Join us online for a special Christmas Day Worship Service with Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel. The service will have magnificent music provided by Penna Rose, Director of Chapel Music, Eric Plutz, University Organist and by Sarah Van der Ploeg ’08, soloist and Dr. John Sherer, organist.

The recorded service will be available Christmas Day, Dec 25 at 11am here Chapel Sunday Service This service will remain archived after the premiere (along with concerts and other amazing programs), and we encourage you to return to them whenever you might find that to be helpful.

The bulletin for this service is below.

Bulletin for Friday, December 25, 2020 – Christmas Day

Invitatory: Christmas Intrada by David Conte (b. 1955)

Hymn: What Child is This? (Greensleeves)

Lyrics: What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come Peasant, King, to own Him. The King of Kings salvation brings let loving arms enthrone Him. Raise, raise your song on high, the Virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

Welcome: Dean Boden

Call to Worship

Invocation

Solo: Rejoice! from Messiah byGeorg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) with Sarah Van der Ploeg ’08, soloist and Dr. John Sherer, organist

Reading: Luke 2:1-20 Read by Phoebe Warren’21

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of God stood before them, and the glory of God shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, God. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which God has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sermon: “My Favorite Things” by Dean Thames

Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn)

Lyrics: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

-Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise the ones of earth, born to give them second birth,Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Solo: He Shall Feed His Flock from Messiah by Georg Frideric Handel with Sarah Van der Ploeg ’08, soloist and Dr. John Sherer, organist

Prayer for Princeton: (To be said by all.) O Eternal God, the source of life and light for all peoples, we pray you would endow this University with your grace and wisdom: give inspiration and understanding to those who teach and to those who learn; grant vision to its trustees and administrators; to all who work here and to all who bear her name give your guiding Spirit of sacrificial courage and loving service. Amen.

Hymn: Go Tell It On The Mountain (African-American spiritual)

Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!

-While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

(Refrain)

-Down in a lowly manger our humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. (Refrain)

Benediction

Voluntary: Adeste Fidelis – Arranged by Herbert Sumsion (1809-1995)

University Chapel Staff: The Rev. Alison L. Boden, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel; The Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel; Penna Rose, Director of Chapel Music; Eric Plutz, University Organist; Elizabeth Powers, Chapel Administrator; Alexandra Miller-Knaack, Seminarian Intern; Edgar Gomez, Sexton; Lisa McGurr, Sexton

The University Chapel is a welcoming community of faith. We gather to sing God's praises, to hear God's living Word, to seek justice, and to proclaim God's love for all people.

Calendar

SUNDAY, December 27, 2020—University Chapel Service. The preacher will be Dean Boden

For additional information please visit chapel.princeton.edu or call 609-258-3047.