THE HANGING OF THE GREEN
The Gathering
Piano Prelude: "Blessed Be the Name" Hymn No. 50
Welcome and Announcements:(Pastor )
Offertory Hymn: "I Love to Tell the Story" (Verses 1, 3) Hymn No. 461
Call to Worship
Choir: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (Verses 1,2,3) Hymn No. 81
Responsive Reading
Pastor: This morning we come together to prepare for the birthday of a King.
People: This morning we make ready our welcome for God's only Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Pastor: We begin this special and holy season of Advent, the season of going toward the
birth of Christ.
People: As we renew the special meaning of the Advent season, the season of going toward new hope and eternal life,
Pastor: Let us clear our minds and open our hearts to the coming of the Lord.
People: Let us also honor His birth by adorning our church for the coming of the King.
Pastor: Let our songs and symbols represent our personal rededication of the glory of God
and the manifestation of His love through His Son, Jesus Christ.
All: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Special Music: "The Love of God"
The Poinsettias
Narration: ( )
"The bright, blood-red poinsettia has become the most popular of all Christmas flowers. The star of the leaf is said to represent the star that stood over the Christ child. The red flowerstands for the blood of the male infants that King Herod had slain. The red flower represents the shed blood of Christ who came to be our Savior."
Hymn: "Away in a Manger" Hymn No. 80
The Evergreens
Narration: ( )
"We call this service this morning The Hanging of the Green because, traditionally, evergreens have been used to emphasize the nativity. Green represents renewal, new life, freshness, and rebirth. Plants such as pine, fir, holly, ivy, and mistletoe are called evergreens. It is no wonder that we decorate our sanctuary and our homes with evergreensduring this Advent season. It reminds us of the life that was and is evergreen, ever alive.
Hymn "Joy to the World" (Verses 1,2, 4) Hymn No. 88
The Wreaths
Narration: ( )
The wreaths that are hung inside our sanctuary also have symbolic significance. Their endless love of God, and their green color, which is evergreen, reminds us that the new lifethat God gives to us will never die.
Hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (Verses 1,3) Hymn No. 83
The Table
Narration: ( )
"With the men of old, the arraying of green in the home had some sacramental significance, as if the greens themselves carried with them blessings into the home. Our forefathers spoke of fetching hallowed sprigs from the woods as bringing home Christmas. One thing is certain, the greenery had a purpose. It was never used merely because it was decorative.We should think of the greenery as symbolic of the everlasting light given at Christmas, signifying a blessing in both our homes and our churches. At this time of the year, we as a congregation also remember the blood of Christ shed for our eternal life, for if it were not for the birth of this Christ Child, there would be no remission of our sins."
Hymn 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" (Verses 1,2,4) Hymn No. 86
The Advent Wreath
Narration: ( )
" The Advent wreath is exactly what the word implies, a circle of evergreens bound together. Placement in a circle came to represent God's eternity and perfection. Evergreens and candles are used to remind us of God's gift of life through Jesus Christ to a world of darkness. The emphasis of the wreath is anticipation of the Messiah's coming. Three of the candles are purple, representing the darkness before the light. One candle, the fourth one, is pink to represent the joyfulness of Christ's coming. The fifth candle, the center candle is white and is called Christ's candle. It is symbolic of what each of us must do during the Christmas season as we make ready for the Christ Child to be center of our lives."
Hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (Verses 1, 4) Hymn No. 85
The Christmas Bells
Narration: ( )
"For centuries the bells of churches of every land have pealed forth the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus. In Bethlehem, the city of the nativity, it has become traditional to usher in Christmas Eve by the ringing of bells. As their tones float out on the air and over the countryside, they are a reminder, as were the voices of the angelic host so long ago, that Christ is born."
Hymn "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day" Song Sheet
The Christmas Story
Narration: ( ) Luke 2:1, 4-14
Hymn "Silent Night" (Verses 1,3, 4) Hymn No. 89
Congregational Benediction
"And now may God, Creator of light, and trees, and flowers, Grant us peace. As we have decorated this place of worship, May we also live lives of worship decorated with God's forever things...Forever love, Forever life, Forever living, Forever growing, Forever...green. In the name of God's love and light, in Jesus' name. Amen"
