BCMC Lesson and Carols Service - 2023 12 24

A Service of Lessons and Carols December 24, 2023 — 11:00 p.m. Bethel College Mennonite Church Welcome and Prayer-- Elizabeth Schmidt First Lesson: The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior Isaiah 9:2-7 Justin Zerger Carol: "O Come, O Come, Immanuel" VT 218 Second Lesson: The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown Isaiah 11:1-9 Addie Zerger Anthem: "Christmas is Here" (Dale Wood) Third Lesson: The prophet announces the advent of the Lord Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11 Adam Oswald Carol: "Comfort, Comfort, O My People" VT 212 Fourth Lesson: The prophet foretells the glory of Bethlehem Micah 5:2-4 Faith Burch Anthem: "O Come Divine Messiah" (arr. Howard Helvey) Fifth Lesson: The angel Gabriel salutes Mary Luke 1:26-35 Austin Prouty Carol: "Love Came Down at Christmas" VT 255 Sixth Lesson: The angel’s announcement to Joseph Matthew 1:18-23 Adah Hodge Anthem: Cradle Carol (Pringle; Forrest) Seventh Lesson: Jesus is born Luke 2:1-7 Mara Oswald Lighting of the Christ candle Luke 2:8-14 Mara Oswald Carol: "Helpless and Hungry" VT 268 & "What Child is This VT 267 Eighth Lesson: The shepherds go to the manger Luke 2:15-20 Lucy Burch Carol: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" VT 241 Verses 3 & 4 in unison Ninth Lesson: The mystery of the incarnation John 1:1-14 Coralee Shenk Anthem: "Sing We Now of Christmas" (arr. Fred Prentice) Prayer-- Nathan Koontz Lighting of Candles Carol "Silent night, holy night" (a cappella) VT 244 verses 1-3 Benediction The Work of Christmas (VT 1064) Thank you to all readers; to Ken Lamp, audio-visual; to the Chancel Choir, Riley King, director, Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist; to Music Coordinators, Verlene Garber and Barbara Thiesen for planning this Program; and to Susie Swartley for decorations; and Monica Lichti for things behind the scenes