LiGHTING / CHRIST~·!C:\S EV:C (December 2 4, 1984) _ -

The lighting for the Christ3as Eve Service is most important in setting the proper mood of worship. I 1 d suggest the following light settings and cues for change. -

7 8: We'll.open the church around 7 and would suggest a loH light in the sc.nct.uarv ... about. 70.

8: When the choir and PC come uo for the Call to Korshio then the lights get turned up slm·1ly to 80. As P-~ says, "The people who wal.ked in darkness h;::tve seen a great LIGHT 11

••• start to b:t: in.g them up at t.ha t cue ..

8:30:

8:40:

9:00

·~·

They stay at §o through the early part tif the s~rvica ... about half an hour. If you think it's too bright, bring them dm.,rn c". bit ... a soft., -~~;arm light is 1i:hat v.·e like on Christmas Eve.

But people need enough light to read the lines for the hyrnns.

Listen out for n fiark! 'I'he Herald Angels Sing" ... that Is getting to the next cue. After we sing it,~C ~goes tc the lectern to read sese scripture p~ssages that speak of d::..::::-kness and light ... be·:Jin t.o bring ligh-i:s c.ov.Tl to about 70.

Around this time, when you start to hea= "0 Little Town of Bethlehem" you 1 ll kn.ov: that we're getting near the

d .. .., ' . +- • ' can.le Llgn~lng ...

Af·tet- I give the light to t!]e 1.1shers thr.::n begin to fJU1l. the lights down very stm·JLY •.• so pecple aren't even c.w<:tre.

As the candles of the worshippers are lighted, we bring the 'lights dmm. to about 3 5 ... just a t.ouch of light on the under part of the fixtures shows thro~gh.

PC will handle the lights in ths chanbel next organ •.. and will bring those down slowly and light on the cross ...

to 'the leave son:c

The choir sings uo Holy Night" in the se:;ni-lighted cr~urc:-:.

Thm we all sing "3ilent-. Night 11, semi lighted .. ca.ndle light ...

PC does a Christmas Prayer.

Then all sing "-~.ngels vle Have Ht;.~ard on High".

You nl<JY have t.o b:r:in9 Ul) t:he liqbts very slo·itll'! to ~ive a bit of light for Lhe J?eO~)ltS to see .... not rnuch .... j:J.st c::

touch of l.iqht.

PC gi.ves Benediction rro~ back of Church in candlelight. '~() ,·_ r~-~. up to .) .J c<t. o ·::1 .-.L .. l oc)stluc1s for pccr:le t.::t s~=:::e.

... ' .....

INSTRUCTIONS: Ushers, Christmas Eve

SECURITY

Always ?.J. concern 0:.:1 Christmas Eve! Watcr1 o;.;.t .• Coats a~d collection especi~lly are a concern on Christmas Eve. Someon2. should. be in and arou:r.d the narthex from the time of opening to closing.

CANDLES

Distribute 11dth bulletins as p(2ople enter the church.

COLLECTION AND CANDLE-LIGHTIN~

Four men needed. Take to the Fourth Floor.

CLOSING-UP

Help PC. No custodian. Pick up candles, bulletins. Help PC get ready for Sunday morning.

tl'.

.LIGHTING / CHRIS'!:,11\S EVE (December 2 4, 1984) -

The lighting for the Christmas Eve Service is most important in setting the pro~~r mood of worship. I'd suggest the following light settings and cues for change. -

7 -. 8:

8:

We'll_ open the church around a low light in the sanctuarv

When the choir and PC come up for the Call to r'iorship then the lights get turned up slowly to 80. As PC says, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great LIGHT" ... start to bring them up at that cue •..

~

They stay at bo through the early part of the s~rvice ...• about half an hour. If you think it's too bright, bring them dmvn a bit ... a scft, ·.varm light is what -v-re like on Christmas Eve.

But people need enough light to read the lines for the h~s.

-- 8:30: ----::::::::::~---:./

Listen out for "~ark! '!:!llLJ!era 1 cl Angels Sing'' ... that's gettirl'-J to the next cu2. After 't.'e sing ~-PC ·""goes to the lectern tc read scme scripture p~ssages that speak of da:-kn-ess and light.~. begin to bring ligh·ts cesv.-n to

----I .

~ 8:40:

9:00

abouD

~.round this time, vrhen you st:art to hea~ "0 Li t.+-.le 7mm of Bethlehem" you'll know that we're getting ncar the candle lighting ... · '

After I give the light to the ushers then begin to pull the lights down very stm<!LY ••• so people aren It even a~ .. mre.

As the candles of the worshippers are lighted, ~e bring the 'lights dm-m to about 35 ..• just a touch of light on the under part of the fixtures shows through.

PC will handle the lights in the chan6el next to the organ ... ar:.d '.·rill bring those dmm slm-vly an-:i leave scrr.c light on the cross .•.

The choir sings ~o Holy Night" in the se~i-lighted . . cr.urc::.

Thenwe all sing "Silent ~ight", semilighted .. candle light.

PC does a Christnas PrayGr.

Then all sing "J.i.ngels \'le Have H<:.~ard on High''.

You r.lcJy have to bring up the liqhts very slo-v:l·! to 1ive a bit of li']ht for the neoc 1-s tn see ... not much .... j u.s t a tOt'Ch of ] ir:rht •. - ___ )

Ec~no.:lic t inn of C~urch .i.n (~.~nd lt.:!li-J!1 r...

...

·-·- ···-··- ----------·-···--------------~

INSTRUCTIONS: Ushers. Christmas Eve

SECURITY

Always 3. concern 0:1 Christmas Eve! Watci1 oJt. Coats a~d collection especially are a concern on Christmas E~le. Someone should be in and around the narthex from the time of opening to closing.

CANDLES

Distribute with bulletins as people enter the church .

. COLLECTION l~ND CANDLE-LIGHTING

Four men needed. Take to the Fourth Floor.

CLOSING-UP

Help PC. No custodian. Pick up candles, bulletins. Help PC get ready for Sunday morning.

\

--------- --------- -----c-

·.

SCRIPTURE

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God -vms moving over the face of the waters.

And God said, 'Let there be light', and there was lightl And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness."

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has a light shined. 11 ~

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

"I am the light of the world; he who follmi's Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

"For it is God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

"You are the light of the v-rorld. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven".

LET US PRAY

"0 God of love and the Father of light. The Father of all mankind. The darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of Your Word made flesh.

Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to Your Word, that we may bring life and light to the waiting world.

Be near to those who this night feel pain, and heart-ache and sadness ••• those whose dreams have been shattered and thrust into the shadows.

For loved ones - no longer with us, but now with you in the great Kingdom of light and whom we remember as part of Christmas past ••• who saw the light and followed it, we thank You, 0 God.

Bless the family reunions of these days with much joy and love.

Confirm within us, we pray, the high resolve of these quiet moments. Open our hearts that You may come into our lives and make them new.

We ask these things in the name of Him who was born in a stable, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

NOTE After this prayer, go back and sit down ••• we sing lst and last verse of "0 Little Town of Bethlehem11 •••• following the "amen" go to altar and light candleo

..

CHRISTMAS PRAYER (After the singing of "Silent Night")

11 0 God, give us eyes this Christmas to see the Christmas Star.

And give us ears to hear the song of angels from afar •••

And, with our eyes and ears attuned for a message from above.

Let 'Christmas Angels' speak to us of Hope and Faith and Love •••

Hope to light our pathway when the way ahead is dark,

Hope to sing through stor~ days with the sweetness of the lark,

Faith to trust in things unseen and know beyond all seeing

That it is in Our Father's Love we live and have our being.

And Love to break down barriers of color, race and creed.

Love to see and understand and Help All Those In Need"

Amen

CHRISTMAS BENEDICTION (After the singing of "Angels, We Have Heard on High11 •••• from back of the Church)

John ••• Mary ••• Ruth ••• Robert •••• whatever your name may be -

"May the joy of Christmas fill your days with gladness; May the peace of Christmas take away your anxious care; May the light of Christmas shine through your deepest

darkness; And may the love of Him who was born on Christmas Day go

with you in all of your ways.

This night and forever more. Amen

LEAD IN TQ THE SILENT MEDITATION

INTRODUCTION As the world once again draws still to hear the son~ of the angels, and to kneel in adoration before the

manger of the Christ Child,

(1)

Let us - in the warmth and hush of these moments - prepare our hearts expectantly that we may receive the "glad tidings" of this Holy Season.

In quietness, let each pray as the heart may prompt.

PRAYERS Cheer us, 0 God and Father of us all, through the song of the angels that peace and hope ••• joy and love may bless all

who have gathered here this Holy Night.

We pray not only for ourselves, but also for the needs of others o ••

•••• remember:Lng.;,.those in whose lives there is "little room" for joy and happiness this Christmas.

Let us hold in our prayers this holy night the lost and the lonely of this City:

The bereaved •••• the broken-hearted. The homeless and the hungry. The cold and the forgotten.

Make sensitive our hearts to human need.

Let us all pray for peace on earth.

LORD'S PRAYER Grant us, 0 God, the courage and the compassion of Jesua of Nazareth •••••• oremembering how as a grown and dynamic man

He taught us to pray, saying:

"Our Father, who art in heaven,ha·llowed 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever • Amen."

(2)

CHRISTMAS ·EVE GREETINGS (1984)

INTRODUCTION Few words need to be spoken at this service - for this Service of Carols and Candles is a service in which

things are sung that cannot easily be said. It's a service in which the warm light of the candles speaks far more eloquently of the deeper meaning of Christmas than words even can.

Much of the world now grows still. Tonight Churches are being filled with people for whom Christmas is a matter of the heart and soul. Those events that took place in Bethlehem long ago provide us with the beginning of "The Greatest Story Ever Told". That story has a message in it for all mankind - a message which the world never quite remembers, but has never quite forgotten.

It is the message of God's love-- the hope and promise of "peace on earth, good will toward men".

MERRY CHRISTMAS It is our hope that as you share in the singing of the carols and the lighting of the candles ..• as you \..rorship

the Christ Child here in the haunting loveliness of this sanctuary .••

It is our hope that the warmth of His Presence and a sense of His guiding Spirit will fill your life with the Christmas lights of peace, hope, joy and love. and flood your life •••

A Merry Christmas to all - in the fullest sense of those treasurec words.

FELLOWSHIP Christmas Eve can be a lonely time for many people in this city. And this is why we have a time of informal fellowship

planned following the service. Our thanks to those who have made it possibl

You may be alone here in the city. Join with friends here and share in the warmth ~nd cheer of this night. Christmas punch and cookies will be served in the Russell Room downstairs and all are invited.

OFFERING Christmas is a time of giving as well as a time of rece~v~ng, a time of love and warmth. We thank you for the many Christmas g

already received. Your support and generosity mean much to us. The ushers receive the Christmas offering. "It is more blessed to give than to receive

Hostesses: Jane Chaney. Joanne Alban, ~nn Bruhn, Robin Chauncey, Anna Delson, Louise O'Neill, Cathy Simms, Lita Reyno and Alexandra Yu

...

CHRISTMAS EVE MUSIC: December 24, 1988

"There Is No Rose of Such Virtue" (Words medieval)

"There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu: Alleluia. For in this rose contained was Heaven and Earth in little space: Resmiranda."

"By that rose we may well see there be one God in Persons Three: Paresforma. Then leave we all this worldly mirth and follow we this joyous birth: Transeamus."

"Thou Must Leave Thy Lowly Dwelling"

"Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling, the humble crib, the stable bare, Babe, all mortal babes excelling, content our earthly lot to share, lov~ng father, loving mother, shelter Thee with tender care!"

''Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee, with humble love and Holy fea:r, in the land that lies before Thee, forget not us who linger here! May th'~ shepherd's lowly calling, ever to Thy heart be dear."

"Blest are ye beyond all measure, Thou happy father, mother mild! ye well your Heavenly Treasurer, the Prince of Peace, the Holy Child! with you. God protect you, guide you safely through the wild!"

Guard God go

"Ding, Dong, Merrily On High"

"Ding, Dong! merrily on high in heav'n the bells are ringing: Gloria, ding, dong! verily the sky is rev'n with angel singing: Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below, let steeple bells be swungen, and i-o-i-o-i-o, by priest and people sungen: Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime your matin chime, ye ringers; may you beauty­fully rime your evetime song, ye singers: Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!"

"Sir Christemas"

"Nowell. Who is there that singeth so? I am here, Sir Chri~:temas. Welcome to all, both more and less, Come near. Dieu vous garde, beaux sieurs, tidings I you bring: a maid hath borne a child full young, which causeth you to sing: Nowell. Christ is now born of a pure maid, in an oxstc:1ll He is laid, wherefore sing we at a brayde: Nowell. Buvez bein par tout:e la compagnie. Make good cheer and be right merry, and sing with us now joyfully: Nowell."

"O Holy Night"

The words for this traditional Christmas Eve Carol are familiar. This beautiful carol will be sung in candlelight by the Choir.

..

PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

106 East 86th Street

New York. N.Y. 10028

289-6997

MINISTER

Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke

ORGANIST-CHOIR DIRECTOR

Mr. Lyndon Woodside

BUSINESS MANAGER

Mr. Jack Schmidt

CHURCH SECRET ARIES

Mrs. Judy Ferland

Miss Kristen Ploucha

DAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Mrs. ] udith Keisman

Mr. Roberto Meriles CUSTODIAN

Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts Text: Luke 2:11 KJV ICN 040140 Copyright C 1988 by Abingdon Press. Made In U.S.A.

ORGAN CALL TO WORSHIP

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE December 24, 1988

ORDER OF WORSHIP 8 P. M.

"Variations on a Noel"

HYMN NO. 386 "0 Come, All Ye Faithful" INVOCATION (seated)

Benoit

0 God, our Father, You have brought us again to this glad season when we commemorate the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord: grant that we may joyfully welcome Him to reign over us. Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old; open our lips that we may too sing with uplifted hearts, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men." Amen.

SILENT MEDITATION AND WORDS OF ASSURANCE THE LORD'S PRAYER

*** HYMN NO. 385 "What Child Is This" SCRIPTURE Luke 2: 1 - 20 ANTHEM "There Is No Rose"

*** SCRIPTURE Matthew 2: 1 - 12 ANTHEM "Thou Must Leave Thy Lowly Dwelling" CHRISTMAS GREETING CHRISTMAS OFFERING

Page 889 Joubert

Page 835 Berlioz

ANTHEM "Ding Dong! Merrily on High" "Sir Christemas"

Traditional Rutten

*** HYMN NO. 388 "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" SCRIPTURE Genesis 1: 1 - 3; Isaiah 9: 2;

John 1: 4 -5; 8: 12; Matthew 5: 14 - 16 PRAYER HYMN NO. 381 "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (seated)

THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES The minister will light his candle from the can­dles on the altar, and will in turn light the candles of the ushers. The ushers will then light the candles of the worshipper in each pew next to the aisle. Each person is asked to light the candle of the person sitting next to him. It is suggested that the candles be extinguished at the end of the service as the worshipper departs from the sanctuary.

ANTHEM "O Holy Night" Adam Andrea Cawelti, Soloist

HYMN NO . . 393 "Silent Night, Holy Night" (seated) CHRISTMAS PRAYER HYMN NO. 374 "Angels We Have Heard on High" CHRISTMAS BENEDICTION (seated) ORGAN "Vom Himmel Hoch"

*** Interval for Ushering

***

WELCOME AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

Pachelbel

We welcome you to this Christmas Eve Service of Carols' and Candles. To the members and friends of the Church and also to the visitors from our neighborhood who have joined us this evening go our warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas. Peace. Hope. Joy. Love.

AN INVITATION

Christmas refreshments will be served in the Russell Room downstairs following the service. We invite you to share in these moments of Christmas warmth and cheer made possible for us this evening by members of our Church.