An Annual Tradition

HANGING OF THE GREENS

Organ Prelude

Call to Worship: The voice of the prophet is heard in the land; a call goes out to all generations. “Prepare! Prepare the way of the Lord. Proclaim to a desolate people the coming of their King!”

HYMN # 175 – O Come, All Ye Faithful

Leader: As we worship this evening, we are a part of a vast unseen multitude of followers of Jesus who lifted their prayers to God in centuries past and those who do so throughout the world today.

Congregation (in unison): “O little Child of Bethlehem, thank You for Your love for all people! We have experienced the great joy of sharing the news of Your love with others in their times of need. Help us to keep that joy during this Advent season and on the Feast of Your birth so that we may bring others to know You as Lord and Savior. May we serve and love each other for Your sake.

Today we bring to You, O Savior of the world, the symbols of joy which bring happiness during Advent. Bless these symbols and bless us as we decorate the church and our homes in preparation for the joyous celebration of love – Your coming into our world. Amen.

Leader: Isaiah proclaimed, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined.” Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World.”

An ancient hallowed custom among Christian families is the lighting of a candle at twilight and the singing of a song of thankfulness to God for the Light He gave us through Christ.

Draw near and shine for us, Christmas Candles, symbols of the coming of the Light of the World.

(Candle lighters enter and light candles)

HYMN # 429 The Light of the World is Jesus

Leader: Luke tells us that angels greeted the birth of the Lord with joyous song. Much of our most beautiful music has been composed to celebrate this Holy Season.

            The earth has grown old with its burden of care, But at Christmas it is always young.

            The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, And its soul full of music bursts forth on the air

            When the song of the angels is sung.

HYMN # 191 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Leader: The full circle of love includes Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. To the Christians of past ages the wreath spoke of the Crown of Thorns. Made of greens, it became the victor’s crown.

Evergreens have always meant everlasting life and eternity. When combined, the evergreen wreath tells of the great miracle of the love of God that is shown eternally in the miracle of the life of Jesus. As we enter the Advent Season, let us tell the world the great victorious story of eternal love and life everlasting! Come! Let us place our Christmas Wreaths in the window so everyone can see the symbols of eternity, unity and victory!

HYMN # 168 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Place window wreaths)

Leader: There is an ancient tradition that the Christ Child wanders the earth seeking an open door at Christmas time. He comes as a stranger in hunger or need or sometimes as a friend. To those who welcome the stranger or neighbor in love, the Christ Child enters. Therefore, during Advent, all doors were open and everyone was made welcome. At this time we will place our greens on the door of the church to proclaim the coming of our Lord, and to show our welcome to all who will come. Let us sing together as the wreath is being placed.

HYMN # 169 O Little Town of Bethlehem (Place door wreath)

Leader: The evergreen trees stand straight and true, green with the promise of eternity through driving rains and the cold cruel blast of winter’s fierce storms as well as the welcome sunshine of fair days. They always point upward to higher things and grow toward heaven. “Little trees of God, may your presence speak to us of loyalty, steadfastness, joy and eternal life.”

SONG  “O Christmas Tree” (Plug in tree)

        O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  Thou tree most fair and lovely! 
          O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  Thou tree most fair and lovely! 
          The sight of thee at Christmastide  Spreads hope and gladness far and wide,
 

          O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  Thou tree most fair and lovely! 
          O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!   Thou hast a wondrous message.
          O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  Thou hast a wondrous message.

        Thou dost proclaim the Savior’s birth, Goodwill to all and peace on earth,
          O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  Thou hast a wondrous message.

 Leader: The Child in the manger grew to be the Teacher of Galilee. He sent His disciples out with the command, “Go and preach the Gospel.” Throughout the world they went. Today our pulpit reminds us of this mission. It is fitting at this season that we deck this symbol with the evergreens of eternal faith, singing with joy as we share our faith together.

HYMN # 173 Joy to the World  (Lectern and pulpit)

Leader: The Advent wreath is yet another symbol of this season. One candle for each Sunday in Advent in the evergreen wreath speaks to us of the approaching birth. As we place the wreath below the cross, it reminds us of life, joy, the light of the world and the greatness of a love that caused Jesus to willingly lay down His life for the redemption of us all. Truly this miracle should be celebrated in song!

HYMN # 209 Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (Bring Advent wreath and light candle # 1)

Leader: And now, O Christmas bells, ring out your joy! Bring to us your merry message of the beauty and holiness of common things when melted by the fire of love and molded together by the Master Workman, our God of Love. May we think of the words of the old carols whenever we hear them ring!

HYMN # 195 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Leader: There is another symbol we have to offer the world. It lies in the heart – the spirit of worship. In older days knights would hold a vigil of watchfulness in the hope that God would bless them with the vision of the Holy Grail. In more recent years Christians have lighted a candle at the Advent wreath, then carried it home to shine throughout the Holy Season to keep a vigil of light to their faith. Let us, too, show the world our love for God and our joy at the coming of Christ. “O come, let us adore Him” in light and in song! Light your candles and form a circle of light for the closing prayer.

HYMN # 175 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!

HYMN # 171 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.

 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.

(The congregation moves forward. Each one receives a candle, lights it at the Advent wreath, and then moves to form a circle of candlelight around the sanctuary.)

Leader: Let us pray (Pray in unison)

Thank you Father, for your gift of Jesus Christ to the world. We thank you that Christ’s coming makes hope, peace, love and joy possible for every person in every nation.  Encourage us to do our part to bring goodwill and peace to our families, our churches, our neighborhoods, and the world.  May Your anointing saturate our lives so we will be able to share the true joy and meaning of this holy season with everyone we meet.

In the name of Jesus we pray. AMEN!

Sunday evening, November 20, 2011