ORDER OF WORSHIP
CHRISTMAS EVE
12-24-2020
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us!
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
Let us worship the Prince of Peace.
OPENING HYMN: FPC “O Come All Ye Faithful”
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!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
CALL TO CONFESSION
Like a great light in a land of deep darkness, the mercy of the Lord shines upon us. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Christ, you were born in a humble stable, because there was no room for you in the inn. Forgive us when we foolishly think that there is no room for you in our lives. When we close the doors of our hearts to your word, forgive us, and burst through them with your love. When we close the doors of our minds to your challenge, forgive us, and burst through them with your love. When we close the doors of our homes, our churches, and our cities to people you would have us welcome, forgive us, and speak your angel’s words to us once more: “Do not be afraid.”
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the promise of the Lord: See, your salvation has come! You are a holy people, redeemed by God, sought out, not forsaken. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
GLORIA
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, by the gift of your Holy Spirit show us the Word made flesh--good news of great joy for all--so that we may sing with the angels: glory in the highest and peace on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Treasure these words and ponder them in your heart.
(Luke 2:19)
SPECIAL MUSIC “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Elizabeth Fox, flautist
Bonnie Foster, pianist
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
SPECIAL MUSIC: “In Dulci Jubilo” Rev. Kaul, organ
Psalm 96:7-13 (read responsively)
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.
HYMN: “The First Nowell”
The first Nowell the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay akeeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
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.
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Will You Come to the Manger?” Donna Flint, soloist
Bonnie Foster, pianist
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
SPECIAL MUSIC: “O Holy Night” Richard Smith, soloist
Bonnie Foster, pianist
Luke 2:8-20
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
Thanks be to God.
(John 1:14)
HYMN “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.
“Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased in flesh with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
LIGHT THE CHRIST CANDLE
And the Word became flesh and now lives among us.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN “Silent Night”
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht Rev. Kaul sings 1st verse in German
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Silent night, holy night! All then sing 1st Verse
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.
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
HYMN: “Joy to the World”
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns:
Let us our songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
POSTLUDE
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year B Vo.54.1
CHRISTMAS EVE
12-24-2020
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us!
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
Let us worship the Prince of Peace.
OPENING HYMN: FPC “O Come All Ye Faithful”
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!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
CALL TO CONFESSION
Like a great light in a land of deep darkness, the mercy of the Lord shines upon us. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Christ, you were born in a humble stable, because there was no room for you in the inn. Forgive us when we foolishly think that there is no room for you in our lives. When we close the doors of our hearts to your word, forgive us, and burst through them with your love. When we close the doors of our minds to your challenge, forgive us, and burst through them with your love. When we close the doors of our homes, our churches, and our cities to people you would have us welcome, forgive us, and speak your angel’s words to us once more: “Do not be afraid.”
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the promise of the Lord: See, your salvation has come! You are a holy people, redeemed by God, sought out, not forsaken. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
GLORIA
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, by the gift of your Holy Spirit show us the Word made flesh--good news of great joy for all--so that we may sing with the angels: glory in the highest and peace on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Treasure these words and ponder them in your heart.
(Luke 2:19)
SPECIAL MUSIC “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Elizabeth Fox, flautist
Bonnie Foster, pianist
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
SPECIAL MUSIC: “In Dulci Jubilo” Rev. Kaul, organ
Psalm 96:7-13 (read responsively)
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.
HYMN: “The First Nowell”
The first Nowell the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay akeeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
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.
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Will You Come to the Manger?” Donna Flint, soloist
Bonnie Foster, pianist
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
SPECIAL MUSIC: “O Holy Night” Richard Smith, soloist
Bonnie Foster, pianist
Luke 2:8-20
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
Thanks be to God.
(John 1:14)
HYMN “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.
“Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased in flesh with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
LIGHT THE CHRIST CANDLE
And the Word became flesh and now lives among us.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN “Silent Night”
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht Rev. Kaul sings 1st verse in German
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Silent night, holy night! All then sing 1st Verse
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.
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
HYMN: “Joy to the World”
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns:
Let us our songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
POSTLUDE
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year B Vo.54.1