December 9, 2012 Children's Program

The Children's Christmas Program is embedded in worship this Sunday. Nancy Bardgett & Amy Gillingham will be further sculpting the order of worship to fit the event. We plan to have everything finalized by Dec. 5.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,^[a] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,^[b]praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”^[c]

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Note for Barry & Amy: Can we work in "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" for one of the instrumentals unless you already have plans for it in this service, in which case, I'm cool! :-) I just couldn't get it to work mood wise as a hymn.

Preparing for Worship

Chimes (Choir does introit)

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude (Wreath lowered here, unless choir is singing--in which case, we will need some incidental music afterwards as wreath lowers. Incidental can continue behind the Words of Preparation.) (Barry---Let's work in O Come O Come Emanuel here for prelude---AEG

Words of Preparation

Procession of the Light-- (Acolyte processes with "tinkly bells" from that gizmo on top of the organ.)

Lighting the Advent Wreath

Hymn of Praise: Red #131  "Angels from the Realms of Glory"     ALL
    (Wreath is raised here during hymn.)

Call to Worship:
Leader: An angel appears, and a young girl listens.
People: Hope speaks.
Leader: A star lights the heavens.
People: Hope shines down.
Leader: A sky fills with angels.
People: Hope sings.
Leader: Shepherds are terrified.
People: Hope comforts.
Leader: A baby sleeps in a manger.
People: Hope is among us.
Leader: Our children tell the story.
People: Hopes lives on.

Invocation

The Lord's Prayer

Gloria Patri

A Time for Offering

Call to Offering

Offering Meditation

The Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

We Join in Prayer

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

Morning Prayer

We Contemplate & Live God's Word

Our Children Share God's Word in Story & Song                                               with The Holiday Band

The Scene is Set

Song: "Love Crashed In"

The Story Begins

Song: "Silent Night"

Fear Turns to Hope

Song: "Joy to the World"

The Story Becomes Our Story to Share

Song: "Easy as ABC"

Gathering at the Lord's Table

Call to Communion

Hymn of Communion: Red Book #143   "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"    ALL

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Words of Institution

Breaking Bread & Pouring the Cup

Musical Meditation

Partaking of the Lord's Supper

We Depart to Serve

Benediction

Parting Hymn: Red Book #132  "Angels We Have Heard on High"     sts. 1,4

Postlude