Welcome to worship at Northminster!

Thank you for worshipping with us tonight. If you are visiting with

us this evening we hope you feel the presence of God and the

hospitality of this congregation. If you have any questions about our

church please ask one of the pastors or a greeting host wearing a

red “Ask Me” badge.

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

December 24, 2017

CHRISTMAS EVE

10:30pm

«««««««««««««

*Those who are able, please stand.

Congregation responds in bold.

Please, silence your cell phone before worship begins.

1660 Kessler Boulevard, East Drive

Indianapolis, IN 46220

317-251-9489

www.northminster-indy.org

CENTERING THOUGHT

A World …

damaged … appearing to float aimlessly in the cold void of space

… groping in the darkness unaware of its blindness or just not

caring.

A people …

called from that world to glimpse a hint of the light

that would come to pierce the murky gloom.

Our Savior … Light of the World

born out of those people – yet eternal –

parting the clouds … lifting the shade …

filling our hearts with rays of hope

and the promise of Restoration!

Jennifer Richter

APPROACHING GOD

WELCOME Carol McDonald

PRELUDE

Rorate caeli ancient plainsong

Antiphon: Rorate caeli desuper,

et nubes pluant justum.

Ne irascaris Domine,

ne ultra memineris iniquitatis:

Ecce civitas Sancti facta est deserta:

Sion deserta facta est: Jerusaelm desolata est:

Domus sanctificationis tuae et gloriae tuae,

ubi laudaverunt te patres nostri. Antiphon

Antiphon: Drop down dew ye heavens, from above,

and let the skies pour down righteousness.

Be not angry, O Lord,

and remember no longer our iniquity:

Behold, the holy city is a wilderness

Sion is a wilderness: Jerusalem is desolate:

The house of your sanctification and your glory,

where our fathers praised you. Antiphon

Peccavimus, et facti sumus tamquam immundus nos,

et cecidimus quasi folium universi:

Et iniquitates nostrae quasi ventus abstulerunt nos:

Abscondisti faciem tuam a nobis,

et allisisti nos in manu iniquitatis nostrae. Antiphon

We have sinned, and are become as one that is unclean,

and we have all fallen as a leaf:

And our inquities, like the wind, have taken us away:

You have hidden your face from us,

and have crushed us, because of our iniquities. Antiphon

Vide Domine afflictionem populi tui,

et mitte quem missurus es:

Emitte Agnum dominatorem terrae,

de Petra deserti ad montem filliae Sion:

ut auferat ipse jugum captivitatis nostrae. Antiphon

Behold, O Lord, the affliction of your people,

and send forth Him who is to come:

Send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth,

from Petra of the desert, to the mount of the daughter of Sion:

That He may take away the yoke of our captivity. Antiphon

Consolamini, consolamini, popule meus:

Cito veniet salus tua:

Quare moerore consumeris?

Quia innovavit te dolor?

Salvabo te, noli timere, ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus,

Sanctus Israel, Redempto tuus. Antiphon

Be comforted, be comforted, my people:

My salvation comes quickly:

Why will you waste away in sadness?

Why has sorrow seized you?

Fear not, for I will save you, for I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer. Antiphon

Domine Deus (from Gloria) Antonio Vivaldi

(1678 - 1741)

Domine Deus, rex coelestis, Lord God, heavenly king,

Deus Pater omnipotens, God the Father almighty.

And the glory of the Lord (from Messiah)

George Frederick Handel

(1685 – 1759)

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together,

for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Catalonian Carol Traditional Catalonian

arr. Dale Warland

(born 1932)

Tanta ran tan.

What can we give to the Child of Mary? What lowly gifts will

both honor and please?

We will give figs to him, raisins and olives: We will give honey,

fresh bread and cheese.

Tanta ran.

What can we give to the Child of Mary? When in our

searching to him we are led?

Softest wool, a small coat that will warm him, and a wee cap

that will cover his head.

What can we give when the darkness is falling?

What can we give when he cries in the night? Lullabies,

glorias, glad alleluias,

Treasures of song that are joyous and bright. Tanta ran.

There is no rose Paul Hillier (born 1949)

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu,

Alleluia.

For in this rose contained was Heaven and earth in little space,

Res miranda.

By that rose we may well see there be one God in persons

three, Pariforma.

The angels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excelsis deo,

Gaudeamus.

Leave we all this worldly mirth, and follow we this joyful birth,

Transeamus.

The First Nowell Traditional English

arr. Mack Wilberg

(born 1955)

The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds

in fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's

night that was so deep.

Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them

far;

And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day

and night. Refrain

Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav’nly

Lord

That hath made heav’n and earth of nought, and with his blood

mankind hath bought.

Refrain.

A Savior from on High Stephen Paulus

(1949 – 2014)

O sweet was the song the Virgin sang when she to Bethl’em

Judah came.

And was delivered of a son and Jesus was his name.

Lulee, lully, lullo, lullaby. And Jesus was his name.

“O sweet babe,” sang she, “my son.” And so a Savior is born,

who was given from on high to visit us that were forlorn.

Lulee, lully, lullo, lullaby.

The Word Was God Rosephanye Powell

(born 1962)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

The same was in (uh) the beginning with God.

All things were made that have been made. Nothing was made

He has not made.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

*OPENING SENTENCES

The grace of God is with us now.

Girls and Women: The Savior of the world has come.

Boys and Men: Shine in our lives, Lord Jesus Christ.

All: Let us worship God.

*HYMN NO. 140 Once in Royal David’s City IRBY

( Soloist sings stanza 1; All sing stanzas 2-4)

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

Our season of preparing is nearly over.

Our time of waiting is nearly finished.

Now is a time of fulfillment and promise.

On this holy night, we give thanks for light.

We light a candle of hope: hope for ourselves, and for God’s

beloved world.

We light a candle of peace: peace in our hearts, and on earth.

We light a candle of joy: joy to the world, and within our whole

being.

We light a candle of love: the promise of God’s love for us, and

for all creation.

And now the hour has come and the season is fulfilled.

We light the Christ candle, the light of the world, the light

of possibility.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

HYMN NO. 110 Love Has Come BRING A TORCH

LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST READING Isaiah 11: 1-2 (Pg. 640)

PSALM 72: 1-7, 18-19

SECOND READING Matthew 1: 1, 17 (Pg. 1)

REFLECTIONS The Grandmothers of Jesus

Sarah — who started it

Ruth — who showed faithfulness

*HYMN NO. 138 Who Would Think That What Was Needed

WHITE RHOSETTES

THIRD READING Luke 1: 39-42 (Pg. 57)

Luke 2: 6-12, 15-8, 36-39 (Pg. 58)

REFLECTIONS The Grandmothers of Jesus

Elizabeth — who birthed the forerunner

Anna — who spoke of redemption

ANTHEM What Sweeter Music John Rutter

(born 1949)

What sweeter music can we bring than a carol, for to sing

the birth of this our heavenly King? Awake the voice! Awake

the string!

Dark and dull night, fly hence away, and give the honour to this

day,

that sees December turned to May.

Why does the chilling winter's morn smile, like a field beset

with corn?

Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn, thus on the sudden?

Come and see the cause, why things thus fragrant be:

'Tis he is born, whose quick’ning birth gives life and luster,

public mirth, to heaven, and the under-earth.

We see him come, and know him ours, who, with his sunshine

and his showers,

turns all the patient ground to flowers. The darling of the world

is come,

and fit it is, we find a room to welcome him.

The nobler part of all the house here is the heart,

which we will give him; and bequeath this holly, and this ivy

wreath,

to do him honour, who's our King, and Lord of all this reveling.

What sweeter music can we bring, than a carol, for to sing

the birth of this our heavenly King?

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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 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.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY Sing We Now of Christmas arr. Brant Adams

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

*DOXOLOGY W ZLOIE LEZY

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Gracious God, accept these gifts we offer.

Use all that we have and all that we are as you bring light in

every darkness.

Turn our endless warring into your endless peace.

In Christ’s name, we ask, Amen.

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

(Worshipers may greet one another with words of Christ’s peace.)

*HYMN NO. 122 Silent Night, Holy Night STILLE NACHT

(Your candle lit by a HOST as a symbol of the light of Christ.

Please tilt your unlit candle toward the flame.)

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.

*BLESSING AND CHARGE

The love of God, the light of Christ and the joy of the Holy

Spirit abide with you this holy night and forever.

Friends, go out this night in joy and hope.

We depart with the song of the angels on our lips:

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace.”

POSTLUDE I Saw Three Ships Traditional English

arr. Richard Elliott

(born 1952)

Seasonal Decorations and Poinsettias

Nancy Jarrell—in memory of my parents and in honor of my four

grandchildren

Joe Komenda—in memory of Marianne Komenda, my loving wife

Dick and Pat Dunbar and Family—in memory of P.E. Merriman and

Dorothy M. Merriman

Tim and Molly Craft—in honor of Don and Dolly Craft

Debbie and Chris Everett—in memory of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Stuart

and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Everett

Charlotte Chadwick—in memory of Raymond Chadwick

Francis Barrows—in memory of family members

Children and grandchildren of Esther Larson—in loving memory of

Esther

Sharon Lyst—in memory of John H. Lyst and Audrey K. Lyst

Matt and Marci Robinson—in honor of our parents Debby and Bud

Robinson and Kelly and Donna Stanley

Matt and Marci Robinson—in honor of our girls Kate, Lauren,

Caroline and Annie

Bud and Lee Morack—in honor of our pastors and staff

Joe and Sharon Dzwonar—in memory of our parents and sisters,

Anna and Dolores

John Lisher—in memory of Dr. and Mrs. P. C. Sturmon and Mr. and

Mrs. Leonard Lisher

Frank Sauer—in memory of my parents, Frank and Ethel Sauer

Clarice Stegall—in honor of Emily, Megan, Sara and AJ

Will and Todd Gudgel and Amy Gudgel Stults—in memory of

grandparents

Melissa Ann Hopkins—in memory of John and Iola Hopkins; Lynne

and Sam Hopkins; and Rev. Dr. Karel Hanhart

Scott Hawks—in memory of Joan and John Hawks

Jeff and Donna Schmahl—in memory of Shelly Magnus and in

honor of our NPC ministry staff

Karalea Jasiak—in memory of Lois Odell

Tom and Terri Hubbard—in memory of Beryldean Hubbard

Pat Kilbury—in memory of William Kilbury

Sara Sarno—in memory of parents, Kathryn and Denby Gerlach,

and sister, Alice Gerlach

Jackie Schmidt—in memory of Marvin and Ann Schmidt

Carol McDonald—in memory of The Rev. David L. McDonald and

The Rev. Peggy McDonald

Carol McDonald—in honor of the Pastors, Staff, good members of

Northminster Presbyterian Church, my family, and friends who

are family

Rev. Barbara Sloop—in honor of all who have supported and

encouraged me during my illness this year

Rev. Barbara Sloop—in memory of Dave’s, Jill’s and my parents

and grandparents

Bob Smith—in memory of Katherine Smith

Wiemer and Anita Hicks and Douglas Cruzan—in memory of

Eugene and Mildred Cruzan

Mr. and Mrs. Evan E. Steger—in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob E.

Gillespie

Mr. and Mrs. Evan E. Steger—in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles

F. Steger

Eunice and Joni Hughes—in memory of husband and father, John

Hughes

Carol and Rick Campbell—in memory of Rick and Carol

Campbell’s parents and in honor of Stephen Ministers

Terri Hubbard—in honor of father Tom Hubbard and family and

friends

Mary Liz Mitchell—in memory of Jim Mitchell

Barb Weber—in memory of my husband, Bill

Josephine Wright—-in memory of Nancy Wright Pinnick and in

honor of James B. Wright

Betty Sue Drake—in memory of my husband

Sharon Gremel—in memory of Bud Gremel and our parents

John (Jack) and Jan Whiteman—in memory of Margo Whiteman

and Terri Lee

Pat McVey—in memory of Laura McVey Kilcoyne

Netta Mae Browne—in memory of Helen Browne

Rob and Anita Day—in memory of John Busse

Gail and Rob Rothrock—in memory of our parents

Nancy Flamme—in memory of my parents Bill and Jean Flamme

Ev and Jane Fleming—in memory of our departed loved ones

Bob and Anne Nation—in memory of our parents and our Aunt

Hazel

The Personnel Committee—in honor of Northminster Pastors and

Staff

Sharon Parsley—in memory of family and friends

Ellen and John Fosnaught— in memory of our parents

Chancel Choir—in honor of John Wright and Marco Petričić

Hitch and Sandy Learned—in memory of Archie and Bette

Kuoppala and Frank and Caryl Learned

Bob and Barbara Berting—in memory of our sons, Kyle Victor and

Kevin Gregory

Bob and Barbara Berting—in memory of our parents, Bill Sr. and

Victoria Freije and Herman and Vada Berting

Cathy Robinson—in memory of David Robinson

Mary Jane Baxter—in memory of my son, Rick Baxter

Musical Leaders in tonight’s service:

Elisabeth Kleinsmith, Soprano

Robbie Foote and Seung Lee, Psalm cantors

Pam Ajango, Oboe

Chancel Choir and Chamber Ensemble

Advent Wreath Candle Lighters:

Tarry, Heather, Lily, and Sam Banks

Christmas Joy Offering Collection on Christmas Eve.

Your gift is used to support Presbyterian-related racial ethnic

schools and colleges, provides financial assistance to church

workers, and funds the Assistance Program of the Board of

Pensions. Special envelopes are in the pews.

What’s Next?

Sunday Morning Worship

December 31 – Reflections and Hope

January 7 – Baptism of Jesus, Installation of Elders and

Deacons

Mission and Outreach

Christmas Joy Offering – Christmas Eve

Events and Education

Middlers – January 6, 6pm at Tony and Jennifer Dzwonars

home

Fourth Sunday Adult Education – Painting the Stars, 10am

Annual Meeting of the Congregation – January 28, Noon

NorthStars Butler Basketball – February 3, Noon

Sound & Spirit Concert – Philatroi-String Trio – February 11,

4pm FREE

For more information, check out our website

(northminster-indy.org), ask to receive our weekly email,

pick up a newsletter from an information table, or contact the

church office.

To give by text message on a smartphone, text the amount

you would like to give to 317-316-3009. Our online giving

system, ShelbyNext, will prompt you through

a one-time set up for giving.

The building will be closed for the Christmas Holidays

on Monday and Tuesday, December 25 and 26.

MINISTRY

Teri L. Thomas

Pastor

Ruth Chadwick Moore

Associate Pastor

Carol McDonald

Acting Head of Staff

John M. Wright

Director, Music Ministries

Cheryl Plunkett

Acting Director, Christian Education

Maureen Wilson

Acting Director, Youth Ministries

and Kid’s Club

Marko Petričić

Music Associate/Organist

Denise Harrington

Senior Ministry Consultant

Marland Pittman

Seminary Intern

Barbara A. Sloop

Parish Associate

Carol Campbell

John Reed

Tony Dzwonar

Stephen Ministry Leaders

Donald R. Durrett

Associate Pastor Emeritus