December 25, 2022 • 11 AM
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.
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
“A Christmas Carol Sequence” — Jerry van den Pol
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them has light shined. The light shines in the darkness. And the darkness did not overcome it. For Christ is born in Bethlehem. Come, let us adore him.
*Carol
#220 "Angels from the Realms of Glory"
11 am • December 25, 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 Day Service of Lessons and Carols
First Reading
"Remembering That It Happened Once" — Wendell Berry
Carol
#216 "Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming", v. 1
Second Reading
“For Light" — John O'Donahu
#216 "Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming", v. 2
Scripture John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
#218 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", v. 1
Third Reading
“You are Holy" — Lucien Deiss
#218 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", v. 3
To hear the word
11 am
To Renew Commitment
Introduction to Discipleship, Membership, and Commitment
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.
Fourth Reading
“Christmas Returns” — Howard Thurman
#218 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", v. 4
Fifth Reading
"Amazing Peace" — Maya Angelou
#237 "Sing We Now of Christmas", vv. 1-3
Pastoral Prayer
To Disperse in Mission
*Closing Carol
#246 “Joy to the World"
*Benediction
“The Work of Christmas” — Howard Thurman
Postlude
“For Unto Us A Child Is Born” — G.F. Handel (arr. Lani Smith)
Offertory
“Hodie” — trad. melody, arr. J. Edmund Hughes and Brian Edward Galante Hodie Christus natus est. Gloria in excelsis Deo. (Today Christ is born! Glory to God in the highest.) Hodie salvator aparuit, hodie in terra canunt angeli. (Today our Savior has appeared, today angels sing on earth.) Hodie exsultant justi dicentes: Alleluia! Gloria in excelsis Deo. (Today the just rejoice, saying: Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest.)
Sixth Reading
“Love Does That” — Meister Eckhart
#238 "Angels We Have Heard on High", vv. 1, 2
Seventh Reading
"A Blessing of Angels" — John O'Donahue
#251 "Go, Tell it on the Mountain"
Eighth Reading
“Untitled” — Macrina Wiederkehr
Participants In the Service
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Rev. Kathy Thiel Lay Reader: Sally Wood Winslow Organist: Duane Prill Volunteer Choir Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Jake Schwartz Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “Hodie” © 2020 Pavane Publishing. 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 Aleeya Bourcy, Freepik and Vecteezy.
*One service only*
At Asbury First Sunday, January 1, 11 am, 1040 Sanctuary
New Years Day Service
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.
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
#220 "Angels From the Realms of Glory"
#216 "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"
#218 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"
#237 "Sing We Now of Christmas"
Continued on next page
*Carol (Cont'd)
#251 "Go, Tell It on the Mountain"
#245 "Joy to the World"
*Closing Carol (Cont'd)