Christmas Eve 2016: Communion Service

• COMMUNION SERVICE • 12:00 PM

• The Birth of Jesus • In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

— Luke 2:1–7

Dear Friends, Welcome to Peachtree Presbyterian Church!

Earlier this year, I came with my wife, Terri, to serve as interim pastor connecting the strong and recently completed ministry of Vic Pentz to the promising and just-about-to-begin ministry of Rich Kannwischer (arriving in January 2017). They have been friends of mine for years, and it has been pure joy to celebrate the past and the future.

It has been customary for this evening’s offering to be directed to the construction of a Habitat for Humanity house here in the greater Atlanta area. It seems appropriate on this Christmas Eve to provide a home for a family in honor of Jesus’ family which had no home in Bethlehem.

At the end of these services today, my responsibilities here will be complete. I can think of no better way to conclude than to borrow the words of Dr. S. M. Lockridge: Jesus is the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He’s unparalleled.

He’s unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior.

To Christ be the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Merry Christmas,

Dave Peterson Peachtree Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA

Prelude

Chiming of the Hour

Welcome & Call to Worship† Pastor: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. People: He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Pastor: In him was life, and that light was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

People: Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus Christ.

Pastor: From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

People: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

ALL: O come, let us adore him!

— from John 1

Carol† O Come, All Ye Faithful................................................................................................ ADESTE FIDELES 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.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; Refrain 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

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

† Those who are able, please stand.

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Prayer of Confession Merciful God, in this season of the year we are surrounded by lights that speak to the beauty and wonder of Christmas. And yet we know that there is much darkness in our world: nations torn by war, families that are broken, hearts that are heavy and wounded. On this Christmas Eve we confess that the lights we see cannot truly illumine the darkness within us or around us. We confess that we have tried to make our way without the light that gives life to all people. As we gather around your table, O God, turn our eyes toward Jesus, the Light of the World. By your grace, fill us with that same light that we might be what Jesus called us to be — salt of the earth and light of the world. Come, Light of the World, and meet us here as we offer our silent prayers of confession…

Assurance of God’s Forgiveness Congregational Response† Hark! the Herald Angels Sing...........................................................................................Mendelssohn Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

• Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18–25 • Congregational Carol† The First Nowell....................................................................................................... The First Nowell The First Nowell, the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made Heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood mankind hath bought.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel!

† Those who are able, please stand.

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• Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8–20 • Solo “Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted” from Messiah................................................................... G. F. Handel John Irvin · Soloist Ev’ry valley shall be exalted, and ev’ry moutain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain.

—Isaiah 40:4

• Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1–12 • Christmas Prayer

Offertory Maria Wiegenlied (Mary's Lullaby)......................................................................................Max Reger John Irvin · Soloist Maria sitzt am Rosenhag Und wiegt ihr Jesuskind, Durch die Blätter leise Weht der warme Sommerwind.

Translation: Mary is sitting among the roses and rocks the baby Jesus child; Through the leaves quietly blows the warm, summer breeze.

Zu ihren Füßen singt ein buntes Vögelein: “Schlaf, Kindlein süße, schlaf nun ein!

Hold ist dein Lächeln, Holder deines Schlummers Lust, Leg dein müdes Köpfchen fest an deiner Mutter Brust!

Schlaf, Kindlein süße, schlaf nun ein!”

At her feet sings a colorful bird: “Sleep, sweet child, sleep now!

Happy is your smile, holy is your deep sleep, Put your tired head gently on your mother's breast.

Sleep, sweet child, sleep now.”

• Meditation • Dave Peterson · Interim Senior Pastor

† Those who are able, please stand.

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• Communion • Pastor: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

People: Make us one with Christ and with all who share this feast. Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve as your faithful disciples until we feast at your table in glory.

Pastor: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, forever and ever. And now as our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to pray…

People: 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.

Words of Institution

Distribution of the Bread To symbolize our individual experience of God’s grace, please partake of the bread as it is served.

Communion Anthem O Holy Night................................................................................. Adolphe Adam, arr. John Rutter John Irvin · Soloist O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ’til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices, O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

Truly he taught us to love one another, his song is love and his gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise his holy name.

Christ is the Lord; O praise his name forever, his power and glory ever more proclaim!

† Those who are able, please stand.

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Distribution of the Cup To symbolize our common experience together of God’s grace, please retain the cup until all have been served.

Carol† Joy to the World....................................................................................................................... Antioch Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing…

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love…

Benediction†

Postlude†

• Leading the Worship • Dave Peterson Interim senior pastor Vicki Harrington Franch Pastor for Pastoral Care Scott Tucker Interim Associate Pastor

• Leading Music in Worship • John Irvin Soloist Steven Wooddell Organist

† Those who are able, please stand.

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Habitat for Humanity Build Through today’s Christmas offering, Peachtree will give the gift of first-time homeownership to a family through our partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.

For over 28 years, Peachtree and Habitat for Humanity have worked together to provide funding, volunteers, prayers, and hope to 152 families—the most of any local congregation in the world.

This spring, we will build our 153rd Habitat house.

Join us by giving today and volunteering Saturdays, March 25–May 20.

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• Join Us for Worship on Sundays • Communion in the Wilson Chapel: Sundays at 8:20 am Sanctuary Worship: Sundays at 8:45, 10:00, and 11:15 am Summit Worship: Sundays at 8:45 and 11:15 am For more information about joining Peachtree, please contact Rebecca Madden, Connections Director, at 404-842-2173 or rmadden@peachtreepres.org.

To learn more about Peachtree Presbyterian Church, visit us at peachtreechurch.org.

3434 Roswell Road NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 www.peachtreechurch.org | 404.842.5800