Dec 21- ‘The Merry Mix-Up Pageant’

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC.

WELCOME       Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRELUDE     Gesu Bambino (The Infant Jesus)    Pietro Yon
Valerie Waterman, vocalist

*CALL TO WORSHIP     Audrey Farrell
ONE: The Prince of Peace is coming, born to us in a stable.
ALL: Unbelievable beginnings for he who is born King of the Jews.
ONE: This story sounds impossible, and yet this is no mix-up.
ALL: All are welcome at the manger.

*HYMN   O Come, All Ye Faithful #188

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION     Eli Willey                  
Ever present, God, when you gave your only son to the world, he was placed in the care of modest parents, born in a lowly manger, and the news of his birth was shared with humble shepherds. It was no ordinary welcome for a king. But through your grace, you remind us that peace, love, hope, and joy can come from the most unexpected of places. Help us continue having faith in your power, your love, and your surprises. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH – The Candle of Love  
Reader 1:  Today, we come face to face with the scandal of Advent: Mary, the unmarried mother; God Incarnate growing in Mary’s womb as a vulnerable baby; Joseph contemplating leaving Mary because of her pregnancy; God’s love at work in ways that society and propriety could not understand; God calling Mary and Joseph to faithfulness despite the fear of disgrace.
All: With Mary and Joseph, we choose to wait, watch, and listen for the way of Love instead of responding in fear to the world’s judgment.
Reader 2: We light this candle of love as a sign of our faithfulness as we seek, find, and follow Emmanuel, God with us.

 *RESPONSE   O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  #186       (Verse 4 Only)                               

SPECIAL MUSIC    Winter Wonderland    
                    Jack Fernandez, piano

The Merry Mix-Up Pageant
Written by Tara Lowry

The Congregation is invited to share in the singing of the following hymns:
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Insert)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Verses 1, 2 & 4) #200
Angels We Have Heard on High   (Verses 1,2 & 3) #206

Cast sings “Away in a Manger”

We Three Kings (Verses 1 & 5)  #220

*HYMN    Go Tell it on the Mountain  #216                        
Children/Youth sing Verse 1
Congregation joins in singing Verses 2 & 3

*RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION     Blair Bittick
ONE: And so concludes our merry tale of the birth of our Lord and Savior.
ALL: But the story of God’s love does not end there.
ONE: It continues on in the hearts of each and every one of us.
ALL: All are welcome to share God’s love.

*POSTLUDE  O Come, Little Children     arr., Diane Bish