Lord's Day
Order of Worship for the
First Sunday after Christmas
December 27, 2015
10:00 A.M.
SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
The “Service of Lessons and Carols” is a liturgical formula used in the Christian church to celebrate the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ.
In scripture and in song, it recounts the loving purpose of God from the time of our rebellion until our glorious redemption in Christ. We
hope you find the service both meaningful and enjoyable. The beginning of the prelude is a call to quiet personal preparation for worship.
Prelude
Gretchen H. Ross, Assistant Organist
Call to Worship
based on Isaiah 63:6-9
Leader: I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
People: Because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor he has shown us.
Leader: For the Lord said, “Surely they are my people, my children whom I love;” and he became
our savior in all our distress.
All: It was no messenger or angel, but the Lord’s presence that saved us. According to
his mercy and the abundance of his steadfast love, he redeemed us. Praise the
Lord!
* Hymn of Praise 119
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Greeting and Prayer
Dr. Thomas
The Beginning
God creates the heavens and the earth.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn 108
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
Sing stanzas 1, 2, 5 & 6
Genesis 1:1-5
The First Lesson
Genesis 3:8-15
God announces in the Garden of Eden that the offspring of woman shall strike the serpent’s head.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 347
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
The Second Lesson
Genesis 22:15-18
God promises to faithful Abraham that by his offspring, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 88
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Sing stanzas 1, 6 & 7
The Third Lesson
Isaiah foretells the Messiah’s birth and kingdom.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 129 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
The Fourth Lesson
The prophet Micah foretells the glory of Bethlehem.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 121
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 60:1-6
Micah 5:2-4
Sacrament of Baptism – Martin Meyer
Dr. Thomas
With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you into Christ’s church to share with us in his
ministry, for we are all one in Christ. We promise to love, encourage and support you, to
share the good news of the gospel with you, and to help you know and follow Christ.
The Offering
Offertory
“Gesù Bambino”
Pietro Yon
Tara Campbell, Soprano
When blossoms flowered ‘mid the snows upon a winter night
Was born the Child, the Christmas rose, the king of love and light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang, the grateful earth rejoiced,
And at his blessed birth the stars their exultation voiced.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Again the heart with rapture glows to greet the holy night
That gave the world its Christmas rose, its king of love and light.
Let every voice acclaim his name, the grateful chorus swell,
From paradise to earth he came that we with him might dwell.
* Doxology (Hymn 132, stanza 3)
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the
grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the
everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
* Prayer of Dedication
The Fifth Lesson
The angel Gabriel visits the blessed virgin Mary.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 116
“The Snow Lay on the Ground”
Rev. Smith
Luke 1:26-35, 38
The Sixth Lesson
Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 146
“Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”
Matthew 1:18-21
The Seventh Lesson
The shepherds go to the manger.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 147
“The First Nowell”
Sing stanzas 1, 2, 6
The Eighth Lesson
The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Carol 128
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
The Ninth Lesson
John unfolds the mystery of the incarnation.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
* Carol 134
Luke 2:8-20
Matthew 2:1-12
John 1:1-14
“Joy to the World”
* Benediction
Dr. Thomas
* Congregational Response (Hymn 136, refrain)
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
Postlude
Ministry in Christ's name begins by greeting those with whom you have worshipped.
* Please stand as you are able.
Greeters are the Sue Wilhelm and Carolyn Koon teams. Acolytes this morning are Mac Southern and
Domenic Fenoglio. Ushers are Bruce Buckland, Rich Klassen, Bob Barnes, Melvin Burkart, Betsy
Humphreys, Steve Humphreys, Bob Kottmeier, Baxter Southern, and Steve Trulaske. Organist this morning
is Gretchen H. Ross.
We rejoice as a congregation to welcome into the household of faith Martin Christopher Meyer, child of the
covenant through faith of his parents, Lauren & Chris Meyer, with Elder Kathryn Lamont Preston assisting.
The Worship & Music Committee invites those who donated to the Christmas Fund to take a poinsettia
after this morning’s worship service.
~~~~~
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at both worship services Sunday, January 3. For
the January Hunger Offering, we are asking for donations of canned chicken, soups, peanut butter, jelly
(plastic jars), instant milk, coffee, tea and hygiene items (tooth brushes/paste, soap, deodorant, toilet paper,
feminine hygiene products). Please place your items in the blue bins that will be located around the church
entrances and children’s education area.
Worship on Wednesday: Centering Prayer will be December 30 at 6:15 p.m. in Fireside. All are invited to
this service, developed from a 14th-century practice of prayer. We will focus on a prayer word in silence which
can become a vehicle into the mysteries of divine presence and grace. Questions? Contact Anne Peacock at
314-993-4771 ext 3122. There will be no dinner prior to worship on December 30.
Annual Women’s Retreat January 29-30, 2016: This year’s retreat will be at the Marianist Retreat Center in
Eureka, about a 30-minute drive from church. The theme this year is “The Restless Heart: Lessons in
Belonging.” Brochures are available on the Welcome Table in the Gathering Place. To RSVP, you must fill
out the form inside the brochure and mail or hand in the completed form to the church office. For more
information, contact Mel Smith at 314-993-4771 ext 3105 or msmith@laduechapel.org.
Please join us on January 9 at 9:00 a.m. to “undecorate” the church. We will have bagels, juice, coffee and
lots of fun. Hands and hearts (and muscles) of all ages are welcome.
Casserole Makers Needed: Ladue Chapel has been an honored participant in the casserole program at St.
Patrick’s Center since its beginning over 30 years ago. Programs at the center are expanding and we urgently
need new, dependable casserole-makers. Please contact Lucie Staack at 314-434-2288 if you could cook once a
month.
2015 Contribution & Stock Gift Deadline: If you mail your final 2015 contribution, it must be postmarked on or
before Thursday, December 31 in order for it to count as a 2015 contribution. If you prefer to make a stock
donation, it must be available for sale in Ladue Chapel’s account on or before Thursday, December 31. Please make
sure the church office is notified that you are making a stock gift, so that you may receive your tax deduction. For
questions about the following, please call Suzanne Williams at 314-993-4771 ext 3100. The church will close at 3:00
p.m. on December 31.
New Member Class begins February 7: Join us in the Bickel Room on Sunday, February 7, at 9:45 p.m. to learn
more about Ladue Chapel and the meaning of being Presbyterian, then again on Sunday, February 14. Breakfast with
Session at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 21 in Fellowship Hall and recognition in the 11:00 a.m. worship will be on
Sunday, February 28. Contact Julie Walther-Scheibel at 314-993-4771 ext 3112 for more information.
~~~~~
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sunday, December 27
10:00 a.m. Worship Service - Sanctuary
Nursery Care (infants - 3 y.o.) - Nursery Room
Monday, December 28
7:00 a.m. Food Bank - Service Building
Christmas Holiday – Church Closed
Tuesday, December 29
9:30 a.m. Program Staff Meeting – Staff Conference Room
10:30 a.m. WA Bandages for Developing Countries - Fellowship Hall
12:00 p.m. WA Brown Bag Lunch – Fellowship Hall
1:00 p.m. Women’s Study Group - Bickel Room
Wednesday, December 30
8:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Fellowship – Leutwiler Room
6:15 p.m. Centering Prayer – Fireside Room
Thursday, December 31: Church closes at 3:00 p.m.
No Church Events Scheduled
Friday, January 1
7:00 a.m. Food Bank - Service Building
New Year’s Holiday – Church Closed
Saturday, January 2
8:30 a.m. Communion Preparation – Vestry
Highlights for Communion Sunday, January 3: Worship 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. (with Procession of the Kings);
Confirmation Class at 9:45 a.m.; Education for Middle School & High School at 9:45 a.m.; Youth Choir at 3:30 p.m.;
Carillon Ringer at 4:00 p.m.
Adult Education Session IV
Sundays, January 10-31, 2016
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Genesis
Leutwiler Room
The word genesis means beginnings, and what better time to study beginnings then the beginning of a new year! Join Dr. Thomas as
he helps us discover the remarkable and fascinating proclamation of the first book of the Bible, the book that sets the stage for our
understanding of God, ourselves, our relationships, our community, and our future.
Leader: Rev. Dr. Mark Thomas, Pastor of Ladue Chapel
Baptism—The Making of Christians
Fireside Room
In this course, we will gain a deeper understanding of what it might mean to be baptized. We will read Scripture together, take a
closer look at the Jewish understanding of baptism (after all, both John the Baptizer and Jesus were Jews), and learn about the
development of baptismal theology and the diversity of the practice of baptism itself. As with any question regarding the Christian
faith, the answer to “what does it mean to be baptized?” is: well, it’s complicated. The following provides a general outline of the
class:
January 10—Introduction and Hands-On Demonstration (beginning in Fireside and will move to the Sanctuary with the children in
Sunday School)
January 17—Baptism: Practice & Controversy
January 24—Baptism: The Meaning of Baptism
January 30—Baptism: Hymns & Spiritual Songs (Taught by David Erwin, Director of Music Ministries at Ladue Chapel)
Leader: Rev. Dr. Dieter Heinzl, Associate Pastor of Faith Formation at Ladue Chapel
Te Deum Laudamus: We Praise You, O Lord
January 10, 17, 24*
Gulick Room
The Te Deum is one of the oldest hymns of praise in the Christian Church, dating to the fourth century. It is still sung daily in
monastic and cathedral communities, and a translation of it appears in our hymnal, Glory to God. The Te Deum has inspired composers
throughout the centuries, including Haydn, Mozart, Verdi, Bruckner, and others. We will examine the origins and legends
surrounding this venerable text (was it really composed spontaneously by Sts Ambrose and Augustine? Which composer was fatally
wounded while conducting his setting of it?) and will compare the text to that of the Apostle’s Creed. We will listen to and compare
musical examples and will introduce the new setting that has been written for our choir to sing in April.
Leader: David Erwin, Director of Music Ministries at Ladue Chapel
*On January 31, this class will combine with the Baptism class.
History of the Middle East
Bickel Room
January 10: We will look as far back as the Roman Empire, the Jewish wars, Jesus, and Mohammed, and why Jerusalem is the
jewel in the crown, holy to the three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
January 17: We will discuss the rise of the European imperialism, the fall of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, and
the importance of oil.
(over)
January 24: We will take a look in to the birth of the Jewish state of Israel in 1948, Palestinian refugees, fall of Arab leaders, and
various other important events that happened.
January 30: Starting at the end of the Cold War, we will talk about 9/11, the rise of Iran and Shiites, the rise of social media,
President Obama’s attempts to bring Iran into global civil society, among other influential people and events.
Leader: Repps Hudson, MA, journalism coordinator, adjunct instructor, and freelance journalist
Family Matters
Mellow Library
We are excited to provide a variety of Family Matters classes in January. Based on popular demand, we are providing an open
dialog based on what our members and quests would like to discuss—come with your thoughts and/or comments and participate
with our successful series titled Coffee with Castro.
In addition, we all have faced or will face obstacles in everyday life—some small and other major issues. We are fortunate to have
two members of the staff from Care & Counseling discuss resilience and self-care to help us successfully manage these issues in
our busy and hectic lives.
 January 10: Coffee with Castro—This is an open dialog about any topic that is of concern for any age group. Participate in
discussion, while having Coffee with Castro.
Leader: Dr. Anthony Castro, Clinical Psychologist
 January 17 & 24: Resilience—Resilience means learning to cope with adversity. The first step in becoming more resilient is to
respond to life and all its circumstances with our most authentic self. We will explore and discuss how to cope with the mishaps
of everyday interactions that cause us to hurt each other, as well as how to deal with more extreme situations that involve the
pain of severe loss.
Leader: Carole Myre, Staff Counselor at Care & Counseling
 January 30: The Art of Self-Care—Self-care is the intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental, spiritual, and
emotional health. Good self-care is a challenge for most people for a variety of reasons (from the spectrum of being too busy
with your day-to-day life all the way to dealing with a time-consuming crisis in your life.) We will discuss the importance of selfcare in your daily life and how you can incorporate small, very specific, manageable self-care into your daily routine.
Leader: Laura Albers, Care & Counseling
~~~~~
Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward
Racial Equality
Why Ferguson Matters-A Conversation About the Role of People of Faith
Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Fireside Room
The Ferguson Commission Report reveals difficult, uncomfortable truths about the St. Louis region we love and call home.
Addressing these significant challenges will take all of us working together to find common ground. As people of good will and
followers of Christ, we are challenged to understand and act on the principles of Biblical social justice. This is our opportunity to
realize that we don’t have to see eye to eye to walk arm in arm.
Speakers are Rich McClure & Sharon Buchanan-McClure. Rich was the co-chair of the Ferguson Commission and Sharon was an
active participant in Commission activities and advisor to Rich.