THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
DECEMBER 24, 2018 | 5:30PM WE ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS
CHRIST.
Gathering CHIMING OF THE HALF HOUR | 5:30PM PRAYER OF THE DAY SILENT Good and gracious God, on this holy night you gave us your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night draw us into the mystery of your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host that we may sing your glory on high. 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. VOLUNTARY | PIANO & ORGAN DUET
Ann Adams, Pianist
O Holy Night! with Gesu Bambino
McKechnie/Adam/Yon
Lighting of the Advent Wreath RESPONSIVE LITANY
Don, Anita, & Michael Winn
THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSES ARE IN BOLD. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. For to us a child has been born, to us a son is given. Authority rests upon his shoulder, and he is called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. CANDLE LIGHTING PRAYER UNISON O Holy God, as you came at night when all was still, so enter our lives this night. Illumine our paths with the light of Christ’s presence, that we may clearly see the way before us, the truth to speak, and the life to live for him, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
HYMN 119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
MENDELSSOHN
PRAYER OF CONFESSION UNISON God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not 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. Amen. A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION.
DECLARATION OF PARDON Hear the good news of Christmas. Today, God reveals to us the wonders of divine love. For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given. His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. THE PEACE MAY BE EXCHANGED WITH THOSE AROUND YOU.
RESPONSE Let There Be Peace on Earth
MILLER/JACKSON
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be, with God as creator, brothers and sisters are we, let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Proclaiming the Word PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING
Don Winn Isaiah 7:10-16
Old Testament p. 815
CHILDREN’S SERMON CHILDREN’S CAROL | HYMN 115 THE PEOPLE REMAIN SEATED.
Away in a Manger VERSE 1
SECOND READING
Susan Miller Matthew 1:18-25
New Testament p. 53
Looking for Signs
Rev. Paul Phillips
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REFLECT UPON GOD’S WORD.
Thanksgiving HYMN 134 Joy to the World
THE APOSTLES’ CREED UNISON
ANTIOCH
TRADITIONAL
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.
RESPONSE | HYMN 113 Angels We Have Heard on High REFRAIN ONLY
GLORIA
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION THE LORD’S PRAYER UNISON 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. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING UNISON We thank you, Great God, for the gift of your Son, whom you sent to save us. We thank you Lord and Savior for bringing peace on earth. We thank the angel of the Lord for announcing the good news of the Savior’s birth. We thank you, Lord, for the faith of Mary and Joseph and all who have served in God’s name. We thank you, Jesus, for being “with us”, forever and ever. Amen.
Sending CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION THOSE DESIRING TO SING MAY COME FORWARD TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MASS CHOIR. COPIES OF THE SCORE ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE.
Hallelujah! from Messiah
G.F. Handel
CHARGE AND BLESSING CANDLE LIGHTING AS THE LIGHT IS PASSED FROM CANDLE TO CANDLE, SAY: “YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE HYMN, PLEASE DEPART IN SILENCE. CANDLES MAY BE EXTINGUISHED AND DISPENSED IN THE JACKSON STREET FOYER.
HYMN 122 Silent Night, Holy Night VERSE 1,3,4
STILLE NACHT
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given to the glory of God and in honor of their children and grandchildren, by Charles and Missy Jones. If you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary, please contact Ann Adams or the church office. Sundays, January 6, and 13, 2019 are available to be filled.
SUNDAY WORSHIP | 11AM Office Hours
Rev. Paul Phillips
Monday—Thursday 8AM-2PM
Interim Pastor
pastorpaul@gspcmobile.org
Friday 8AM-12PM
Director of Music & Organist
Tommy Watts
tommy@gspcmobile.org
Lois McNorton Office & Property Manager lois@gspcmobile.org
Dawn Hearn Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
Shawn Walker Director of Children’s Ministry shawn@gspcmobile.org
300 GOVERNMENT STREET | MOBILE, ALABAMA 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org