SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

December 24, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

PRELUDE Bring A Torch K. McChesney

Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing B. Kinyon

Peace, Peace Powell/Bock

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

JESUS’ STORY BEGINS, HYMN # 25 (Verse 1) Away in a Manger

CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING CANDLES D. Gambrel

Drew Burchfield – Reader Kaitlin, Ryan & Tyler Christie- Candle Lighters

We give thanks for the light of Christ, shining in the lives of all God’s people.

With the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, we watch and wait for the coming of Christ,

who will bring light and peace to all the world. (1 candle)

With John the Baptist, we cry out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord!

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!”(2 candles)

With Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we rejoice,

for the Mighty One has done great things for us. How holy is God’s name! (3 candles)

With Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

we tell the story of Jesus, the child of Bethlehem

who came to save us, and is coming again in glory. (4 candles)

With the choirs of angels, we sing:

"Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth!” (Christ candle)

*HYMN # 40 Joy to the World

A LIGHT IS SEEN Isaiah 9: 2-7 (The Message)

ANTHEM Song of the Stable D. Haas

THE BIRTH OF A CHILD Luke 2: 1-7 (New Living Translation)

*CAROL # 23 (Verse 1) Angels We Have Heard on High

GOD’S MESSENGERS SING TO SHEPHERDS Luke 2: 8-14 (The Message)

ANTHEMS One Star C. Rogers

The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy arr. H. Hopson

SHEPHERDS FIND JESUS Luke 2: 15-20 (New Living Translation)

*CAROL # 56 (Verse 1) The First Nowell

SERMON “Lights Seen and Seeing Babies”

INVITATION TO OFFER OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

This holy night we remember the ministry of Westminster-Thurber, our Presbyterian

retirement center in Victorian Village to provide homes and care for persons whose years

exceed their financial resources. Use pew envelopes marked Westminster-Thurber Life

Care Fund to contribute.

OFFERTORY Patapan arr. A. Snyder

PRAYERS TO DEDICATE THANK & ASK, THE LORD’S PRAYER Hymnal Pg. 16

*HYMN # 29 Go, Tell It on the Mountain

CHARGE & BLESSING

POSTLUDE O Come, All Ye Faithful J. Wade/M. Thewes

(Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

If you would like to be part of Overbrook congregation or to know the church better, worship with us

Sunday at 10:30 a.m.; join a class for learners of any age at 9:15 on Sunday morning, or attend Adult

Forum. Lend your voice to a choir, your hands to serve meals for homeless families at the YWCA

Family Center, or to help pack lunches for homeless men.

Leadership

Liturgist – Rev. Michael C. Ludwig

Canterbury Ringers

Carol & Westminster Choirs

Sarah Shaffer – Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth – Organist/Pianist