First Presbyterian Church Welcomes you to worship Christmas 2015
Christmas Eve First Presbyterian Church Marietta, Ohio December 24, 2015 11:00 p.m. Service of Candlelight and Communion WORDS OF GREETING PRELUDE He Shall Feed His Flock arr. L. Leatherman Piano and Organ *CALL TO WORSHIP Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace, goodwill to God s people. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward those with whom God is pleased. *HYMN NO. 38 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear CAROL LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH Dick and Nancy Murdock THE LIGHT OF GOD COMING INTO THE WORLD Isaiah 9:2-7 PRAYER Good and gracious God, on this holy night you gave us your Son, the Lord of the universe, the Savior of all, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. On this holy night draw us into the mystery of your love. On this holy night join our voices with the heavenly host that we may sing your glory on high. On this holy night give us a place among the shepherds that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. *CAROL NO. 44 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Silence for personal confession) God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not always welcomed the light, or trusted the good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive us, illumine us, restore our sight, that we might see you, and trust you, anew; through Christ our Lord. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON *RESPONSE NO. 576 (Blue Hymnal) Gloria, Gloria Glo-ri-a, glo-ri-a, in ex-cel-sis De-o! Glo-ri-a, glo-ri-a, al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia! PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SPECIAL MUSIC I Wonder as I Wander J. J. Niles Carly Rankin, Soloist THE BIRTH OF JESUS Luke 2:1-7 Hank Goehring, Reader CAROL NO. 25 Away in a Manger MUELLER THE SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS Luke 2:8-20 Hannah Miller, Reader CHRISTMAS MESSAGE The Great Light Rev. David Smith OFFERTORY God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings arr. H. Miller Hannah Miller, Pianist A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS *CAROL NO. 41 O Come All Ye Faithful ADESTES FIDELES The Service of Holy Communion THE INVITATION TO THE LORD S TABLE THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Great Thanksgiving, Page 124, Lift Up Your Hearts (White Hymnal) SHARING THE BREAD AND WINE Communion will be served by the method of Intinction. Worshipers are invited to come forward to the front of the sanctuary by the center aisle, take a piece of bread, dip it into the cup, and partake, then return to their seats by the side aisles. LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE O Christ, Light of the World, we watch and wait for the warmth and light of your presence. As candlelight is not overcome by darkness, we rejoice that your light is radiant within us, despite the wintry seasons of our lives. We live with hope that your birth will occur in every heart and every life, and that the world will fall to its knees in joy. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel. Amen. *CAROL (Insert) Silent Night, Holy Night STILL NACHT
*LIGHT FROM THE CHRIST CANDLE Ushers will light their candles from the Christ Candle. They will take their candles and light the candle of each person on an aisle seat, and they, in turn, will light the candle of the person next to them. While the light is being shared, we will sing Silent Night. Please tip the unlighted candle to the flame. We will hold our lighted candles as we sing Joy to the World. *CAROL (Insert) Joy to the World! ANTIOCH *BENEDICTION When the service is ended, please extinguish your candle and place it in a box in the narthex. POSTLUDE From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Pachelbel *Indicates those who are able, please stand. * * * * * * * * * * SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE READERS AND THOSE WHO PROVIDED MUSIC for the service this evening. THANK YOU FOR DONATING THE POINSETTIAS FOR OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES. There are copies of the poinsettia memorial insert located at the top of the stairs. Please feel free to take your poinsettia home after the service. THANK YOU TO JOAN HAMPTON FOR THE COVER ARTWORK FOR THE BULLETIN. This is a photograph of Joan s painting, inspired by a photo that she took of a Live Nativity scene from their Florida church last year. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY AT 10:15 A.M. THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED NEXT WEEK AND WILL REOPEN MONDAY, JANUARY 4. For pastoral emergencies please leave a message on Pastor David s home or cell phone. He will be checking those regularly. GIVING ENVELOPES FOR 2016 ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX.
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.
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, wonders of His love.