FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
CHRISTMAS EVE
December 24, 2025
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come— all who wander in darkness!
Come— all who long for hope!
The Word of God has come!
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness shall not overcome.
A child is born! A Son is given!
Savior! Prince of Peace!
From tiny Bethlehem, God’s promise is fulfilled.
Come! Let us worship the newborn King!
The Word made flesh, the Light of the world--
Jesus Christ, our Savior!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to all people on earth!
*OPENING HYMN #28 (blue) “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE AND SONG
Scripture: Luke 2:10–11
“I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people… a Savior is born.”
Reading:
Tonight we light the Christ Candle—the center of our hope, our peace, our joy, and our love.
The waiting is over. The promise is fulfilled. Into a world hungry for light, the Child of Bethlehem comes with grace that welcomes all and a love that knows no end. On this holy night, we stand with shepherds and angels, with all who have longed for God’s arrival, and we hear again the invitation that changes everything: “Come and see.”
Congregation sings:
Five bright candles now we raise, Flooding earth with heaven’s blaze.
Christ has come—O holy night!
Come and see the Child of light.
Light the candle, shine the light, Christ has come now, holy, bright.
Hope and peace and joy and love, Come to us from heav’n above
READING: THE PROPHECY Jen & Quincy
HYMN #9 (blue) “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and discord cease fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
READING: THE ANNUNCIATION Katie & Kevin
HYMN #16 (blue) “The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came”
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
"All hail," said he, “O lowly maiden Mary,”
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
"For know a blessed mother you shall be,
All generations praise continually,
Your Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.”
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
"To me be as it pleases God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
READING: MARY’S MAGNIFICAT Carrie & Tanya
SPECIAL MUSIC “Magnificat” (Getty) Gayle & Donna
READING: JOSEPH’S DREAM Aaron & Robby
HYMN to tune of #16 (blue): “Joseph’s Song” (Michael Card)
The angel spoke to Joseph, calm and mild,
“Fear not, for Mary bears God’s holy child.”
For Mary bears the Child foretold in ancient days,
Most highly favored guardian, Gloria!”
When Joseph woke, he trusted and obeyed;
He walked God’s path with courage, unafraid.
And Christian Folk throughout the world will ever say
Most highly favored guardian, Gloria!
Like Joseph, may we trust what God has planned,
And walk in faith with steady heart and hand.
Through every test and trial, may our lives still say,
Most highly favored servants, Gloria!
READING: THE BIRTH Lynn, Paige, Gayle
SPECIAL MUSIC “Welcome to Our World” small group
READING: ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS Dolores, Lee, Elizabeth
SONG: “The First Noel” Donna, Bonnie, Elizabeth
READING: THE VISIT OF THE MAGI Dan, Rick, Robby
HYMN #66 (blue) “We Three Kings” Tommy, Kezia, Toby
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]
READING: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS Nara, Harry, Otto, Lorcan
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Leader: On this holy night, God’s gift is born--
the Word made flesh, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a humble manger.
People: The Savior of the world, come to bring hope.
The Light that shines in darkness.
Leader: We lift up those who are cold, who hunger, who feel alone tonight.
People: Embrace them, O God, with tender care.
Let them know warmth, let them know hope, let them know your love.
Leader: Grant peace to lands of conflict, to hearts weighed down by fear.
People: Let your mercy flow, let violence cease, let the world breathe your peace.
Leader: Draw us into your mystery, O God.
People: Join our voices with the angels’ song,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all.
Leader: We pray for families—near, far, bound by blood or bound by love.
People: Strengthen the ties that hold them,
Delight them with joy, fill their hearts with wonder.
Leader: We remember those who grieve, who are anxious, who are ill.
People: Draw near to them, O God,
Comfort their sorrow, lighten their burden, surround them with your presence.
All: Open our hearts, O God.
Transform us by the miracle of this night.
Let all the world rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born!
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES AND DOXOLOGY
EXTINGUISHING AND RELIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH AND LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
HYMN #60 (blue) “Silent Night” (bells, congregation sings)
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!
Shepherd 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.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
CHRISTMAS EVE
December 24, 2025
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come— all who wander in darkness!
Come— all who long for hope!
The Word of God has come!
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness shall not overcome.
A child is born! A Son is given!
Savior! Prince of Peace!
From tiny Bethlehem, God’s promise is fulfilled.
Come! Let us worship the newborn King!
The Word made flesh, the Light of the world--
Jesus Christ, our Savior!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to all people on earth!
*OPENING HYMN #28 (blue) “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE AND SONG
Scripture: Luke 2:10–11
“I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people… a Savior is born.”
Reading:
Tonight we light the Christ Candle—the center of our hope, our peace, our joy, and our love.
The waiting is over. The promise is fulfilled. Into a world hungry for light, the Child of Bethlehem comes with grace that welcomes all and a love that knows no end. On this holy night, we stand with shepherds and angels, with all who have longed for God’s arrival, and we hear again the invitation that changes everything: “Come and see.”
Congregation sings:
Five bright candles now we raise, Flooding earth with heaven’s blaze.
Christ has come—O holy night!
Come and see the Child of light.
Light the candle, shine the light, Christ has come now, holy, bright.
Hope and peace and joy and love, Come to us from heav’n above
READING: THE PROPHECY Jen & Quincy
HYMN #9 (blue) “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and discord cease fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
READING: THE ANNUNCIATION Katie & Kevin
HYMN #16 (blue) “The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came”
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
"All hail," said he, “O lowly maiden Mary,”
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
"For know a blessed mother you shall be,
All generations praise continually,
Your Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.”
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
"To me be as it pleases God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
READING: MARY’S MAGNIFICAT Carrie & Tanya
SPECIAL MUSIC “Magnificat” (Getty) Gayle & Donna
READING: JOSEPH’S DREAM Aaron & Robby
HYMN to tune of #16 (blue): “Joseph’s Song” (Michael Card)
The angel spoke to Joseph, calm and mild,
“Fear not, for Mary bears God’s holy child.”
For Mary bears the Child foretold in ancient days,
Most highly favored guardian, Gloria!”
When Joseph woke, he trusted and obeyed;
He walked God’s path with courage, unafraid.
And Christian Folk throughout the world will ever say
Most highly favored guardian, Gloria!
Like Joseph, may we trust what God has planned,
And walk in faith with steady heart and hand.
Through every test and trial, may our lives still say,
Most highly favored servants, Gloria!
READING: THE BIRTH Lynn, Paige, Gayle
SPECIAL MUSIC “Welcome to Our World” small group
READING: ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS Dolores, Lee, Elizabeth
SONG: “The First Noel” Donna, Bonnie, Elizabeth
READING: THE VISIT OF THE MAGI Dan, Rick, Robby
HYMN #66 (blue) “We Three Kings” Tommy, Kezia, Toby
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]
READING: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS Nara, Harry, Otto, Lorcan
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Leader: On this holy night, God’s gift is born--
the Word made flesh, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a humble manger.
People: The Savior of the world, come to bring hope.
The Light that shines in darkness.
Leader: We lift up those who are cold, who hunger, who feel alone tonight.
People: Embrace them, O God, with tender care.
Let them know warmth, let them know hope, let them know your love.
Leader: Grant peace to lands of conflict, to hearts weighed down by fear.
People: Let your mercy flow, let violence cease, let the world breathe your peace.
Leader: Draw us into your mystery, O God.
People: Join our voices with the angels’ song,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all.
Leader: We pray for families—near, far, bound by blood or bound by love.
People: Strengthen the ties that hold them,
Delight them with joy, fill their hearts with wonder.
Leader: We remember those who grieve, who are anxious, who are ill.
People: Draw near to them, O God,
Comfort their sorrow, lighten their burden, surround them with your presence.
All: Open our hearts, O God.
Transform us by the miracle of this night.
Let all the world rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born!
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES AND DOXOLOGY
EXTINGUISHING AND RELIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH AND LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
HYMN #60 (blue) “Silent Night” (bells, congregation sings)
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!
Shepherd 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.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
