SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME (bell peels)
CALL TO WORSHIP
In the holy darkness of this night,
amid labor pains and newborn cries,
angel songs and tremors of fear,
tears of relief and looks of amazement,
our Savior takes his first breath.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to us.
*HYMN #119 (Red) ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’
Hark! The herald angels sing, "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!"
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest Heav'n 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. [Refrain]
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. [Refrain]
CALL TO CONFESSION
God came into a broken world, and we know all too well the ways it is still broken and hurting. Let us confess the ways we have done harm, that we may be part of the healing.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Emmanuel, you have given us a gift that we can never deserve. You do not ask us to be worthy. You do not ask us to earn your love. Yet the ways we have fallen short threaten to overtake us. But we know we can come to you, even on this holiest of nights, to seek the forgiveness you offer so freely, grateful for your mercy. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to us all!
With Christ’s birth comes forgiveness and redemption.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God Favors!
*GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (refrain of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’)
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING (Foster Family)
“Good news of great joy,” the angel said, “for to you a savior is born.”
“Peace on earth,” the choir sang, “for God reigns in the highest.”
“Follow me,” the star beckoned, “For Hope was born in Bethlehem.”
As we light the Christ candle,
we watch for the Christmas story around us.
Emmanuel has come and is coming.
Come, all ye faithful, and worship God.
*HYMN #600 (Red) ‘Amen’
Amen, amen.
Amen, amen.
READING 1: 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 exultation;
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 Great will be his authority,
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 #86 (Red) ‘The People Who Walked in Darkness’
The people who walked in darkness
awakened to see a great light.
The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow
rise to a star shining bright.
Refrain:
His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God,
Father forever, Prince of Peace.
The yoke of despair and bondage,
the chains of the slave master’s rod
are shattered and scattered like dust in a windstorm,
loosed by the justice of God. [Refrain]
How vast is our God’s dominion!
How far truth and mercy extend.
The zeal of the Lord will accomplish its purpose:
justice shall reign without end. [Refrain]
READING 2: Psalm 96
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.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
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 #87 (Red) ‘Comfort, Comfort Now My People’
"Comfort, comfort all my people; speak of peace," so says our God.
"Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning under sorrow’s load.
To my people now proclaim that my pardon waits for them!’
Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.”
LESSON 1: The darkness
READING 3: Luke 2:1-14
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar 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 in the guest room.
8 Now in that same 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 #101 (Red) ‘No Wind at the Window’
No wind at the window, no knock on the door;
No light from the lampstand, no foot on the floor;
No dream born of tiredness, no ghost raised by fear:
Just an angel and a woman and a voice in her ear.
“O Mary, O Mary, don’t hide from my face,
Be glad that you’re favored and filled with God’s grace.
The time for redeeming the world has begun,
And you are requested to mother God’s Son.”
“This child must be born that the kingdom might come:
Salvation for many, destruction for some;
Both end and beginning, both message and sign;
Both victor and victim, both yours and divine.
No payment was promised, no promises made;
No wedding was dated, no blueprint displayed.
Yet Mary, consenting to what none could guess,
Replied with conviction, “Tell God I say, Yes.”
LESSON 2: The light
*HYMN #125 (Red) ‘Before the Marvel of This Night’
Awake the sleeping world with song; this is the day the Lord has made.
Assemble here, celestial throng, in royal splendor come arrayed.
Give earth a glimpse of heavenly bliss, a teasing taste of what they miss;
Sing bliss; sing bliss; sing endless bliss;
Sing bliss; sing endless bliss.
The love that we have always known, our constant joy and endless light,
Now to the loveless world be shown, now break upon its deathly night;
Into one song compress the love the rules our universe above:
Sing love; sing love; sing God is love;
Sing love; sing God is love!
LESSON 3: Go forth with peace
*HYMN #122 (Red) ‘Silent Night’
We will light candles and dim the lights during this hymn
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 they light;
With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King:
Christ the Savior is born;
Christ the Savior is born.
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME (bell peels)
CALL TO WORSHIP
In the holy darkness of this night,
amid labor pains and newborn cries,
angel songs and tremors of fear,
tears of relief and looks of amazement,
our Savior takes his first breath.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to us.
*HYMN #119 (Red) ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’
Hark! The herald angels sing, "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!"
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest Heav'n 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. [Refrain]
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. [Refrain]
CALL TO CONFESSION
God came into a broken world, and we know all too well the ways it is still broken and hurting. Let us confess the ways we have done harm, that we may be part of the healing.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Emmanuel, you have given us a gift that we can never deserve. You do not ask us to be worthy. You do not ask us to earn your love. Yet the ways we have fallen short threaten to overtake us. But we know we can come to you, even on this holiest of nights, to seek the forgiveness you offer so freely, grateful for your mercy. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to us all!
With Christ’s birth comes forgiveness and redemption.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God Favors!
*GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (refrain of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’)
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING (Foster Family)
“Good news of great joy,” the angel said, “for to you a savior is born.”
“Peace on earth,” the choir sang, “for God reigns in the highest.”
“Follow me,” the star beckoned, “For Hope was born in Bethlehem.”
As we light the Christ candle,
we watch for the Christmas story around us.
Emmanuel has come and is coming.
Come, all ye faithful, and worship God.
*HYMN #600 (Red) ‘Amen’
Amen, amen.
Amen, amen.
READING 1: 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 exultation;
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 Great will be his authority,
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 #86 (Red) ‘The People Who Walked in Darkness’
The people who walked in darkness
awakened to see a great light.
The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow
rise to a star shining bright.
Refrain:
His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God,
Father forever, Prince of Peace.
The yoke of despair and bondage,
the chains of the slave master’s rod
are shattered and scattered like dust in a windstorm,
loosed by the justice of God. [Refrain]
How vast is our God’s dominion!
How far truth and mercy extend.
The zeal of the Lord will accomplish its purpose:
justice shall reign without end. [Refrain]
READING 2: Psalm 96
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.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
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 #87 (Red) ‘Comfort, Comfort Now My People’
"Comfort, comfort all my people; speak of peace," so says our God.
"Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning under sorrow’s load.
To my people now proclaim that my pardon waits for them!’
Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.”
LESSON 1: The darkness
READING 3: Luke 2:1-14
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar 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 in the guest room.
8 Now in that same 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 #101 (Red) ‘No Wind at the Window’
No wind at the window, no knock on the door;
No light from the lampstand, no foot on the floor;
No dream born of tiredness, no ghost raised by fear:
Just an angel and a woman and a voice in her ear.
“O Mary, O Mary, don’t hide from my face,
Be glad that you’re favored and filled with God’s grace.
The time for redeeming the world has begun,
And you are requested to mother God’s Son.”
“This child must be born that the kingdom might come:
Salvation for many, destruction for some;
Both end and beginning, both message and sign;
Both victor and victim, both yours and divine.
No payment was promised, no promises made;
No wedding was dated, no blueprint displayed.
Yet Mary, consenting to what none could guess,
Replied with conviction, “Tell God I say, Yes.”
LESSON 2: The light
*HYMN #125 (Red) ‘Before the Marvel of This Night’
Awake the sleeping world with song; this is the day the Lord has made.
Assemble here, celestial throng, in royal splendor come arrayed.
Give earth a glimpse of heavenly bliss, a teasing taste of what they miss;
Sing bliss; sing bliss; sing endless bliss;
Sing bliss; sing endless bliss.
The love that we have always known, our constant joy and endless light,
Now to the loveless world be shown, now break upon its deathly night;
Into one song compress the love the rules our universe above:
Sing love; sing love; sing God is love;
Sing love; sing God is love!
LESSON 3: Go forth with peace
*HYMN #122 (Red) ‘Silent Night’
We will light candles and dim the lights during this hymn
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 they light;
With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King:
Christ the Savior is born;
Christ the Savior is born.