December 24, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Worship
Large print bulletins available—please ask an usher.
An asterisk (*) indicates “Please stand if you are able.”
A THOUGHT FOR THE TIME BETWEEN ARRVING HERE AND BEING HERE:
After centuries of waiting and four weeks of preparation, Christmas is here. Whether you have completed your journey all the way to
FAMILIAR CAROLS
PRELUDE “See Amid The Winter’s Snow” Goss
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
The prophet Isaiah lights the candle of peace, Mary and Joseph light the candle of love, angels light the candle of joy, and shepherds light the candle of hope.
Entering into Worship
RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Come away, come away, come today to
P: Come adore on bended knee, one whose birth the angels sing.
L: Come away, come away from your noisy celebration, to a place of quietness and peace.
P: Come with wonder, come with awe. Take your place among the sheep and cattle, the flickering candles and straw.
L: Sing with joy, praise God, for the time of promise has come.
P: Sing the great good news of Emmanuel: God with us! Christ has come to our world!
All: Let us go see this Savior of God and bring gifts of praise! Let us now go to the
*GATHERING HYMN “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
(congregational responses are IN CAPITAL LETTERS and are SUNG)
“Arise, shine, for your Light has come!”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
“And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
“And the nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising!”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD.
CANDLE LIGHTING HYMN “Silent Night”
(Please stand as you receive the light from the Christ candle, then join in the singing AFTER your candle is lit. For safety, tip the UNLIGHTED candle into the flame.)
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.
Glory streams 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.
*BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE TO THE VERY GOOD NEWS
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” (sing twice)
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere,
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
ORGAN POSTLUDE “Silent Night” Chimes
As you leave this evening, go quietly, listening carefully for the angelic songs of hope, peace, joy and love.
This evening’s offering will benefit our church’s General Fund, so that we may continue to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ in our community and world. There are envelopes in the pews and offering plates at the doors.
Thank you for coming to the
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL, JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT
O COME, YE, O COME YE TO
COME AND BEHOLD HIM, BORN THE KING OF ANGELS.
“Unto us a Child is born! Unto us a Son is given.”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
“And the government will be upon His shoulders!”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
“And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD.
YEA LORD, WE GREET THEE, BORN THIS HAPPY MORNING
JESUS, TO THEE BE ALL GLORY GIV’N
WORD OF THE FATHER, NOW IN FLESH APPEARING!
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to
all people!”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
“For unto you is born this day in the city of
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all God’s people on earth!”
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD.
SING CHOIRS OF ANGELS, SING IN EXULTATION!
O 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.
WELCOME
CHILDREN’S STORY “Let’s Go To
WELCOMING the CHRIST CHILD
*NATIVITY HYMN “Angels from the Realms of Glory” (verses 1+4) Hymn #149
THE
CONGREGATIONAL CAROL “What Child is This” Hymn #162
CONTINUATION OF THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2: 8-14
CONGREGATIONAL CAROL “Angels We Have Heard on High” (v. 1+3) Hymn #155
CONTINUATION OF THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2: 15-20
SPECIAL MUSIC “Were You There on That Christmas Night” Sleeth
CHRISTMAS MEDITATION “How Far Is It To
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Tonight we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Our candles bear witness to that light, and brighten this time of celebration.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; all things came into being with Him, and without Him not one thing came into being.”
By the light of God’s creating Word, we are led to a brighter light of faith and trust in Him.
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of all. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
With the coming of God’s Son, Jesus our Emmanuel, the light shines still more brightly.
“The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew Him not. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God.”
*HYMN OF JOY “Joy to the World” Hymn #143
The light of the Lord continues to shine, as it glows in our lives of Christian love and service; for God has given us His Word.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. We have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father. And from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.”
In the Bleak Midwinter (Christina Rosetti)
What shall I give him poor as I am
If I were a shepherd I would bring a Lamb
If I were a wise man I would do my part
What shall I give him, give my heart.
Along the
He who walks with trusting heart, as best he may,
Along the humble, star-lit
These gifts shall find:
Faith that withstands the invasion of the years,
Hope that can conquer agony and tears,
Love that can heal and hallow every wound,
And where these are shall holy joy be found.
And finding these good gifts on Christmas Day,
The trusting heart along the
Shall know that God is good.
How far Is It to Christmas day? (Peggy Ferrell)
How far is it to Christmas day? The journey’s just as long
As taking time to listen to a joyful angel song.
It’s just as far as one can go in doing a loving deed
That helps someone feel better or that meets their special need.
For Christmas is a journey that the heart makes every year.
It starts right with your family and those you hold so dear.
It travels on to strangers ‘round the world to everyone
With the message that God loves us; so much God sent his Son!