National Christmas Worship Service

National Christmas Worship Service

Volunteers of America National Christmas Worship Service ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Russell Snyder, Presiding President & CEO Volunteers of America Chesapeake Prelude For Unto Us a Child is Born Darrell Crocker Call to Worship Leader: Glory to God in the highest. And on Earth peace, good will toward [all]. Behold, I bring good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. People: Glory be to God on high. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. People: The Lord has made known His victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. I AM the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts. Flute Solo What Child Is This Rev. Keith Moore Welcome Bishop James E. Jordan, Jr., Pastor - Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Rev. Sandra Trice Gray, Chaplain VOAC Anthem O Holy Night Keturah Parker, Spiritual Lay Leader Carol Angels We Have Heard on High Congregation LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Gospel Lesson Luke 2:1-20 Rev. David Stancil - Senior Pastor, Columbia Baptist Fellowship Anthem O Come, All Ye Faithful Barber Children Christmas Prayer Rev. Carlos Duran - Chair, VOAC Board of Directors-Ministry Committee Anthem Mary Did You Know VOAC Ensemble (Rev. David Greever, Lillie Harrison, Rev. Keith Moore, Keturah Parker, Rev. Tracey Strickland) Christmas Message Rev. Michael King - President & CEO Volunteers of America Anthem Lord God the Majesty Barber Children Christmas Litany / Reflection (Attached) Closing Hymn Joy to the World Benediction Rev. Harry Quiett (Prayerfully Exit and Share the Light with the World)

WORDS TO CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS 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 Oh, sing all ye citizens, of heav n above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord! Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus to Thee be all glory given! Word of the Father now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord! ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Gloria, in excelsis Deo, Gloria, in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing, Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria, in excelsis Deo, Gloria, in excelsis Deo. JOY TO THE WORLD Joy to the world - the Lord has 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 earth - the savior reigns! let songs be heard on high, while fields and streams and hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, the wonders of his love, the wonders of his love, the wonders, wonders of his love.

Leader: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD HAS COME Litany & Reflection SELECT A LEADER. Congregation: I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12:46 Leader: Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me, will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Congregation: For you are all children of light, children of the day. I Thessalonians 5:5 Leader: Love Your Enemies. 27 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. 30 Congregation: Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Leader: 32 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. Congregation: 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Leader: Kindness is God's love in expression. Kindness never goes away. The light of God's love, though always present and expressing itself, seems to glow brighter this time of year. Congregation: Perhaps that's because the celebration of Jesus' birth gives us permission to get in touch with, and act out of, our true nature. As Harlan Miller said in Better Homes and Gardens: "The outdoor Christmas lights, green and red and gold and blue and twinkling, remind me that most people are that way all year round kind, generous, friendly and with an occasional moment of ecstasy. But Christmas is the only time they dare reveal themselves." We refer to this seasonal explosion of generosity as "Christmas spirit" because it swells and bursts forth during the holiday season. Leader: But, regardless of the label, it's God's love in us, which finds expression through us, ignites our joy as it flows through us, and delights recipients. When we act thoughtfully, generously, and lovingly, we make God's love visible. We give it form. Congregation: When we hear familiar carols, we know it s time kindness is fashionable once more. The jingle of Christmas bells stirs our hearts to action. Money is donated to charities, doors are held open for holiday shoppers, cards are sent to friends we haven't seen for a long time. We smile, say "Merry Christmas, and bake cookies for our neighbors. Leader: It doesn t matter whether our deeds are great or small or whether we are experienced or first-time givers. Kind acts set goodness in motion. Each thoughtful action creates joy within the giver and delights those who receive. Each ray of kindness contributes to the powerful beacon of God's love that gives our planet a glow each Christmas. Congregation: We have power the power of human concern... the power of human kindness... the power of human compassion." That power is the power of God's love, a compassion so commanding it has the power to heal, a light which shines so brightly at Christmas we give it a name. We'll all have opportunities to feel the joy of the season this year and feel the touch of Christmas spirit. We'll have occasions to choose love as our response, to be a calm force in the midst of stress, to move past judgment and see the highest and best in others, to extend forgiveness. We'll have chances to smile at strangers, offer assistance, visit shut -ins, and let lonely people know we care. It will be our turn to be chimney lamps. Leader: Christmas is a celebration of the Christ child's birth centuries ago in a small manger in a far-off land, but the love that found expression in the gift of the Christ child lives on. It's a living, growing thing, as alive today as it ever was, and we play a vital part in making it visible. Congregation: May the sights and sounds of Christmas put us in touch with our true Christ nature this year. May we be touched by the spirit of Christmas. May we laugh and smile, receive the joy, and share that joy with others.

All: Now Behold the Lamb Now behold the Lamb Born into sin that I may live again (Repeat 2x) Holy is the Lamb Why You love me so Lord I shall never know (Repeat 2x) Thank You for the Lamb Because of Your grace I can finish this race (Repeat 1x) Now behold the Lamb Born into sin that I may live again Oh oh oh! Oh oh oh! Oh oh oh! Why You love me so Lord I shall never know (Repeat 3x)! Oh oh oh Oh oh oh Oh oh oh (Ending) Why You love me so Lord I shall never know! All: Place both feet flat on the floor Palms of hands up on your thighs Take a deep breath Sink into your spirit and connect to God s presence within Breathe out slowly (repeat 3 times) Release all concerns/worries Softly say the following lines out loud When you repeat one that resonates with your spirit, continue repeating it to yourself, until it resolves. A few observations for reflection; and on which you may choose to meditate: Centered in God, I realize my life is a wonderful gift. Christ is reborn in me. My experiences have brought me to this moment of awareness that Christ in me is the hope of glory. The unconditional love of Christ lives in me. I pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts though faith, as [I am] being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:16, 17 I welcome the flow of renewed energy and the reassurance that God is with me. With gratitude, I open to new ideas, restored confidence and unlimited resources. I Have faith in God. Mark 11:22 In sacred silence, I find peace.

Christ in me is the hope of glory. I offer the Christ spirit within me a mind willing to believe in eternal possibilities. I offer hands ready to serve. I offer feet that will walk in the path of peace and light I desire to Know the love of Christ, so that [I] may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 Whether I am reflecting on an idea, the birth of a child, or a major change in my life, I am filled with hope and faith for unlimited potential for good. I honor my oneness with and my love and respect for all God s children. I acknowledge our commonality, appreciate our diversity and celebrate our shared divinity. Christ is formed in [me] Galatians 4:19 I open my heart to love and the Christ Spirit is born in me. I am grateful for all the love I have experienced and all I have to share. I share the gift of God s love, and I am blessed. I celebrate the rebirth of Christ within me by serving, giving, and receiving from a heart full of joy. I share the most precious gift of all the gift of pure presence. Before I go to sleep, I rest in the Presence. I choose to treat every interaction as sacred. I honor the birth of Christ every time I live from my own divine nature and bear witness to the Christ Spirit in others. I rejoice in every gift of love. The celebration of Jesus birth is an opportunity for rebirth of my awareness of the Christ Spirit within. All: The Light of the World has come! Glory to the light of the world For all who wait For all who hunger For all who've prayed For America s most vulnerable For all Amen! Adapted from Daily Word - December 2009 to December 2018. By: Sandra Trice Gray 12/18