THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH AT CALDWELL
Our Purpose:
To help all people build life-transforming relationships with God and each other.
The members and friends of FPC welcome people from all backgrounds - - people of faith from throughout the world, people who profess no faith, Christians of all denominations and those who are searching for religious and spiritual meaning.
Welcome!
CHRISTMAS EVE
December 24, 2016
10:30 p.m.
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PRELUDE
“Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”
Arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
“Breath of Heaven”
Arr. Sandra Eithun
GREETING AND CALL TO WORSHIP
(from Isaiah 2) Dr. Sommers
Rejoice!
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
*PROCESSIONAL CAROL NO. 133
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Adeste fideles
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT AND CHRIST CANDLES Stephen Ministers
*CAROL NO. 147
“The First Nowell”
The First Nowell
CONFESSION
Rev. Brown
Wondrous God: on this Holy Night, when we re-live the Christmas stories we love so much, we confess with embarrassment that, if we had been around at the first Christmas, we might have missed it all! Some of us would have been too busy cleaning house to notice anything outside. Others would have been so engrossed in buying and selling, so engulfed in the hubbub of the marketplace, that we would not have noticed even the setting sun, let alone an odd little star that had no business being where it was. Even now, O God, we seldom pay real attention to signs and signals from you, so we miss the messages of hope, comfort and love. Help us to be more attentive, O God, to your presence: in a guiding star, in the angels’ song, in the small body of your newborn Son, but also in the face of a lonely old woman or the sprawling shape of a homeless man; for they may be bearing a Christmas message to us -- from you. We pray in the name of the Holy Child who grew up to care for us and would have us care for others. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
*CAROL NO. 113
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
Gloria
READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Micah 5:1-5 Rev. Brown
The prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem
ANTHEM
“See, Amid the Winter’s Snow”
arr. Dan Forrest
READING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Luke 1:26-38 Jaime Staehle
The angel greets Mary and brings her amazing news
Matthew 1:18-23
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream
ANTHEM
Angel Recits & “Glory to God”
from MESSIAH
G.F. Handel (1685-1759)
READING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Luke 2:1-20 Dr. Sommers
Jesus is born in a stable, because there is no room in the inn.
The shepherds go to the manger
REFLECTION
“Faith or Fear?”
Dr. Sommers
*CAROL NO. 119
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!”
Mendelssohn
THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY
“Unto Us a Son is Born”
Trevor Manor
*CAROL OF DEDICATION NO. 136
“Go Tell It On The Mountain”
Mueller
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND LORD’S PRAYER Rev. Brown
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
LIGHTING OF INDIVIDUAL CANDLES
During the singing of “Silent Night,” the candles will be lit. Please follow appropriate safety procedures. Hold lighted candles upright and tip the unlighted candles toward the lighted ones. Parents, please give your children adequate supervision if they are participating in the candle-lighting.
*CAROL NO.122
“Silent Night, Holy Night”
Stille Nacht
*CAROL NO. 134
“Joy to the World!”
Antioch
As we begin to sing the LAST STANZA, please RAISE your candle as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light which darkness will never overcome!
*BLESSING
At the conclusion of the blessing, please extinguish your candle
and deposit it with the ushers as you exit.
*POSTLUDE
“Grand Angelic March”
arr. Eric Robertson
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*Please rise in body or in spirit.
†A warm welcome to all who are worshiping with us on this Christmas Eve! On this sacred evening, remember in prayer all those who are near and dear to you, and all others in need. The Pastoral Families and Staff Members of The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell join in wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
†Please sign the Red Friendship Pad located in each pew and pass it to the person next to you. Please put a check in the appropriate box if you would like a Pastor to call or are interested in joining our congregation. You may call the church office Monday through Friday at 973-228-0310 with any questions or pastoral concerns.
†Our cradle room is open tonight to serve children up to 24 months old. Restrooms are located through the door to the left of the pulpit, then left to the end of the hallway.
†An usher will be glad to assist you and provide you with more information about this congregation. Worship is every Sunday at 8:30AM in our Pleasantdale Campus (except Dec. 25th and the first Sunday of each month) and 10:00AM in the Sanctuary at our Caldwell campus with Sunday School for children and youth also at 10:00AM.. The first Sunday of each month is Church Family Sunday and we unite in worship and celebrate Communion at 10:00AM. Excellent infant care for children up to 24 months is available at the 10:00AM service. We hope you will come again. Opportunities abound for all ages!
CHRISTMAS BREAK CABIN FEVER DAY
All children in 1st-5th grade are invited to join us for a fun day at church on Wednesday, December 28th from 9am-3pm! We’ll be playing games, watching a great Christmas movie, doing some fun crafts, and having yummy snacks. The cost for the day is $5. Kids should bring their own sack lunch. Teens are invited to join us as helpers for the day.
WORSHIP LEADERS
Dr. Richard N. Sommers Pastor/Head of Staff
Rev. Don Brown Associate Pastor
Rev. Barbara Jo Piercy Minister of Music
Noel Piercy Associate Director of Music
Jaime Staehle Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry
Jaime Maraviglia Soprano Soloist
Jessica Goodson Flute
James De La Garza Trumpet 1, Leader
Daniel Egan Trumpet 2
Tim Sessions Trombone 1
Rob Fournier Trombone 2
John Lenis Bass
Dan Halpern Drums and Percussion
Skyler Fortgang Drums and Percussion
Ray Liptak Sound Technician
Elizabeth Resch Candle Preparation
Chancel Handbell Choir
Chancel Choir
May your Christmas be filled with
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
The Church Staff
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-0310