Christmas Eve 2021

Christmas Eve Friday, December 24, 2021 seven-thirty in the evening Pine Street Presbyterian Church

In the City of Harrisburg

 "...but the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid!

I am here with good news, which will bring great joy to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

 GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE NEWBORN KING VOLUNTARIES Chorale Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” On This Day, Earth Shall Ring!

The Holy Boy INTROIT In the Beginning A dancing snowflake calms a bleating lamb, A star shine cheers a weary king, A berry stores the blood unshed in the beginning.

An angel sets alight the secret sky, A chorus makes the whole world sing, A mother hums a lullaby in the beginning.

The snow melts and the star declines, The blood bursts in the gloom, And angel bears a golden cup on the darkest afternoon: A lamb starts awake in a golden haze, An angel greets the risen king, A mother feels her womb ablaze in the beginning.

In the beginning.

Johann Michael Bach Phil Lehenbauer John Ireland Alan Smith

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE LITANY FOR CHRISTMAS The Rev. Heather M. Sigler, Susan McLaughlin, William, and Richard Jones One:

In God's house, there is hope

Many: For God loves us too much to leave us as we are.

One: In God's house, there is peace Many: For all that separates us from God falls away.

One:

In God's house, there is joy

Many: Because God created music, and coffee, and contagious laughter, giggles, and wiggles of children, and if those things have God's fingerprints, then God's house surely is filled with joy.

One:

In God's house, there is love

Many: Because God is love, from start to finish, and that love exists for us all.

One:

And in the center of our hope, In the center of our peace, In the center of our joy, In the center of our love is God—who came to this earth to dwell among us.

So tonight, we light the Christ candle, for God's love could not stay away.

Welcome home. Amen.

† CAROL O Come, All Ye Faithful 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!

Adeste Fideles Setting by David Willcocks

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, Fain, we embrace thee with awe and love; Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above; Glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! † PRAYER OF ADORATION

The Rev. Sigler

ANTHEM Rocking Carol

Percy Dearmer

Jesus, Jesus, Baby dear, Baby dear, We will rock Your cradle here.

We will rock You, rock You, rock You, Gently slumber as we rock You, Jesus, Jesus, do not fear, We who love You will be near.

Jesus, Jesus, darling One, darling One, Gift of Heaven, Mary’s Son, We will rock You, rock You, rock You, Gently slumber as we rock You; Jesus, Jesus, do not fear, We who love You will be near.

READING AND HEARING THE WORD FIRST TESTAMENT

Isaiah 9:2–7

ANTHEM Born In A Stable

Nathan Garman Philip WJ Stopford

Born in a stable in Bethlehem, Gently in manger laid, Jesus the King of the human race Grant us Your holy peace.

Mary and Joseph watch o'er Him there, Oxen and ass by their side; Worship together the Holy Babe, Savior of all mankind.

Far from the East there came wise men three Bearing their gifts for a King, Kneeling to Him who would save the world, Jesus the Lord of all.

Though for our Savior no room was found, Son of the Highest of all, Still in our hearts there is room for You, Come with Your holy peace.

SECOND TESTAMENT ANTHEM Bring A Torch Jeannette, Isabella Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella!

Bring a torch, to the cradle run!

It is Jesus, good folk of the village; Christ is born and Mary's calling; Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the mother!

Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Son!

Luke 2:1–14 Robert Hobby

It is wrong when the child is sleeping, It is wrong to talk so loud; Silence, all, as you gather around, Lest your noise should waken Jesus.

Hush! Hush! See how fast he slumbers; Hush! Hush! See how fast he sleeps.

Softly to the little stable, Softly for a moment, come; Look and see how charming is Jesus, How he is still, His eyelids closing.

Hush! Hush! See how the child is sleeping; Hush! Hush! See how he smiles in dreams.

THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

The Rev. Sigler

RESPONDING TO THE WORD † CAROL Angels We Have Heard on High

GLORIA

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. Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? (Refrain) Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. (Refrain) OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD OFFERTORY ANTHEM What Child is This?

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 worship and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him praise, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

The Rev. Sigler arr. Mack Wilberg

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh Come, peasant, king, to own him!

The King of Kings salvation brings: Let loving hearts enthrone him!

Raise, raise the song on high!

The Virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy! Joy! For Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

THE HOLY EUCHARIST One: Many: One: Many: One: Many:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise.

"...Therefore, in all times and places we sing your glory in unending hymns of praise."

Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth; you, who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king!

All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king! "...Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of our faith."

All my heart today 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.

PRAYERS OF INTE RCESSION , SUPPLICATION, AND CO NSECRATION One: Many:

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

THE LORD'S PRAYER ("debts" and "debtors") Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

One: the gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the feast.

DISTRIBUTION OF BREAD AND CUP ANTHEM O Holy Night

Adolphe Adam

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining 'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts, by His cradle we stand; So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from the Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend; He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger; Behold your King! Before the lowly bend!

Behold your King! Your King! Before Him bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord, then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory evermore proclaim.

SHARING OF THE LIGHT OF CHRIST CAROL Silent Night, Holy Night 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.

STILLE NACHT

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.

Silent night, holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. † SCRIPTURE

John 1:1–14

† BENEDICTION Please extinguish your candles following the Benediction and place your candles in the receptacles as you leave the sanctuary.

VOLUNTARY Concerto – Postlude on ANTIOCH

The Rev. Sigler

Handel; arr. Paul Fey

 LEADING IN WORSHIP THIS EVENING The Rev. Heather M. Sigler, Parish Associate Joseph W. Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship Nathan Garman, lector Chris Earhart, baritone Timothy Lupia, tenor Barbara Neff, piano The Chancel Choir Children’s Choir - Lisa Milletics, Director

 WELCOME TO OUR SERVICE AT PINE STREET CHURCH. We hope that this service will be a clear reminder of the real meaning of Christmas. As you sing the carols, hear the anthems and scriptures, listen to the Christmas message, and partake of the Sacrament, we pray that your heart and mind will be in Bethlehem on this holy night and the wonder and joy of God's coming into the world might be in your heart and life during this season and for the coming year. Pine Street is here, worshiping this same Christ Child every week, and all are welcome.

"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God!" (Romans 15:7)

Who is welcome at Pine Street Presbyterian Church?

You are!

If you are young or old or middle-aged …

If you are homeless or rent or own …

If you have a lot of faith, little faith, or no faith at all …

If you are male or female or trans…

If you are a Republican, a Democrat, or care little for politics ...

If you are gay or straight …

If you are married, single, or partnered …

If you are Asian, Hispanic, Black, or White …

If you are poor or rich, hungry, or well-fed, If you have addictions, phobias, depression, or mental illness …

If you are strong or weak …

If you wear blue jeans or business casual …

If you hunger to know more about God and life …

If you seek more purpose in your daily living …

If you long for a better and more just world …

You are welcomed and affirmed here!

Come with your gifts and strengths, thoughts, doubts, and questions, passions and fears.

Come with the experiences and traditions that formed you.

Come to seek and to listen to God. Hear God call you to love your neighbor with all your heart, mind, and soul!

Christ welcomes all, and so do we!

Pine Street Presbyterian Church is a welcoming and affirming congregation!

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS in memory/honor of loved ones. If you know of a homebound friend or member who should receive the special greetings of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, we invite you to take one of these poinsettias to them with our best wishes at this time.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND …

In loving memory of my mother Anna Acha by Elena Shu In loving memory of Joanne C. Alwine by Beth, John, and Tammy Alwine In loving memory of Esther and John Anderson by the Anderson family In loving memory of Frederick W. Andrews by his wife, Edna and daughter, Amy and family In loving memory of Xavia’s nephew, Frank Brett Arndt, by Xavia and Dick Sheffield In loving memory of Aunts Anna and Susan Julius, Stacy Snyser, and Uncle Francis Snyser by Mel and Sally Songy In loving memory of June and Raymond Baker by the family In loving memory of Lloyd D. and Ruth C. Berger by Estelle Hartranft In loving memory of Donald and Barbara Clapper by the Kenneth C. Hays family In loving memory of Donald and Barbara Clapper by the VanNest family In loving memory of Mr. Clapper by John McCutcheon and Jean McCutcheon Schmier In loving memory of Doris Coyne by the Coyne family In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Engel, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hess, Mr. and Mrs. George English by Jane Elizabeth Hess In loving memory and honor of all the faithful, the resilient, and curious as we journey together to our future by Beth Alwine In loving memory of Sondra Fertig by Wayne Fertig and family In loving memory of Sondra Fertig by the Fertig family In loving memory of Sondra Fertig, a dedicated prayer partner by the Pine Street prayer team In loving memory of Tony Fierro by Audrey Light In loving memory of George, our parents, and our brothers and sisters in Heaven by Anna Hall In loving memory of Chuck Gerdes by the Pearce family In loving memory of our grandparents Russell and Martha Hummell and Russell and Cleo VanNest by the VanNest family In loving memory of Henry and Phyllis Grissinger and Sherry Grissinger by Joe and Kay Mazenko In honor of Estelle Hartranft by Pat Hartranft In loving memory of Harvey H. and Grace B. Hartranft by Estelle Hartranft In loving memory of Ronald B. Hartranft by Estelle Hartranft In loving memory of Ronald B. Hartranft by Pat Hartranft In loving memory of Chalmers, Eva, and Sara Hays by the Kenneth C. Hays family In loving memory of Albert Herbert by his daughter Nancy Herbert Roman In loving memory of Marie Herbert by her daughter Nancy Herbert Roman In loving memory of Pat and Nelson Higley by Lisa, Tim, and Austin Milletics

In loving memory of Don and Betty Himes by Jay and Judy Himes In loving memory of Rev. Robert F. Hostetter by Keith H. Parago In loving memory of Samuel Tom Kohr Sr., Kim M. Kohr Geesa, and other family members by Georgia Kohr In loving memory of Pop and Janet Koozer by Jim, Norrine, Douglas, Cheri, and Kailynn Koozer In loving memory of Robin J. Koozer by Jim, Norrine, Douglas, Cheri, and Kailynn Koozer In loving memory of Emma Light by Audrey Light In loving memory of loved ones by David Binkley and Don Potter In loving memory of loved ones by Shirley Leisure In loving memory of E. Edward and Evelyn N. Luckenbaugh by their daughter Norrine In loving memory of Carol Mader by the family In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kenneth McLaughlin by Heather M. Sigler In loving memory of Kenneth Lee McLaughlin by Heather M. Sigler In loving memory of Robert N. McMeans by the Weigel family In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. R. Russell McMeans by Dr. Jesse Weigel In loving memory of Marilyn J. Miller by Gerald L. Miller In loving memory of Peter Milletics by Lisa, Tim, and Austin Milletics In loving memory of Bill Neff by Barbara Neff In loving memory of my father John Ngwa by Elena Shu In loving memory of Vernon E. and Elizabeth M. Norris by Jay and Judy Himes In loving memory of our parents by Nevin and Kathy Montgomery In loving memory of our parents, Edwin and Margaret Julius, Ione and Percy Songy

by Mel and Sally Songy In loving memory of Rick Paternel by Lisa, Tim, and Austin Milletics In loving memory of Marion, William, and Ellen Pearce by the Pearce family In loving memory of our beloved pets: Boomer Lane and Sully Wingfield by Pam Wingfield and Greg Lane In honor of the dedicated Pine Street Staff and laity who serve the Lord and our congregation every week. Thank you! by Anonymous In honor of the fine Pine Street Staff by David Binkley and Don Potter In honor of Pine Street's Interim Pastor Search Committee by the congregation In honor of Pine Street's Transition Team Members by the congregation In loving memory of my parents Ezra and Dorothy Ranck, and Jack's parents Frances and Elizabeth Taylor by Barbara Taylor In loving memory of Jane K. Ratcliff by her daughters Carol Shaw and Nancy Buckwalter In loving memory of Joseph H. Ratcliff by his daughters Carol Shaw and Nancy Buckwalter In loving memory of Margaret Ratcliff by her grandsons Stephen and Jeffery Shaw, and great grandsons Tyler and David Shaw In loving memory of Rev. D. Rayborn and Lois Higgins by the Kenneth C. Hays family In loving memory of The George Seiders family by Heather M. Sigler

In loving memory of wife and mother, Dorothy D. Schuette by Phil Schuette and family In loving memory of Jane and Earnest Shaw by Michael and Carol Shaw In loving memory of Earl Stahl by Jay E. Stahl In loving memory of Ida Stahl by Jay E. Stahl In loving memory of my father-in-law Aaron Shu by Elena Shu In loving memory of Rev. Dr. Richard E. Sigler by Heather M. Sigler In loving memory of friends, Paul Stohler and Dewin Dunlap by Mel and Sally Songy In loving memory of Jack M. Taylor by Barbara and our family In loving memory of Jack Taylor by Beth, John, and Tammy Alwine In loving memory of Brett A. Terry by Kenneth, Joan, and Jonathan Hays In loving memory of Jerome and Honor Jane VanNest by the VanNest family In honor of Samuel, Grace, and Shelda VanNest by their aunts In loving memory of John R. Weaver by the Anderson family In loving memory of Janet M. Weigel by Jesse, Karen, Kevin, and Jennifer In loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. John E. Weigel by Dr. Jesse Weigel In loving memory of Dr. A. Linn Weigel by Dr. Jesse Weigel In loving memory of Dr. John (Jack) Weigel Jr. by Dr. Jesse Weigel In loving memory of Rev. Rea S. Weigel by Dr. Jesse Weigel In loving memory of my parents, John W. and Mary R. Young by Jacqueline M. Young In loving memory of our brother, Charles T. Young by Jacqueline Young and John Young Jr.

MANY THANKS TO EILEEN KUNKLE AND DAVID COLESTOCK for their time and talent in decorating our sanctuary for Christmas!

THE PICTURE ON THE FRONT OF THE BULLETIN is a photograph of a stained-glass window in the east transept of our sanctuary. The image is of the Nativity, and the entire window is entitled Scenes in the Early Life of Our Lord.

310 North Third Street ▪ Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101 ▪ 717-238-9304 ▪ www.pinestreet.org