Order of Worship We seek to glorify God by preaching His Word and spreading the gospel of Grace in Boldness and Selflessness. www.saintstephenschapel.org
Order of Worship Saint Stephen s Chapel December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve Reflection and Preparation "This little babe, so few days old, Is come to rifle Satan s fold; ll hell doth at His presence quake. Though he himself for cold do shake, For in this weak unarm d wise The gates of hell He will surprise. With tears He fights and wins the field; His naked breast stands for a shield; His battering shot are babish cries, His arrows looks of weeping eyes, His martial ensigns cold and need, nd feeble flesh His warrior s steed. His camp is pitch d in a stall, His bulwark but a broken wall, The crib His trench, hay stalks His stakes, Of shepherds He His muster makes; nd thus, as sure his foe to wound, The angels trumps alarum sound. My soul, with Christ join thou in fight; Stick to the tents that He hath pight; Within His crib is surest ward, This little babe will be thy guard. If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, Then flit not from this heavenly boy. Robert Southwell (1561-1595) Welcome: Mr. Jordan Wright Prelude: **The prelude is a sacred curtain dropped between the world and the sanctuary. The dimming of the lights is the signal for the congregation to observe silence. During this time, be prayerful and reverent in preparation for the worship of our holy God in His sanctuary. (Please silence all phones and electronic devices.) Call to Solemn Worship The Rev. Manny Alaniz In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 14 And the Word
*Prayer of Invocation became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5, 9 Lighting of Advent* Wreath the Christ Candle Huoni Reader: All: Mr. Ray Gonzalez & Kim We light the last candle of Advent, the Christ Candle. We light a candle to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Thanks be to God. The First Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7 Mr. Alfred Losoya The Gospel proclaimed by the Prophet Isaiah God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior, was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan's pow'r, when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our heav'nly Father, a blessed angel came And unto certain shepherds, brought tidings of the same; How that in Bethlehem was born, the Son of God by name. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy. "Fear not," then said the angel, "Let nothing you affright This day is born a Savior, of a pure virgin bright To free all those who trust in Him, from Satan's pow'r and might" O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy. The Second Lesson Luke 1:26-38 Mrs. Jackie Wright The Angel appears to Mary Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! (Chorus) Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Christ, by highest Heav n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel (Chorus) Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris n with healing in His wings Mild, He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth (Chorus) Glory to the newborn King! Wade God s Renewal Scripture Warning Mr. Jordan Wright Leader: If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:6, 8, 10) Public Confession Leader: Let us confess our sins together. Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the pattern of this world and the desires of our hearts. We have broken your holy laws. We have left undone those things that we ought to have done, and we have done those things that we ought not to have done. There is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Restore to us the joy of your salvation; bind up that which is broken, give light to our minds, strength to our wills and rest to our souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Silent Confession Assurance of Pardon and Comfort 2 Corinthians 5:17 Leader: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Silent 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 Saviour, is born! Christ, the Saviour, is born! With the angels let us sing Hallelujah to the King Christ, the Saviour, is born! Christ, the Saviour, is born! (repeat verse) Mohr The Third Lesson Luke 2:8-20 Mrs. Kristie Alaniz The Angels and the Shepherds Angels We Have Heard On High Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing ore the plains And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains (Chorus) Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee, Why your joyous strains prolong What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly songs (Chorus) Come to Bethlehem and see, Him whose birth the angels sing Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King (Chorus x2) Barnes Christmas Prayer Mr. Wright
The Fourth Lesson John 3:1-7 Mr. Don Kinkead Homily Rev. Alaniz The Life of God in Our Soul Advent Sermon Series: Jesus, The True Gift of Christmas Celebration of Holy Communion A Word About Communion at Saint Stephen s Chapel: Communion is an opportunity for all of us to seek the Lord. It is an occasion for baptized Christians to be strengthened by our Savior. All who trust alone in Christ as Savior and Lord, embraces the Gospel, live at peace with their neighbor, and seek strength to live more faithfully are welcome to come forward. If you are not a Christian, please consider spending this time in prayer. Children who have not received their first communion should come forward with their hands folded and the wine server will pray for them. Prayer of Consecration Words of Institution All: The Carol for Communion The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast. The gifts of God are for the people of God. What Child Is This What Child is this Who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and lamb are feeding Good Christian, fear, for sinners here, the silent Word is pleading Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me, for you Hail, hail the Word made flesh, the Babe, the Son of Mary So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh Come peasant, king to own Him The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone Him Raise, raise a song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary (repeat verse) Communion & Offertory Prayer Joy to the World (Our God Reigns) 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 Joy to the world! The Savior reigns, Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy 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 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 Let heaven and nature sing, let heaven and nature sing Our God reigns! Let heaven and nature sing, let heaven and nature sing He reigns! *Benediction Prelude** Rev. Alaniz May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. Go In Peace! Amen (With great enthusiasm)
Worship: Every Sunday, 10:30a.m., at 5410 Rogers Road, SATX 78251 Contact Information: Manny Alaniz, Pastor 210-241-5969 manny@saintstephenschapel.org Saint Stephen s Chapel P.O. Box 680085 San Antonio, TX 78268-0085 SaintStephensChapel.org Like Us on Facebook! @SaintStephensChapel (Music printed by permission: CCLI # 11561771) Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Christian Education For All Ages! Immediately after Worship (Expect on Potluck Sunday s) Potluck Sunday On the first Sunday of each month, after worship. Please bring a food-dish, dessert, or something to share with others! Next Potluck January 6, 2019. REMEMBER: we don t have a refrigerator or stove, so please make the necessary arrangements. Community Groups Restart on January 11th. Join us Friday nights with your family to study The Word of God. SERMON NOTES: