11am Worship, 4th Sunday of Advent, A Service of Lessons and Carols

Dec 21, 2025 • Rev. W. Donald Warren, Rev. Rhonda Grant-Jordan, Rev Diane M. Christianson

Welcome to our 11am 4th Sunday of Advent Worship, A Service of Lessons and Carols. We hope you will be blessed in our time together.

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Prelude Pastorale, Corelli

Welcome & Announcements

Introit Advent Watch - Dickson & Mann

Processional Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful - UMH 234

Liturgy/Prayers (Psalm 146, response 3)

Hymn Love Came Down at Christmas - UMH 242

Handbell Anthem Ding, Dong, Merrily on High – George Ratcliffe Woodward/arr. Michael Bedford

1st lesson God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise & his seed will bruise the serpent’s head.

Anthem: Now We Await/Veni Emmanuel Daniel Kallman

2nd lesson God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed

Anthem: Choose Something Like a Star – Robert Frost, text; Randall Thompson, music

Handbell Anthem O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright - Philipp Nicolai/arr. C. Mocklebust

3rd lesson The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.

Anthem: Lift Up Your Heads - Joseph Martin

4th lesson The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.

Anthem: O Day of Peace That Dimly Shine - UMH 72, Jason Kossol, solo

Congregational Hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory UMH 220

5th lesson The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Anthem: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach/arr. Wallingford Riegger, Michael Stephenson, soprano saxophone

Responsive Reading – Canticle of Mary – UMH 205

6th lesson St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

Anthem: The Hands That First Held Mary’s Child - Thomas Troeger, lyrics; Dan Forrest, Nick Fullenwider, cello

7th lesson The shepherds go to the manger.

Anthem: Carol of the Small Child – Jim Runyan/arr. James D. Cram

8th lesson The wise men are led by the star to Jesus

Anthem: Silent Night! Holy Night! with O Holy Night!

Lyrics: John S, Dwight and Joseph Mohr

Music: Adolphe Adam and Franz Gruber/arr. Tom Fettke, Jason Kossol, solo

Ensemble: Allyson Baxter, Katie Leegins-Vinson, Becky Wood, Caroline Parker, Edward Jones, Jason Kossol

Pastoral Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer - Albert Malotte, Jon Strother, solo

Offering & Doxology (UMH 240 stanza 3)

9th lesson St John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation

Anthem: In the Bleak Midwinter: A Christmas Carol – Harold Darke (1888 – 1976)

Poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), Caroline Parker, alto & Edward Jones, tenor

Recessional Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High – UMH 238

Benediction Response: Christmas Benediction – Mark Schweizer

Chimes

Postlude Noel Fanfares Charles Callahan

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four had just been appointed Dean of King’s College, Cambridge, England, after his experience as an army chaplain convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. It is an adaptation of a similar service written in 1880 by E. W. Benson, then Anglican Bishop of Truro, England. The lesson summaries are taken from the Order of Worship for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, King’s College, Cambridge, 2005.

Today’s music is with the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir and Instrumentalists: Nicholas Fullenwider, cello; Lisa Ours, clarinet; Michael Stephenson, saxophones; Cheryl Stephenson, oboe and flute; Bill Wood, organist and accompanist; Cheryl Stephenson, Director of Music Ministries. Thank you for your support and continual encouragement in our ministries.

Thank you for joining us! If you would like to know more about Jarvis or receive church news by email, complete the Connect Card in the pew, visit our website at jarvis.church, or email: Communications@jarvis.church. If you prefer to speak with a pastor or a staff member, call the office (252-752-3101).

Looking Ahead

12/24/25Christmas Eve Services: TCLC (5pm) & Sanctuary (8pm)

12/28/25Single Service (TCLC, 9:00 am, social to follow)

December Upward Basketball & Cheerleading practices, TCLC

Jan-FebUpward Games, Saturdays, TCLC

1/4/26Worship Services on Epiphany Sunday:TCLC (9am), Sanctuary (11am)

1/4/26Family Sunday School in the PRAYground: Pajamas and a Movie!