Christmas Eve 9pm Service Gathering in God s Name Music for Meditation Brass Ensemble Greeting (Revelation 22:20) Leader: Jesus says: I am coming soon. People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Prelude O Little Town of Bethlehem arr. by James Koerts Cynda Coleman, piano Call to Worship (Galatians 4:4-5; Revelation 12:10) Leader: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. People: Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. Leader: Come let us adore him. People: He is Christ the Lord. *Opening Hymn #25 Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh. * please rise in body or spirit Lay Leader: Susan Cavell
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there. Lighting of the Advent Candles Michael & Nancy Baity Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Generous God, you give us the greatest gift of all, yourself, but often we find it hard to take notice; we are caught up with our own gifts, given and received. Forgive us, generous God, for the casual way we treat your gift of love. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness (2 Corinthians 4:6) Hear the Good News! God has caused light to shine in our hearts, the light that is knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Know that in the light of Christ you are forgiven and be at peace. Thanks be to God. Gloria Alleluia W. A. Mozart Maureen Delaney-Lehman, solo *Passing of the Peace Leader: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. (Please greet your neighbors: The peace of the Lord be with you. Responding: And also with you. )
Special Music Before the Marvel of this Night Carl Scalk Chancel Choir Children s Message Pastor Kip Sharing God s Word Prayer for Illumination Gracious God, by the gift of your Holy Spirit show us the Word made flesh good news of great joy for all so that we may sing with the angels: glory in the highest and peace on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Old Testament Reading Micah 5:2, 4 pg. 758 A reading from the prophet Micah: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-7 pg. 832 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took
place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Worship in Song #38 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (v.1,2,4) It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heaven s all gracious King : The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, And ever o er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. For lo, the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold, When with the evercircling years comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing. Sermon Text Luke 2:8-12 pg. 832 Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God
Message In a Manger Pastor Kip Murphy Responding to God s Word Sermon Response What Child Is This? arr. by Christopher Gale Chancel Choir Prayers of the People.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. Amen. Call for Offering (The offering is a way for members and friends of First Presbyterian Church to support the church s mission and ministry. If you are our guest today, please feel under no compulsion to give.) Offertory Breath of Heaven Amy Grant Doré Fürstenberg, solo *Doxology #22 Angels, from the Realms of Glory (v. 4) All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King! *Offertory Prayer We celebrate the birth of the Holy Child! Although born in humble surroundings, Jesus presence surrounds all who call upon his name. The hope born in a manger long ago is birthed again. We gratefully offer these financial gifts as a way to provide hope for all God s children. We rejoice in knowing that your ministry is strengthened by our gifts and prayers. We pray in the name of the Babe in the Manger. Amen.
Going in God s Name *Closing Hymn #60 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, heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior 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. Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Please extinguish candles following the hymn. * Benediction Response #40 Joy to the World! Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! The Savior reigns: Let us our songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, far as, 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, And wonders of His love, and wonders, and wonders of His love. Postlude Good Christians, Men Rejoice (You may be seated or leave quietly during the postlude.) Let our worship continue in service!