Virtual service of lessons, carols, and a special candelight moment
December 24, 2020 • 7 PM
FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us! If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. Our hope is to get to know you better and help you find your place within our community. Additionally, drop us an email at info@asburyfirst.org and we will answer any questions you may have. Need prayer? We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Group. Children We believe children are a sacred gift. You can join us at 10 am for the Sunday morning Zoom with Paula and Holly (us02web.zoom.us/j/86857108916?pwd=aHF4TEppZERJSXZoZm FxUHgrQ1hjdz09). We will have a segment during our live stream for Children’s Time. If there is a way our children’s ministry can be more welcoming to you and your child, please contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org. RECONCILING STATEMENT We are a reconciling congregation and seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. We encourage full participation in our community for all, regardless of age, race, origin, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, education/economic background, and physical/mental ability. We recognize that we hold a variety of opinions. We do not seek to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect. We believe that reconciliation to God and to one another is central to our mission and ministry. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST There are three ways to make a gift to Asbury First. Each gift supports the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift of cash/check in the mail. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online—Online giving is available on our website at www.asburyfirst.org/give. Watch and listen Tune into the live video stream of the 11 am service at www.asburyfirst.org/worship/live. To listen to the service tune into WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call our toll-free number at 833-829-1050. A video archive of past services is also available at www.asburyfirst.org/worship/video-archive. You can also view all sermons on our YouTube channel.
Christmas Eve
Prelude Beginning at 6:30 pm
“Christmas Carol Suite” — Theodore Marier Duane Prill, organ “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” — Robert MacGimsey Bess Phillips “Wexford Carol”— trad. Irish carol, arr. Dorothea Baker Carl Johengen “Holy Infant's Lullaby” — Norman Dello Joio Brenda Nitsch “O Holy Night” — Adolphe Adam, arr. Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi Dan McInerney and Jordan Bachmann "Breath of Heaven" (Mary's Song) — Chris Eaton and Amy Grant, arr. Lloyd Larson Asbury First Youth Choir, Carol Lamica, Director Allie Beamish, soloist
Welcome
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7 pm • December 24, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Carol
#234 "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (vv. 1, 2, 3, 6) Words and Tune: John F. Wade, 1743; Adeste Fidelis Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
The Annunciation Luke 1:26-35 John, Hannah, Ben, Anne, & James Nutter — Rochester, NY Gary & Jeanie Nutter — Texarkana, AR
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
Anthem
"Gesu Bambino" — Pietro Yon; English words by Frederick Martens
To hear the word
Lighting of the Advent Candles Matt, Kimberly, Andie & Robin Jones — Rochester, NY Doris & Thomas Pennington — San Antonio, TX
We have prepared the way of the Lord, lighting candles of hope, peace, love, and joy. As their light shines on this holy night, we gather to celebrate the newborn Christ come to dwell among us. 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. (The candles are lit) The light of Christ is surely coming. Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace.
“For Unto Us a Child Is Born” — G.F. Handel, arr. Lorie Line and Kevin McChesney Asbury Ringers, Elizabeth Church director, Duane Prill, piano Archive video from December 2019
Prayer of Invocation
The Magnificat Luke 1:46-55 David, Maya, Asha, & Roshan Temperley — Rochester, NY Cherian & Mary Chaly, Betsy & Kiran Chaly — Ottawa, ON
And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
"Before the Marvel of This Night" — Carl Johengen; words by Jaroslav J. Vajda
The Birth Luke 2:1-7 Brian Donat & Jolene Harrigan — Webster, NY Steve & Dianna Donat — Ticonderoga, NY
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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.
#245 "The First Noel" (vv. 1, 2) The carol can be found on the next page
The Shepherds Luke 2:8-20 Dave, Beth, & Katie Rice — Rochester, NY Emily & Travis Patterson — Clarksburg, MD Tim & Larissa Rice — Ponte Vedra, FL
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ 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.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
#245 "The First Noel" (vv. 1, 2) Words and Tune: Traditional English carol Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
Children's Time
Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment.
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. Amen.
#240 "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" Words: Charles Wesley, 1734; Tune: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn, 1840
Christmas Message
An Enduring Hope
Meditation
"Christmas Night" — 16th century French melody, arr. John Rutter
Christmas Prayer
Offertory
"Ding! Dong! Merrily on High" — French Carol, arr. Howard Helvey Sanctuary Choir, Carl Johengen, Director Duane Prill & Jeanne Strong, piano duo Archive video from December 24, 2019
Presentation of the Christ Candle and Sharing of Christ's Light
#239 "Silent Night" (vv. 1, 2) Words: Joseph Mohr, 1818; Tune: Stille Nacht, Franz Gruber, 1818
Christmas Greeting
#246 "Joy to the World" Words: Isaac Watts, 1719; Tune: Antioch, G.F. Handel, adapt. Lowell Mason, 1848
Postlude
"A Joyous Christmas" — John Leavitt
Permissions: “Holy Infant's Lullaby” © 1962, 1968, Edward B. Marks Music Company; "O Holy Night" © 2014 Lorenz Publishing Company; “Breath of Heaven” © 1989, 2005 Age to Age Music, Inc.; “Before the Marvel of This Night” words © 1981 Jaroslav J. Vajda; "Ding! Dong! Merrily on High" © 2003 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; “Christmas Night” © 1987 Oxford University Press. Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2020 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik, and Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy.
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Christ Candle Bearer: Andrew Hunt Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Connor Nelson Graphic Design: Sarah Brubaker Graphics and Video Pre-Production: Carl Johengen "Silent Night" video: Matthew Bielewicz, Sarah Brubaker Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Our values represent a description of our guiding principles. These statements are standards of behavior, which are inherent in all we do.
Open to All We believe we are all equal in God’s eyes and are all one in Christ. We extend hospitality and encourage full participation for all regardless of any perceived defining characteristic. Worship We believe we are at our best when we connect to God together through preaching, prayer, and song. We strive for excellence in all we do, especially in our worship experience. Community We believe we are better together; fellowship and care are keys to love and life. Outreach We believe everyone deserves hope and fullness of life. We endeavor to practice mercy and work for justice in our local and extended community. Discipleship We believe we—adults, youth, and children alike—are called to grow in our faith both as a community and as individuals through education, regular worship, meaningful fellowship, a commitment to service, and celebrating rites of passage together. Generosity We believe what we have is a gift from God. We share our gifts with an open heart to help meet needs at Asbury First, the Rochester community, and throughout the world. Stewardship We believe we must care for the human, physical, and financial resources with which we have been entrusted.
The Joy of Christmas Giving program is an opportunity for us to ensure that more of Rochester’s most vulnerable receive the support they need, we are inviting the congregation to consider donating to this fund, in lieu of donating to our individual Asbury First-afiliated outreach ministries. We’d like to be a part of mediating the current crisis around evictions, and believe we can do it with your help! Click here to learn more.
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at 206-222-1050, OR MAIL IN YOUR CHECKS TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607
Join us after the 7 pm service for a special Christmas Eve virtual Fellowship (Half) Hour!
Go to www.asburyfirst.org/christmas for a clickable link.