ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD December 24, 2018 7:00 Christmas Eve PRELUDE Christmas Fantasy Rayney O Holy Night, Ashley Vogel-Fisher/Lee Fisher, soloists WELCOME (7:00) Ann Hatfield INTROIT Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Forrest CALL TO WORSHIP & LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE Ann Hatfield, Leader 7:00 p.m. Cristina and Joe Combee Leader: A voice cries, In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. People: Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. Lighters: On this night, we light the Christ candle to proclaim the living Word of God has been revealed in Jesus Christ. Leader: Jesus Christ is the revelation of God s love. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. People: Jesus was in the very nature of God, but did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped. Lighters: So He emptied Himself; and took on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Leader: Unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given.
People: Glory to God in the highest; and peace on earth! Lighters: We light the Christ candle to symbolize God s promise fulfilled. So come, let us worship the Lord, the Savior of All! CAROL O Come, All Ye Faithful (please stand if able) 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! Refrain: 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! Refrain: O come... Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation! Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all Glory in the highest! Refrain: O come... UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION Ann Hatfield Eternal God, from the tabernacle of heaven to the poverty of a stable, Your radiant Light shines forth in a tiny baby wrapped in rags. Such humble Love astounds us. But our astonishment fades; our joy dissipates; and too soon we drift back to darkness. Forgive us Lord for not holding fast to the One who comes this night. Renew us in the way of Christ, that we might reflect His light in the world (time for silent prayers of confession).
ASSURANCE OF PARDON Ann Hatfield Pastor: People: RESPONSE Friends, there is Good News this Christmas night! Unto us is born a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord! (please stand and sing) 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 earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, Repeat the sounding joy; repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy! APOSTLES CREED (please stand if able) Ann Hatfield I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL GREETING The Peace of Christ PASTORAL & LORD S PRAYER (7:00) Jennie Clark 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. OFFERTORY Love Came Down at Christmas arr. Huntsinger Ashley Fisher-Vogel and Lee Fisher, soloists Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas: star and angels gave the sign. Worship we the God-head, love incarnate, love divine; Worship we our Jesus, offr ing what for sacred sign? Love will be our token; love be yours and love be mine, Love to God and to all men, love for Heaven s Gift and Sign. Love divine. Love was born at Christmas. Star and angels gave the sign. Worship we the God-head, love incarnate, love divine; Through our hearts may His love shine. Love will be the sacred sign. Love came down at Christmas. SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2: 1-7
ANTHEM Breath of Heaven (Mary s Song) Eaton, Grant Jessie Eleftheriou I have traveled many moonless nights, cold and weary with a babe inside. And I wonder what I ve done. Holy Father, you have come and chosen me now, to carry your Son. I am waiting in a silent prayer, I am frightened by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this path alone? Be with me now, be with me now. Breath of Heaven, hold me together, be forever near me, breath of Heaven. Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness, for you are holy, Breath of Heaven. Do you wonder as you watch my face, if a wiser one should have had my place? But I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan. Help me be strong, help me be, help me. Breath of Heaven. SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2: 8-14 CAROL Angels We Have Heard On High (please stand if able) Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o er the plains. And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Glo---ria in excelsis Deo, Glo----ria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be, which inspire Your heavenly song? Glo---ria in excelsis Deo, Glo----ria 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. Glo---ria in excelsis Deo, Glo----ria in excelsis Deo.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2: 15-20 SPECIAL MUSIC I Wonder as I Wander arr. Niles Victoria Provost, soloist I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die, for poor on ry people like you and like I I wonder as I wander, out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus, twas in a cow s stall, with wise mena and farmers and shepards and all. But high from God s heaven a star s light did fall, and the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing, or all of God s angels in heav n for to sing, He surely could have it, cause He was the King. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die, for poor on ry people like you and like I I wonder as I wander, out under the sky. SCRIPTURE LESSON John 1: 1-14 MEDITATION A Christmas Story Don Lincoln THE COMING OF THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD The pastor lights a candle from Christ candle, lights ushers candles, and ushers light candles of the first person in each row. The light is passed along as each person tips an UNLIGHTED candle TOWARD A LIGHTED ONE. Let your candle remain lit until after the benediction; then place it in the receptacle at the door upon leaving.
CAROL Silent Night, Holy Night Stille Nacht 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. BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Joy to the World arr. Larson