9:00pm Service December 24, 2023 MORE PEOPLE, MORE LIKE CHRIST
Address: 34605 N. Tom Darlington Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85266 Office phone: (480) 488-3384 / Fax: (480) 488-0850 Facebook: Desert Hills Presbyterian Church (Scottsdale, AZ) YouTube: “Desert Hills Presbyterian Church” Instagram: Follow us @DesertHillsPres Website: www.deserthills.org
ORDER OF WORSHIP 9:00 pm, December 24, 2023 * Please stand (if you are able). PLEASE SILENCE OR PLACE YOUR CELL PHONE ON VIBRATE.
PRELUDE WORDS OF WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: People: Leader: People:
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders, O come, let us adore Him. and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. O come, let us adore Him.
Leader: People:
On this night in Bethlehem, the hopes and fears of all the years collide in a frail infant’s cry. O come, let us adore Him.
Leader:
Listen, for music and sudden light have come to change our hearts!
*CAROL O Come, All Ye Faithful
CHRISTMAS PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER 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. CHRISTMAS PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION Surprising God, open our ears to hear this familiar story as if for the first time. Open our eyes to see the diverse cast gathered at the manger. Open our hearts to the power of your love as revealed in this amazing story. Open our lives to the possibility of transformation, as we encounter once again God-With-Us, Emmanuel. Amen.
FIRST LESSON
The Prophecy
Brett Everett
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega; He the Source, the ending He, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore! SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 9:1-7
Pg. 984 Pew Bible
It Came upon the Midnight Clear
CONGREGATIONAL CAROL
SECOND LESSON
The Annunciation
Helen Varga
O, that birth forever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race; and the babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore! SCRIPTURE CHOIR CAROL
Luke 1:26-38
Page 1457 Pew Bible
Mary’s Song Ernie Johnson and Marge Sutton, soloists
Lloyd Larson
Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, For you have found favor with God! You have found favor with God! You will bear a child; you will birth a son. His name shall be called Jesus, And His name shall be called Jesus! He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High God! God will give Him David’s throne and His kingdom will never end! Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, For you have found favor with God! You have found favor with God!
My soul magnifies the Lord! My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior! The Lord God has done great things! Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, For you have found favor with God! You have found favor with God! Holy is the Lord! Do not be afraid! God has done great things! Do not be afraid! Magnify the Lord! Holy is the Lord!
CONGREGATIONAL CAROL
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
THIRD LESSON
The Birth
Kara Thomas
This is He whom heav’n-taught singers sang of old with one accord, whom the Scriptures of the prophets promised in their faithful word; now He shines, the long-expected; let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore! SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:1-20 A Bethlehem Manger
CHOIR CAROL
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in they dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus, laid down his sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. CONGREGATIONAL CAROL
Angels We Have Heard on High
Choir: Gloria, gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo! Sing gloria to God on high!
Page 1459 Pew Bible arr. Lloyd Larson
FOURTH LESSON
The Wisemen
Kathleen Harris
O ye heights of heav’n, adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing: pow’rs, dominions, bow before Him and extol our God and King; let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring, evermore and evermore! SCRIPTURE CONGREGATIONAL CAROL
Matthew 2:25-30 Do You Hear What I Hear?
Page 1536 Pew Bible
OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE Pavane for a Silent Night
OFFERTORY
Music: Maurice Ravel/ arr. Liebergen Text: Shafferman
On a silent, starry night, Christus natus est. All is calm and all is bright, Son of God and love’s pure light, Born in Bethlehem that night, Christus natus est, Christus natus est. Born in Bethlehem that night, holy Child divine. Born a Child and yet a King, Hear the heav’nly angels sing, Joyful tidings bring: Christus natus est, Christus natus est. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! He is born, Emmanuel, God on earth to dwell. He is born, the holy Child, The infant mild. Born in Bethlehem, Son of God and son of man. Gloria in excelsis Deo! On a silent, starry night, Christus natus est. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Christus natus est. Alleluia!
*DOXOLOGY #815
Praise
God
from whom
Praise Him a - bove, ye
all
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heav'n - ly host. Praise
flow. Praise
Fa - ther, Son, and
Him, all
OLD HUNDREDTH
crea - tures
Ho - ly Ghost.
A
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men.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION FIFTH LESSON
Jesus’ Prophecy Rev. Jim Noble
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 11:25-30
Page 1389 Pew Bible
MESSAGE
“The Great Invitation”
Rev. Jim Noble
*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL AND LIGHTING OF CANDLES Silent Night
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *CONGREGATIONAL CAROL
*POSTLUDE
Joy to the World
Fanfare on “Joy to the World” Orchestra