THE WORSHIP OF GOD

Christ
Christmas Eve
24 December 2018

Myers Park Baptist Church

Charlotte, North Carolina
 The Worship of God
The Nativity of our Lord - Christmas Eve
24 December 2018
at Six o’clock in the evening

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD

Inspired by the bold and boundless hospitality of Jesus, we are “open to all,” which means we welcome and
accept all people into the life of our Church without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, age, economic
status, political affiliation, physical or mental capacity, or religious belief. We believe that God’s call is given
to all people, and we embrace the Spirit that continues to cross boundaries in order to unite the world.
Gluten-free communion wafers are available in the Narthex and at each Communion station.

The Silent Meditation

Joy unspeakable
is not silent,
it moans, hums, and bends
to the rhythm of a dancing universe.
It is a fractal of transcendent hope,
a hologram of God’s heart…

Joy unspeakable is
a symphony of incongruities
of faces aglow and hearts on fire
and the wonder of surviving together.

Joy unspeakable
erupts when you least expect it,
when the burden is greatest,
when the hope is gone…
it rises
on the crest of impossibility,
it sways to the rhythm
of steadfast hearts,
and celebrates
what we cannot see. – Barbara A. Holmes

The Music of Christmas (5:30p) Carols for Organ, Harp and Flute
Christine Van Arsdale, harp; Erinn Frechette, flute
The Call to Worship
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

*The Procession and Opening of the Bible Number 106

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Mendelssohn

*The Collect
Leader: Let us pray.
People: O God, you have caused this holy night to shine
with the brightness of true light:
grant that this same light enkindled in our hearts
may shine forth in our lives. Amen.
___________________________
Please stand in body or in spirit. 2
*The Lighting of the Christ Candle Tate and Marcia Bowers,
Leader: A trumpet blares through the silent night! Lisa Bowers Smoots
A new song heralds the coming light! with John and Sarah Tate
People: Let us sing the new song,
let us turn to the light,
let us build a new earth,
let us celebrate new life!
Leader: Let the sea’s deep rumble make the sky tremble!
Let the field’s high chanting make the clouds dance!
All: Let us sing the new song,
let us turn to the light,
let us build a new earth,
let us celebrate new life!

(Lighting the Christ Candle.)

People: (singing) Regent Square

Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth;
ye who sang creation’s story,
now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King!

THE PEOPLE CONFESS AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS

The Kyrie Eleison

The Invitation to Silent Confession

The Prayer of Confession

God of Wonder,
We come into your presence confessing
we have lost sight of the wonder of creation.
We confess that on this eve when we celebrate the birth of Jesus,
the frantic paces of our lives send us places far from thoughts
of new life and new hope in the form of a child.
We confess that we have become hardened
from the conflict we have experienced.
God of Grace, forgive our foolish ways.
Rekindle our faith. Renew our lives.
Reveal to us the possibilities of new beginnings.
Let the wonder and awe of this season turn our worlds upside down.
Amen.
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The Assurance of Pardon

*The Gloria in Excelsis Deo Gloria

Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

*The Passing of the Peace

The Welcome to Our Guests

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED AND HEARD

The Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-15 (NRSV)
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor
of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the
town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because
he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with
Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were
there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn
son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was
no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their
flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the
Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do
not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to
you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This
will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace
among those whom God favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into
heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

The Solo
“O Holy Night”
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
it is the night of our dear Savior's birth;
long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘til he appeared and the soul felt his worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)
Truly he taught us to love one another;
His law is love and his gospel is peace;
chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
and in his name all oppression shall cease,
sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
let all within us praise his holy name!
fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Todd Geer, tenor

The Gospel Reading Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV)

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from
now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great
things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from
generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered
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 the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful
from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good
things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in
remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Leader: For the Word of God in scripture,

for the Word of God among us,
for the Word of God within us.
People: Thanks be to God.

*The Sermon Carol Number 110

“Joy to the World” Antioch

The Christmas Meditation The Reverend W. Benjamin Boswell

“The Joy of Being Scattered”

THE CONGREGATION RESPONDS TO GOD’S WORD

The Church at Prayer

The Christmas Offering

Mobile giving is available – see page 8.
All gifts this evening will benefit the MPBC Sunshine Fund (The Church Benevolence Fund).

The Anthem The Chancel Choir

“On This Day Earth Shall Ring” Neil Harmon (b. 1967)
On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing to the Lord, Christ our King,
born on earth to save us; him the Father gave us.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

His the doom, ours the mirth; when he came down to earth Bethlehem saw his birth;
shepherds kneel before him, praise him and adore him.

God’s bright star, o’er his head, Wise Men three to him led; kneel they low by his bed,
lay their gifts before him, praise him and adore him.

On this day angels sing; with their song earth shall ring, praising Christ, heaven’s King,
born on earth to save us; peace and love he gave us.

THE SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP

All are welcome at this Table. It is open to all who seek to follow Jesus. There are no requirements
of creed, denominational affiliation or age. Come, bring all the faith you have to this table of grace.

Gluten free Communion wafers are available in the Narthex and at each Communion station.
You are invited to come forward to receive Communion. Two central stations will serve the center aisle.
Side aisles will each be served at the front of your aisle. The balcony will be served in the balcony.
Before returning to your seat, please deposit empty juice cups in one of the baskets.
If you prefer to receive Communion at your seat, please indicate by raising your hand so you may be served.

The Invitation to the Table

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

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The Lord’s Prayer
Our God, 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.

The Words of Institution

The Sharing of the Bread and Cup

The Music at Communion

The Prayer after Communion

We give you thanks, O God,
that you have come to us through Jesus the Christ,
both in the midst of time and history,
and in the timeless presence of Christ’s spirit
as we receive the gifts of bread and wine.
Send us out into the world rejoicing,
enabled to share your love with all people we meet;
through the grace of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

The Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV adapted)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of
deep darkness — on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have
increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when
dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod
of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the
tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Protector, Prince of
Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the
throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with
righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

The Lighting of the Candles

*The Carol with Candlelight

“Silent night, holy night!” Stille Nacht
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! Shepherds quake at the sight,

glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia.
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

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.

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.
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 THE COMMUNITY IS SENT INTO THE WORLD FOR MINISTRY

*The Christmas Benediction

The congregation extinguishes their candles.

The greeters will receive your candles as you leave.

The Postlude
“Improvisation on Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” John Richardson

The Nativity Tableau will begin shortly after the conclusion of this service.
The Holy Family: Stephanie and Joshua Wilburn with John Miller Wilburn as Baby Jesus;
Magi: Lindsey Bray, Susan Miller, and Glenn Miller;
Shepherds: Adam Cranford, Audrey James Currin, Abby Smith, and Kendall Smith;
Angel: Anna Bray.

Leading worship this evening with The Reverend W. Benjamin Boswell, Senior Minister,
are The Reverend Joseph D. Aldrich, Associate Minister,
The Reverend Chrissy Tatum Williamson, Associate Minister,
The Reverend Leigh Anne Hagerman, Church Administrator,
The Reverend Carrie Veal, Minister of Families and Community Life,
Allen Davis, Director of Youth Ministry,
and Katie Hambrick, Children’s Ministry Intern.

The Chancel Choir leads worship through music with

Frances L. Morrison, Minister of Music,
Charlotte C. Judge, Associate Director of Music,
John Richardson, Organist,
Erinn Frechette, Flutist,
and Christine Van Arsdale, Harpist.

The acolytes are Anna Judge, Max Odom and Annie Odom.

The sound technician is Eric Roberts.

The webcast technician is John Bambach.

The poinsettias on the altar are given by

Mr. W. Frank Dowd, Jr. and family and Mrs. Roddey Dowd, Sr. and family
to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. W. Frank Dowd,
Sally Carson Dowd and Roddey Dowd, Sr.

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 THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP

Why do we worship?
Worship at Myers Park Baptist is the gathering of a diverse, intergenerational,
ecumenical community of faith, celebrating God’s active and timeless presence in the
world. In worship, God re-forms our hearts, minds and bodies, and ignites our
imaginations with sacred stories—stories that invite us to question, explore mystery,
express joy and grief, and deepen our faith. We worship to learn how to develop caring,
empowering relationships with each other, and to stay centered in God as the world
swirls around us. We worship to be inspired and prepared to exemplify the compassion
and justice of Jesus in our church family and in the world. Through worship, God frees
and transforms us in heart, mind and body, so we can make a difference within
ourselves, in our relationships and in our community.

How do we worship?
Focusing on God, worship at Myers Park Baptist unfolds consistently with the Isaiah 6
scriptural model: praise, confession, pardon, calling to respond, commitment and
sending out. All our worship services are built on this ancient structural form, regardless
of worship style, venue or theme. Communal practices within worship — radical
hospitality, confession and assurance of pardon, passing the peace, silence and listening,
spirited hymn singing, presentations of gifts, and active participation in
Communion—transform worshipers into newness with God and one another. Themes
for services, based on lectionary scriptures, annually portray the narrative arc of God’s
redeeming love for humankind.

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 MOBILE GIVING

You can now text your contributions and offerings to MPBC! It is secure, simple, and
efficient:
C Start a new text message to phone number 73256.
C In the message of the text, enter 1900Q, a space, and the amount you want to
give (i.e., 1900Q 100).
C The system will return a message to you; click on the link provided and follow
instructions.
C You will then receive a receipt to confirm your gift was received. It is that
simple!
C Next time, since your setup is already done – just text “1900Q, a space, then
amount you wish to give” to 73256.

Questions? Contact Rev. Leigh Anne Hagerman, Church Administrator,

at 704.334.7232 x116 or lhagerman@myersparkbaptist.org

The Season of Christmas 2018

You are invited to attend our other worship offerings:

Sunday, December 30
Jazz in the Round | 11:00a in Heaton Hall
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Epiphany Sunday Worship with Communion | 11:00a in the Sanctuary

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 Our Covenant

We, the members of the Myers Park Baptist Church, are a people on a journey of faith. By
God’s grace we are experiencing God’s love through Jesus Christ and in the community of the
faithful. We are discovering in this experience our freedom to become new creatures and our
responsibility to be faithful stewards of our lives and of this world.

We will be open to all new light, strengthened by God and each other in our faith. We will
sustain a critical examination of Scripture, belief and ritual as interpreters of God’s active presence in
the world. We will accept controversy as a reality of life together and an opportunity for growth
toward maturity. We covenant to be a community of God’s new creation and affirm that we are
open to all and closed to none.

We covenant to nurture this Church as a community of faith and as an instrument for

reconciliation in this world: by worship, by Christian education, by the dedication of our personal
and material resources and by all the other ways we express the significance of our lives with God
and one another.

We covenant together to be priests celebrating God’s presence in community and in the

world, believing we are participants in God’s kingdom on earth.

The Myers Park Baptist Church

1900 Queens Road • Charlotte, North Carolina 28207-2582
704.334.7232 • www.myersparkbaptist.org

@MPBaptist

Our Ministers

Rev. W. Benjamin Boswell | Senior Minister | bboswell@myersparkbaptist.org

Frances L. Morrison | Minister of Music | fmorrison@myersparkbaptist.org
Rev. Joseph D. Aldrich | Associate Minister | jaldrich@myersparkbaptist.org
Rev. Chrissy Tatum Williamson | Associate Minister | cwilliamson@myersparkbaptist.org
Rev. Leigh Anne Hagerman | Church Administrator | lhagerman@myersparkbaptist.org
Rev. Carrie Veal | Minister of Children and Community Life | cveal@myersparkbaptist.org
John Richardson | Organist | jrichardson@myersparkbaptist.org
Charlotte C. Judge | Associate Director of Music | cjudge@myersparkbaptist.org
Allen Davis | Director of Youth Ministry | adavis@myersparkbaptist.org
Pamela Handon | Director of the Cornwell Center | phandon@cornwellcenter.org
Belinda Geuss | Director of Through-The-Week School | bgeuss@myersparkbaptist.org

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