Wednesday, December 24, 2025 ~ Fear Not
Order of Service (see below) Sermon: 5:30 p.m.: Fear Not You may have heard (or chanted) the slogan "no kings" in 2025. Yet Christmas celebrates the birth of a different kind of king: Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed no power over others, healed people in body and spirit, and preached the kingdom of God. In following Jesus' spirit, we are asked to find courage in the face of our fear, in order to do what is right. The Rev. Sarah Stewart preaching. Today's Music: Join us for a breathtaking celebration of Christmas. Our Youth Choir will join our Adult Choir this evening, and we are also welcoming guest singers Maria Ferrante, Sarah Callinan, and Christon Carney, as well as our own Bob Gordon on timpani and James Haupt on organ and piano for a beautiful music celebration. Many traditional carols will be shared as well as works by Margaret Bonds, Benjamin Britten, Matthew Culloton, James MacMillan, Alice Parker, and John Rutter. Prelude Rejoice Greatly, from Messiah George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Go Tell It On the Mountain [6:55] trad. Negro spiritual arr. Mark Hayes O Holy Night [11:02] Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) Chorale Prelude on "Cranham" [15:21] Douglas E. Wagner (b. 1952) Coventry Carol [18:42] trad. English carol arr. Martin Shaw O Sanctissima [21:23] trad. Sicilian melody arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw Call to Worship [22:50] Sarah C. Stewart Choral Processional [25:47] Adeste Fideles Adeste Organ Intro [27:52] Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful John F. Wade (1711-1786) Scripture [31:30] Isaiah 2: 2-5 Anthem [32:35] O Radiant Dawn James MacMillan (b. 1959) Reading [36:44] Magnificat W. Frederick Wooden (b. 1953) Carol Joy to the World [38:28] Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Scripture [40:25] Luke 2: 1-7 Anthem [41:32] That Was a Christmas Long Ago and Alleluia, from The Ballad of the Brown King Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) Scripture [45:15] Luke 2: 8-20 Carol Angels We Have Heard on High [47:11] Trad. French carol Reading [49:37] From The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Anthem [50:51] This Little Babe, from A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) Homily [52:47] Fear Not Rev. Sarah C. Stewart Christmas Offering [1:01:37] Our offering will support the Worcester Evening Free Medical Program Service (WEFMPS), providing free medical care to those who need it Click to Donate: https://FirstUnitarian.com/donate or TEXT 844-906-2338 to donate Offertory Anthem [1:05:56] O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943) Carol In the Bleak Midwinter [1:11:45] Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) Gustav Holst (1874-1934) Anthem [1:15:45] Candlelight Carol John Rutter (b. 1945) CANDLELIGHTING [1:20:00] "Silent Night, Holy Night" Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) Benediction [1:24:24] Roland Morin (d. 1984) Choral Response [1:25:32] In Dulci Jubilo trad. European tune arr. Matthew Culloton (b. 1976) Postlude [1:29:06] Carol of the Bells/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Trad. Ukrainian and English carols arr. Matt Riley (b. 1982) Musicians Sarah Callinan, soprano Christon Carney, tenor Maria Ferrante, soprano Bob Gordon, percussion First Unitarian Adult Choir First Unitarian Youth Choir Volunteers and Staff Eugene Rossi, broadcast tech operator Paul Belanger, Jenny Deprez, Mary McAlister, Caro Melnick, Florida Sur Pen, readers Karen Reilly and Ken Mandile, head ushers Rev. Sarah Stewart, Minister Allegra Martin, Director of Music James Haupt, Assistant Director of Music ----------------------------------------------------------------- Rev. Sarah Stewart, Minister Samantha Nemeth, Director of Faith Development Abby Hannaford-Ricardi, Assistant Director of Faith Development Dr. Allegra Martin, Director of Music James Haupt, Assistant Director of Music www.FirstUnitarian.com CCS License 9263
