Another round of Carols and Lessons. This time the East Side.
I regret for not responding well with the guy sitting to my right. He opened the conversation as I sat next to him. He appears to be from out of town (I realized in the end) with his family (wife and little daughters, etc.). He seemed to know the songs by heart. Perhaps he was in a ministry if not a pastor. I merely replied to any answer he asked - How long have you been to this church, are you a regular, etc.
I didn't encourage the conversation because I thought he was local, a member of Redeemer, asking useless questions. At the end of the service, I noticed he asked the ladies behind the row about what's where. This calls for a great reflection upon myself. No, I will not entertain vain chatters, but it is time to partake in the fellowship of Christians. After all, this is an older than the general vain chatters I've usually encountered.
East Side Service
The 4th Sunday of Advent
A Service of Lessons and Carols
21 December 2014
9:45a.m. and 11:30a.m.
Reflection:
Like every new born, he has come very far. His eyes are closed against the brilliance of the star.
So glorious is he, he goes to this immoderate length
To show his love for us, discarding power and strength.
Girded for war, humility his mighty dress, He moves into the battle wholly weaponless. ~ Madeleine L'Engle
Oh Thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light, Wrapt in night's mantle, stole into a manger;
Since my dark soul and brutish is Thy right, To man of all beasts be not Thou a stranger. ~ George Herbert
Prelude -Prelude from Christmas Oratorio - Saint-Saens
Worship Leader? - Rev. Edward Sirya
Call to Worship
Congregational Carol - O Come, All Ye Faithful - Latin, attr. John Francis Wade, 1743
Prayer
Lesson I - Isaiah 60:2-3; Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Christ's Birth and Kingdom are Foretold by Isaiah
Reader: Rose Harrison
Anthem - Gloria from 'Great' Mass in C minor - W. A. Mozart
Lesson II - Psalm 2:1-7; Hebrews 5:5
The Reign of the Lord's Anointed
Reader: James Song
Anthem - Chorus from Christmas Oratorio - Camille Saint-Saens
This is another (second that I know of) music of the verse "Why do the nations imagine vain and foolish things?"
Lesson III - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23
The Angel of the Lord Announces the Birth of the Christ ChildReader: Catrina Ganey
Anthem - Domine from 'Great' Mass in C minor - W. A. Mozart
Joanie Brittingham and Laura Pfortmiller, sopranos
Lesson IV - Micah 5:@, 4 and Luke 2:1-7
Micah Foretells the Coming Messiah and Luke Tells of the Birth of Jesus
Reader: Daniel Mitchell
Anthem - Mighty Lord and King All Glorious from Christmas Oratorio - J. S. Bach
Kyle Pfortmiller, baritone
Lesson V - Luke 2:8-20
The Shepherds Go to the Manger
Reader (9:45): Grace and Claire Yu
Reader (11:30): Anne and Lois Herring
Anthem - Chorale from Christmas Oratorio - J. S. Bach
Congregational Carol - Silent Night - Joseph Mohr, 1818
Lesson VI - John 1:1-14, 29
John Unfolds the Great Mystery of the Incarnation
Reader: Mark Stambaugh
Anthem - Quintet and Chorus from Christmas Oratorio - Camille Saint-Saens
Soloists: Belinda Oswald, Regan Bisch, Catherine Choi, Bray Wilkins and Samuel Hepler
Congregational Carol - Joy to the World
The Peace of God
Announcements
Scripture Reading - Matthew 2:13-23
Sermon - The World and Jesus
Fourth sermon in series: The Messiah According to Matthew (Advent Series)
9:45 a.m. - Rev. Jeff White
11:30 a.m. - Dr. Timothy Keller
Notes:
The two things associated with a kingdom: age & territory. For Christ, His kingdom has no match.
"That he would be called a Nazarene - Nazarene is said to have come from Isaiah 11:1 (netzer) A branch.
Offertory - The Shepherds' Farewell from L'Enfance du Christ - Hector Berlioz
Congregational Carol - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Charles Wesley, 1739; Felix Mendelssohn, 1840 (From Classics for Kids, I think, that Mendelssohn had written this for non-religious use, but Charles Wesley's poem found good use for it)
Benediction
Dismissal
Postlude - Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah - G. F. Handel (Everyone stood up)