A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve 2022 four o'clock and six o'clock
PRELUDE
Prelude on "Divinum Mysterium".................................................................................................T. Frederick H. Candlyn Prelude on “Greensleeves"...........................................................................................................................Richard Purvis
*HYMN - "O Come, All Ye Faithful"...........................................................................................................ADESTE FIDELES
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; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
God of God, Light of Light, Lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb: Very God, Begotten, not created; Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God In the highest; Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing: Refrain
Eighteenth Century Latin
THE BIDDING PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER...............................................................................................Rev.
Long
FIRST LESSON - Genesis 3:8-15.......................................................................................................................Rev. Seamon God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
CAROL - "The Apple Tree"..........................................................................................................................Elizabeth Poston Janet Ort, Soprano
The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit, and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel: By faith I know, but ne'er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree. For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see 'Tis found in Christ the apple tree. I'm weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the apple tree. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree. Anonymous
SECOND LESSON - Genesis 22:15-18..............................................................................................................Rev. Clayton
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed.
†
CAROL - "Sussex Carol".............................................................................Traditional English Carol, arr. David Willcocks
On Christmas night all Christians sing, To hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King’s birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; Angels and men with joy may sing, All for to see the new-born King. All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: “Glory to God and peace to men, Now and for evermore. Amen.” Fifteenth Century English
THIRD LESSON - Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7..........................................................................................................................Rev. Long Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
* HYMN - "Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming".................................................................................................ES IST EIN’ ROS’ Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, Of Jesse’s lineage coming, by faithful prophets sung. It came a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.
Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright she bore for us a Savior, when half spent was the night.
FOURTH LESSON - Isaiah 11:1-9.........................................................................................................................Rev. Seamon The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
THE OFFERING
CAROL - "And the glory of the Lord" from Messiah......................................................................................George Handel And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5
FIFTH LESSON - St. Luke 1:26-35, 38..............................................................................................................Rev. Clayton The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
CAROL - "Motet for the Annunciation"...............................................................................................................Frank Ferko Today is the fountainhead of our salvation, and the revelation of an eternal mystery. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces this grace: Therefore let us exclaim with him to the Mother of God, Rejoice, O Woman full of grace, the Lord is with you! Troparion of the Feast of the Annunciation
SIXTH LESSON - St. Matthew 1:18-23.................................................................................................................Rev. Long St. Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
* HYMN - "O Little Town of Bethlehem"..................................................................................................................ST. LOUIS
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 to-night
For Christ is born of Mary; And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth.
O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! Phillips Brooks
SEVENTH LESSON - St. Luke 2:8-16...............................................................................................................Rev. Seamon
The shepherds go to the manger.
CAROL - "As I outrode this enderes night"....................................................................................................Gerald Hendrie As I outrode this end’res night Of three jolly shepherds I saw a sight; And all about their fold a star shone bright. They sang terliterlow So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow. Down from heav’n so high of angels There came a great company with joy and mirth; And great solemnity. They sang terliterlow So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow. Traditional
EIGHTH LESSON - St. Matthew 2:1-11............................................................................................................Rev. Clayton
The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus.
* HYMN - "What Child Is This".....................................................................................................................GREENSLEEVES
What Child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh; Come, one and all, to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Refrain William Chatterton Dix
* NINTH LESSON - St. John 1:1-14.........................................................................................................................Rev. Long St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
HOMILY...................................................................................................................................................................Rev. Long
THE CHRISTMAS COLLECT...........................................................................................................................Rev. Clayton
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray.
CEREMONY OF LIGHTS
CAROL - "Still, Still, Still"..........................................................................................................................Austrian Carol HYMN - "Silent Night"..............................................................................................................................STILLE NACHT
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! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Joseph Mohr
THE BENEDICTION..............................................................................................................................................Rev. Long May he who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
HYMN - "Joy to the World!"...................................................................................................................................ANTIOCH
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.
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns: Let us our songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
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.Isaac Watts * VOLUNTARY "In Thee Is Gladness," BWV 615...................................................................................................Johann Sebastian Bach * Congregation standing † Advent and Christmas Flowers - 2022 †
THE FLOWERS AND GREENERY during the Advent Season have been made possible by gifts. Below are names of loved ones for whom the gifts were given to the glory of God and in loving memory and honor.
Memorials
Mr. & Mrs. Anson Warren Allen
Kathryn C. Bailey
Robert L. & Kathryn C. Bailey
Mr. & Mrs. William E. Balliet
William E. Balliet, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Rolla Earl Beck, Jr.
Mr. Rolla Earl (Reb) Beck III
John M. Benton, Jr.
Margaret P. Benton
Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Robert Berney Keener Blackmarr
Mary Lillie Blackmarr
Mary Boggan
Nancy Starrett Boyd
Mr. & Mrs. Clyde R. Brown
Mr. William T. Brown
Mr. & Mrs. William K. Burgess
Mr. & Mrs. Byram Cantley
Mr. & Mrs. David W. Carr
Mr. George T. Carr
Mrs. Kathryne F. Carr
Mrs. Jewel Gladys Clayton
The Honorable Preston C. Clayton
Mr. Robert Street Clayton, Jr.
Robert Hunt Cochran III
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Coleman, Sr. Miss Una Connors (Connie) Coleman
Clinton Jackson Coley, Jr.
Allen Dunn Collins lll
Mr. & Mrs. George W. Connors, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. George W. Connors, Jr. Una Webster Connors
David G. Cook
Rose & Jim Cooley James S. & Esther S. Cooper Donald Cosby Cindy Coulter
Mr. & Mrs. B.C. Cox
Aubrey & Lowell Craft Elizabeth Greene Craig
Mr. Milton Brock Craig, Jr. Mr. Milton Brock Craig, III Mr. & Mrs. Francis Crockard Drew Crumpton
Jim Davis Charles Henry Deer Wiel Dielen
Robert Mack Dixon
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Perkins Duggan
Kelly Rebecca Duggan
Carol Clark Elam
Dr. Roy O. Elam III
Katherine Binford Ennis
Dr. John R. Faucette
William W. Featheringill Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Foust
James Pumpkin Fouse
Mr. & Mrs. Henry S. Fowlkes, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Henry C. Frech
Mr. & Mrs. Evan Charles Gafford
Ralph Fredrick Gafford
Marion Shook Gearhart
Thomas Allen Gearhart
Ernest E. & Betty Glass
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Vance Graham Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sheffie Graham
Joni Gramling
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Grisham, Sr. James E. Grisham, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell F. Hall, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Warren D. Hall
Kathryn Taylor Hamilton
Mr. & Mrs. Jack DeWitt Hance
Francis H. Hare, Jr.
Suzanne Balliet Hare
Sandra Harris
Haybe Sumner Hauck
Barbara Popwell Hawkins
Mr. & Mrs. Carl T. Hewitt
Elizabeth Ellen Ozier Hill
Wallace Wade Hinkle
Mr. Harry Claypool Howell, Jr. Miss Lottice Howell
Jane Sevier Ingalls
*
X X X X X X X
Mr. & Mrs. Gilmer Jeane, Sr.
Patricia Schreiber Jones
Betty T. Jones
Jonesy
Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Kelly
Carter Stallworth Kennedy
Mr. & Mrs. Richard McKinne Kennedy
Dr. Dorothea Klip
Dr. Willem Klip
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Lanier
Martee & John Lanier
John & Lucille Leake
Mr. & Mrs William Leary
Louis J. LeVaughn
Mr. & Mrs. Roland H. LeVaughn
Roland L. LeVaughn
Sellars & Anne Lightfoot
Kathleen Liles
Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Lilley
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Elwood Lindstrom
Frank Elwood Lindstrom, Sr.
Frank Elwood Lindstrom, Jr.
Frank Elwood Lindstrom lll
Woodie Ryan Lindstrom
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Sprott Long
Dr. & Mrs. John N. Lukens
Mr. & Mrs. Donald W. McCormick
Mr. & Mrs. Joe McDavid, Sr.
Mr. Joe McDavid, Jr.
Florence Naughton McGillicuddy
Mary & Jesse McGlothlin
Gerald Finleigh McKenzie
Gerald Kenneth McKenzie
Mr. Hobart Amory McWhorter, Jr.
Michael Daniel Medeiros
Charles Mixson Miller
Mark L. Miller
Stanley & Thelma Moodie
Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Moore
Ashlea Alkire Morrow
Martha Mann Morrow
Mr. Anson Allen Murdoch
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Nelson Murdoch
Mr. Donald Nelson Murdoch, Jr.
Miss Elinor Murdoch
Mr. & Mrs. William Lincoln Murdoch
Mr. Charles Swift Northen III
Mr. & Mrs. John Huber O’Donnell, Sr.
Mr. Patrick Martin O’Donnell
Mr. & Mrs. Morgan Oslin Ogilvie, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Kirkman O’Neal
Dr. E.P. Ort III
Deborah Moodie Overstreet
Dr. & Mrs. Gene Ruffner Page
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pankey, Sr. Mr. Thomas B. Pankey, Sr. John Milton Grosvenor Parker, Jr. Carleton Benners Parnell
Dr. & Mrs. Leighton C. Parnell, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Leighton C. Parnell , Sr. Dr. Thomas Hansel Peacock, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. David H. Pontius Mr. & Mrs. James E. Popwell, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Porter
Ellen Hodges Powell
Mr. John R. Prewitt, Jr.
Ida P. Pulliam
Edith Tynes & James Sidney Quarles
Tom Rains
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Barnes Ray, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. R. Thomas Reed Mr. & Mrs. Hal Roach
Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Andrew Romjue
Dorsey & Mildred Rowe Mrs. Kay Savage Joseph W. Schreiber
Shirley Gafford Seay
Mr. & Mrs. George Sellers
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Sewell, Sr. Mrs. Libby Shannon Richard E. Simmons, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Evans Simpson Sara Robinson Sistrunk Mr. Donald J. Smith Jane Sevier Smith
Lathrop W. Smith, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Finis Ewing St. John Warren J. St. John Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Stammer
Nancy Stetler
Hoyt L. Summerford
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Sumner Mr. & Mrs. James A. Sydnor
Bobby G. Tanner
Caroline Reed Taylor
Clinton Williams Taylor
Mr. & Mrs. George M. Taylor, Jr. Irvie Taylor
Emmet O’Neal Templeton
John Dorman Thomson
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Townsend, Jr. Mr. David J. Turner
Mr. & Mrs. David P. Underwood
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin L. Underwood, Sr. Mr. M. List Underwood, Jr. Robert Joseph Verdeyen
Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Vinson
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Anthony Waitzman
Mr. & Mrs. A. M. Walker, Jr. Dr. David L. Walters
Marjorie Hughes Walters
Barbara Noojin Walthall
Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Walthall
Margaret Rush Walton
Mr. & Mrs. William Morris Walton
Josephine Harris Wasson
Aunt Jo
Elizabeth & Phillip Watkins
Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Watson, Sr. Mr. Guy Allen Weatherford lll
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Eugene Weatherford, Sr.
Mr. Robert Stone Weatherly, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Webster
Ruth Whaley
Dr. David Hart White
Doris White
Jere F. White, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Molton Williams
Sarah Anne Fitz Peacock Wilson
Dr. & Mrs. Paul S. Woodall
Felix Calvin Yarboro
Mr. & Mrs. Kapp Yarboro
Laura Noel Yarboro
Mr. Lee Yeager Tom & Helen York
Memorials (continued)
Ann-Massey, Sara-Katherine & Graves
Bowman Jane & Phil
Dulin
Mrs. Betsy Faucette
Honorariums
Andy & Lucy Foust Russell A. Gray Penney and Roger Hartline Bud Keller
Mrs. Ellen L. McWhorter
Tommy & Frances Moore Melinda Splawn
X X X X X X X
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE FLOWERS in the chancel today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Euell E. McCoy. THE FLOWERS on the War Memorial are given to the Glory of God and in honor of all past and present military personnel.
CONCERNING THE CEREMONY OF LIGHTS - Worshippers will receive candles with paper wax-guards upon entering the nave. These will be used only during the Ceremony of Lights near the end of the service. The acolytes will light the first candle in each pew on the aisle, and each worshipper will share the light, representing the presence of Christ in the world, with their neighbor. Please note, however, in no case should a lit candle be tilted; rather, the unlit candle should be tilted over the lit one. Worshippers remain seated during the ceremony and are invited to sing "Silent Night" with the choir. When the ministers have extinguished their candles, the worshippers will do likewise. After the service, please deposit your candle in the appropriate vessel at the door. Your help is greatly appreciated.
THIS YEAR’S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING: Each year on Christmas Eve we take a special offering. This year’s special offering will benefit IPC Social Services. Ushers will collect the offering during the Carol following the Fourth Lesson. For your convenience, we also provide a giving option through texting. Simply text CHRISTMAS to 205-927-3100 and follow the instructions.
AT THE CONCLUSION of the 4:00 service, the congregation is requested to leave promptly to facilitate preparation for the next service. Please exit through the parlor and side nave doors.
THE ENTIRE STAFF of Independent Church would like to wish each and every member of the Church a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with joy and peace.
X X X X X X X
Participants in this Service
The Rev. Kevin J. Long, Pastor
The Rev. Susan A. Clayton, Associate Pastor, Congregational Care & Adult Faith Formation
The Rev. David J. Seamon, Associate Pastor, Faith Formation
The Rev. Melissa Self Patrick, Director of Community Ministries and Outreach
Dr. Jeff R. McLelland, Director of Music and Fine Arts
The Independent Presbyterian Church Choir
