A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and Children’s Nativity
Argyle United Methodist Church
December 9th, 2007
Gathering
PRELUDE: Anastasia Markina, piano
WELCOME/GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS Todd Mead
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Liz and Claire Edwards
Prepare the way of the Lord.
We light this candle in love,
the love that Jesus, our Savior, has for us.
Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
Sung Response: Prepare the way of the Lord, prepare the way of the Lord, and all
people will see the salvation of their God.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN* No. 202 People Look East
THE BIDDING PRAYER* Rev. Kory Knott
Sisters and brothers in Christ, this Christmas Season, it is a privilege and a pleasure to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and see God’s special gift of love that has come to us: the Babe lying in a manger.
Let us open our hearts, and our minds, and our ears to hear again from Holy Scripture the story, the message, of the loving will of God from the first days of our sin until the glorious redemption brought us by this holy Child; and let us make our church glad with our carols of praise.
Before we sing, however, because this of all things would rejoice Jesus’ heart, let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people; for peace upon the earth he came to save; for love and unity within the one Church he built and for goodwill among all peoples.
Let us also remember in prayer those whom Jesus sought out, and who we are to seek out: the poor, the cold, the hungry, the oppressed; the sick and those that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all who don’t know Jesus.
Finally, let us remember the communion of the saints that has gone before us: all of God’s children, from throughout all times and all places, who rejoice with us this morning and always.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray, saying:
THE LORD’S PRAYER*
CAROL Of the Father’s Love Begotten
FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19
God announces in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve’s punishment for their rebellion and that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.
CAROL Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Chancel Choir Wesley/Davis
SECOND LESSON Genesis 22:15-18
God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth shall obtain blessing.
CAROL/OFFERTORY Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel Chancel Choir & Alan Holley arr. Bandy
THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness.
CAROL* No. 216 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (st. 1,2)
THE CHILDREN’S NATIVITY
FOURTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7
Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born.
CAROL No. 245 The First Noel (st. 1)
FIFTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16
The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world, lying in a manger.
CAROL No. 217 Away in a Manger (st. 1,3)
SIX LESSON Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews.
CAROL No. 245 We Three Kings (st. 1,5)
A MOMENT OF REFLECTION ON THE NATIVITY Liz Edwards
CAROL No. 234* O Come, All Ye Faithful
SEVENTH LESSON John 1:1-14
John unfolds the great mystery of Incarnation.
CAROL All is Well Chancel Choir and Emily Young Smith/Kirkpatrick
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING* Rev. Joe Stobaugh
May the Christ who by his Incarnation gathered into One things earthly and heavenly fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Go forth in peace and joy.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE: Anastasia Markina
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