SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

                                                 December 24, 2009, 10:00 p.m.

 

                                                   GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

IN SILENCE                                                                                                                John W. Vannorsdall

     O God, we have come to Bethlehem once again, and have heard, in part at least,

     what you are saying to us in Jesus Christ.  But there is a conflict within us

     which makes our celebration partial, a moderation in our faith which is no virtue.

          Help us to understand more fully, to trust less tentatively,

                 and to respond with greater courage:

          For there is no freedom in our misunderstandings, no refreshment in our indifference,

                 and no direction in half-responses.

          O God, help us celebrate this Christmas with integrity and receive its promise with joy.

 

PRELUDE                                              Gesu Bambino                            P. Yon/H. Sorenson

                                                                   Greensleeves                                         arr. C. Davis

                                                               Personent Hodie                  P. Cantiones/V. Courtney

                                                             Away in a Manger                   arr. J. Martin/L. Dengler

                                                                 O Holy Night                               A. Adam/M. Hayes

                                                               Still, Still, Still                                          arr. C. Davis

 

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

 

CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING CANDLES Fred Shaffer – Reader     D. Gambrel

                                           Dick & Myra Dull and great-granddaughter Katie – 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. (1st 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!”(2nd candle)

   With Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we rejoice,

      for the Mighty One has done great things for us. Holy is God’s name! (3rd  candle)

   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. (4th candle) 

   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

 

*AFFIRMATION OF GOD’S PROMISE & OUR FAITH                                Titus 2:11-14

 

            The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,

                 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions,

                 and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,

                 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory

of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

            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 # 47                                                                                                                          Still, Still, Still

 

                                                   PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                           Luke 2: 1-20 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                               Sussex Carol                                      arr. P. Drennan

 

SERMON                                                                                                     “Ordinary & Holy”

 

                                                         RESPOND TO GOD

 

CALL TO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

        Minute for Westminster Thurber Life-Care Fund

        OFFERTORY                           Silent Is the Night                                         J. Althouse

 

                                           SEAL THE WORD IN SACRAMENT

 

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

 

*THE PEACE

            The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

                 Peace be with you.

                        (worshipers share words and gestures of the peace of the Baby

                               with those who gather with them at manger and table)

 

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING, concluding with

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ecumenical) in unison (Hymnal p. 16)

 

BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

                       Passing bread, worshipers may say, “the bread of life for you.”

            Passing the cup, worshipers may say, “the cup of blessing in Christ for you.”

 

PRAYER OF THANKS

 

                                                        GO IN GOD’S NAME

*CHARGE                                                                         on Psalm 96:11-12 & Titus 2:11/wrl

            Now, let the heavens be glad, let earth rejoice;

     the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,

            Then

     shall all the trees of the forest sing before the Lord; for he is coming.

           

            Now, be glad in God’s grace making such difference to us and in us.

            And make a difference towards that day when with us the trees of the forest sing.

 

*BLESSING

 

*HYMN # 60                                                                                                            Silent Night

 

                                                             Worship Leaders

                                                         Rev. William R. Leety

                                                         Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

                                                                Chancel Choir

                                                         John Wyckoff, Cymbal

                                               Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster, Flautist

                                                   Nancy Deeth, Organist/Pianist