CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
DECEMBER 24, 2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Good news! Great joy!
Jesus Christ is born!
Good news! Great joy!
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ,
Joining our voices with the joyful song of his mother Mary.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children forever.
HYMN GTG #99 “MY SOUL GIVES GLORY TO MY GOD”
My soul gives glory to my God;
My heart pours out its praise.
God lifted up my lowliness
In many marvelous ways.
My God has done great things for me;
Yes, holy is God’s name.
All people will declare me blessed,
And blessings they shall claim.
From age to age to all who fear;
Such mercy love imparts,
Dispensing justice far and near;
Dismissing selfish hearts.
Love casts the mighty from their thrones,
Promotes the insecure,
Leaves hungry spirits satisfied;
The rich seem suddenly poor.
Praise God, whose loving covenant
supports those in distress,
remembering the past promises
with present faithfulness.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
ADVENT PRAYER
READING - 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.
HYMN - COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS (GTG 82)
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
READING - PSALM 96:1-4 (RESPONSIVELY)
1 O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be revered above all gods.
HYMN - OF THE FATHER’S WORLD BEGOTTEN (GTG 108), verses 1, 3, 4, 6
Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see
evermore and evermore.
Oh, that birth forever blessed
when the virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world's Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face
evermore and evermore.
This is he whom seers and sages
sang of old with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word.
Now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord
evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unending praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore.
OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
READING 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.
HYMN - O COME, O COME, EMANUEL (GTG 88), verses 1, 6, 7
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. [Refrain]
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. [Refrain]
CONFESSION
The holy child of Bethlehem came to cast out sin and to bring to us the gift of salvation.
Let us open our hearts to receive what God seeks to give.
Holy God, you have come among us in Jesus Christ, hallowing our humanity and embodying love. We confess that we have turned from the path Jesus has marked, failing to claim all you intend for us, withholding love from our neighbors
and ourselves. Forgive us. Be born anew in us, that our lives might reflect Christ’s radiant light.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
MEDITATION – ‘WAITING, HOW I HATE WAITING’ ELIZABETH FOX, CRE
HYMN - JESUS, JESUS O, WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD (GTG 126)
Jesus, Jesus, oh, what a wonderful child.
Jesus, Jesus, so holy, meek, and mild;
new life, new hope new joy he brings.
Listen to the angels sing.
“Glory, glory, glory,”
to the new-born King.
READING - LUKE 2: 1-14
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.
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!”
HYMN - PEOPLE LOOK EAST, THE TIME IS NEAR (GTG 105), verses 1, 4, 5
People, look east,
The time is near of the crowning of the year.
make your house fair as you are able;
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the Guest, is on the way
Stars, keep the watch.
When night is dim one more light the bowl to brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Star, is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word,
the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
COMMUNION - Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
All the ends of the earth have seen your saving power, O Lord.
From the ruined cities to the highest mountains, we sing your praise:
How beautiful is the messenger of your peace, who brings salvation!
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion
Prayer after Communion
(CANDLE LIGHTING)
HYMN - SILENT NIGHT (GTG 122)
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,
heav’nly 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.
DECEMBER 24, 2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Good news! Great joy!
Jesus Christ is born!
Good news! Great joy!
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ,
Joining our voices with the joyful song of his mother Mary.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children forever.
HYMN GTG #99 “MY SOUL GIVES GLORY TO MY GOD”
My soul gives glory to my God;
My heart pours out its praise.
God lifted up my lowliness
In many marvelous ways.
My God has done great things for me;
Yes, holy is God’s name.
All people will declare me blessed,
And blessings they shall claim.
From age to age to all who fear;
Such mercy love imparts,
Dispensing justice far and near;
Dismissing selfish hearts.
Love casts the mighty from their thrones,
Promotes the insecure,
Leaves hungry spirits satisfied;
The rich seem suddenly poor.
Praise God, whose loving covenant
supports those in distress,
remembering the past promises
with present faithfulness.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
ADVENT PRAYER
READING - 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.
HYMN - COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS (GTG 82)
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
READING - PSALM 96:1-4 (RESPONSIVELY)
1 O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be revered above all gods.
HYMN - OF THE FATHER’S WORLD BEGOTTEN (GTG 108), verses 1, 3, 4, 6
Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see
evermore and evermore.
Oh, that birth forever blessed
when the virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world's Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face
evermore and evermore.
This is he whom seers and sages
sang of old with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word.
Now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord
evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unending praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore.
OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
READING 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.
HYMN - O COME, O COME, EMANUEL (GTG 88), verses 1, 6, 7
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. [Refrain]
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. [Refrain]
CONFESSION
The holy child of Bethlehem came to cast out sin and to bring to us the gift of salvation.
Let us open our hearts to receive what God seeks to give.
Holy God, you have come among us in Jesus Christ, hallowing our humanity and embodying love. We confess that we have turned from the path Jesus has marked, failing to claim all you intend for us, withholding love from our neighbors
and ourselves. Forgive us. Be born anew in us, that our lives might reflect Christ’s radiant light.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
MEDITATION – ‘WAITING, HOW I HATE WAITING’ ELIZABETH FOX, CRE
HYMN - JESUS, JESUS O, WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD (GTG 126)
Jesus, Jesus, oh, what a wonderful child.
Jesus, Jesus, so holy, meek, and mild;
new life, new hope new joy he brings.
Listen to the angels sing.
“Glory, glory, glory,”
to the new-born King.
READING - LUKE 2: 1-14
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.
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!”
HYMN - PEOPLE LOOK EAST, THE TIME IS NEAR (GTG 105), verses 1, 4, 5
People, look east,
The time is near of the crowning of the year.
make your house fair as you are able;
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the Guest, is on the way
Stars, keep the watch.
When night is dim one more light the bowl to brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Star, is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word,
the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
COMMUNION - Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
All the ends of the earth have seen your saving power, O Lord.
From the ruined cities to the highest mountains, we sing your praise:
How beautiful is the messenger of your peace, who brings salvation!
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion
Prayer after Communion
(CANDLE LIGHTING)
HYMN - SILENT NIGHT (GTG 122)
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,
heav’nly 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.