A Celebration in Lessons and Carols

The Season of Advent: December 24, 2013 ~ New Cit Ch!rch of Ca"#ar

The Festival of Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918, at Kings College, Cambridge. O r servi!e is a ada"tation of the traditional servi!e.

Welcome $e are #"ad o! have %oined !s toda for this s&ecia" service at Christmas' $hether o! are a Christian see(in# to #row in o!r re"ationshi& with )es!s Christ, or a s(e&tic "oo(in# for answers, or someone who is str!##"in# to ma(e sense of "ife and are "oo(in# for a carin# comm!nit , o! are warm" we"come here' $e*re #"ad o! came' Pastors John Ferguson & Mike Ivancic, & the Family o !e" City Church

#e lections & Pre$aration or Worshi$

O #od, b$ %o r "ower ma$ we, together with all the saints, !om"rehend the breadth and length and height and de"th of the love of Christ that s r"asses &nowledge, so that we ma$ be filled with %o r f llness. 'men. ( based on E"hesians )*18+19 The central miracle asserted by Christians is the incarnation. They say that God became man. ~ CS Lewis, Oxford Uni ersity !f we co"ld condense all the tr"ths of Christmas into only three words, these wo"ld be the words# $God with "s.% &e tend to foc"s o"r attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The 'reater tr"th of the holiday is (is deity. )ore astonishin' than a baby in the man'er is the tr"th that this *romised baby is the omni*otent Creator of the hea ens and the earth+ ~ ,ohn )ac-rth"r, *astor The entire meanin' of the incarnation is that God enters o"r h"man condition, embraces it, comes to where we are to sa e "s. ~ ."'ene /eterson, Lea" Over a ,all Co"ld it be tr"e, this 0ethlehem story of a Creator descendin' to be born on one small *lanet1 !f so, it is a story li2e no other. Little wonder a choir of an'els bro2e o"t in s*ontaneo"s son', dist"rbin' not only a few she*herds b"t the entire "ni erse. ~ /hili* 3ancey, The -es s . /ever Knew !n the Christian iew, the "ltimate e idence for the existence of God is ,es"s Christ. !f there is a God, we characters in his *lay ha e to ho*e that he *"t some information abo"t himself in the *lay. 0"t Christians belie e he did more than 'i e "s information. (e wrote himself into the *lay as the main character in history, when ,es"s was born in a man'er and rose from the dead. ~ Timothy 4eller, The 0eason for #od* 1elief in an 'ge of 2&e"ti!ism

%&' LI(&%I!( )F %&' A*+'!% CA!*L',

The lighting of the 'dvent Candle de"i!ts o r growing e3"e!tation for the !oming of Christ, the tr e Light of the world. 4 ring the 2eason of 'dvent, we light one !andle for ea!h of the fo r 2 nda$s of 'dvent as we "re"are for the !elebration of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we light the !entre !andle5sometimes !alled the Christ !andle5and re6oi!e that Christ has been born the 2avio r of the ,orld.
-CALL %) W)#,&IP A!* P#AI,' +eader: .nison/ +eader: .nison/ ,"or to ,od in the hi#hestAnd on earth $eace to men on "hom &is avor rests0 .eho"d, / brin# o! #ood news of a #reat %o that wi"" be for a"" the &eo&"e0or !nto o! is born this da a Savior, who is Christ the +ord) come, let us adore &im, or &e is Christ the Lord0 1) Come, All 2e Faith ul3 1 come, a"" e faithf!", %o f!" and tri!m&hant 1 come e, 1 come e to .eth"ehem Come and beho"d him born the 2in# of an#e"s 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, Christ the +ord Sin#, choirs of an#e"s, sin# in e4!"tation Sin#, a"" e citi5ens of heav*n above ,"or to ,od in the hi#hest 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, Christ the +ord 6ea +ord we #reet Thee, born this ha&& mornin# )es!s, to Thee be a"" #"or #iv*n $ord of the 0ather, "ate in f"esh a&&earin# 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, 1 come, "et !s adore 3im, Christ the +ord FI#,% L',,)!/ (enesis 4

,hen o r great enem$ entered the #arden of Eden and tem"ted o r first "arents to t rn their ba!& "on #od, #od anno n!ed 7is intentions to ndo the wor& of the evil one and restore "ea!e5shalom85to 7is !reation. .n the ver$ "la!e of sin, transgression and betra$al, the Father anno n!es the !oming of the 9romised One, to be born of a woman, who will war against the great ser"ent and !r sh his head. ,enesis 3: 7Adam 8 9ve Disobe ,od: from The Gospel Story Bible
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C)!F',,I)! & #'FL'C%I)! +eader: )ohn the .a&tist came as a forer!nner before )es!s anno!ncin#, 7;re&are the wa of the +ord-: +i(ewise, we are ca""ed to "et ever heart &re&are 3im room' +et !s &ra <' +eader: $hi"e we as(, +ord, for the most meanin#f!" Advent season ever, $e confess that we do not (now how to &re&are we"" for 6o!r comin#' $e have not centered o!r "ives !&on 6o! as 6o! deserve' $e have not so!#ht o!t 6o!r wi"" for o!r "ives "i(e we sho!"d' /nstead, we have too often occ!&ied o!rse"ves with o!r own concerns, And we have not noticed the needs of the &eo&"e aro!nd !s as we o!#ht' $e have for#otten how to ho&e in mirac"es' $e have i#nored the &romise of 6o!r (in#dom' $e have been distracted b the b!s ness of the ho"ida season' 3ave merc !&on !s, 1 ,od accordin# to 6o!r !nfai"in# "ove''' ~ Si"ent Confession 8 =ef"ection ~ .nison/ (rant us a rene"ed sense o 2our $resence this Christmas, A con ident assurance o 2our un ailing love, And a rene"ed desire to live or the 5ing o kings and Lord o lords6 Jesus Christ, 2our ,on and our Lord7 Amen7

-%he Words o the (os$el +eader: The #ood news of this Advent season is the for#iveness of sins and the &romise of new "ife that is fo!nd in Christ )es!s- 70or ,od so "oved the wor"d that 3e #ave 3is on" Son, that whoever be"ieves in 3im sha"" not &erish b!t have eterna" "ife: >)ohn 3:1?@' %hanks be to (od0

.nison:

-A ,ong o Joy ul #es$onse to the (os$el

1&ark0 %he &erald Angels ,ing3 3ar(- The hera"d an#e"s sin#, 7,"or to the newborn 2in# ;eace on earth, and merc mi"d, ,od and sinners reconci"ed-: )o f!", a"" e nations rise, %oin the tri!m&h of the s(ies $ith th*an#e"ic host &roc"aim, 7Christ is born in .eth"ehem-: 3ar(- the hera"d an#e"s sin#, 7,"or to the newborn 2in#: Christ, b hi#hest heav*n adored, Christ, the ever"astin# +ord +ate in time beho"d 3im come, offs&rin# of the Air#in*s womb Aei"ed in f"esh the ,odhead seeB hai" th*incarnate Deit ;"eased as man with men to dwe"", )es!s, o!r 9mman!e"
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3ar(- the hera"d an#e"s sin#, 7,"or to the newborn 2in#: 3ai" the heav*nCborn ;rince of ;eace- 3ai" the S!n of =i#hteo!sness+i#ht and "ife to a"" he brin#s, ris*n with hea"in# in 3is win#s Di"d 3e "a s 3is #"or b , born that man no more ma die .orn to raise the sons of earth, born to #ive them second birth 3ar(- the hera"d an#e"s sin#, 7,"or to the newborn 2in#:

,'C)!* L',,)!/ Isaiah 8/9:; </=, >?8

The birth of the Lord -es s Christ and the !oming of 7is glorio s &ingdom are foretold over :;; $ears before 7is birth b$ the "ro"het .saiah. 1orn of a virgin, the new+born King will be &nown as <.mman el= or <Emman el,= whi!h means, <#od is with s.=
7) Come, ) Come, 'mmanuel3 1 come, 1 come, 9mman!e" and ransom ca&tive /srae" That mo!rns in "ow" e4i"e here, !nti" the Son of ,od a&&ear =e%oice- =e%oice- 9mman!e" sha"" come to thee, 1 /srae" 1 come Tho! Da s&rin#, come and cheer o!r s&irits b Thine advent here Dis&erse the #"oom c"o!ds of ni#ht, and death*s dar( shadow &!t to f"i#ht =e%oice- =e%oice- 9mman!e" sha"" come to thee, 1 /srae" 1 come, Tho! rod of )esse, free Thine own from Satan*s t rann 0rom de&ths of he"" Th &eo&"e save and #ive them vict*r o*er the #rave =e%oice- =e%oice- 9mman!e" sha"" come to thee, 1 /srae" 1 come, Tho! $isdom from on hi#h, and order a"" thin#s, far and ni#h To !s the &ath of (now"ed#e show, and ca!se !s in her &aths to #o =e%oice- =e%oice- 9mman!e" sha"" come to thee, 1 /srae" 1 come, Desire of nations, bind a"" &eo&"es in one heart and mind .id env , strife, and E!arre"s ceaseB fi"" the who"e wor"d with heaven*s &eace =e%oice- =e%oice- 9mman!e" sha"" come to thee, 1 /srae"' %&I#* L',,)!/ Micah @/=?@a

.saiahs !ontem"orar$, the "ro"het >i!ah, also foretells abo t the Lord -es s Christ, the !oming King who will arise from a little town !alled 1ethlehem. 7e who is the 9rin!e of 9ea!e is to be!ome o r 9ea!e and the worlds tr e 9ea!e.
7) Little %o"n o Aethlehem3 1 "itt"e town of .eth"ehem, how sti"" we see thee "ie Above th dee& and dream"ess s"ee& the si"ent stars #o b 6et in th dar( streets shineth the ever"astin# +i#ht The ho&es and fears of a"" the ears are met in thee toni#ht 0or Christ is born of Dar and #athered a"" above $hi"e morta"s s"ee&, the an#e"s (ee& their watch of wond*rin# "ove
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1 mornin# stars, to#ether &roc"aim the ho" birth And &raises sin# to ,od the 2in#, and &eace to men on earth 3ow si"ent" , how si"ent" , the wondro!s #ift is #iven So ,od im&arts to h!man hearts the b"essin#s of 3is heav*n No ear ma hear 3is comin#, b!t in this wor"d of sin $here mee( so!"s wi"" receive him sti"", the dear Christ enters in 1 ho" Chi"d of .eth"ehem, descend to !s, we &ra Cast o!t o!r sin and enter in, be born in !s toda $e hear the Christmas an#e"s the #reat #"ad tidin#s te"" 1 come to !s, abide with !s, o!r +ord 9mman!e"F).#%& L',,)!/ Luke 9/=>?4B

The angel, #abriel, !omes to the virgin, >ar$, anno n!ing that she is favored b$ #od to bear the Chosen One who will be !alled -es s. .n this gos"el lesson, 2t. L &e tells of his ama?ing birth that wo ld !hange the world.
- 1Come, %hou Long 'C$ected Jesus3 Come Tho! "on#Ce4&ected )es!s .orn to set Th &eo&"e free 0rom o!r fears and sins re"ease !s +et !s find o!r rest in Thee /srae"*s stren#th and conso"ation 3o&e of a"" the earth Tho! art Dear Desire of ever nation )o of ever "on#in# heart )o to those who "on# to see Thee Da s&rin# from on hi#h a&&ear Come, Tho! &romised =od of )esse 1f Th birth we "on# to hear 1*er the hi""s the an#e"s sin#in# News, #"ad tidin#s of a birth 7,o to 3im, o!r &raises brin#in# Christ the +ord has come to earth': Come to earth to taste o!r sadness 3e whose #"ories (new no end . 3is "ife 3e brin#s !s #"adness 1!r =edeemer, She&herd, 0riend +eavin# riches witho!t n!mber .orn within a catt"e sta"" This the ever"astin# wonder Christ was born the +ord of a"" .orn Th &eo&"e to de"iver .orn a Chi"d and et a 2in# .orn to rei#n in !s forever Now Th #racio!s (in#dom brin# . Thine own eterna" S&irit =!"e in a"" o!r hearts a"one . Thine a""Cs!fficient merit =aise !s to Th #"orio!s throne

FIF%& L',,)!/ Luke =/9?8

>ar$ gives birth to the Lord -es s Christ while she and her soon to be h sband, 4avid, were in 1ethlehem. The mira!le of #od ta&ing on h man flesh and ma&ing his dwelling among s !ommen!es on this most n s al of nights.
1,ilent !ight0 &oly !ight03 Si"ent ni#ht- 3o" ni#htA"" is ca"m, a"" is bri#ht =o!nd on vir#in mother and chi"d 3o" infant, so tender and mi"d
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S"ee& in heaven" &eace S"ee& in heaven" &eace Si"ent ni#ht- 3o" ni#htShe&herds E!a(e at the si#ht ,"ories stream from heaven afar 3eav*n" hosts sin# a""e"!ia Christ, the Savio!r, is born Christ, the Savio!r is born Si"ent ni#ht- 3o" ni#htSon of ,od, "ove*s &!re "i#ht =adiant beams from Th ho" face $ith the dawn of redeemin# #race )es!s, +ord, at Th birth )es!s, +ord, at Th birth

,$ecial Music or #e lection ,IE%& L',,)!/ Luke =/B?=F

1Mary, *id 2ou 5no"D3

'n angel anno n!es the birth of the 2avior to a gro " of she"herds in the field who were s ddenl$ s rro nded b$ a m ltit de of angels singing, <#lor$ to #od in the highest, and on earth "ea!e among those with whom 7e is "leased8= The she"herds then go and ma&e haste to find the 2avior+!hild.
- 1Angels We &ave &eard on &igh3 An#e"s we have heard on hi#h, sweet" sin#in# o*re the &"ains And the mo!ntains in re&" echo bac( their %o o!s strains ,"oCCCCCria in e4ce"sis Deo, #"oCCCCCCCria in e4ce"sis Deo She&herds, wh this %!bi"eeF $h o!r %o o!s strains &ro"on#F Sa what ma the tidin#s be, which ins&ire o!r heav*n" son#F ,"oCCCCCria in e4ce"sis Deo, #"oCCCCCCCria in e4ce"sis Deo Come to .eth"ehem and see 3im whose birth the an#e"s sin# Come adore on bended (nee, Christ the +ord, the newborn 2in# ,"oCCCCCria in e4ce"sis Deo, #"oCCCCCCCria in e4ce"sis Deo ,'+'!%& L',,)!/ Matthe" =/9?99

.n the da$s of 7erod the &ing, wise men from the east !ame in sear!h for the worlds tr e King to worshi" and to give 7im great gifts. ' star led these wise men to the !hild+King named -es s. Even toda$, wise men and women, bo$s and girls still see& o t the King of Kings to offer their worshi", their lives, and their treas res to 7is servi!e.
1What Child Is %hisD3 $hat Chi"d is this who "aid to rest 1n Dar *s "a& is s"ee&in# $hom an#e"s #reet with anthems sweet $hi"e she&herds watch are (ee&in# This, this is Christ the 2in# $hom she&herds #!ard and an#e"s sin# 3aste, haste to brin# 3im "a!d
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The babe, the son of Dar $h "ies 3e in s!ch mean estate $here o4 and ass are feedin# ,ood Christian fear, for sinners here The si"ent $ord is &"eadin# Nai"s, s&ear sha"" &ierce 3im thro!#h The cross be born for me, for o! 3ai", hai" the word made f"esh The .abe, the Son of Dar So brin# 3im incense, #o"d, and m rrh Come &easant (in# to own 3im The 2in# of (in#s, sa"vation brin#s +et "ovin# hearts enthrone 3im This, this is Christ the 2in# $hom she&herds #!ard and an#e"s sin# 3aste, haste to brin# him "a!d The babe, the son of Dar

'I(&%& L',,)!/ J)&! 9/9?9:

The Lord -es s Christ is the worlds tr e King, the worlds tr e Life, and the worlds tr e Light. 'll who follow 7im will never wal& in dar&ness b t will have the light of eternal life.
%he Lighting o the Christmas Candles The s mbo"ic "i#htin# of the Christmas cand"es comm!nicates the tr!th that the messa#e of Christmas is meant to im&act and transform each of o!r "ives, and it is a"so meant to be s&read thro!#h o!r "ives to im&act and transform the "ives of others aro!nd !s' - 1Joy to the World3 )o to the wor"d- The +ord is come: "et earth receive her 2in# +et ever heart &re&are 3im room And heav*n and nat!re sin#, and heav*n and nat!re sin# And heav*n and heav*n and nat!re sin# )o to the earth- The Savior rei#ns: +et men their son#s em&"o $hi"e fie"ds and f"oods, roc(s, hi""s and &"ains =e&eat the so!ndin# %o , re&eat the so!ndin# %o =e&eat, re&eat the so!ndin# %o No more "et sin and sorrow #row, nor thorns infest the #ro!nd 3e comes to ma(e 3is b"essin#s f"ow 0ar as the c!rse is fo!nd, far as the c!rse is fo!nd 0ar as, far as the c!rse is fo!nd 3e r!"es the wor"d with tr!th and #race, and ma(es the nations &rove The #"ories of 3is ri#hteo!sness And wonders of 3is "ove, and wonders of 3is "ove And wonders, wonders of 3is "ove

#',P)!,I+' A'!'*IC%I)! +eader: Da ,od, who sent 3is an#e"s to &roc"aim the #ood news of the Savior*s
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birth, fi"" o! with %o and ma(e o! hera"ds of 3is ,os&e"' .nison/ +eader: .nison/ 'ven so, come Guickly, Lord Jesus0 ,o now into the wor"d, carr in# Christmas into o!r ever da "ife, and ma ,od #rant o! 3is &eaceAmen7

< - ery s*ecial than2s to the m"sic ensemble for their *re*aration and *artici*ation in this year%s Christmas . e ser ice, and to )ar2 0ottomley for or'ani=in' the ensemble. Than2s to all of yo" for yo"r ser ice to "s.

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