Join us online for a special Christmas Eve Worship Service with Rev. Alison Boden, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel. The service will have magnificent music provided by Penna Rose, Director of Chapel Music and by Eric Plutz, University Organist as well as guest musicians and performers.

The recorded service will be available Christmas Eve, Dec 24 at 8pm 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 Thursday, December 24, 2020 – Christmas Eve

Invitatory:

I Saw Three Ships – Arranged by Dale Wood (1934-2003) with Elaine Christy, harpist and Eric Plutz, organist

Trois Noëls from Six Noëls pour la Harpe by Marcel Tournier (1879-1951) with Elaine Christy, harpist

Sleep, Little Jesus by Joel Phillips with Dr. Rochelle Ellis, soloist

Silent Night, Holy Night – Arranged by Dale Wood with Elaine Christy, harpist and Eric Plutz, organist

Go, Tell it on the Mountain (Gigue) by Aaron David Miller (b. 1972) with Eric Plutz, organist

Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)

Lyrics: O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus to Thee be all glory given; word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Call to Worship: Dean Boden

Invocation

First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 Read by Hanna Szabo’22

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Solo: O Holy Night by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) with Dr. Rochelle Ellis, soloist

Second Reading: Luke 2:1-20

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, the Lord. 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 God 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: “Together for Christmas” by Dean Boden

Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High (Gloria)

Lyrics: Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains. And the mountains in reply, echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See Him in the manger laid whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Pastoral Prayer: Dean Thames

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.

Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night (Stille Nacht)

Lyrics: Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. ‘Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace; Jesus Lord at Thy birth, Jesus Lord at Thy birth.

Benediction

Hymn: Joy to the World! (Antioch)

Lyrics: Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing, and Heaven and nature sing, and Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

Voluntary: Bring a Torch! Jeannette Isabella! - Arranged by Keith Chapman (1945-1989)

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:

Friday, December 25, 2020—Christmas Day Service. The preacher will be Dean Thames.

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.