Christmas Greetings!
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Jesus is born to change our darkness to light;
All: The light from the stable has become the Light of the World.
One: Jesus is born to change our sadness to joy;
All: The joy of the shepherds still echoes down the years.
One: Jesus is born to give hope to the oppressed;
All: God’s love within a persecuted family inspires us.
One: Jesus is born!
All: And we rejoice that on this night of all nights, we can come and worship!
Opening Prayer (Responsive)
One: The waiting is over; God’s Anointed One is here!
All: We will praise God for the coming of Jesus Christ!
One: The journey is over; Mary’s son is born!
All: We will praise God for the light of a Savior.
One: Darkness is overcome; light blazes from the lowly stable.
All: We will praise God, for hope alive in a tiny child.
One: Conflict is overcome; there is a calm over the whole earth.
All: We will praise God, for the One who brings peace.
The Christ Candle
Hymn: Hope Is a Star
Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth. R
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born. R
Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart. R
First Lesson: ISAIAH 9:2, 6-7
Hymn: The First Noel
The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep on a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star, shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. R
This star drew nigh to the northwest; o'er Bethlehem it took its rest, and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. R
Second Lesson: TITUS 2:11-13
Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful
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.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God in the highest: R
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: R
Gospel: LUKE 2:1-20
Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all the earth!
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!
Senior Choir: “Sweet Child of Bethlehem”
Conversation with Children
Offering: As part of our personal expressions of worship we take time to offer gifts to be used to spread the knowledge of the gift of the Christ child.
Offertory: “Clear Was the Night”
As the offering is brought forward the congregation sings:
“What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can, I give him—give him my heart.”
Prayer of Dedication: (One)
God of love, thank you for the promise of this season. We are grateful for the generosity aroused in us by Christ’s coming into the world. May these gifts represent a new spirit of joyous sharing among us, for the sake of all your children everywhere. Amen.
The Gospel of the Incarnation… the lights are dimmed!
A minister, taking a candle, lights it from the Christ candle, which symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world of whom John's gospel speaks. The ushers light their candles from the minister's candle, then light the candle of each worshiper nearest the aisle. The lighted candle is never tilted, but is always held upright when giving light to another.
Gospel: JOHN 1:1-14
Responsive Prayers
One: Let us pray in silence for all people according to their needs. silence ... and together we respond.
Many: Christ the Lord, as you live in us, bring peace on earth.
One: For the spread of the joyful news that God is among us; For the promise that the poor and those who find ‘no room’ find welcome and worth as you live in us; For the promise that the light of Christmas can shine within us all, we pray in silence. silence ... and together we respond.
Many: Christ the Lord, as you live in us, bring joy to the world, help to the poor and hope to the downtrodden for you are among us as the light of the world.
One: Lord Jesus, rejoicing in your birth and trusting in your love, you are the Light of the world, and to you we commend all for whom we pray. All: Amen!
Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night!
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, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the saviour is born! Christ the saviour 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
May the eagerness of the shepherds, the joy of the angels, the faithfulness of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas. Amen.
The candles are extinguished.
Recessional Hymn: Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare him room And heav'n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns! Let all their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove;
The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.
Tonight, no names but the name of Jesus Christ appear in our order of service; even so, a warm “Thank You” is extended to everyone who participated in our 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service for 2006.