ORDER OF WORSHIP
7:00 pm, December 24, 2022
* Please stand (if you are able).
PRELUDE WORDSOFWELCOME
*CALLTOWORSHIP
Leader: ForuntousaChildisborn,untousaSonisgiven;andthegovernment shallbeuponHisshoulders,
People: O come, let us adore Him.
Leader: andHisnameshallbecalledWonderfulCounselor,MightyGod,EverlastingFather, PrinceofPeace.
People: O come, let us adore Him.
Leader: OnthisnightinBethlehem,thehopesandfearsofalltheyearscollideinafrailinfant’scry.
People: O come, let us adore Him.
Leader: Listen,formusicandsuddenlighthavecometochangeourhearts!
*PRAYEROFINVOCATION
*CAROL O Come, All Ye Faithful
Choir: Comeandworship,comeandworship,worshipChristthenewbornKing!
Choir: Come,letusadoreHim,worshipandadoreHim.ComeandworshipChrist,thenew-bornKing!
PRAYEROFCONFESSION
God of Joy, we come to celebrate again the arrival of Love Incarnate here in our very midst. Your glorious arrival is enough to cause the forests to sing for joy, yet we still find reasons to complain and sigh. Your light of salvation is bright enough to illuminate every corner of our lives, yet we still find ourselves shrouded in worry and doubt. Your gift of Love is big enough for the whole world, yet we still find ourselves resentful that your love extends to those whom we deem to be unworthy. Forgive us, God. As you invite us into the light of the stable where the overlooked and forgotten have gathered to celebrate the miracle of your love, give us the strength and courage to join you at the manger. Amen.
ASSURANCEOFPARDON(John3:16-17)
Leader: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shallnotperishbuthave eternal life. ForGod didnotsend HisSoninto the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Therefore, let us assure one another of God’s pardon.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM
Still,still,still, Hesleepsthisnightsochill! Thevirgin’stenderarmsenfolding, Warmandsafethechildareholding. Still,still,still, Hesleepsthisnightsochill.
Rise,rise,rise, YouchildrenofAdam,rise. O,comekneelatthefeetofJesus, Who,foroursinsatonedtofreeus. Rise,rise,rise, AllAdam’schildrenrise.
Sleep,sleep,sleep, Heliesinslumberdeep Whileangelhostsfromheav’ncomewinging, Sweetestsongsofjoyaresinging. Sleep,sleep,sleep, Heliesinslumberdeep.
CHRISTMASPRAYEROFILLUMINATION
Still, Still, Still AustrianCarol ChancelChoir
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.
SCRIPTURE Luke2:1-7NIV
1 In thosedaysCaesarAugustus issued a decree that acensus should be taken of theentire Roman world.
2 (ThiswasthefirstcensusthattookplacewhileQuiriniuswasgovernorofSyria.) 3 Andeveryonewentto theirowntowntoregister.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, becausehebelongedtothehouseandlineofDavid. 5 HewenttheretoregisterwithMary,whowaspledged tobemarriedtohimandwasexpectingachild. 6 Whiletheywerethere,thetimecameforthebabytobe born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, becausetherewasnoguestroomavailableforthem.
CHRISTMAS PRAYERTHELORD’SPRAYER
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.
SCRIPTURE Luke2:8-20NIV
8 Andtherewereshepherdslivingoutinthefieldsnearby,keepingwatchovertheirflocksatnight. 9 Anangel oftheLordappearedtothem,andthegloryoftheLordshonearoundthem,andtheywereterrified. 10 But theangelsaidtothem,“Donotbeafraid.Ibringyougoodnewsthatwillcausegreatjoyforallthepeople. 11 TodayinthetownofDavidaSaviorhasbeenborntoyou;heistheMessiah,theLord. 12 Thiswillbeasign toyou:Youwillfindababywrappedinclothsandlyinginamanger.”
13 Suddenlyagreatcompanyoftheheavenlyhostappearedwiththeangel,praisingGodandsaying,
14 “GlorytoGodinthehighestheaven, andonearthpeacetothoseonwhomhisfavorrests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehemandseethisthingthathashappened,whichtheLordhastoldusabout.”
16 SotheyhurriedoffandfoundMaryandJoseph,andthebaby,whowaslyinginthemanger. 17 Whenthey had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who hearditwereamazedatwhattheshepherdssaidtothem. 19 ButMarytreasuredupallthesethingsandpondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heardandseen,whichwerejustastheyhadbeentold.
*HYMN Angels,We Have Heard on High
OFFERINGSOFTHEPEOPLE
OFFERTORY
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy arr.Fettke/Anthony ThevirginMaryhadababyboy, ThevirginMaryhadababyboy, ThevirginMaryhadababyboy, AndtheysaidthatHisnamewasJesus.
Refrain: Hecomefromtheglory, HecomefromthegloriousKingdom. Hecomefromtheglory, HecomefromthegloriousKingdom. AnduntousablessedChildisborn, AnduntousablessedChildisborn, AnduntousablessedChildisborn, AndtheysaidthatHisnamewasJesus. Refrain
Ohyes,believer, Ohyes,believer, Ohyes,believer, HecomefromthegloriousKingdom.
*DOXOLOGY#815
SCRIPTURE
John1:1-14NIV
1 InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod. 2 HewaswithGod in the beginning. 3 Through himall thingswere made;without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 Inhimwaslife,andthatlifewasthelightofallmankind. 5 Thelightshinesinthedarkness, andthedarkness hasnotovercomeit.
6 There wasa mansentfromGodwhosenamewasJohn. 7 Hecameasawitnesstotestifyconcerningthat light,so that through himall might believe. 8 Hehimself wasnot the light;he cameonly as a witness to the light.
9 Thetruelightthatgiveslighttoeveryone wascoming intotheworld. 10 Hewasintheworld,andthough theworldwas madethroughhim,the worlddidnotrecognize him. 11 Hecameto thatwhichwashisown, buthisowndidnotreceivehim. 12 Yettoallwhodidreceivehim,tothosewhobelievedinhisname,hegave the righttobecomechildrenofGod— 13 children bornnot ofnatural descent,norofhumandecision ora husband’swill,butbornofGod.
14 TheWordbecamefleshandmadehisdwellingamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,thegloryoftheoneand onlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.
SERMON
“To All Who Received Him”
THE SACRAMENT OFTHE LORD’S SUPPER
Rev.JimNoble
All who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have been baptized are welcome to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Children who have been baptized and instructed in its meaning are also welcome to partake.
LIGHTING OFTHE CHRIST CANDLE
*CONGREGATIONAL CAROLAND LIGHTING OF CANDLES
Silent Night
*CONGREGATIONALCAROL Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hymn#277 *POSTLUDE Toccata on “Joy to the World” DennisJanzer Dr.NatalieMealey, organ Thank you to the Sonoran Brass for participating in the service this evening.
