Bulletin Christmas Eve 12-24-08

Christmas Eve December 24, 2008

HOLY EUCHARIST As you enter the church, please keep silence as we prepare our hearts for worship.

Call to Worship Sung by Cynthia Plumb

The Opening Acclamation Celebrant People Celebrant

Alleluia! To us a child is born. Come, let us adore him. Alleluia O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Processional 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 (Chorus) 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 O sing all ye bright Hosts of heav'n above Glory to God All glory in the highest Yea Lord we greet Thee Born this happy morning Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing 2

Songs of Praise Children’s Choir Directed by Kim Baysinger and Laura Speece Offering our songs of praise

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 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 and wonders of His love The Collect of the Day Celebrant People Celebrant

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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LITURGY OF THE WORD Please be seated.

The First Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-7

Psalm 96 The psalm will be read as prompted by the Lector 1

O sing to the Lord a new song; * sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; * tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, * his marvellous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; * he is to be revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, * but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honour and majesty are before him; * strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, * ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; * bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in holy splendour; * tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king! * The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.’ 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; * 12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord; for he is coming, * for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, * and the peoples with his truth.

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The Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14

The Alleluia Please stand and sing

The Holy Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 Please remain standing for the reading of the Gospel.

The Sermon Please be seated.

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The Nicene Creed Please stand.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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The Prayers of the People Please stand, be seated, kneel, or lie face down on the floor in awe of God’s willingness to hear our prayers. Members: Allen Family; Dean Johnson Jr.; Lily Plumb; Rhodes Family; Gary Westhausen; White Family Vestry: Jeff Cardwell; Matt Creswell; Loys Johnson; George Mankos; Herb Poole; Annette Waldroop AMiA Churches: Grace Anglican Church (Gastonia); Epiphany Anglican Church (Charlottesville, VA) Seminarians: Loys Johnson, Jr.; Conor Mooney Others: Martin Allen; Angell Family; Sandy Baysinger; Kat Brinyear; Lacey Brown; Fritzy Bullis; Comer Family; Jay Crocker; Sarah Dulin; Anne Greene; Tom Gridley; Jack Jenkins; David & Christina Kristynik and David’s military unit in Iraq; Shelley Makahon; Hayley Makohon Ronnie Martin; Nancy Niner; Norma Nowak; Christine & Colin O’Connell; John Robinson; Keith Roblin; Steven Rowland; Jim Sampson; Emma Schurmeier; Sharon Shaver; Cindy Sheets; Smithey family; Martha Ann Springer; Margaret Rose Todd; Carroll Waldroop; Lewis Wilhelm; Larry Whitehead. In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Bishop, TJ; for those gathered here; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church. Silence I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well being of all people. Pray for justice and peace. Silence I ask your prayers for the fatherless, the persecuted, the exploited, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble. Silence I ask your prayers for those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel. Pray for the lost in our families and in our communities. Silence Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day. Silence

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The Confession of Sin And now, O Father, we pray to you also for our greatest need, the forgiveness of our sins: Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Peace Celebrant People

May the peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

ANNOUNCEMENT Candlelight Dismissal

Tonight's service will end in candlelight. Please remain seated until all candles are lit, at which time we will commence the recessional hymn. After the dismissal, please exit the sanctuary at your leisure. For a complete list of current announcements, please visit our website at www.tcotgs.org.

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HOLY COMMUNION Offertory As representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings to the altar, please sing.

Mystery The child was born on Christmas day Born to save the world But long before the world began He knew His death was sure The pain and strife secured (Chorus) Mystery how He came to be a man But greater still How His Death was in His plan God predestined that His son would die And He still created man Oh what love is this That His death was in His Hands The Christmas trees They glow so bright With presents all round But Christmas brought A tree of life With blood that sacrificed The greatest gift in life (Bridge) I am just a man And can't begin to comprehend When You look into this traitor's eyes What do You see that justifies the Lamb

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The Doxology Please stand.

The Great Thanksgiving Please remain standing.

Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

The Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Please be seated as the Celebrant continues.

The Mystery of Our Faith Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Please remain seated as the Celebrant continues. 10

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant People

Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

The Invitation Celebrant

These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

All baptized disciples of Jesus Christ are welcome at God’s table. Please be seated until your row is invited to come. At this time, parents may return to the nursery to escort your children back to the sanctuary for communion.

The Communion Hymns Please be seated and sing

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night. O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe, O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know; Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven, And to the endless day!

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What Child is This What Child is this who laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping This this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste haste to bring Him laud The Babe the Son of Mary Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding Good Christian fear for sinners here The silent Word is pleading Nails spear shall pierce Him thro' The cross be borne for me for you Hail hail the Word made flesh The Babe the Son of Mary So bring Him incense gold and myrrh Come peasant king to own Him The King of kings salvation brings Let loving hearts enthrone Him Raise raise the song on high The virgin sings her lullaby Joy joy for Christ is born The Babe the Son of Mary

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Offering Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star While angels sang to lowly shepherds Three wise men seeking truth traveled from afar Hoping to find the Child from heaven Falling on their knees they bowed Before the humble Prince of Peace (Chorus) I bring an offering of worship to my King No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing Jesus may You receive the honor that You're due O Lord I bring an offering to You The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love There is no shadow in Your presence No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne Before the Holy One of heaven It's only by Your blood, and it's only through Your mercy Lord I come The Post-Communion Prayer Please stand and say together

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen The Blessing

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The Hymn in Recession Please remain standing and sing.

Silent Night 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 Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia Christ the Saviour is born Christ the Saviour is born Silent night holy night Son of God love's pure light Radiant beams from the holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus Lord at Thy birth Jesus Lord at Thy birth

The Dismissal Celebrant As the Light of the world, let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia! People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

CCLI#2329714 O Come All Ye Faithful: Public Domain Away In a Manger Public Domain Go Tell It on the Mountain Public Domain Joy to the World Public Domain Mystery: Angela and Todd Smith © 2002 Okapi One Music Offering: Paul Baloche  2002 Integrity’s Hosanna Music Alleluia: Taize Music Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming: Public Domain What Child is This: Public Domain Silent Night: Public Domain

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The Poinsettias for our Christmas Eve Service are given by: Bud & Edna Rowland Bud & Tricia Schurmeir Gary & Kate Westhausen Geneva Schmidt Robert & Lesley Lee Mike & Annette Waldroop Bob & Tricia Schurmeir Mike & Annette Waldroop Gary & Kate Westhausen Margaret Crocker

In Honor of their Children & Grandchildren In Memory of Bob’s mother, Julie Schumeier In Memory of Gustav & Florence Westhausen In Memory of Loved Ones In Memory of Loved Ones In Memory of our Mothers In Memory of Tricia’s parents Bob & Louise Cook In Thanksgiving for our Daughter In Thanksgiving for our Many Blessings In Thanksgiving for the Christmas Season

CONTACTS The Church of the Good Shepherd Post Office Box 643 Davidson, NC 28036 704/895-0059 www.tcotgs.org

Melanie Johnson, Webmaster, [email protected] Pat Melchor, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Conor Mooney, Pastor to Students, [email protected] Eric Speece, Director of Music & the Arts, [email protected] Kyle Wallace, Lead Pastor, [email protected]

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