A Service of the Nativity

Transcription

1 A Service of the Nativity December 24, :00 Keyboard Prelude Carol Medley Louis Smith Greetings and Introduction Leader: We began a journey four weeks ago when we entered the season of Advent. We have watched and waited, anticipating the Coming of the Christ. Now our wait is over as we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. We will light the candles of Advent tonight to remind us of the journey that we have begun. The increasing light reminds us of the light that is coming into the world to enlighten every person. *Congregational Hymn O Come All Ye Faithful Page 234 The Candle of Promise Isaiah 9: 6-7 Leader: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. The First Advent Candle is lit. The Candle of Faith Luke 1: Leader: In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.

2 The Second Advent Candle is lit. The Candle of Peace Ephesians 2: Leader: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. The Third Advent Candle is lit. The Candle of Salvation John 3: Leader: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. The Fourth Advent Candle is lit. Offering Hand Bell Offertory Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Arr. Cathy Moklebust The Service of the Nativity Leader: The Nativity is a visual proclamation of the Christmas story. Each piece of the Nativity unfolds the story of Christ s birth. It is a story of hope because God built a bridge of Divine Love from Himself to us. It is a story that shines through the birth of every child and resonates in the supportive ties of every family. Tonight we begin our Christmas Season with this Service of the Nativity. *Congregational Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem Pg

3 Mary s Story Leader: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a virgin named Mary. Gabriel said to her, Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you. But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and pondered what manner of greeting this was. Then Gabriel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of His Kingdom there will be no end. Then Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have not known a man? And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be the Son of God.... For with God nothing will be impossible. Then Mary said, Here am I, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. Solo Special Music Breath of Heaven Amy Grant Soloist: Denise Boyd Mary is brought and placed in the Nativity during song. Joseph s story Leader: Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.... Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. Special Music It Wasn t His Child Donald Ewing Soloist: Dan Walker

4 Joseph is brought and placed in the Nativity during song. Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem Leader: And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to their own towns to be registered. And Joseph also went, out of the city of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was expecting a child. Joseph and Mary sought for a place to stay. But there was no place, no room in the inn. At the city s edge was a stable, there Mary and Joseph found warmth and protection. *Congregational Song Angels from the Realms of Glory Pg. 220 Manger is placed. The Birth of Jesus Leader: So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. *Congregational Song: There's a Song in the Air Pg. 249 Jesus is brought and placed in the manger during the first verse. The animals are brought and placed around the Nativity during the second verse. God Is With Us Leader: All this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, A young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. The Christ Candle in the Advent wreath is lit. 5

5 The Shepherds Story Leader: Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the heavenly hosts praising God and saying; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among all people! So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the Child, who was lying in a manger. Crossbound It s Christmas Time Taylor and Hindalong The angels and the shepherds are brought and placed in the Nativity. The Magi s Story Leader: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to pay him homage. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had entered the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. *Congregational Hymn We Three Kings Pg. 254 The Magi are brought and placed in the Nativity. 6

6 We Gather at the Manger Leader: Heaven looked down on that Holy Night as a manger became an altar and a stable became a cathedral. History now looks back to that moment in time when God came in Jesus to reveal Himself to people everywhere. The humble shepherds were there. The Wise Men bowed before Him. And tonight you and I join them as we gather around the manger. What a night! A Holy Night! A night of hope for today and tomorrow. Lighting of the Candles Silent Night Pg. 239 Communion Closing Hymn Joy to the World Pg. 246 Keyboard Postlude Go, Tell it on the Mountain Louis Smith ************************************************************ WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Readers Rob and Charlene Paulson Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Paulson family Altar Guild Bettye Gramlich and Diane Lawrence Acolyte Gabrielle Paulson SUNDAY 12/25/2016 (one service at10:00) Postal service at PHUMC - Please remember to check the Christmas mailboxes on the second floor for your Christmas cards. The Church Office will be closed between Christmas and New Year s. Pastor Vic will be on vacation Dec 26-Jan 7. If you need a pastor please call the church office and leave a message or call Rena Mack, Norm Smith or Peggy Whiting, for the number of the on call pastor. Confirmation News There will be a Parent and Youth Conformation meeting January 18 th at 7:00 PM. For all those (age 12 and older) who are interested in this year s confirmation class. If you are unable to attend, please contact Pastor Vic directly. The schedule and requirements will be discussed at this meeting. 7

7 Food Pantry Leadership- Starting in January, I (Skylar Moore) will be stepping into the position of Food Pantry Coordinator. I d like to thank Margaret Hubbard for her five years of dedicated service to the pantry. She has helped countless families and touched so many lives! If you would like to volunteer in the pantry or with pantry events, feel free to contact me. My phone number is and my is skylar361@gmail.com. Help Needed- Starting on Tuesday, January 17 th, the Food Pantry will be open from 5:30-8:30PM every Tuesday night. We are looking for volunteers to work in the pantry every few weeks during that time. If you are interested, please contact Skylar Moore at or skylar361@gmail.com. MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS Rev. Victor Harner, (home) Denise Boyd, Praise Band and Handbell Choir Mary Schramm, Administrative Assistant Rachael Desfosses, SS Superintendent Donald E. Appel, Director of Music Charlene Paulson, 9:30 Lay Leader Norman Smith, Senior Lay Leader Robb Paulson, Children s Choirs Al Simkins, 8:15 Lay Leader To be included in our distribution list, please send an to perryhallumc@gmail.com, with a subject line of "Add to list". To our visitors Welcome to Perry Hall United Methodist church. We hope you have felt welcome in our fellowship. We want to invite you to take a moment and stop at the narthex. We have some materials there that tell you a little more about our church. We hope you find the information helpful. You may also contact Pastor Victor Harner, at or at perryhallumc@verizon.net or rovervic@verizon.net CVLI License CCLI License