December 24, 2022 • 12, 7, & 11 PM
service of lessons, carols, AND CANDLELIGHT
COVID-19 Guidelines Our current COVID-19 safety policy is “masking by choice.” Everyone on our campus may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect themselves and those around them. We will respect everyone’s choice in this matter. To learn more about the new policy, visit asburyfirst.org/news/2022/6/june-covid-masking-update. FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us, whether in person or online. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. If you're in the pews, please sign in on the red fellowship pad and pass it down your pew. 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. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers. A hearing loop is available for those who have hearing aids with T switches, and you may also request earphones from the ushers to aid you in hearing the service. Need prayer? We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org or by filling out one of our prayer cards found in the pews. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Team. Children We believe children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in our worship. We recognize children can grow restless during worship—nursery and childcare is available for all services before 11 pm should you choose. Please see an usher for more details. 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 multiple 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 or in the basket on your way out of the sanctuary following the service. 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 asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right. Watch and listen Tune into the live video stream of the 11 am service at asburyfirst.org/live-stream. 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 asburyfirst.org/archive.
Prelude
Seasonal music performed by Duane Prill, organ/piano, assisted by: Roxanne Ziegler, harp (12 pm) Brian Donat, cello (7pm and 11 pm) Asbury Ringers, Elizabeth Church, Director (7 pm)
*Processional Carol
#234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (vv. 1, 2, 3, 6) This carol can be found on page 4.
Welcome
Lighting of the Advent Candles Led by members of the Discipleship Project small groups
What gifts does Jesus bring to the new world? Four candles are lit. Christmas is the beginning of this new world, a better world, that we are boldly invited to create together as followers of the Christ child. May it be so! Amen.
*Carol
#238 “Angels We Have Heard on High” (vv. 1, 3) This carol can be found on page 5.
12, 7, & 11 pm December 24, 2022
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
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Christmas Eve
#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
#238 "Angels We Have Heard on High” (vv. 1, 3) Words and Tune: Traditional French carol; Gloria Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
The Annunciation Luke 1:26-35
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 (noon, 11pm)
“Lullay, My Liking” — R. R. Terry; words from the Sloane Manuscript, 15th cent. I saw a fair maiden sitten and sing: She lulléd a little child, a sweeté lording. (Refrain:) Lullay my liking, my dear son, my sweeting; Lullay my dear heart, mine own dear darling. That same lord is he that made allé thing; Of allé lordés he is Lord, of allé kinges King. (Refrain) There was mickle melody at that childés birth: All that were in heavenly bliss, they madé mickle mirth. (Refrain) Angels bright sang their song to that child: "Blessed be thou and so be she, so meek and so mild." (Refrain)
Anthem (7 pm)
"To the World, Joy" — G. F. Handel, arr. Brian Childers Asbury Ringers; Elizabeth Church, director
To hear the word
The Birth Luke 2:1-7
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.
Anthem
“All My Heart This Night Rejoices” — German chorale, arr. Trevor Manor All my heart this night rejoices as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices. "Christ is born!" their choirs are singing, till the air everywhere now with joy is ringing. (Christ is born! And all my heart rejoices!) Softly from his lowly manger Jesus calls one and all, "You are safe from danger. Children, from the sins that grieve you you are freed; all you need I will surely give you!" (And all my heart rejoices!) Come, then, banish all your sadness, one and all, great and small; come with songs of gladness. Love him who with love is glowing; Hail the star, near and far, light and joy bestowing! (All my heart rejoices! Choirs are singing, joy is ringing: Christ is born!)
The Shepherds Luke 2:8-20
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.
#240 “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” Words: Charles Wesley, 1734; Tune: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn, 1840
Invitation to Gift Giving
We are delighted you have joined us and ask that you sign and pass the ritual of friendship pad from the center aisle down the pew. We invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift to support the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. There are multiple ways to make a gift to Asbury First: Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift of cash/check in the mail or place it in the offering plate as it is passed to you. 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 asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right.
Offertory
“Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” — trad. English carol, arr. Richard Shephard Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play, to call my true love to my dance; (Refrain:) Sing O my love, this have I done for my true love. Then was I born of a virgin pure, of her I took fleshly substance. Thus was I knit to man's nature, to call my true love to the dance. (Refrain) In a manger laid and wrapped I was, so very poor; this was my chance, Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, to call my true love to my dance. (Refrain) Then afterwards baptized I was; the Holy Ghost on me did glance, My Father’s voice heard from above, to call my true love to my dance. (Refrain) Tomorrow shall be my dancing day...
Christmas Message
Our Christmas Hope
Meditation
12 noon: "In the Bleak Midwinter" — Gustav Holst, arr. Staneslow Roxanne Ziegler, harp 7pm, 11pm: “Divinum Mysterium" — 12th-c. plainsong, arr. Raymond Haan Brian Donat, cello
Christmas Prayer
To Renew Commitment
*Presentation of the Christ Candle
*Sharing of Christ's Light
*Anthem
“Christmas Night” — 16th cent. French melody, arr. John Rutter
#239 “Silent Night” (vv. 1, 2) Words: Joseph Mohr, 1818; Tune: Stille Nacht, Franz Gruber, 1818
TO SHARE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
*Christmas Greeting
As the lights come up, please safely extinguish your candle.
*Recessional Carol
#246 “Joy to the World” Words: Isaac Watts, 1719; Tune: Antioch, G.F. Handel, adapt. Lowell Mason, 1848
Postlude
12 noon: "Silent Night" — arr. John Leavitt 7pm, 11pm: “Chorale/Joy to the World” — Healy Willan, Michael Bedford
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Rachel Dupont, Rev. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin, Rev. Jackie Nelson, Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Johnson Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Sipra Agrawal Kolar, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, and Jordan Bachmann Choral Scholar: Holden Turner Sanctuary Choir (7, 11 pm) Asbury Ringers (7 pm): Elizabeth Church, Director Harp (12 pm): Roxanne Ziegler Cello (7, 11 pm): Brian Donat Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Head Usher: Brian White Audio, Video, and Graphics Operation: Rick Church, Kenny Bailey, Harper Nelson, Jake Schwartz, Andrew Hunt Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy © 2022 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada; "Lullay, My Liking" © 1991 Roger Dean Publishing Co./Lorenz Corporation; "All My Heart This Night Rejoices" © 2017 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" © 2006 St. James Music Press; “Christmas Night” © 1987 Oxford University Press; "To the World, Joy" © Alfred Publishing Co. 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. llustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik, Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy, and Aleeya Bourcy and Vecteezy.
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.
Christmas Day Service
New Years Day Service
*One Service Only*
CONNECT
At Asbury First Sunday, January 1, 11 am, 1040 Sanctuary
Sunday, December 25, 11 am, 1040 Sanctuary
At Asbury First
Sanctuary Choir and Asbury Ringers Return!
Help Me
Are you interested in taking the next step in your faith journey, finding your place in the life of Asbury First, or are just in need of a deeper connection? There is a place for you! Scan the QR code, visit asburyfirst.org/ help-me-connect, or call the office at 585-271-1050 to connect.
During the Christmas season, our attention is drawn to the abundance in our lives. As Christian disciples, we believe that abundance should be shared. As we exchange gifts with loved ones at Christmas, let us also consider gifts that we can offer to those who need them most.
Visit asburyfirst.org/christmas or scan the QR code to give.
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