Christmas Eve Traditional Service: The Prayer the Nativity Answers

A traditional UU Christmas Service led by Rev. Barnaby Feder. CVUUS Choir led by Ronnie Romano, dir. of music, accompanied by Chuck Miller. Special music: Francois Clemmons accompanied by Ronnie. Readings from the Christmas Story, and poetry from Rilke and Rev. Lynn Ungar. Ended with traditional lighting of candles and singing of Silent Night. We collected for HOPE.

Order of Service

Pre-service music:  Neil Chippendale on clarinet and Mary Harrington on trumpet with Chuck Miller on piano

Welcome:  Rev. Barnaby Feder

Prelude:  Ronnie Romano, Director of Music

Call to Worship:   Matthew 1: 18-23, read by Rev. Barnaby

Musical Call to Worship:  Once in Royal David’s City (#228)  Ronnie Romano

Chalice Lighting:   Rev. Barnaby and Martha Fulda

We come together once more to hear an ancient story

With fresh ears and open hearts:

The story of Love born and reborn among us,

Delivered by strangers in need of shelter

To that spirit-instinct in all souls which

Prays for grace, cradles hope, invites faith, and aims to blossom.

Anthem:   The Holly and the Ivy  CVUUS Choir

Reading:  Luke 1:26-38, read by Martha Fulda

Music:  O Holy Night   Francois Clemmons accompanied by Ronnie Romano

Readings Ancient:  Luke 2:8-21, read by Ellen Flight

Reading Modern:  What the Angel Didn’t Say by Rev. Lynn Ungar, read by her

Hymn:  O Little Town of Bethlehem (#246) CVUUS Choir

Offering  In the Bleak Midwinter Variations    Carol Harden, viola, Ronnie Romano

As is our tradition, our Christmas Eve donations will go to Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects). Our donee has been creating, administering, and working with diverse anti-poverty programs in Addison County for over 50 years. All cash and checks not otherwise specified will be split between CVUUS and our donee. You can give online at https://cvuus.breezechms.com/give/online.

Reading Ancient:  Matthew 2:1-14, 19-21  Ellen Flight

Reading Modern:  All Who Seek You by Rainer Maria Rilke   Martha Fulda

Song: Some Children See Him  Lyrics, Wihla Hutson; music, Alfred Burt    CVUUS Choir

Homily: The Prayer That’s Answered   Rev. Barnaby Feder

Lighting of Candles:  The Congregation

Hymn: Silent Night (#251)

Benediction: Rev. Barnaby

Postlude: Carol Medley    Ronnie Romano

Credits: Thanks to our worship associates Ellen Flight and Martha Fulda; our choir and special musicians; Margy Young, Alan Moore and Steve Butterfield for technical support; our Flower Co-op for holiday arrangements; Mike Greenwood, Helene Vanderburgh and all who helped usher, greet and set up.

Thank you for joining us for worship!

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