December 24 Christmas Eve

December 24:  Christmas Eve

4:30 p.m.  Children’s Christmas Eve Service

10:00 p.m.  Choral Holy Eucharist

4:30 p.m.  The Children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy

             The Children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy reflects our children’s “religious potential” in that much of the liturgy is their own creation.  Children from Levels 2 & 3 will choose the readings and read them to us.  They will choose the carols and sing them with us.  Children from all three levels will compose the Prayers of the People.  A catechist will give the Nativity Presentation in the crossing of the Church with the children sitting close and participating.  Children from all three atriums will assist in the service.  Some will have helped make the bread for Communion.  Children from the Level 1 Atrium will assist me in the Preparation of the Gifts of the Altar, and others will do all the jobs that make the service go.   At the Offertory we will have a procession to present the books and checks we’ve collected in Advent for Global Hands of Hope. 

This year the Outreach Committee decided to not only collect books, but to send money to help build the classrooms which will house the books.  $15 pays for a bag of cement, $100 pays for bricks, all the way to $5,000 which will pay for an entire classroom.  The school has been started and needs to be built by mid-February when classes begin the new school year.  The books should be brought to the Church unwrapped.  Checks can be put into an envelope.

There will be nursery care at the 4:30 p.m. service. 

The Children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy:  Note to Parents

Fr. Bob emailed this to the parents of the Parish Children last week to give a further explanation of the Children’s Christmas service.

Christmas is coming in a week and a day and I’m sure there is lots going on in your lives and a sense that there is more to do than there is time for.  It is in appreciation for the stress of this time that I’m writing this go give you a heads up for the Children’s Christmas Eve Service.  The service is designed to be fun and stress free.  It comes out of our children’s  experience in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd where both the environment and presentations are geared to meet the child’s spiritual needs appropriate to their age and development. 

 In order that everyone to enjoy it without being anxious,  let me give you an overview of the Children's Christmas Eve liturgy so you can know what we're doing and how to participate.

 Start Time:  4:30 p.m.  Thursday December 24, Christmas Eve

Of course the true start time is usually 15 minutes later.  We completely understand the challenge of getting small children and infants ready for Church.  So don't worry, we're happy to cut some slack.

 Seating Arrangements

Where ever you like.  Also, there is no expectation of quiet.  The Children's service probably sounds like the stable in Bethlehem.  That's fine.

 Childcare and Basement 

I've asked Evelyn Askew to be there to help.  Parents are welcome to go down stairs if they feel like it.  The nursery is equipped for you.  There is sound down there so you can hear what happens upstairs.

 Global Hands of Hope:  Books

A table will be set up outside to place the books and money the parish has collected for the school in Uganda.  More about that below.

 The Service

The service is constructed largely by the children themselves in their atriums during Advent.  They've chosen the readings, the carols, and have written the prayers of the people.  Various ones will be taking parts.  Last minute changes will probably occur.  The Catechists will go with the flow.

 The Nativity Presentation

A catechist will give the Presentation The Adoration of the Shepherds from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.    She will set up the presentation just like in the atrium only in the front of the church between the Pulpit and the Lectern.  We will have a carpet laid out and the children are invited to come and gather around  for the presentation.  It will be interactive between  the catechist and the children.   She has to speak somewhat softly for the children to draw their attention, but she will have our wireless microphone so people in the Church can hear her. 

 Children will be invited to come up.  Parents are welcome to come with them to encourage them and stay by them if that makes them comfortable. 

 The Offertory:  The Books for Uganda Part 2

The children will be invited to pick up the books and money or checks off the table and bring them up to the Creche and lay them on the floor.  Catechists will help with this and they will keep doing that until all the gifts are deposited.  In the meantime the congregation will sing the Offertory Hymn and the collection will be taken.

 The Preparation of the Altar

Some of the Children from Level 1  age 3-6, will come up to Sanctuary and help me prepare the Altar.  I will ask them for the specific items, and they will pick them up and bring them to me.  A catechist will be there to help.  Those children are welcome to stay inside the sanctuary while I celebrate the Eucharist.    Again, there might be a last minute change.  We'll just go with it.

 The Rest of the Service  

Goes just like Sunday morning.  Everyone will take Communion and we'll finish with blessing and final hymn. 

 What is most important, or as we like to say Essential

 The children are participants, full participants in the real liturgy we all do together, helping in ways that are appropriate for their developmental level.   They are not performing.  There are no mistakes that can be made and nothing to be anxious about.  It is really their service and as you will hear, reflects their spiritual lives and concerns. 

 So it's quite relaxed and informal and a lot of fun. 

 Some of you are new parents, Some of you are new to the Parish

We hope you will come and enjoy this, and see what is in store for your children as they grow and develop with us. 

 See you Christmas Eve.

 Fr. Bob

10:00 p.m.   Choral Holy Eucharist.

             Our Christmas Liturgy is truly nourishing Christ’s people from the riches of his grace.  The Liturgy of the Word is composed of readings from a variety of Christian spiritual writers through the ages.  Between the readings there will be Choir anthems and congregational singing of favorite Christmas carols.  At the conclusion of the Eucharist we will give each person a candle and then process out of the Church and circle the Angel singing “Silent Night.”  On the patio after the liturgy we will serve hot cider  and we will have a fire going in a portable fire place.   This is an incredibly beautiful liturgy and it really does touch people deeply. Please recommend it to people you know and invite friends.