Christmas Eve December 24, 2020 at 10 pm
Virtual Communion Service
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.”
Luke 2:10-11
First Presbyterian Church
December 24, 2020 – 10:00 p.m.
Please prayerfully allow the silent, sacred space of where you are
and the quiet stirrings of the Spirit to prepare your heart and mind for worship.
Pray for those near and far to you. Pray for peace in our world.
Please make sure have a candle ready to light at the end of our service...
PRELUDE Pastorale from Concerto grosso in g, Op. 6, No. 8 (Christmas Concerto)
Arcangelo Corelli
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE Bob and Eva Spangler
Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For a child has
been born for us, a Son has been given to us.
People: We celebrate the coming of God’s light into the world in the birth of
our Savior Christ the Lord.
Leader: Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
of Prince of Peace. And the word became flesh and lived among us.
People: Prepare our hearts to receive you even now.
Lighting of the Christ candle
Leader: The first candle reminds us of the hope we have in Emmanuel, the
second of God’s peace, the third of God’s joy, and the fourth of God’s
love. The central candle reminds us of Jesus, the light of the world who gives
us hope, peace, joy, and love!
People: Let us worship and sing with joy, for the light yet shines in the darkness.
From Gloria in D Major, R.V. 589 Antonio Vivaldi
I. Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Glory be to God on high.
HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Dr. R. Scott Herr
PRAYER
Minister: We have waited for a long time for your hope, your peace, your joy, and your love to
shine in the darkness of this world, Loving God. Even now, our weary world rejoices,
yet we await for you to draw near to us again. In our hearts, we hope that your light will
blaze forth, banishing the shadows of fear and doubt in us and our world and guide us all
back to you.
People: Open our hearts, gracious God, to the light of your presence with us. Open our
eyes, that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places, and among the
least likely of people. Restore to us, even now, the joy of your salvation. Amen.
From Gloria in D Major
II. Et in terra pax
Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
And on earth peace, goodwill towards men.
OLD TESTAMENT READING - Isaiah 9:2-7 Bob Spangler
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 Father,
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 zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
People: Thanks be to God.
From Gloria in D Major
III. Laudamus te
Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.
Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.
We praise thee. We bless thee.
We worship thee. We glorify thee.
GOSPEL READING - Luke 2:1-14
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 he favors!”
Minister: Holy wisdom, holy word.
People: Thanks be to God.
From Gloria in D Major
IV. Gratias agimus tibi
Gratias agimus tibi.
We give thanks to thee.
V. Propter magnam gloriam
Propter magnam gloriam tuam.
For thy great glory.
CHRISTMAS MEDITATION The Rev. Scott Herr
HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN
PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS Bob Spangler
OFFERTORY
From Gloria in D Major
VI. Domine Deus
Domine Deus, rex coelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens.
O Lord God, heavenly King,
God the Father almighty.
VII. Domine Fili Unigenite
Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
XI. Quoniam tu solus sanctus
Quoniam tu solus sanctus; Tu solus Dominus.
Tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord.
Thou only art most high, Jesus Christ.
XII. Cum Sancto Spiritu
Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
With the Holy Ghost, in glory of God the Father. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE The Rev. Scott Herr
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Minister: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise…
LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
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 debts, as we
forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
Most of us are worshipping at home, so please serve yourself, or if you are with family or friends,
please serve one another, saying, “The Body of Christ, broken for you,” and “The blood of Christ,
shed for you.” A simple response is “Thanks be to God!”
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Bob and Eva Spangler
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in
the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing
came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all
people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
PASSING OF THE LIGHT
Wherever you are, you may want to dim the lights and light candles as we sing Silent Night together.
HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night STILLE NACHT
CHRISTMAS BLESSING The Rev. Scott Herr
POSTLUDE Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54, No. 6 Louis Vierne
CCLI #1120652 / ONE LICENSE, License A-734274
Christmas Flowers
In Memory Of
Their parents Stephen & Madeleine Benko, and Donald & Pearleen Baer by Steve and Sue Benko
Howard Blose & Ann Blose Eydt by Marion Blose and her family
James M. Bridgman by his family
Bob Brownley by his family
Roger E. Clark by Kate, the kids, and grandkids
Andrew Clarkson by his family
John Orlando, Louise Pearson, and her parents, Connie & Milton Coe, by Kathy and John Edwards
Her parents, Bill & Sally Earl, by Margaret Cooper
Ed & Vivian Elbert, from his church family
Their parents, Carl & Frieda Nolte, & Jim & Bunny Otto, by Len & Cindy Graziano
Chuck Gulden, Alan Wentzel, & loved ones by the Gulden/Wentzel Family
Bill Hart by the Swan-Hart Family
In Loving Honor of our parents from Kim and Scott Herr
Stuart Lloyd Higley & Louise Warren Higley, by Louise Higley John & her children & grandchildren
George Hooker by his family
Their parents, James & Phyllis Russell, & Reginald & Noreen Martin, by Linda and Paul Martin
Our parents & grandparents, Maxine & Tracey Mackle,
from Julie, Michael, Spencer, Kate &Vivi Reeves Constance & Donal C. O’Brien, Sr., Donal C. O’Brien, Jr., & Nancy & George Slight by their family
Linda Moore Post, & George B. Post, Jr, from their family
Her husband, Peter Schurman, & her brother, Don Calhoun, by Judy Schurman
Isabel Brown & Peter Esty, by Sue Speers and family
Margret & William Marple, parents of Mary Marple Thies, & Eleanor Kamphoefner, mother of
Armin Thies
Craig B. Tate, William F. & Hazel S. Graham, Elizabeth Krebs, & John & Evelyn Tate by the Tate
Family
For dearly missed Annunziata & Giuseppe Colella from Leo, Evelyn, Alissa, and Lorenzo Colella
For lives shared when Texas met Pennsylvania to create loving memories with Estela & Atenógenes
Villarreal
and Evelyn & Alfred Kastrup from Lynne and Homero Villarreal
With thankfulness for the lives of and the joy given by Leo Atenógenes Colella, Jocelyn Villarreal Trapp,
Vivienne Rose Trapp and Evelyn Annunziata Colella to their loving grandparents, RowRow & Pápi!
Ronald Watkins by his family
Robert Wingate & Anne McGuinness by Eva Wingate and family
Robert Witt by his family
Sunday School is Here!
While you are watching the livestream of Sunday's service, there is a Sunday
School bulletin for your children to do when the family gathers together to worship.
Please visit our website: www.fpcnc@org. Look for the Sunday School links in the
December 27 Sunday’s Service blog. To download the children’s bulletin, click on:
Children of God.
Announcing Courtney Steininger as our Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries.
After receiving over 50 applications for the Director of Youth and Children’s
Ministries position, and after two rounds of interviewing final candidates,
the Search Committee headed up by Randy Ferguson, and including Megan
Wunderlich, Mark Magnusen, Laurel Carlson, Lisa Gifford, Christine
Mangone, Julie Reeves, Vivi Reeves, Alexandra Gillespie, and Rev. Herr
unanimously and with enthusiasm recommended to the FPCNC Session, that
Courtney be hired to serve and begin this coming January. The Session, after reviewing Courtney’s
resume and considering the recommendation of the Search Committee, unanimously voted to approve
hiring Courtney. We are therefore thrilled to announce that she has accepted the position to come and
serve our congregation! She is a lifetime Presbyterian from Darnestown, Maryland; completed a
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (with a minor in Religious Studies) at the University of
Maryland, College Park; is currently a senior at Princeton Theological Seminary and will graduate in
May of 2021. She is an intern at Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church. She served in Children’s
Ministry at Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, and was a student intern in Religion and
International Affairs at the Ecumenical Office of the United Nations. She served as a member of and
liaison to the General Assembly of the PCUSA for the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns. She
was a representative of the PCUSA at the World Council of Churches Global Consultation for the
Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with
Women; served as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate to the General Assembly PCUSA. Because her
last class next semester is online, she can join us in January, and so pray for her to find an apartment!
Please keep the following people in your hearts. New Concerns: Norma Collier; family of Bettyann
Murphy. Continued concerns: Catherine Armstrong; Frank Banko; Gloria Bridgman; Dr. Charlotte
Brown; John Edwards; Denise Lynch; Joan Trefts; Debbie Murphy Williams; The Abo Noktah family
(our Syrian refugees): father Khaldoun, mother Khawla Alzob, daughters Hanin, Zain and Hayat, and
sons Yaman and Ahmed, and Khaldoun’s mother, Nam Abo Noktah.
FPCNC Men’s Fellowship - 1st and 3rd
Wednesdays. FPCNC will be starting a Men’s
Fellowship in the new year. It will be a great
opportunity for the men to get to know each other a
little better and do some bible study together. It will
be held twice a month from 6:45 to 8 am, on the 1st
and 3rd Wednesdays, beginning on Epiphany,
January 6th. The meetings will start on Zoom due to
the pandemic, but we anticipate meeting in person at
the church as soon as we’re able to.
The format (subject to change) is:
6:45 - 7:00 Arrival, Mingling & Opening Prayer
7:00 - 7:30 Featured Guest - Background and Reflections
7:30 - 7:50 Meditation by Rev Herr followed by small group discussions
7:50 - 8:00 Wrap-up and Closing Prayer
The featured guest for the first meeting will be our own Rev Scott Herr.
All men are welcome and feel free to invite any friends. We look forward to seeing you there!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89635063375?pwd=U3pPYUV6NCtockgrYmJSYTFWdkFIUT09
Meeting ID: 896 3506 3375 /Passcode: Fellowship
Musical Musings is on holiday and will resume on Wednesday, January 6th!
Wednesdays at 2! Musical Musings: Stories about Sunday’s Music. Join
Victoria to learn about the music for the upcoming Sunday! We’ll learn the
hymns and their stories, learn about the special music and how everything ties
together in the Sunday service. So, if you’ve ever found yourself saying “I
wonder where that came from” or “I don’t know this hymn,” then join us on
Wednesdays so you are in the know before Sunday’s service! Contact
[email protected], if you are interested and for the Zoom link.
New Canaan Food Pantry is open! Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at St. Mark's, by
the food pantry door on Mondays 8:30-10:30 AM. The items most needed
are Coffee (regular or decaf, drip or instant), apple juice, pancake mix, cereal
(sweet or healthy), oatmeal, syrup, chicken, tuna, pasta sauce, vegetables,
fruit, chili, soup, tortilla chips, salsa, crackers, salad dressing, applesauce,
peanut butter, jelly, packaged potato dish, rice (white or brown), toothpaste,
toothbrushes, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, ketchup, mustard,
white vinegar.
Please consider volunteering to help with our Sunday service. We at First Presbyterian of New
Canaan are always eager to share our talents and get to know one another better by participating in our
services of worship. Please utilize this link to see all of the volunteer opportunities over the next couple
months. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4aaaad2aa31-sunday
THIS WEEK at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of NEW CANAAN
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
10 a.m. Worship Service via LocalLive
Rev. Mary Marple Thies
11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour, via Zoom
Password is Joy!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1: New Year’s Day
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3
10 a.m. Worship Service via LocalLive
Rev. Shannon Vance-Ocampo
11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour, via Zoom
Password is Joy!
First Sunday after Christmas Worship Service, December 27 at 10 am
At 10:00 a.m., we will be offering a traditional Lessons and Carols service,
with the Rev. Mary Marple Thies, via LocalLive.
Second Sunday after Christmas Holy Communion Service
January 3 at 10 am
At 10:00 a.m., we will be offering a service produced by
the Presbytery of Southern New England,
with the Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo preaching, via LocalLive
Participating in tonight’s service:
Bob and Eva Spangler
Musicians:
Singers:
Meg Bowles*
Patrick Fennig
Jonathan Guss
Daniel McNickle
Ian Shearson
Harper Stevenson*
*soloist
String Ensemble:
David Bakamjian, cello
Lisa Rautenberg, violin 1
Debby Turner, violin 2
Ruth Ziegler, viola
MINISTERS
The Entire Congregation
OUR PASTORS
The Rev. Dr. R. Scott Herr, Senior Pastor • The Rev. Mary Marple Thies, Parish Associate
OUR STAFF
Victoria Shields, Director of Music and Arts • Sherry Tate, Cherub Choir Director
Courtney Steininger, Director of Youth and Children Ministries
Jim Riehl, Interim Church Administrator • Tina St. Armand, Office Manager
Edgar Torres, Day Sexton • Kate Stringfellow, Operations Manager
Safe Connect: This is a difficult time of year, exacerbated by the pandemic and political and economic
stressors. We want our community to be aware of help for our families and our neighbors. Please be
aware there is a 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline 888–774–2900 to text or call. There is also email
or chat available in any language. People contact Safe Connect for themselves or someone else they
care about. Some have questions about their relationships and just want to talk. We take your lead,
offering information, options, and possible outcomes. Also, tune in to the community podcast and latest
Ep 8: Helping Friends in Abusive Relationships with DVCC's Suzanne Adam, Executive Director,
at https://www.talkingaboutit.org/
New Adult Class begins in January 2021: The Enneagram Journey
WHAT?
The Enneagram Journey is a curriculum designed to
help participants learn about the Enneagram, a powerful
ancient tool for understanding motivation, behavior, and
experience. This video-based curriculum is led by
Suzanne Stabile, a master teacher and guide and founder
of “Life in the Trinity Ministry.” This course was created
to help participants experience new self-awareness and
spiritual transformation as a community for those who
participate.
According to the curriculum, this class is “not just to teach
an intellectual understanding of the Enneagram, although you will get a good grounding in its
basic concepts. Knowing your Enneagram Number and learning about the Enneagram are not
enough to help you work with your personality and promote spiritual growth. Transformation
and growth take place as a community of people experiences the Enneagram together. That is
why we have called this curriculum The Enneagram Journey—it’s a shared experience designed
to help you connect with other members of your group and learn with and from each other.” For
more information about the Enneagram and Suzanne Stabile, go to:
https://www.theenneagramjourney.org/about
Each participant will receive a hard copy Participants Guide which can be picked up on Sunday,
January 10th at the church after 11:00.
WHO?
Any member or friend of the FPCNC who wants to learn together using the ancient tool of the
Enneagram. This is mainly for adults, but older teens might also benefit from this course. The
class is limited to 20 participants and requires pre-registration. The deadline for registration is
January 8.
WHEN?
This 12-week class will begin on Wednesday, January 13, and meet weekly through March 31.
The class will meet “virtually” using Zoom each Wednesday evening from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
There will be a one-hour video presentation followed by a half hour of interactive conversation.
WHERE?
The course moderated by Rev. Scott Herr using Zoom technology.
HOW MUCH?
There is a $20.00 registration fee to cover the cost of the Participant Guide.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Please sign up by contacting Tina at: [email protected] and send a check for $20.00 to First
Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, with Enneagram printed in the memo line by January 10.
Sign up today, as this class will fill up!
This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Person-to-Person
Dove Program relied solely on monetary donations to purchase gift
cards for holiday meals for their current clients as well as 120
additional families requesting help. Thanks to the generosity of our
congregation, our collective gifts of $5,000 will support 100 Person
to Person families! Thank you so much for your continued support
towards ending food insecurity in our community! A special thank
you to The Rev. Dr. R. Scott Herr, Tina St. Armand, and Jim Beall
for their assistance in promoting the program!
Jim Ely, Donna Hill, Bob Spangler, co-coordinators.
Thank you to the following people who made financial contributions
to Person-to-Person’s Dove Program.
Jim & Barbara Beall*
Sue Benko
George Benington*
Anna Mae Bondor
Gloria Bridgman
Anne Brownley
Peg & Sherman Bull
Koo Chung
Carole Clarkson
Jim & Lis Ely*
Linda & Randy Ferguson*
Mary Findlay*
Ted Foster
Jennifer Frazer*
Serena Gillespie*
Cindy & Len Graziano*
Nick & Gigi Guthrie
Karen Hanson*
Scott & Kim Herr*
Donna & David Hill*
Peggy Jay
Elsbeth Johnson
Paul & Angela Johnson*
John & Ruth Laird
Janet & John Lanaway*
Jim & Marylee Lesko*
Jim & Jan Lucie*
Denise Lynch
Linda & Paul Martin*
Sandy Mills*
Jo Ann Nerenburg
Mary Elizabeth O’Connor*
Anne & Howard Palmer*
George Post
Julie & Michael Reeves*
Judy Schurman*
Carolyn Scott
Sue Sherwood*
Roger & Nell Smith*
Bob Spangler*
Sherry Tate*
Mary & Armin Thies
Carolyn & Mike Turpin
Jen & Steve Van de Graaf*
Homero Villarreal*
Gretchen Watkins
Barbara Wentzel
Michael Wind*
Eva Wingate
Megan Wunderlich*
* more than one Dove purchased
