Celebration Service December 24 , 2022 – 8 pm
Prelude “O Little Town of Bethlehem” John Duro
Introit “Glory to God in the Highest” Hopson
Words of Welcome
The Lighting of the Christ Candle The Van Dyke Family
Leader: We wait with hope for the justice and righteousness of God.
All: We wait with peace for God’s shalom to fill the world.
Leader: We wait with joy, celebrating all that God has done for us and our world.
All: We wait with love, humbled by the love that God shows to all people.
Leader: Tonight we light this candle to celebrate the energy that God has sent into the world through the love and life of Jesus.
All: O God of hope, and peace, and joy, and love, from that stable so long ago your light shines into every corner of the world. Help us to sing with the angels at the joy of your coming. Help us to live by your light not only today, but throughout the whole year, so that tidings of peace and good will to all will truly renew the whole creation.
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;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
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 for our salvation,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, 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!
Unison Prayer
O God, on this night when heaven reaches down to embrace creation with healing, we join the angel choirs who sang your glory. We join your people in every time and place, caroling the good news that is ours. Amen.
Anthem “Patapan” Robert DeCormier
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Hymn “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 thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth.
Your voices raise to God in praise; and peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the joys of highest heaven.
No ear may hear Christ coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our God, Emmanuel.
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Anthem “What Sweeter Music” John Rutter
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Anthem “Ding Dong Merrily on High” arr. Chester L. Alwes
Words of Introduction
Hymn* “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ, who comes in lowly birth.
Come adore on bended knee Jesus, joy of heav’n and earth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
See within a manger laid, Christ, whom choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
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Offertory “Shepherds came, their praises bringing” Walcha
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Offertory Prayer
Hymn* “Silent Night, Holy 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,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
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.
Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, alleluia to our King;
Christ, the Savior, is born, Christ, the Savior, is born.
Benediction*
(Please blow out your candle before exiting the sanctuary and deposit in the basket in the narthex. Thank you!)
Postlude “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” arr. Ellsasser
“The First Noel” arr. Ellsasser
“The First Noel” arr. Ellsasser
*Please stand as you are willing and able.
"We wish to thank the Vermont Philharmonic for providing the chimes for the Christmas season." Thank you also to Susanna Burnham for playing them for us.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our church experienced tremendous growth in 2023! To fund this growth SCC had to dip into our rainy-day resources in order to meet our needs. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a one-time end-of-year gift to enable us to finish 2023 strong and begin 2024 with our resources intact. Place your donations in the offering plate, visit our website or scan the QR code that is in the bulletin.
Beverages are allowed in the sanctuary however, please do not put your cup on the hymnals, bibles, or pew cushions. Place them on the floor by your feet. Thank you.
If you, or someone you know, would like prayers for comfort or healing, the members of the Prayer Team are ready to support you. Please fill out the prayer request form in the pew and put it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher to deliver to the office.
The staff of Stowe Community Church wishes you and your family a peaceful and joyous Christmas!
Reflections:
“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” ― Charles M. Schulz
"Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." —Washington Irving
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." —Norman Vincent Peale
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born in us today! We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel. —from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Phillips Brooks (1868)
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2023 Poinsettias given by
In memory of Alan & Becky
Matt & Leslie Anderson in memory of Theodora & Jack Van Halen; Sally Patterson; Jack Turner; Michaelle LaBow and in honor of all our service members.
Jena and Michael Anthony in memory of Marcia & Harry Tenney and Gus and Fanny Anthony
Phil and Anne Bongiorno in memory of my mother Priscilla Watson and my sister-in-law Liz Watson, and Joseph & Ruth Lewenthal Bongiorno (Phil’s parents)
Ben Brayton in memory of Rev Doug and Elinor Brayton
Charlie & Susanna Burnham in memory of Charles & Virginia Burnham and Susann Robinson Elmore
Evie Dworetzky and Luke & Katelyn O’Toole in memory of Katherine & George Dworetzky
Marlene & Bob Davison in loving memory of our son, Robbie.
Marcia Johannesen in memory of Dick Johannesen
Roger Keller and Nancy Small in memory of those who have fought the battle of Huntington’s Disease
Linda Kratt in memory of William Kratt
Bob & Amy Marshal in memory of our families
Karen Monsen in memory of loved ones
Greg Morrill in memory of George & Ruth Morrill
Greg Morrill and Meg Scotti in memory of Adrienne Chamberlin
Dave & Nan Myers in memory of Bob & Nell Ayers and Harvey & Millie Myers
Laura Nichols in memory of Alice Kruidenier
Sandy and Scott Noble in memory of Noble and Knittle loved ones
David and Ruth Roy in memory of our parents, Rita and Lucien Roy & Galen and Hazel Mudgett and in honor of our children and grand children
The Saylor family in honor of Christmas and all Holidays 2023-2024
Meg Scotti in memory of Frank & Joan Scotti
John and Barb Stotsenburg in memory of our parents
Betty Teffner in memory of Ted Teffner.
Dian Williams in memory of Martha and Reynold Spruill, my parents
Jessie and Jacob Winters in memory of Alice Kruidenier
Bernadette & Lori Wyman in memory of Bill Wyman
If you, or someone you know, would like prayers for comfort or healing, the members of the Prayer Team are ready to support you. Please fill out the prayer request form in the bulletin and put it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher to deliver to the office.
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