WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1420 WEST MOSS AVENUE PEORIA 61606 CHRISTMAS EVE 24 December 2018 Four O clock GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE NEWBORN KING THE PREPARATION Chorale Preludes on Christmas Carols WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE Rev. Denise Clark-Jones The Bell Family PRAYER AND CALL TO WORSHIP One: The Christmas Star shines in the eastern sky All: The shepherds have heard the angels song One: The Magi kneel, with their rare and exotic gifts All: Even the animals know this is a holy night One: And we see the Blessed Virgin and the loving Joseph standing near All: And in the manger the Savior of the World Emmanuel, God with us! One: May this Holy Night live in our hearts always All: May we be changed into the likeness of Christ as we worship the Newborn King. *HYMN IN PROCESSION O Come All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles 1. O come, all ye faithful, 2. God of God, Joyful and triumphant, Light of Light O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb; Come and behold him, Very God, Born the King of Angels. Begotten, not created O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! 3. Child for us sinners, 4. Sing, choirs of angels, Poor and in the manger, Sing in exultation, Fain we embrace thee with awe and love; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Who would not love thee, Glory to God Loving us so dearly? In the highest.
5. Yea, Lord we greet thee Born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing. *CALL TO CONFESSION Joshua Bell, Liturgist *PRAYER OF CONFESSION (praying together) God who comes to us, forgive us when our shadowed lives dim your light; when the tinsel for Christmas means more to us than your truth: when our hearts of stone resist the pain and brokenness around us; when we care more about what is under the tree, than the damage we do to your creation and to your children. Have mercy on us, healing God, so we might tear down the walls we have built to keep your love away; so we could see your justice for our sisters and brothers; so our hearts would become cradles for your Son, Our Lord and Savior. *TIME OF SILENCE AND PERSONAL CONFESSION *ASSURANCE OF PARDON AND RESPONSE Gloria 1. Angels we have heard on high, 2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Sweetly singing o er the plains, Why your joyous strains prolong? And the mountains in reply What the gladsome tidings be Echoing their joyous strains. Which inspire your heavenly song? 3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. HEARING THE WORD PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE READINGS Isaiah 9:2-7 p. 638, NRSV
ANTHEM Christmas Night John Ruttter 1. Softly through the winter s darkness shines a light 2. Shepherds kneel in adoration by his bed Clear and still in Bethlehem on Christmas Night! Seraphim in glory hover round his head. Round the stable where a virgin mother mild Wise men guided by the leading of a star, Watches over Jesus Christ the Holy Child. Bring him gifts of precious treasures from afar. 3. Choirs of angels sing to greet his wondrous birth: 4. Lullaby! The child lies sleeping sing lullaby! Christ our Lord in human form comes down to earth Safe in Mary s tender keeping, sing lullaby. Glory to God in highest heaven their joyful strain Guardian angels keep their watch till break of day Peace on earth goodwill to men their glad refrain Lullaby! Sweet Jesus sleeps among the hay. 5. Alleluia! Let the earth rejoice today! Christ is born to take our sins and guilt away. Praise the Lord who sent him down from heaven above: Infant born of God, the father s love SERMON Epistle: Titus 2:11-14 Gospel: Luke: 2:1-20 p. 215, NRSV p. 58, NRSV Rev. Denise Clark-Jones RESPONDING TO THE WORD CAROL Away in a Manger 1. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky look down where he lay the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2. 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. 3. 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. Cradle Song
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Reading together) The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen *PASSING OF THE PEACE THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS THE OFFERTORY The Oxen Michael Head The Westminster Choir 1. Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. `` 2. We pictured the meek mild creatures where Now they are all on their knees, They dwelt in their strawy pen, An elder said as we sat in a flock Nor did it occur to one of us there By the embers in hearthside ease. To doubt they were kneeling there 3. So fair a fancy few world weave 4. In the lonely barton by yonder comb Few would weave in these years! Our childhood used to know, Yet I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve, I should go with him in the gloom Come, see the oxen kneel Hoping it might be so poem by Thomas Hardy based on a west country legend that on Christmas eve at midnight, the barn animals kneel in honor of the Christ Child. *DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below Praise him above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (please be seated at the end of the prayer)
SEALING THE WORD At the time of the DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS, worshipers may come forward, down the center aisle, to receive bread and then dip their bread in the chalice. Those who are unable to come down the aisle, or who prefer to receive in the pew, will be served bread and an individual cup by an elder who will be walking around the sanctuary to serve those who remain seated. Christians of any age or church affiliation are welcome at Christ s table, where Christ is the host. INVITATION One: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise. COMMUNION PRAYER in the unending song of praise 1 Angels from the realms of glory, 2. Saints before God s presence bending Wing your flight o er all the earth Watching long in hope and fear. You who sang creation s story Suddenly the Lord, descending, Now proclaim Messiah s birth. In his temple shall appear. Come and Worship, Come and Worship Come and worship, Come and worship Worship Christ, the newborn King! Worship Christ, the newborn King! COMMUNION PRAYER AND MEMORIAL ACCLAMATIONS we proclaim the mystery of faith Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now Christ is born today! Christ is born today! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath opened heaven s door, and we are blest forevermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save
INTERCESSIONS AND SUPPLICATIONS ( In your mercy Lord hear our prayer) THE CONSECRATION THE LORD S PRAYER [praying together] 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. These are holy things, to keep us holy. Gifts of God for the people of God. Let us keep the feast. Alleluia! DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS COMMUNION MUSIC O Holy Night Adolph Adam Ashlie Schlatweiler, soprano LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Silent Night, Holy Night Stille Nacht (When receiving the light, tilt your unlighted candle into the lit flame. Do the same as you pass it along the pew.) 1. Silent night, holy night! 2. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright Son of God, love s pure light round yon virgin mother and child! radiant beams from thy holy face Holy Infant, so tender and mild, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Sleep in heavenly peace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Sleep in heavenly peace. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. SCRIPTURE READING John 1:1-14 BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD *CAROL Joy to the World! Antioch 1. Joy to the world! The Lord is come; 3. Joy to the world! The Savior reigns: Let earth receive her King; Let us our songs employ; Let every heart prepare Him room, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains And heaven and nature sing. Repeat the sounding joy. 2. No more let sins and sorrows grow 4. He rules the world with truth and grace, Nor thorns infest the ground; And makes the nations prove He comes to make his blessings flow The glories of His righteousness Far as the curse is found. And wonders of His love.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE O Sanctissima arr. Gerald Alphenaar LEADING IN WORSHIP THIS EVENING Rev. Denise M. Clark-Jones, Pastor of Westminster Joshua Bell, Liturgist Dr. D. James McQueen, Guest Organist Ashlie Schlatweiler, Soloist The Westminster Choir OPEN HANDS, OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS