintheetonight.

Howsilently,howsilently,thewondrousgiftisgiven!SoGodimpartstohumanheartstheblessingsofHisheaven.NoearmayhearHiscoming,butinthisworldofsin,wheremeeksoulswillreceiveHim,stillthedearChristentersin.

OHolychildofBethlehem, descendtous,wepray; castoutoursinandenterin, beborninustoday. WeheartheChristmasangels thegreatgladtidingstell; Ocometous;abidewithus, ourLordEmmanuel.

SecondReading Luke2:1-7 Hymn128 InfantHoly,InfantLowly WZLOBIELEZY Infantholy,infantlowly,forhisbedacattlestall; oxenlowing,littleknowingChristthebabeisLordofall. Swiftarewinging,angelssingingnoelsringing,tidingsbringing: ChristthebabeisLordofall!ChristthebabeisLordofall!

Flocksweresleeping;shepherdskeepingvigiltillthemorningnew sawtheglory,heardthestory,tidingsofthegospeltrue.

Thusrejoicing,freefromsorrow,praisesvoicinggreetthemorrow: Christthebabewasbornforyou!Christthebabewasbornforyou!

ThirdReading Luke2:8-20 Anthem DingDong!MerrilyonHigh CarolineJennings

Dingdong!MerrilyonhighInheav'nthebellsareringing.Dingdong!VerilytheskyIsriv'nwithangelsinging.Gloria,Hosannainexcelsis!Gloria,Hosannainexcelsis!

E'ensoherebelow,below,Letsteeplebellsbeswungen,And"Io,io,io!"Bypriestandpeoplesungen.Gloria,Hosannainexcelsis!Gloria,Hosannainexcelsis!

Prayyou,dutifullyprimeYourmatinchime,yeringers.MayyoubeautifullyrimeYourevetimesong,yesingers.Gloria,Hosannainexcelsis!Gloria,Hosannainexcelsis!

FourthReading John1:1-14 Homily MarciaMountShoop*Hymn113 AngelsWeHaveHeardonHigh GLORIA

Angelswehaveheardonhigh,sweetlysingingo’ertheplains,andthemountainsinreplyechoingtheirjoyousstrains.GloriainexcelsisDeo!GloriainexcelsisDeo!

Shepherds,whythisjubilee?Whyyourjoyousstrainsprolong?Whatthegladsometidingsbewhichinspireyourheavenlysong?GloriainexcelsisDeo!GloriainexcelsisDeo!

CometoBethlehemandseehimwhosebirththeangelssing;come,adoreonbendedkneeChrist,theLord,thenew-bornKing.GloriainexcelsisDeo!GloriainexcelsisDeo!

SacramentoftheLord’sSupper

InvitationtotheTable

PrayerofThanksgiving TheLordbewithyou. Andalsowithyou. Liftupyourhearts. WeliftthemtotheLord. LetusgivethankstotheLordourGod. ItisrighttogiveGodourthanksandpraise.

TheBreadandtheCup

Communionisbyintinction.Cometooneofthestationsasdirectedbyushers.Returntoyourpewbytheoutsideaisles.Youmayalsobeservedinyourpew.Allbreadisgluten-free.(Aplatewithseparatecupsisavailableatthefrontpulpit-sidestationforthosewithcompromisedimmunesystems.)

MusicduringCommunion AppalachianConsort PrayerafterCommunion Offering

OffertoryAnthem Shepherd’sPipeCarol JohnRutter Goingthroughthehillsonanightallstarry OnthewaytoBethlehem FarawayIheardashepherdboypiping OnthewaytoBethlehem

Angelsintheskybroughtthismessagenigh: "DanceandsingforjoythatChristthenewbornKing Iscometobringuspeaceonearth AndHe'slyingcradledthereatBethlehem." "Tellme,shepherdboypipingtunessomerrily OnthewaytoBethlehem Whowillhearyourtunesonthesehillssolonely OnthewaytoBethlehem?

Angelsintheskybroughtthismessagenigh: "DanceandsingforthejoythatChristthenewbornKing Iscometobringpeaceonearth AndHe'slyingcradledthereatBethlehem."

"Nonemayhearmypipesonthesehillssolonely OnthewaytoBethlehem; ButaKingwillhearmeplaysweetlullabies WhenIgettoBethlehem."

AngelsintheskycamedownfromonhighHoveredoverthemangerwherethebabewaslyingCradledinthearmsofhismotherMarySleepingnowatBethlehem

"WhereisthenewKing,shepherdboypipingmerrilyIsHethereatBethlehem?""IwillfindHimsoonbythestarshiningbrightlyIntheskyo'vrBethlehem."Angelsintheskybroughtthismessagenigh:"DanceandsingforjoythatChristthekingofKingsIscometobringuspeaceonearthAndHe'slyingcradledthereatBethlehem.""MayIcomewithyou,shepherdboypipingmerrilyComewithyoutoBethlehem?PaymyhomagetooatthenewKing'scradleIsitfartoBethlehem?"Angelsintheskybroughtthismessagenigh:"DanceandsingforjoythatChristthenewbornKingIsborninthestableyonder,bornforyouandme."

SungPrayerofDedication

Charge Anthem NightofSilence DanielKantor

Coldarethepeople,winteroflife,wetrembleinshadowsthiscoldendlessnight,frozeninthesnowlierosessleeping,flowersthatwillechothesunrise,fireofhopeisouronlywarmth,weary,it’sflamewillbedyingsoon.

Voiceinthedistance,callinthenight,onwindyouenfoldus,youspeakofthelight,gentleontheearyouwhispersoftly,rumorsofadawnsoembracing,breathlessloveawaitsdarkenedsouls,soonwillweknowofthemorning.

Silentnight,holynight!Alliscalm,allisbrightroundyonvirginmotherandchild.Holyinfant,sotenderandmild,sleepinheavenlypeace,sleepinheavenlypeace.

Spiritamongus,shinelikethestar,yourlightthatguidesshepherdsandkingsfromafar,shimmerintheskysoempty,lonely,risinginthewarmthofyourSon’slove,starunknowingofnightandday,SpiritwewaitforyourlovingSon.

*Hymn SilentNight,HolyNight STILLENACHT

(WewillcarrythelightofChristfromthesanctuarytothecourtyardaswesingSilentNighttogether.Ourservicewillconcludeoutside.)

Silentnight,holynight!Alliscalm,allisbright,Roundyonvirginmotherandchild!HolyInfant,sotenderandmild,Sleepinheavenlypeace,Sleepinheavenlypeace.

Silentnight,holynight!Shepherdsquakeatthesight,Gloriesstreamfromheavenafar,Heavenlyhostssing:"Alleluia;ChristtheSaviorisborn,ChristtheSaviorisborn."

Silentnight,holynight!SonofGod,love'spurelightRadiantbeamsfromThyholyface,Withthedawnofredeeminggrace,Jesus,Lord,atThybirth,Jesus,Lord,atThybirth.Silentnight,holynight!Wondrousstar,lendthylight;Withtheangelsletussing,AlleluiatoourKing;ChristtheSaviorisborn,ChristtheSaviorisborn.

* Benediction*Hymn JoytotheWorld! ANTIOCH

Joytotheworld!theLordiscome:LetearthreceiveherKing;LeteveryheartprepareHimroom,Andheavenandnaturesing,Andheavenandnaturesing,Andheavenandheavenandnaturesing.Joytotheworld!theSaviorreigns:Letusoursongsemploy;Whilefieldsandfloods,rocks,hills,andplainsRepeatthesoundingjoy,Repeatthesoundingjoy,Repeat,repeatthesoundingjoy.

Herulestheworldwithtruthandgrace,AndmakesthenationsproveThegloriesofHisrighteousness,AndwondersofHislove,AndwondersofHislove,Andwonders,wondersofHislove.

* SharingChrist’sPeace ------------------------------------------

ThisYear’sAdventMinistryPartnerTheServeCouncilisexcitedtosharethatAshevillePovertyInitiative(API)isthisyear'sAdventMinistryPartner.Tonight,giftsdesignatedtoAPI(inthecheckmemolineoroncashenvelope)willbegiventohelptheirmission.AshevillePovertyInitiativeand12BasketsCafeaimstoendthesocialinjusticeofpovertyinpartnershipwiththoseonthemarginsthroughopportunitiesforeducation,advocacy,andrelationshipbuilding.Peoplefromallwalksoflifeareencouragedtocomeandmeettheirneighborsat12BasketsCafé-aby-donationCafethatservesrescuedfoodfromlocalrestaurants.

Sunday,December29,2019FirstSundayofChristmas

ONEworshipserviceat10:45AM|Communion(*NO8:15serviceor9:15EducationHour)

Homily:“InSearchofHome”bySamanthaGonzalez-BlockScriptures:Psalm148;Matthew2:13-23

Tolearnmoreaboutourchurch,visitourwebsiteatwww.gcpcusa.org;findusonFacebook;orfollowonTwitter.

TheChurchOfficewillbeclosedWednesday,December25throughFriday,December27fortheChristmasHoliday.

HeadUsher:BetsyWilson

Liturgists:MakahlaStoutandMeghanVance

CandleLighting:TheUngertFamily

SpecialThankstoourmusicians:LeonardHollifield(guitar);MarkClevenger(hammerdulcimer);LeeMetcalfe(bass);JosieMoe(violin&vocalist),RoslynCarney(flute);EdnamaeFisher(piano);ChancelChoir