December 24, 2019 7:00 pm
* STAND IF ABLE
PRELUDE
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT “One Star” (Don Norton solo)
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING-lighting of the candles & Scripture reading (Isaiah 9:2-7 & John 8:12) by Rick and Bonnie Salonen
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: How long we listened for Your approaching steps.
All: For years, our eyes scanned the horizon for Your coming.
Leader: We had anticipated the spectacle of a conquering sovereign.
All: We looked for flowing robes, gleaming gold in the sun – not a baby born in a manger, wrapped in rags.
Leader: Yet you came not to conquer, but to serve… not to judge, but to love the underserving.
All: Such is Your beautiful nature.
READING: Isaiah 7:13-16 & 9:6-7
Message from Isaiah
* Hymn #9 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
READING: 2 Samuel 7: 8-13
Message from a Jewess in 4BC
“O Holy Night” (Dick Smith solo, Judy Smith, piano)
WORSHIPING GOD WITH OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
*Please pass the Friendship Register*
Offertory “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Choir)
*Doxology #592 *Prayer of Dedication
READING: Luke 2:1-7
Message from Bethlehem
“When Love was Born” (Donna Flint solo)
READING: Luke 2:8-21
Message from the Shepherds
*Hymn #31 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
The heavenly host fills the skies; the shepherds rush to behold the babe. But we stand still, for these glad tidings have lost all sense of urgency. The angel chorus rejoices with alleluias, but we hear words as nothing new.
This story is so familiar we forget its power to transform the world. We forget it heralds a reign of justice. We forget that this story requires something of us. You have given us your Son. Now give us the gift of faith, that we might receive the Christ child into our hearts, our lives, our homes, our world, and live as those who walk in his light.
Bless us with the gifts Emmanuel brings, that hope, peace, joy, and love might flow through us and bless your people everywhere – from far-flung fields to crowded city streets where there is no room in the inn. Embolden us to tell your story and send us out, glorifying and praising God – for to us is born a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord!
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
READING: Matthew 2:1-12
Message from the Magi
* Hymn #66 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
READING: Luke 1: 26-38
Message from Mary
“Mary, Did You Know?” (Jan Jones solo)
Installation of Jesus in the Manger
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Donna Flint, bells)
*Hymn #60 “Silent Night”
Go with the expectation that tonight is the night! Jesus is born for our redemption!
POSTLUDE
* STAND IF ABLE
PRELUDE
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT “One Star” (Don Norton solo)
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING-lighting of the candles & Scripture reading (Isaiah 9:2-7 & John 8:12) by Rick and Bonnie Salonen
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: How long we listened for Your approaching steps.
All: For years, our eyes scanned the horizon for Your coming.
Leader: We had anticipated the spectacle of a conquering sovereign.
All: We looked for flowing robes, gleaming gold in the sun – not a baby born in a manger, wrapped in rags.
Leader: Yet you came not to conquer, but to serve… not to judge, but to love the underserving.
All: Such is Your beautiful nature.
READING: Isaiah 7:13-16 & 9:6-7
Message from Isaiah
* Hymn #9 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
READING: 2 Samuel 7: 8-13
Message from a Jewess in 4BC
“O Holy Night” (Dick Smith solo, Judy Smith, piano)
WORSHIPING GOD WITH OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
*Please pass the Friendship Register*
Offertory “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Choir)
*Doxology #592 *Prayer of Dedication
READING: Luke 2:1-7
Message from Bethlehem
“When Love was Born” (Donna Flint solo)
READING: Luke 2:8-21
Message from the Shepherds
*Hymn #31 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
The heavenly host fills the skies; the shepherds rush to behold the babe. But we stand still, for these glad tidings have lost all sense of urgency. The angel chorus rejoices with alleluias, but we hear words as nothing new.
This story is so familiar we forget its power to transform the world. We forget it heralds a reign of justice. We forget that this story requires something of us. You have given us your Son. Now give us the gift of faith, that we might receive the Christ child into our hearts, our lives, our homes, our world, and live as those who walk in his light.
Bless us with the gifts Emmanuel brings, that hope, peace, joy, and love might flow through us and bless your people everywhere – from far-flung fields to crowded city streets where there is no room in the inn. Embolden us to tell your story and send us out, glorifying and praising God – for to us is born a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord!
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
READING: Matthew 2:1-12
Message from the Magi
* Hymn #66 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
READING: Luke 1: 26-38
Message from Mary
“Mary, Did You Know?” (Jan Jones solo)
Installation of Jesus in the Manger
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Donna Flint, bells)
*Hymn #60 “Silent Night”
Go with the expectation that tonight is the night! Jesus is born for our redemption!
POSTLUDE