February 19, 2023 – 10:30AM Transfiguration Sunday

Sermon: Consider the lilies

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Reading

Psalm 131

Song of Quiet Trust

A Song of Ascents. Of David.
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,
   my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
   too great and too marvellous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
   like a weaned child with its mother;
   my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
   from this time on and for evermore.

Scripture Readings

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

The Ministry of the Apostles

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

Matthew 6:24-34

Serving Two Masters

‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Do Not Worry

‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

February 12, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: It has been said……

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Reading

Psalm 34:1-8 Refrain III, Tone III

Praise for Deliverance from Trouble

Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
   his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
   let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
   and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
   and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
   so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
   and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
   happy are those who take refuge in him.

Scripture Readings

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

On Divisions in the Corinthian Church

And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul’, and another, ‘I belong to Apollos’, are you not merely human?

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Matthew 5:27-37

Concerning Adultery

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

Concerning Divorce

‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Concerning Oaths

‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

February 5, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: It has been said……

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Reading

Psalm 119

The Glories of God’s Law

Happy are those whose way is blameless,
   who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
   who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
   but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
   to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
   in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
   having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
   when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
   do not utterly forsake me.

Scripture Readings

Matthew 5:17-26, 43-48

The Law and the Prophets

‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Concerning Anger

‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Love for Enemies

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

January 29, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: Let your light shine

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Readings

Matthew 5:1-20

The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Law and the Prophets

‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

January 22, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: The moment things changed

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Readings

Psalm 27 (Refrain 2, Tone 2)

Triumphant Song of Confidence

Of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
   to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
   my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up
   above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
   sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
   be gracious to me and answer me!
‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’
   Your face, Lord, do I seek.
   Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
   you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
   O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me,
   the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
   and lead me on a level path
   because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
   for false witnesses have risen against me,
   and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
   be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the Lord!

Scripture Readings

Matthew 4: 12-23

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
   have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
   light has dawned.’
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

January 15, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: It can be so tempting!

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Readings

Psalm 40: 1-5 Refrain 2 (Sung responsively)

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
   making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are those who make
   the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
   to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
   your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
   none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
   they would be more than can be counted.

Scripture Readings

Matthew 4: 1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
   but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
   and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

January 8, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: Showered with love

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 42:1-9

The Servant, a Light to the Nations

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord,
   who created the heavens and stretched them out,
   who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
   and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
   a light to the nations,
   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
   I tell you of them.

Matthew 3:13-17

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

January 01, 2023 – 10:30AM Epiphany Sunday

Sermon: The first word and the last

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Responsive Reading

Psalm 148

Praise for God’s Universal Glory

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
   praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
   and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for he commanded and they were created.
He established them for ever and ever;
   he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
   you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
   stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
   creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
   princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
   old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Scripture Readings

Matthew 2:13-23

The Escape to Egypt

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

The Massacre of the Infants

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
   wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
   she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

The Return from Egypt

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Everything Has Its Time

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

December 25, 2022 – 10:30 AM Christmas Day

WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

Order of Service

“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 Saviour, who is the

Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:10b-11

The Gathering: We Come into God’s Presence

*Please rise and stand as you are able.

Organ Prelude Chorale Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” J. S. Bach

Matthew Larkin

Welcome and Announcements

*Hymn 146 Angels from the realms of glory “Regent Square”

Henry T. Smart (1813-1879) Words: James Montgomery (1771-1854)

*Call to Worship from Isaiah 9:2,6 Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlast of Peace.

Prayers of Approach

Call to Confession**

Prayer of Confession and Words of Forgiveness

Holy God, too often we feel as if change is hopeless, the problems of this world

too big,

the path forward is unclear, and we are not confident that we can make a

difference.

Sometimes we give up hope

(The candle of hope is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Hope

Holy God, too often we believe that peace is a thing of fairy tales. Our spirits

are anxious and our bodies are weary.

Our world is fractured. Instead of praying for peace- both in ourselves and in

society- we assume that peace is no longer on the table and sometimes we

give up on it

(The candle of peace is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Peace

Holy God, too often we paint joy as naïve, a luxury reserved for children and

pets.

We forget that you ate with friends, went to weddings, laughed and rested and

hiked up mountains.

We forget that you knew joy and that you want joy for us in this. Forgive us

for when we have turned from your light

(The candle of joy is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Joy

Holy God, we confess that sometimes we treat love like a vending machine.

We put some coins in and assume we will get something back. However in our

wisest moments we also know that love is not meant to keep score.

It is meant to overflow and spill out to our neighbours, to be what you are

doing to transform the world. Forgive us for holding love so tightly.

(The candle of love is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Love

Assurance of Forgiveness

(As the candles of hope, peace and joy are relit from the Christ candle.)

We are forgiven

We are loved

The good news of this day, the hope, the peace, the joy and the love

of this day,

They exist for you.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Psalm 96 (responsive) - Sing to the Lord a new song

Prayer for Illumination** Melanie Abeysundera

Invitation to the Offering**

Like Mary,

we believe in cherishing the good news.

Like the angels,

we believe in singing God’s praise

Like the shepherds,

we believe that God’s presence in our life is something worth

talking about

Like the generations before,

we believe that God is with us.

Like the generations to come,

we believe that God is with us.

God is here, God is love,

Thanks be to God

We Respond to God’s Word

Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-20 NT Pg. 55

Hymn 149 Away in a manger “Cradle Song”

W.J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921) Words: Children’s Book (1885)

Children’s Time

Hymn 168 See amid the winter’s snow “Humility”

John Goss (1800-1880) Words: Edward Caswell (1814-1878)

Poetic Reading of John 1:1-5** Jeanie Hicks and Joan Rivard

Anthem Solo In the bleak midwinter Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Michael Carty

Meditation God dwells with us

Prayers of the People

Bidding: O God of Love

Draw us together in your light

The Sending: We Go out into God’s World

Hymn 139 Hark! The herald angels sing “Mendelssohn”

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Prayer of Dedication

Charge and Benediction

Organ Postlude Chorale Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” J. S. Bach

Christmas Eve 2022 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

We are people gathered by God from across the National Capital area, to be a witness of Christian hope at the centre of the region

CHRISTMAS EVE 2022 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

THE GATHERING: WE COME INTO GOD'S PRESENCE

Organ Voluntaries

Les bergers – Desseins éternels – Les anges – Les mages

from La Nativité du Seigneur | Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Matthew Larkin, organist

Opening Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City

Music by Henry J. Gauntlett (1805-1876)

Descant and last verse arrangement by Matthew Larkin (b. 1963)

Words by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)

Call to Worship — Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Opening Prayers

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Carol: O come, O come Emmanuel

Music: French melody, arr. J. Gramit

Words: translated from a 9th Century Latin text by Rev. J. M. Neale (1818-66)

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD

First Lesson | Isaiah 9 : 2–7

Anthem: God is with us

Music: John Tavener (1944-2013)

Words: adapted from the Orthodox Great Compline for Christmas Eve

Second Lesson | Isaiah 11 : 1–9

Carol: I wonder as I wander

Music: Appalachian melody, arr. Matthew O’Donovan

Words: collected and arranged by John Jacob Niles (1892-1980)

Third Lesson | Isaiah 35 : 1–10

Carol: Ding! Dong! Merrily on High

Music: French melody, arr. Matthew Larkin

Words: by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1838-1934)

Hymn: Hark! The herald angel’s sing

Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Descant and last verse arrangement by David Willcocks (1920-2013)

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Fourth Lesson | Luke 1 : 26–38

Carol: Gabriel’s Message

Music: Basque melody, arr. David Willcocks

Words: Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

Fifth Lesson | Matthew 1 : 18–25

Carol: The Cherry-Tree Carol

Music: English text and melody, arr. David Willcocks

Sixth Lesson | Luke 2 : 8–20

Carol: In dulci jubilo

Music: German text and melody, arr. R. L. Pearsall (1795-1856)

Seventh Lesson | John 1 : 1–14

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory Hymn: The First Nowell

Melody and Words from an 18th Century English source.

Descant and arrangement by Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

THE SENDING: WE GO OUT INTO GOD'S WORLD

Benediction

Closing Hymn: O come, all ye faithful

Melody attributed to J. F. Wade (1711-86)

Descant and arrangement by David Willcocks

Words by F. Oakeley (1802-80), W. T. Brooke (1848-1917), and others

Organ Voluntary: Finale (from Symphonie I, Op. 28)

Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Matthew Larkin, organist

Cover Image: Holy family of Bethlehem in the stable

Regine Martin, motif from Regine Martin