Christmas Eve

7:00 PM

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December 24 Highlights and First Congregational TODAY: Service of Lessons and Carols at 7:00 PM December 27: Congregational Carol Sing December 30 and 31: OFFICE CLOSED

Donating to First Congregational UCC You are invited to donate via virtual offering. Please visit our webpage and click “Give” to make your weekly offering, or text FCUCC GIVE to 73256. Checks can also still be mailed to the church.

References to God References to God in traditional prayers, readings, and hymns in our worship may sometimes be gender specific. As we pray and sing together, you are invited to substitute terms that reflect your understanding of the full inclusiveness of the spirit of God.

Land Acknowledgement Our church is located on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee Nation. We acknowledge this indigenous community who stewarded this land throughout the generations and pay respect to their elders past and present.

Online Streaming and Podcasting Audio and video recordings of our sermons and a written transcript are accessible at www.firstcongoappleton.org/sermons.

You can watch a live stream of First Congo services on Facebook.com/1stCongo or at www.firstcongoappleton.org/worship-with-us/livestream.

Online Documents and Information Official documents of First Congregational and links to announcements, news and other information reside on our website: www.firstcongoappleton.org.

Upcoming Worship Schedule December 27, 2020 First Sunday after Christmas, Congregational Carol Sing Livestreaming at 9:30 AM Rev. Nick Hatch Scripture Reading: Psalm 148 Music: David Cook, assistant organist; Kris Glenn, soprano Lay Reader: Natalie Erstad

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CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

December 24, 2020 7:00 PM Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Savides, Senior Pastor

Rev. Nicholas J. Hatch, Pastor for Youth and Family Ministries Rev. Laurie Lyter Bright, Interim Pastor for Congregational Care and Missions

PRELUDE

Carols for String Quartet (Coventry Carol; The Holly and the Ivy; Good Christians, All, Rejoice) Trad.

Murphy Family Quartet: Lori and Jack, violins; David, viola; Michael, cello

Offertory on Two Christmas Hymns A. Guilmant David Cook, assistant organist

Carols for String Quartet (O Christmas Tree; Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella; Masters in this Hall) Trad.

Murphy Family Quartet Jesu Bambino Pietro Yon

Michael Murphy, tenor; Jack Murphy, piano; Lori Murphy, violin

RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL

WELCOME AND GREETING

A CAROL #132 (see bulletin, p. 6) O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES

arr. D. Willcocks

A BIDDING PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER (In unison) 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,

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but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

A CAROL In the Bleak Midwinter C. Aspaas Poem by Christina Rossetti

Murphy Family Vocal Ensemble Lori Murphy, piano

CHILDREN’S SERMON Rev. Laurie Lyter-Bright

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 6:1–8 God commissioned Isaiah to be a prophet of the Advent.

RESPONSE Leader: This is what God has done for us. People: Thanks be to God!

A CONGREGATIONAL CAROL #148 (see bulletin, p. 7) Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming ES IST EIN’ ROS’

SECOND LESSON Isaiah 9:2–7

Isaiah foretells Christ’s birth and kingdom.

RESPONSE Leader: This is what God has done for us. People: Thanks be to God!

MEDITATION “Walking Out of the Darkness” Rev. Steve Savides

A CAROL #151 (see bulletin, p. 8) O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS

CHRISTMAS EVE PRAYER/GATHERING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Nick Hatch

(You are welcome to submit your prayer requests throughout the week to the church office, email to a pastor for confidentiality or share your prayer requests in real time in the Comments section under the live stream video.)

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PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

Michael Murphy, guitar; Lori Murphy, violin; Jack Murphy, piano

THIRD LESSON Luke 1:26–35 The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God.

RESPONSE Leader: This is what God has done for us. People: Thanks be to God!

A SOLO Ave Maria Bach/Gounod

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. . .

Jack Murphy, tenor David Cook, piano

FOURTH LESSON Matthew 1:18–23 St. Matthew tells of Christ’s Holy birth.

RESPONSE Leader: This is what God has done for us. People: Thanks be to God!

A CONGREGATIONAL CAROL (see bulletin p. 9) What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

FIFTH LESSON Luke 2:1–14 The Christ child is born.

RESPONSE Leader: This is what God has done for us. People: Thanks be to God!

A DUET

Virgin’s Slumber Song Max Reger Ashleigh Kreider, soprano; Karen Leigh-Post, mezzo-soprano

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SIXTH LESSON John 1:1-14 St. John Reveals the Mystery of the Incarnation.

RESPONSE Leader: This is what God has done for us. People: Thanks be to God!

(We invite you to light a candle, passing the light from person to person in your home)

CLOSING CONGREGATIONAL CAROL #142 (see bulletin, p. 10) Silent Night STILLE NACHT

Michael Murphy, tenor and guitar; Lori Murphy, violin Stanza 1, sung in German by soloist

then Stanzas 1, 2 and 3 sung in English.

CLOSING WORDS AND BENEDICTION

SUNG RESPONSE #134 (see bulletin, p. 11) Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come ANTIOCH

POSTLUDE Angels from the Realms of Glory (Regent Square) Henry Smart arr. H. Alexander Matthews

TONIGHT’S MUSICIANS Portions of this evening’s service music were pre-recorded, due to safety protocols.

David Cook, assistant organist Murphy Family Musicians: Jeff, baritone; Lori, violin, piano; Jack, tenor, piano, violin; Michael, tenor, guitar, cello; David, baritone, viola. Jack Murphy, congregational carol tenor soloist Karen Leigh-Post, mezzo soprano Ashleigh Kreider, soprano John M. Albrecht, Director for Music Ministries

Thank you to our Christmas Eve lay readers: Michael Weaver, Heidi Erstad and LouAnn Graf

Permission to stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, # A-714899. All rights reserved.

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Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-714899

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The Ministry Reverend Dr. Stephen P. Savides, Senior Pastor

Reverend Nicholas J. Hatch, Pastor for Youth and Family Ministries Reverend Laurie Lyter Bright, Interim Pastor for Congregational Care and Missions

Reverend Art Wille, Pastor of Visitation John M. Albrecht, Director for Music Ministries Colleen Berry, Director for Christian Education

Jennifer DeWitt, CYF Coordinator Carolyn Frederick, Office Manager and Administrative Assistant Holly Volkman, Administrative Assistant for Communications

Jane Malin, Administrative Assistant Siri Witt, Bookkeeper

Jonathan Steffen, Technology Coordinator Bart Forseth, Custodial Supervisor

Theresa Iacullo, Infant/Toddler Child Care Provider Cassidy Behm, Infant/Toddler Child Care Provider

Tom Ott, Custodial Assistant Mary Lou Cliff, Custodial Assistant

Lauren Micke, Weekend Custodial Assistant

First Congregational United Church of Christ 724 East South River Street Appleton, Wisconsin 54915

Phone: (920) 733-7393

Website: www.firstcongoappleton.org

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Please note: In order to receive a tax credit on church donations for the 2020 year, all contributions must be

received in the church office by 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 30 or postmarked by December 31.

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