Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 21, 2025 | 8:30am
Festival of Lessons and Carols is a bridge between the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas. Our service is an adaptation of the form used on Christmas Eve at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. As the service begins, the prayers of the people are sought for those in need at this time. The nine lessons which follow detail the salvation story of God’s people, from the time of creation through the prophets, and conclude with the fulfillment of these prophecies as recorded in the gospels. Each lesson is followed by a carol which is chosen to enhance its message. The congregation is invited to prepare for the service in silent meditation. We ask you to refrain from applause.
Prelude
Greensleeves
arr. James Biery (b. 1956)
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Executive Minister
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle Rembe Family
Reader One: This Advent we have embraced hope, peace, and joy amid despair, injustice, and grief. While we wait for Christmas, love is gestating in darkness.
Reader Two: The fourth candle is the candle of LOVE. In the birth of Jesus, God’s love for us was made known in an unexpected way. Reminded that Emmanuel, God with us, is both fierce and tender, we light this candle of love.
(Light four candles on the Advent wreath.)
Reader One: Love permeates every aspect of this life: from birth to death, pain to delight, strangers to lovers. Preparing the way of love, may this light kindle compassion, solidarity, and hospitality for others.
All: May the light from this candle ignite compassion that guides our actions, understanding that bridges our differences, and kindness that transforms the world around us, declaring that God’s love is on its way.
Opening Hymn 140 Once in Royal David’s City (Irby)
Verse 1: Braden Kalanick, soloist
*Verses 2-6: Congregation and Choirs (Please rise in body or spirit.)
He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all,
and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy.
And through all his wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey,
love, and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay;
Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.
For He is our childhood’s pattern, Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew;
and He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love,
for that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above;
and He leads His children on To the place where He is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him; but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around.
*Bidding Prayer
*The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
First Lesson Genesis 1: 1-5 (selected verses)
Reader: Kate Williams
*Hymn 83 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Stuttgart)
*Note: There is no Word to the Children today. Our childcare sign-in is available in the Commons as usual. Please feel free to leave the sanctuary to sign-in.
Second Lesson Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Reader: Marc Chusid
Carol The Call
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Chin Tan, Bass-Baritone
Come, my way, my truth, my life:
such a way as gives us breath;
such a truth as ends all strife;
such a life as killeth death.
Come, my light, my feast, my strength:
such a light as shows a feast;
such a feast as mends in length;
such a strength as makes his guest.
Come, my joy, my love, my heart:
such a joy as none can move;
such a love as none can part;
such a heart as joys in love.
Third Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-4, 6-9
Reader: Juli Davidson
*Hymn 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Es Ist Ein’ Ros’)
Fourth Lesson Luke 1: 26-35, 38
Reader: Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Carol Pastorale
Samuel Adler (b. 1928)
Barbara Hulac, organ
Fifth Lesson Luke 1: 39-55
Reader: Sandy Prouty
Carol Mary Had a Baby
American Negro Spiritual
This morning’s singing of “Mary Had a Baby” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. All are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”), at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
Sixth Lesson Matthew 1: 18-21
Reader: Beth Ellsworth
*Hymn 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (St. Louis)
Seventh Lesson Luke 2: 1-7
Reader: Peter Hulac
Carol What Child Is This?
arr. Bob Bassett
Emily Musser, soprano
Jonathan Musser, English horn
Bob Bassett, piano
Eighth Lesson Luke 2: 8-20
Reader: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Carol O Holy Night
arr. Jennifer & Matthew Mazzoni
Ella Logan, flute
Ninth Lesson John 1: 1-14
Reader: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Carol The Peace Carol
Bob Beers (1920-1972)
Heidi Shriver, soloist
The garment of life, be it tattered and torn
the cloak of the soldier is withered and worn
But what child is this that was poverty-born
The peace of Christmas Day
Chorus: The branch that bears the bright holly
The dove that rests in yonder tree
The light that shines for all to see
The peace of Christmas Day
The hope that has slumbered for 2000 years
A promise that silenced a thousand fears
A faith that can hobble an ocean of tears
The peace of Christmas Day (Chorus)
Add all the grief that people may bear
Total the strife and the troubles and care
Put them in columns and leave them right there
The peace of Christmas Day (Chorus)
*Collect for Christmas
*Blessing
*Hymn 88 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) verses 1, 6 & 7
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6 O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]
*Benediction
Pastor: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all.
People: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
What Star is This the Beams so Bright
arr. David Schelat (b. 1955)
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
OFFERINGS
Giving to Montview
Many of us are prayerfully discerning our Christmas giving. We invite you to consider making a special year-end gift to the church at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
Christmas Joy Offering
We invite you to make a Christmas Joy Offering using the envelopes that are distributed in the pews. Your donation to this PC(USA) special offering will provide assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. You may also give online at specialofferings.pcusa.org.
VISITORS
We are happy that you are worshiping with us today and invite you to learn more about Montview. Please fill out one of the Friendship Pads that are placed in the pews. Feel free to contact our office at 303.355.1651 or email Todd Rembe at todd@montview.org with questions. Please come again.
CHRISTMAS EVE AT MONTVIEW
2pm & 4pm – Family Services
Sanctuary & 4pm Livestream
6pm & 8pm – Candlelight
Sanctuary & 6pm Livestream
7:15pm – Witness to the Light
(bring a candle & gather along Montview Blvd)
10pm – Candlelight with Choir
Sanctuary
December 28 Worship Service
One Service at 11am (Sanctuary)
On December 28, we’ll have one worship service at 11:00am in the sanctuary. Join us for this special service where we’ll have poetry and prose, along with a carol sing. We’ll celebrate the gifts of the season and prepare for the year to come. There will be a hot chocolate bar reception in the McCollum Room following the service. Childcare will be available for ages birth-7.
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Jolene Cranston; Cindi Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Mary Holleman; Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Susan Long (relative of Peggy Gonder); Sam Mateo; Eden Murphy; Lisa Padilla; Jim Polsfut; The Scherer Family (mourning the death of Betty Scherer); Jan Tazelaar; Kathryn Walton (daughter of MaryGrace Wake); Steve Wrenn (brother of Grover Wrenn)
Deaths
November 1 | Betty Scherer (Memorial Service January 8 at 2:00pm in the Miller Chapel)
Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or condition. Contact: caring@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from the Youth Cellar.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the
sanctuary with livestream.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org
*You’re invited to rise in body or spirit.