Welcome to Christ Church. We are glad you are here today, affirming our shared faith in Christ and worshipping in the Episcopal tradition. If you are new to Christ Church, be at peace here, find God at work here and know that we are grateful to pray with you today.

THE NATIVITY PAGEANTTHE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 20, 2020 10:00 am

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Advisor Joshua KimBand of Angels CCNS Children

Lead Angel Madelene Ragonese-ClarkeChief Priest Nolan Courtney

Herod Lorelei CourtneyJoseph Liam Houston

Mary Meghan HaggertyBaby Jesus Milo Whitaker

Narrators Fiona Haggerty, Kairady Johnson, Sophie KaoScribe Mark Bennett

The Star Tobi OnabuleWise People Luke Bennett, Griffin Courtney, Brennan Courtney

Singers Brennan Courtney, Griffin Courtney, Lorelei Courtney, Nolan Courtney, Libby Clarke, Emily Houston, Liam Houston, Kairady Johnson, R. Kevin Johnson, Marian Johnson, Sophie Kao, Eszter Mathew, George Mathew, Jacob Mathew, Tobi Onabule, Madelene Ragonese-Clarke, Bowie Snodgrass

Director The Rev. Dr. R. Kevin JohnsonMusicians Susan Bovan, Oboe; Dr. Andrew Moore, Organ and Piano

Musical Direction Susan BovanCostume Coordination Juli Towell

Production & Creative Assistance Toni Orallo, Chris WhitakerFilming & Production Duncan Pettigrew, Samgrew Productions, Inc.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT CAST

2020 Advent & Christmas Service Schedule Mon, Dec 21, 7:30pm – Longest Night Service with St. Stephen’s, Millburn Thurs, Dec 24, 4pm – Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Thurs, Dec 24, 8pm – Christmas Lessons & Carols Service Fri, Dec 25, 10am – Christmas Day Service

Due to the significant increase in the number of cases of COVID in our area, Bishop Hughes has made the difficult decision to restrict all in-person services beginning on Monday, December 14. This means all remaining Advent and Christmas Services will move online to keep us each healthy and safe. We hope you will join us and the rest of our parish family to celebrate the birth or our Lord and to find joy in this Christmas season.

Information for these online services are available on our website: www.christchurchshorthills.org/worship/worship-online/

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VOLUNTARY Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Paul Manz (20thC)

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE The Ragonese-Clarke Family

Jen, Libby, and Madelene

This is the season of Advent, the time we get ready to celebrate the mystery of Christmas, the time we are all on our way to Bethlehem. Today we light the fourth candle of Advent.

HYMN 83 O Come, All Ye Faithful (verses 1-4) Adeste fideles

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OPENING SENTENCES

Blessed are you, holy, and living God.You come to your people and set them free.

THE NATIVITY PAGEANTAccording to the Gospel of Matthew

SCENE ONE: THE BIRTH OF JESUS

The Snow Lay on the Ground Venite adoremus Soloists: Emily Houston, Madelene Ragonese-Clarke, Sophie Kao

Away in a Manger Cradle Song Singers: Griffin Courtney, Brennan Courtney, Lorelei Courtney, Nolan Courtney

SCENE TWO: THE VISITATION OF THE WISE MEN

We Three Kings Kings of Orient Soloists: Jacob Mathew, Tobi Onabule, Liam Houston

What Child is This Greensleeves Soloist: Lorelei Courtney

O Little Town of Bethlehem St. Louis Soloist: Kairady Johnson

Silent Night Stille Nacht Singers: The Johnson Family, The Ragonese-Clarke Family, The Mathew / Snodgrass Family

WELCOME The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Intercession for the Christian People (Advent IV)

Rejoicing with Mary that the word comes among us, let us offer to God our prayers, saying: Lord, hear our prayer.

May we find in Mary, the servant of the Lord, the model of our heart’s willing surrender to God’s call. For this let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

May we discover in true spiritual richness of what God alone can do to make Christ come alive in Mary, in us and in all the world. For this let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

May the God of mystery who dwells in unapproachable light draw us more and more deeply into the path of divine wisdom beyond all human expectation. For this let us pray to the lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

May our assembly of disciples be a womb and a place for the shaping of Christ by God’s power, so that we may give birth to Christ by God’s power, so that we may give birth to Christ from the womb of our community for the world. For this let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

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May our deepest hearts find strength in the gift of blessed hope that what God has begun to do in our world and in all our persons by Christ’s saving work will be brought to its fullness by our Savior. For this let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

May we remember before God all who are in any need and who cry for the presence of God. For this let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

Call us to yourself, O God, as you called Mary, that we may be formed into a dwelling of holiness, giving life to all the peoples of the world through Mary’s son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE BLESSING

HYMN Ding Dong, Merrily on High Handbell Choir

DISMISSAL

Go in peace to love and serve the lord.Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE En Natus Est Emmanuel Michael Praetorius (Solid Brass)

Celebrant The Rev. Bowie SnodgrassAssistant Pastor The Rev. Tristan Shin

Organist & Choirmaster Dr. Andrew MooreHymn Leaders Sue Bovan and Rick Marchisio

Intercessor Trevor Johnson

SERVICE PARTICIPANTS

Please join us for our “Coffee Hour” via Zoom immediately after the service.

All are welcome!

PRAYER LIST

Each week, we continue to remember those in need of prayer.

Special Prayers: Angie, Barb, Arlene, Marshall V., Chaim S., Cooper, Jo, Don H., Anjee, William, Nancy, Anne G., Hook, and Jessica C.

Continuing Prayers: Amy M., Brenda O., Christian, Courtney, Darlene, David M., Gail, Ginny, Gregg, Jo M., John M., Liz D., Maureen, Maurice, Nneka, Owen, Paige, Peter, Rachelle, Richard S., Stella, Ted and Jen, Joanne G., Ray A., and Laura M.

Please contact Pastor Tristan Shin if you have any prayer requests or would like a pastoral visitation. Email: tshin@christchurchshorthills.org.

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Sunday Service Schedule8:00 am Worship Service 9:00 am Children’s Sunday School & Monthly Breakfast Club Youth Gatherings 10:00 am Worship Service with Music

*Services are currently online but will return in-person and outdoors in 2021. Check our weekly Messenger for updated information.

Stay Connected with our Small Groups at Christ ChurchEducation for Ministry (EfM) – each Monday, 7:30pm Evening Book Group – 1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30pm Bakery Bible Hour – 1st Friday of each month, 9am Careers in Transition – 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 8:30am Morning Meditation – 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 10am Lunch Bunch – 2nd Monday of each month, 12pm Pub Theology – 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30pm Anti-racism Book Group – Last Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm Spirituality & Bible Study Group – Various Tuesdays, 1pm Martha & Mary – Various dates at 7:15pm

Upcoming Events for our Children and YouthConfirmation Classes – Beginning January 10, 2021, 9am Appalachia Service Project Mission Trip – July 2021

For more information or to RSVP for any of the children and youth events, please contact our Children’s Minister, the Rev. Kevin Johnson at kjohnson@christchurchshorthills.org or our Youth Minister Chris Whitaker at cwhitaker@christchurchshorthills.org.

Get Involved with our Ongoing Outreach ProgramsInterfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges – 2nd Wednesday on the month, 9am For information or to volunteer, contact Peggy Baggaley: baggaleyp@verizon.net

All The Way Up Adult Education Center – Monday-Friday, various hours For information or to volunteer, contact Chris Whitaker: cwhitaker@allthewayupnj.org

We are glad you are here worshipping with us today! Please explore these other opportunities to connect

at Christ Church in Short Hills.

Subscribe to our weekly E-Newsletter “The Messenger.” You can be added to the mailing list by calling the parish office or emailing: office@christchurchshorthills.org

Stay connected with us:www.christchurchshorthills.org

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Visit youtube.com and search “Christ Church in Short Hills”

Like and Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/christchurchshorthills

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2021 Roll of Pledgers We offer our thanks to the following households who have indicated their

support for the ministries of Christ Church in 2021.

If you have not yet pledged, please join your fellow parishioners in their commitment to the vitality of our church and its work in our community.

[Updated Dec. 16, 2020]

To be included in our list of supporters, just add your pledge by:

1. Scanning the QR code on the right with your phone camera to be directed to our online Pledge Card.

2. Going online to www.christchurchshorthills.org. Clicking on the “Give Online” button on the top bar and then clicking on the words “Pledge Online.”

3. Emailing the church office at: office@christchurchshorthills.org or calling 973-379-2898.4. Picking up a pledge card in the Narthex and returning it to the office.

Phil & Peggy BaggaleyHook & Jean BaileyLoren & Joanne BaladyMichael Bardello & Elaine PowerJane BaroneW. John BauerChris & Sinead BennettDouglas & Lianne BollerJane BonnerJohn & Abby BoozanValerie BoyleMelissa BristolCarrie CabushDavid & Diane CabushRobert & Cheryl CampbellDavid CarlsonRobert & Nancy CarterJennifer ChalstyScott & Bogi ChastainJacob Cherian & Relly JacobSharon E. Libby ClarkeFred & Kathey CoombsUnni CooperTodd & Alison CorbinDavid CornishZach & Lise DavisJonathan & Laurie DeCiantisBobbi EnglerJohn & Catherine FernandezTerry & Heather FinanJames & Genevieve FraserPaul & Jean FunkBill & Lisa GadsdenJoanne Ng GordonRichard & Marylee GreenleeLauren Harrison

Ray & Susan HenryBill & Shirley HorbattTed & Inese HoulisJane HoustonGayle HoytChris Jennings & Brian Harlow Kevin & Marian JohnsonSandra JohnsonTrevor JohnsonRobert & Julia KaoJames Kem & Aki NakaoAnn KlemmeChristine & MJ Knoll-FinnWinston KungTony & Julie LamHope LampeDot Leslie David & Lauren LischerAlan & Alice LongleyRick Marchisio & Sue BovanJames & Emmy McBrideCynthia & Mike McChesneyJay & Jane McGrawJoan McKeownBill & Anne V. MillerAndrew Moore & Susan IronsideLouise MoosScott & Laura MorganEllen MorrisMichael & Julie MurphyBarbara MurrayRobert & Dara NearLarry NeugebauerChuck NwachukuAyo & Saha OnabuleArnie & Sandra Peinado

Craig & Christine Ploetner Lezette ProudRobert M. Pyle, Jr.Lynne RanieriSamuel & Susan ReckfordJane Coryell RiedelDavid & Sarah Rosen Bonnie RountreeLillian RountreeJim Sammartino & Nancy SiracusaLinda SchaubErnie SchoellkopffMartin & Kristen SegalGary & Lucy SeligsonGary & Peggy ShillingTristan ShinDebbie Smith & Ron KeefeBowie Snodgrass & George MathewDonald Snow, Jr.John Sogliuzzo & Gaye TorranceArlene SommerRuth SouthwickMarcia StuartLeon & Adrianne Surgeon Don & Audena SyracuseTom & Parul ThomasSusan & Tom ThompsonGil TowellJuli TowellStan & Diane TsoKen & Rose UdlandTyler Umbdenstock & Emily HaverstickJohn & Claire Van Der TuinMichael & Jennifer VinsonhalerHannah Wallace

CHRIST CHURCH IN SHORT HILLS66 Highland Avenue – Short Hills, NJ 07078

973.379.2898christchurchshorthills.org

WARDENS AND VESTRY

Sandra Johnson, Senior WardenSarah Rosen, Junior Warden

Chris Bennett, Diane Cabush, Alison Corbin, Lise Davis, Jonathan DeCiantis, John Fernandez,

Rob Kao, Larry Neugebauer, Arnie Peinado, Arlene Sommer,

Adrianne Harrison-Surgeon, Tom Thomas- - -

Bonnie Rountree, Parish TreasurerAndrew Bunn, Parish Counsel

CLERGY AND STAFF

The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, Priest-in-ChargeThe Rev. Tristan Shin, Assistant Pastor

Dr. Andrew Paul Moore, Organist & ChoirmasterChris Whitaker, Youth Ministry & Communications

The Rev. Dr. R. Kevin Johnson, Children’s Ministry Georgeann duChossois, Parish Administrator

James Johnson, Plant Supervisor Lydia Zapico, Finance Manager

Barbara Pepe, Director of CCNSJanet Aulet Maulbeck, Director of Interweave

Sunday Offertory

To make a donation or pay your pledge online,visit our website: www.christchurchshorthills.org, and click “Give Online”

Or mail a check to Christ Church in Short Hills66 Highland Ave, Short Hills, NJ 07078.

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2

Scan the QR Code with your phone and you will be directed to our online giving page.

To receive email announcements, write to office@christhchurchshorthills.org.

Cover art by Libby Clarke