BULLETIN staging | Livingston UMC

Welcome to Livingston United Methodist Church! Whether you are here in person or watching online, an active member, or one-time guest, we hope you will take a moment to sign in to our online guest book.

* indicates an invitation to rise in body or in spirit, as you are able

Prelude

Chris Warner, Organist

Welcome & *Call to Worship

Pastor Angie

One: We have named our joy out loud, and it is clear—
All: God is in our joy.
One: God is in this room.
All: We have reason to celebrate.
One: We have a reason to sing.
All: Thanks be to God for the bright hope of this day.

*Opening Hymn

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Hodges, and Henry Van Dyke

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!

2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.

3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.

4 Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
love divine is reigning o'er us,
binding all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward,
in the triumph song of life.

The First Scripture Reading

Isaiah 9:2-3 and Luke 2:10

Children's Moments

Denise Russell

Jesus Loves the Little Children

George Frederick Root and Clare Herbert Woolston

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Morning, evening, day and night,
They are precious in His sight -
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Prayer Requests / Prayers of the People

Feel free to text any prayer requests to Pastor Angie at (614) 309-6645.

Prayer Response - Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Cast me not from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and uphold me by your generous spirit.

The Offering

To support our ministries, Livingston United Methodist Church depends on the financial support of our members and friends of the church like you. Visit our Donate page to give your gift today.

Offertory Music

Response

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Thomas Ken and Ralph Vaughan Williams

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication

*Praise Time

Angels We Have Heard on High

Traditional French carol: Arr. Edward Shippen Barnes; Harm. Austin C. Lovelace

1 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!

2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?
[Refrain]

3 Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
[Refrain]

4 See him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise.
[Refrain]

Go, Tell It On the Mountain

William Farley Smith and John Wesley Work

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.

1 While shepherds kept their watching
o'er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens
there shown a holy light.

[Refrain]

2 The shepherds feared and trembled,
when lo! above the earth,
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed the Savior’s birth.

[Refrain]

3 Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn.

[Refrain]

The Second Scripture Reading

Psalm 148 and Matthew 2:10

Christmas Hymn Sing

During our Hymn Sing, let us know the number of your favorite hymn, and we’ll join in singing together.

A Christmas Story

Pastor Angie

*Closing Hymn

The Trees of the Field

Steffi Geiser Rubin and Stuart Dauermann

You shall go out with joy
and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills
will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy,
and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands.
And all the trees of the field
will clap their hands,
the trees of the field
will clap their hands
the trees of the field
will clap their hands
while you go out with joy.

(repeat all)

*Benediction and Sending Forth

Upcoming events and other information can be found on our Announcements page.

Postlude

We encourage parishioners to remain seated and enjoy the talents of our organist during the Postlude.

Welcome to Livingston United Methodist Church! Whether you are here in person or watching online, an active member, or one-time guest, we hope you will take a moment to sign in to our online guest book.

* indicates an invitation to rise in body or in spirit, as you are able

Prelude and Processional

Flourish on “Adeste Fideles”

Setting by Tom Mitchel
Music by John F. Wade, ca. 1743; harm. from A Collection of Motets or Antiphons, 1792

Chris Warner, Organist

Festival Intrada on “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Setting by David Lasky
Tune: ADESTE FIDELES

Welcome and *Call to Worship

Pastor Angie

One: In those days,
in the beginning,
Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem.
He was to be registered,
and she was expecting a child.
The time came for Mary to give birth,
so she delivered her child,
wrapped him in bands of cloth
and laid him in a manger.
All: And the angels sang,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth, peace to all whom God favors.”
One: Let us worship our with-us God.
All: Let us sing songs of praise!

*Opening Hymn

Joy to the World

George Frederic Handel, Lowell Mason, and Isaac Watts

1 Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love.

The First Reading - The Foretelling

Isaiah 9:2-7

Carol

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Translation: Laurence Hull Stookey and Henry Sloane Coffin; Arr./Harm. by Thomas Helmore

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel.

2 O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
and order all things far and night;
to us the path of knowledge show
and cause us in her ways to go.
[Refrain]

3 O come, O come great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
[Refrain]

4 O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
an ensign of they people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call.
[Refrain]

Lighting the Christ Candle

One: In a weary and worn world,
how do we begin again?
Where do we start?

All: Let us begin with hope.
Let us begin with peace.
Let us begin with joy.
Let us begin with love.

One: Yes, let us begin with love, for
surely love knows your name.
Today, in addition to the candles of hope,
peace, joy, and love, we light the Christ
Candle.
For surely God is in this place.
Surely the Spirit is near.
Surely love knows our name.

All: May we rest in that good news.
Unto us a child is born.
A light shines in the darkness and the
darkness cannot overcome it.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
Amen.

Special Music

Two French Carols

PAT-A-PAN and IL EST NÉ (Traditional French carols)
Arr. by Brant Adams

Saxophone: Tim Brizendine, Director of Music

The Second Reading - The Visitor

Luke 1:26-38

Carol

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Phillips Brooks and Lewis Henry Redner

1 O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

2 For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together,
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all on earth!

3 How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given;
so God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!

The Third Reading - The Journey and Birth

Luke 2:1-7

Carol

Away in a Manger

James Ramsey Murray

1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes;
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

3 Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

The Fourth Reading - The Shepherds and Angels

Luke 2:8-14

Carol

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Words: Charles Wesley, 1734; alt. by George Whitefield, 1753; Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840; arr. by William H. Cummings, 1856

1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

2 Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th' incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"

3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

The Fifth Reading - Following the Star

Luke 2:15-20

Carol

O Come, All Ye Faithful (v. 1, 3, 5, 6)

C. Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade

1 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;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
[Refrain]

5 Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee with love and awe.
Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
[Refrain]

6 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
[Refrain]

Prayers of the People

The Offering

To support our ministries, Livingston United Methodist Church depends on the financial support of our members and friends of the church like you. Visit our Donate page to give your gift today.

Offertory Music

O Holy Night

Arranged by Jay Rouse
Tune: CANTIQUE DE NOEL
By Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)

Prayer of Dedication

Carol

Still, Still, Still

Text: Traditional Austrian carol / Tune: Melody from Salzburger Volkslieder; arr. by Dean McIntyre

1 Still, still, still, the night is cold and chill.
The virgin's tender arms enfolding,
warm and safe the Christ child holding.
Still, still, still, the night is cold and chill.

2 Sleep, sleep, sleep, 'tis the eve of our Savior's birth.
For all is hushed the world is sleeping,
holy star its vigil keeping.
Sleep, sleep, sleep, 'tis the eve of our Savior's birth.

3 Dream, dream, dream, he sleeps, the Savior king.
While guardian angels watch beside him
Mary tenderly will guide him.
Dream, dream, dream, he sleeps, the Savior king.

Message

Words for the Beginning: Love Knows Your Name

Rev. Angie Cox

*Carol and Sharing the Light of Christ

Silent Night

Edmund H. Sears and Richard Storrs Willis

As the light comes to you, please tip your unlighted candle to receive the light, and hold it upright to pass the light to your neighbor.

When extinguishing your candle, cup your hand behind the candle and blow gently to avoid spraying hot wax over others in the congregation.

1 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.

2 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!

3 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.

4 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!

*Blessing and Sending Forth

Postlude

Joy to the World

Dear Friends,

Thank you for choosing to celebrate Christmas at Livingston United Methodist Church. May this time of worship and song bless you, and may the gift of the Christ child, God-with-Us continue to pour love and peace into your life throughout the coming year.

You are always welcome at Livingston!

Invitation to Holy Communion

Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Unison Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Words of Forgiveness

Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…the prayer continues

…And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

…the prayer continues

…in union with Christ’s offering for us we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

…the prayer continues

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever. Amen.

And now, with the confidence of being children of God, let us pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

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 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.

Receiving the Bread and Cup

Unison Prayer after Communion

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.