December 24, 2022 • 4 PM
Pageant Service
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. Children will be invited forward during worship for a Children’s Time. Following this, children ages 4 through 5th grade are invited to go with our children’s educators for further enrichment or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. If there is more our Children's Ministry can do, please contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x111. 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.
Christmas Eve Christmas Pageant
Prelude
Seasonal selections performed by David Strong, organ
Introit
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” — Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Phillip Keveren Ben Nutter, piano
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type. Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy. To us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace!
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
4 pm • December 24, 2022
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* please stand as you are able
*Processional Carol
#234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (vv. 1, 2, 3, 6) Words and Tune: John Wade, c. 1743; Tune: Adeste Fideles 1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels; Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 2. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb; Son of the Father, begotten, not created; (Refrain) 3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; (Refrain) 6. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: (Refrain) Words and Tune: John F. Wade, 1743; Adeste Fidelis Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
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.
*Gloria
#238 “Angels We Have Heard on High”, Refrain only Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Scene 1 Isaiah 11:1–3
Isaiah Foretells the Coming of the Messiah
Scene 2 Luke 1:26–48
The Angel Gabriel Appears to Mary
Carol
#230 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, v. 1 Words: Phillip Brooks, c. 1868; Tune: St. Louis, Lewis Redner, c. 1868 1. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Scene 3 Luke 2:1–5
Joseph and Mary Travel to Bethlehem
Scene 4 Luke 2:6–7
Baby Jesus is Born
Scene 5 Luke 2:8
Shepherds in the Fields
Scene 6 Luke 2:9-20
The Angel of the Lord Speaks to the Shepherds
#238 “Angels We Have Heard on High” (vv. 1, 3) Words and Tune: Traditional French carol; Gloria 1. Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Refrain: Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! 3. Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. (Refrain)
THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Scene 7 Matthew 2:1-12
Magi Arrive in Jerusalem
#254 “We Three Kings”, v. 1 Words and Tune: John H. Hopkins, Jr., 1857; Kings of Orient 1. We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Scene 8 John 1:14; Isaiah 9:6
Good News
*Carol
#240 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, vv. 1, 3 Words: Charles Wesley, 1739; Tune: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn, 1840 1. (Cast Only) Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th'angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!” 3. (All) Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!”
*Presentation of the Christ Candle
*Sharing of Christ's Light
As the acolytes “pass” the Light of Christ down the aisle, you are invited to activate the light on your candle.
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
“African Alleluia” — Benjamin Harlan Asbury First Youth Choir, Carol Lamica, Director Larry Dugan, conga Mike Mullin, percussion
Children’s Time
#224 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”, vv. 1, 2 Words 14th cent. Latin; tr. John Mason Neale, 1855; Tune: In Dulce Jubilo, German melody 1. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: News, news! Jesus Christ is born today! Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today, Christ is born today! 2. Good Christian friends, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave: News, news! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save, Christ was born to save!
TO SHARE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
To Renew Commitment
*Recessional Carol
#246 “Joy to the World” Words: Isaac Watts, 1719; Tune: Antioch, G.F. Handel, adapt. Lowell Mason, 1848 1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. 2. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 4. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
Postlude
Flourish on "Joy to the World" — Michael Dell
#239 “Silent Night”, vv. 1, 2 Words: Joseph Mohr, 1818; Tune: Stille Nacht, Franz Gruber, 1818 1. 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. 2. 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!
*Christmas Greeting
Permissions: "African Alleluia" © 1998, 2003 Hal Leonard Corporation Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2021 Abingdon Worship Annual. ration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik, and Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy.
Participants In the Service
Pastors: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Rev. Rachel Dupont, Mike Mullin, Rev. Kathy Thiel Lay Reader: Sean Mahan Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Director of Children's Music: Holly Temming Organist: David Strong Pianist: Ben Nutter Narrators: Ellie Coburn, Georgiana Dudley, Miles Goin, Ellie Malik, Maelee McQuillan, Kristina Tourje, Adeline Turner Isaiah: Antonio Reyes Gabriel: Poppy Marsiglio Mary: Rosamaria Nescio Joseph: Ethan Becks Roman Soldier: Sebastian Bailey Caesar Augustus: Jacob Parkes Scribe: Camden Ebenhoe Innkeeper: James Nutter Angel of the Lord: Hannah Cady Star: Max Becks, Lea Hakiel, Thalia Shaver Magi: Violet Dunlavey, Nora Carroll-Nellenback, Caroline Leader Soloist: Poppy Marsiglio Lead Shepherd: Reece Tyson Shepherds: Quincy Bailey, JP Camardello, Madison Dugan, Henry Dunlavey, Fitzpatrick Ebenhoe, Han Fung, Kai Fung, Weston Goin, Caitlyn Kirivong, Matthew Milazzo, Emma McQuillan, Samuel Parkes, Dominic Tourje, Owen Tyson, Loren Varble-Bielewicz Lead Angels: Edie Dudley, Ella Milazzo, Aurora Mullin Angels: Kellan Bangs, Lee Camardello, Addison Hakiel, Danny Carroll-Nellenback, Maggie Carroll-Nellenback, Delilah Dudley, Cali Kirivong, Jenny Northrup, Emma Parkes, Joanna Pollatta, Alexandra Reyes Sheep: Brantley Bailey, Robin Ogden Chan, Hannah Dugan, Gabriel Varble-Bielewicz, Collette Kirivong, Cora Northrup Spotlight Operator: Landon Turner A special thanks to all those who helped with our Pageant Production: Lydia Beach, Charlie Cady, Ellie Cady, Mackenzie Coleman, Rick Church, Ethan Hildreth, Mallory Hildreth, Emma McQuillan, Anne Nutter, Kevin Quigley, Ella Ross, Katie Schirrmacher, Ash Schuman, Jake Schwartz, and Madison White. Acolytes: Joscelyn Crawford, Andrew Hunt Crucifer: Sophie Seiffert Production Suite Operators: Kenny Bailey, Larry Dugan, Harper Nelson, Zeke Doerner, Sam Doerner Lighting Operator: Ollie Temming
The Sound of Music is open to all ages. Children under 12 must be supervised to be in the show. Child care will be provided for auditions and rehearsals upon request. Rehearsals are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Not all cast members will be required to be at all rehearsals. Schedule pending review of conflict sheets. Plenty of opportunities for non-performing participants. For more information, please contact our Director of Theater Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050.
Auditions: Sunday, January 15, 12:30-5 pm, 1040 Wesley Hall Shows: Friday, May 5, 7 pm, Saturday, May 6, 7 pm, Sunday, May 7, 2 pm
Asbury First Musical: The Sound of Music
CONNECT
Sunday, December 25, 11 am, 1040 Sanctuary
Help Me
Sanctuary Choir and Asbury Ringers Return!
Christmas Day Service
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.
At Asbury First Sunday, January 1, 11 am, 1040 Sanctuary
New Years Day Service
At Asbury First
*One Service Only*
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
Visit asburyfirst.org/christmas or scan the QR code to give.
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.