South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ
Andover, Massachusetts

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
Christmas Eve

December 24, 2005                                                3:00 pm

PRELUDE          Two Noëls:      Nicolas Lebègue

Puer nobis nascitur
Le petit nouveau né

                   Three versets on ‛Away in the Manger‘     Mark Blatchly

HYMN   O Come, All Ye Faithful     #132 blue

INVOCATION         Meredith White

READING      Isaiah 9:2, 6-7     Garrett Cook

VOLUNTARY:  Chorale Prelude on  ‛Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen’
                        Johannes Brahms

READING     Luke 1: 26-38 Doug Hawkins

CAROL             The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came     16 Red

READING     Luke 2: 1-7     Linda Wilson

CAROL     What Child Is This, Who, Laid to Rest   #140 blue

READING     Luke 2: 8-14     Wynne Johnson

CAROL     Angels We Have Heard on High  #23 red

READING     Luke 2: 15-20 Ali DeGalla

ANTHEM     Shepherd’s Pipe Carol John Rutter

READING     John 1: 1-14     Kelsey Crowther

SERMON A Holy Connection     Dr. Mutti

CAROL  O Little Town of Bethlehem     #44 red

PASTORAL PRAYER           Sherry Tupper

OFFERING
     Offertory Anthem:          Sussex Carol arr. David Willcocks

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

Mark and Jennifer Bentley with Emma, Grace and Mark

     SHARING THE LIGHT

          The light of the Christ candle will be brought to you.
          Gently tip your candle to receive the light.
          As you pass the light to the next person, hold your candle upright.
          To prevent spilling melted wax - Do not tilt!

CAROL   (seated)     Silent 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,
     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!

          Silent night, holy night,
          Son of God, loves pure light
          Radiant beams from thy holy face,
          With the dawn of redeeming grace,
          Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
          Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

BENEDICTION       (      Extinguish candles as the organ introduces the hymn.)

* CAROL  Hark! the Herald Angels Sing  # 31 red

     POSTLUDE   Noël Suisse     Louis-Claude Daquin

* Those who are able may stand

               (Place your candles in the box at the doorway.)

Participating in the Service:
Soprano:Megan Sharp
Tenor: Jeffrey Cutts