The Service for the Lord’s Day
December 24, 2019 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve Worship
MEDITATION
“For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2.11
Christmas Eve Prelude 2019
“Christmas Medley” Traditional, arr. J Purifoy
Handbells
“Mary, Did You Know” Lowry & Greene
September Symens-Lacroix and Violet Symens, violins
“Noel” Tomlin, Cash and Redman
Kameron Brooks, soprano
“In the Bleak Midwinter” Holst, arr. F. Lopez
Alex Barrett, piano
“Sweet Little Jesus Boy” R MacGimsey
Gloria Stover, soprano and Amber Stover, autoharp
“O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” G F Handel
James Wilson, violin
“He Is Born”
Traditional French, arr. T Beaney
Alex Barrett, piano
“Mary, Did You Know” Lowry & Greene
AJ Baratta, baritone
*WELCOME Staffed Nursery available in Millard Hall (infant through age 5) Dr. Jonathan Sloan
(There are no strangers in God’s House, just friends we have not as yet met.
Greet your neighbor with Christian love and let them know that you’re glad to see them!)
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Jesus is the Light of the World.
People: News of His birth began with a star of unimaginable brightness!
Leader: Jesus is the Son of God.
People: Born of a virgin, fully man yet fully God.
Leader: Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
People: A guide and protector, like those called to witness His magnificent
birth.
Leader: The Savior of the World was named Jesus at birth; yet He is many things
to many people: Leader, Friend, Savior, Light in the darkness!
People: Let us worship God!
(Please be seated.)
THE CHRISTMAS STORY
THE FIRST LESSON Sin Enters the World Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19
Lighting of the Advent Candle The Christ Candle Girthoffer Family
*Hymn “Go Light the World” C Rice
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Dr. Blake
THE SECOND LESSON God Promises Blessings Genesis 22:15-18
Hymn #133 vs. 1 & 2 “O Come All Ye Faithful”
THE THIRD LESSON A Messiah is Promised Isaiah 9:2,6-7
Hymn #147 vs. 1, 2 & 6 “The First Nowell”
THE FOURTH LESSON The Messiah’s Lineage Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9
Hymn #145 “What Child Is This”
THE FIFTH LESSON An Angel Appears to Mary Luke 1:26-35, 38
Pastorale on “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came“ G Macchia
THE SIXTH LESSON Travels to Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7
Hymn #121 vs. 1, 2 & 4 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
THE SEVENTH LESSON Angels Appear to Shepherds Luke 2:8-16
Anthem “Away in a Manger” arr. P Sjolund
Chancel Choir
THE EIGHTH LESSON Kings Come from the East Matthew 2:1-11
Response of our Offering
Offertory – Anthem “O Holy Night” Adam
Jesse Black
*Doxology (The Hymnal, P. 606)
*Prayer of Dedication
THE NINTH LESSON Light Comes to the World John 1:1-14
The Lighting of the Candles “Silent Night”
(Please use extreme care as you hold your lighted candle during our closing song. Please dip the unlit candle to the lit candle.)
*“Silent Night, Holy Night”
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, Glories stream 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.
Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us
sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is
born.
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE: “Angels We Have Heard on High” arr. M McDonald
*Please stand, in body or in spirit
All are asked to extinguish their candles and go out into the world, strengthened and nourished by the Light of the world, with God’s love, grace and Christ’s peace in your heart. You may take your candle home with you.
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When you enter God’s house, please do so in prayerful silence. We request you turn off pagers and cell phones.
If you purchased a poinsettia(s) for this evening’s service, kindly take it with you after worship.
Thank you to all who participated in this evening’s worship.
As you leave this evening, take within you the light of Christ,
reflecting it brightly wherever you may go!
Have a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
