christmas eve candlelight service - spucc 24...no matter who you are, christmas eve candlelight...
TRANSCRIPT
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
DECEMBER 24, 2015
9:00 PM
No matter who you are, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service No matter where you are On life’s journey, You are welcome here.
PRELUDE Gesu bambino Pietro Yon
See amid the snow John Goss
Sure on this shining night Samuel Barber
Breanna Coe, mezzo-soprano; Monty Adams, flute; Phyllis Adams, harp
Sure on this shining night
Of star made shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High mystery holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone
Of shadows on the stars.
THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS CANDLES Toccata from Symphony V Charles Marie Widor
Kevin Dzierzawski, organ
* PROCESSIONAL HYMN O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest! * Please stand if you are able to do so.
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, forever be Thy name adored;
Word of the One God, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
* WELCOME Matt Fitzgerald
* CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The prophets have proclaimed it and the angels have announced it:
Unto us a child is born. Unto us a savior is given.
Glory to God in the highest!
All: And on earth peace, goodwill.
One: Go tell it on the mountain.
All: Go tell it in the city.
One: This is good news of great joy.
All: Jesus Christ is born!
SOLO Go, Tell It On The Mountain African-American Spiritual
Chancel Choir
Todd Coe, tenor
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds watch were keeping, o’re silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens, there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY IN SCRIPTURE AND SONG
Isaiah 9: 1-6, 11: 1-6 and 60: 1-6
CHOIR And the Glory of the Lord George Friderick Handel
from Messiah
And the glory or the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together,
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaiah 11: 5
Luke 2: 25-26 and 2: 1-7
* CONGREGATION O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by:
Yet in the dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of the heavens;
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Luke 2:8-14
CONGREGATION Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
CHOIR Thy Little Ones, O Savior Dear Danish Carol
Chancel Choir Johann Peter Abraham Schultz
Her komme Jesus, dine små,
Til dig i Bethlehem at gå:
Oplys enhver i sjœl og sind
At finde vejen till dig ind!
Thy little ones, O Savior dear
To thee in Bethlehem draw near
Enlighten us in soul and mind
That we the way to Thee may find.
Luke 2: 15-20
CONGREGATION Away In A Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay;
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
DUET Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace Gustav Nordqvist
Chancel Choir Text-Edvard Evers
English-Norman Luboff
Jul, Jul, strålande jul, glans över vita skogar,
Himmelens kronor med gnistrande ljus,
Glimande bågar i alla Guds hus,
Psalm, som är sjungen från tid till tid,
Eviga längtan till ljus och frid!
Jul, Jul, strålande jul, glans över vita skogar!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Peace to the world is given.
Hushed are the angels, so still is the night.
Then in the East shone a heavenly light.
Join in the chorus, His praises sing!
Glory to God, to the newly born King!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Peace to the world is given!
* CONGREGATION The First Nowell
The first Nowell, 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.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell!
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of one bright star,
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell!
Born is the King of Israel!
Matthew 2: 1-12
CHOIR Mary Had a Baby African-Ameican Spiritual
Nancy Pifer, soprano arr. William Dawson
Mary had a baby, My Lord!
Where was he born?
Born in a manger.
What did they call him?
King Jesus.
He is called King Jesus, Mighty Counselor,
King Emanuel, Mighty God, Everlasting Father.
Mary had a baby, My Lord!
SERMON Matt Fitzgerald
* CONGREGATION Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King:
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns! Let us our songs employ:
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS
CHOIR Wexford Carol arr. Gary Fry
Monty Adams, flute; Phyllis Adams, harp
Nancy Pifer, soprano; Nathan Streeter, tenor; and Lee Lichamer, bass
Good people all this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind,
What our good God for us has done,
In sending his beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep,
To whom God’s angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Arise and go,” the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
“For there you’ll find this happy morn,
“A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.”
With thankful heart and joyful mind,
And as God’s angels had foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side, the virgin maid,
As long foretold, upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
THE CHRISTMAS EVE PRAYER
CHOIR RECESSIONAL Stille Nacht Franz Grüber
Chancel Choir
CONGREGATION Silent Night
(remain seated) 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!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Pat-a-pan Burgundian Carol Alegria Traditional Puerto Rican Monty Adams, flute; and Phyllis Adams, harp
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
May you receive God’s Christmas presence and may the presence of Christ shine in you
and through you in the coming New Year. We are glad you worshiped with us on this
holy night and hope you will return to St. Pauls on a Sunday morning soon.
You can also visit us at www.spucc.org for information on
who we are, what we believe, and what we do.
ANNOUNCEMENTS WE WELCOME YOU TO WORSHIP. If you are our guest and want more information about
St. Pauls, please fill out the fellowship card in the pew rack and drop it in the offering plate. We
invite you to join us on a Sunday morning for worship at 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM.
THIS YEAR OUR CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING will help Uhlich Children’s Advantage
Network (UCAN). UCAN was founded by Saint Pauls as an orphanage during the Civil War and
has since grown into the largest provider of social services to children in Chicago. UCAN is at the
forefront of the effort to curb the violence that kills and stings so many Chicago youth each year.
Our hearts break at the violence in our city. If you want to give a Christmas gift to the ministries
of Saint Pauls, thank you! Please use the CHRISTMAS envelope to give directly to our
church. All other Christmas Eve contributions will be given to the UCAN chaplaincy fund.
POLAR PEACE MARCH TO BENEFIT UCAN. More than 200 Chicago
youth ages 10-25 are killed by gunfire each year. You can do something to
change this statistic. Join us as we honor the memory of Reverend Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., and take a stand against guns and violence on Sunday,
January 17, 2016 at 4 PM. The 1.5 mile walk will benefit UCAN and its
violence prevention initiative in Chicago. This family-friendly event will start
with a program in the sanctuary at 4 PM and conclude with cup of soup at 6
PM in the gym. St. Pauls members and friends are invited to walk, raise
pledges for UCAN, and volunteer on the day of the event. Invite your friends, family, neighbors
and co-workers to be a part of your team for this fun and inspirational event. We can make a
difference! To volunteer, please contact Pauline Taylor at [email protected]. Register
today at polarpeacemarch.org.
JANUARY IS BIBLE STORY THEATRE MONTH for St. Pauls. Every January we immerse
ourselves in the stories of the Bible and make them come alive through music, dance, acting,
costumes and sets. The 2016 story -- PEACE -- includes inspiring Scripture that will give us
insights into finding peace in our lives and in our world. All children and young people and their
teachers from the JK/Kindergarten through High School classes participate in a series of four
theatre workshops beginning on January 3. Adults are also invited to help make costumes, create
sets, play instruments, and use their talents. The Bible Story Theatre production will be at 11 AM
on February 7. Contact Pastor Sarah for more information at [email protected].
A YEAR WITH MARILYNNE ROBINSON - A group is forming to read the four, fine novels
of this Pulitzer prize-winning and UCC author in 2016, with quarterly discussions. We'll begin
with her first novel Housekeeping. Read one or all. RSVP to Jeff Carlson, [email protected].
JOINING ST. PAULS CHURCH
NEW MEMBER CLASSES are held throughout the year. Learn more about St. Pauls 172 year
ministry of making a joyful sound in the city, meet others exploring membership, find out what
we believe and how you can become more engaged. Next classes: January 10, 2016, April 10,
2016 and June 5, 2016 at 12:30 PM. Contact Pastor Matt [email protected] to be registered
ADULT MISSION TRIP TO HAITI JOIN US ON A TRIP TO HAITI to help the Three Angels Orphanage in Port Au Prince. Work
projects will include building a classroom and tutoring children. The trip date is February 13–20,
2016. No prior mission experience necessary. If you are interested in learning more about this
challenging and rewarding opportunity, please email Pastor Sarah at [email protected].
FIRST WEDNESDAY LUNCHEON Our next First Wednesday lunch will be on January 6, 2016 at 12 PM in the Parlor. A speaker
from the Lincoln Park Community Shelter will be sharing with us about how the shelter is
meeting the needs of people facing housing instability, and what the current issues around
homelessness in the city are. We will have a delicious catered meal. All adults are welcome. Cost
$10. RSVP to Leigh at [email protected].
CHURCH SCHOOL & YOUTH ACTIVITIES ST. PAULS OFFERS CHURCH SCHOOL on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM for children from
birth through High School. Our classes are taught in a progressive Christian environment by
committed and engaging teachers who help children to grow in faith through story-telling, play,
art, music, dance, prayer and service to others. Visitors are always welcome to come and try out
a class. For more detailed information about the Church School program, please contact Pastor
Sarah at [email protected].
ST. PAULS PLAY GROUP provides a stimulating place to play and explore for children ages
0-3 years old and an opportunity for their parents and caregivers to connect. Drop in anytime
from 10:30 AM -12:00 PM Wednesday mornings in the nursery and toddler rooms downstairs.
NEW MOMS GROUP STARTING IN JANUARY, Sundays from 10:20-11 AM in the
nursery. If you are a mom of a young child and you would like to meet others facing the same
joys and challenges come on by.
NOURISH – EXPLORE – LEARN – PLAY: ST. PAULS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM-
ACT II! Looking for an affordable, convenient After School Program? With tasty snacks,
performing arts focused sessions, homework time, as well as games/free play, Act II at St. Pauls
can be the solution for you and your child at the end of the school day! ACT II is a safe, fun,
educational environment to nurture your child’s overall development from Monday-
Thursday. It’s also flexible; sign up for one, two, three or four days per week. Winter 2016
Session: January 3 to March 10 and Spring 2016 Session: March 14 to May 26. For more
information and to register visit ACT II, www.spucc.org/act2. Space is limited. (Scholarships
available for any family in need)
YOUTH GROUPS for 5th through 8
th graders meet on Tuesday’s from 5-7 PM with dinner
For more details, visit spucc.org or contact Leigh Borge at [email protected].
Monday – Friday for the month of July Ages 2-5: 9 AM – Noon
Ages 6 – 12: 9 AM – Noon, 1 PM – 4PM, or all day
Children older than 12 can be assistant camp counselors
Classes and activities for toddlers and
preschoolers in a progressive Christian
environment where children explore their
talents and discover a love of learning.
Openings for Fall 2016
Join us Sunday, January 17 at 4 PM
CHICAGO GUN VIOLENCE FACTS • Over the past 10 years, Chicago has averaged 420 gun homicides/year, almost half of
which were young people aged 10-25. • The social costs of gun violence in Chicago are estimated at $2.5 billion per year – or
$2,500 per household. • Disparities of violence are unacceptably high, especially amongst African-American and
Latino youth. • It costs more than $70,000 per capita per year to incarcerate a juvenile offender in Illinois. UCAN and the Peace Hub are working to transform these statistics: • Currently, more than 90 youth, ages 11-23 are involved in the Peace Hub. 72% are
recruited through direct street outreach. • 67% of Peace Hub participants have been recently arrested or charged with a crime, and
78 % of admitted active gang involvement. To date UCAN has seen a 68% decrease in arrest rates and a 98% increase in school enrollment and attendance among Peace Hub Youth. We achieve this by pairing youth with caring adult mentors, and helping them achieve educational outcomes and find stable employment
To register for the march or make a donation, visit
PolarPeaceMarch.org
ABOUT ST. PAULS Making a joyful sound in the city
ST. PAULS HAS A VIBRANT HISTORY in the city of Chicago. Founded by German
immigrants in 1843, we moved from our original location at LaSalle and Ohio Streets to Lincoln
Park in 1898. Through two fires, civil and world wars and constant urban change, we’ve
remained committed to joyfully serving God and neighbor in the city. We welcome you to join us
in following Jesus into the 21st Century!
WE WELCOME YOU TO WORSHIP. If you are our guest and want more information about
St. Pauls, please fill out the fellowship card in the pew rack and drop it in the offering plate. Also,
please join us after worship downstairs for a cup of coffee. We want to meet you.
ACTIVITY PACKETS, Just for You, are available for children who attend worship and are
filled with worship-related activities. Please return the folders to the boxes after the service.
Children may keep their activity sheets.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT US see our website, www.spucc.org.
St. Pauls United Church of Christ 2335 North Orchard Street Chicago, Illinois 60614
(773) 348-3829 FAX (773) 348-3858
www.spucc.org
Matt Fitzgerald, Senior Pastor [email protected]
Avena Ward, Associate Pastor [email protected]
Jeff Carlson, Associate Pastor [email protected]
Sarah Garcia, Associate Pastor for Children and Youth [email protected]
Bonnie Scott Jelinek, Interim Associate Pastor [email protected] Tom Henry, Pastor Emeritus [email protected]
Kurt R. Hansen, Music Director [email protected]
Kevin Dzierzawski, Organist [email protected]
Brendan Henry, Pianist
Nancy Voigts, Children’s Choir Director
Kecia Waldschmidt, Youth Choir Director
Karen E. Johnson, Joyful Sounds Choir Director Mark Mosley, Intergenerational Orchestra Director
Free Parking is available on Sundays at Children’s Memorial Hospital 2300 block of North Lincoln Ave.
VOUCHERS NOT NEEDED
