Follow along for our Christmas service!
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels!
Chorus: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
O Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation,
Sing all ye citizen’s of Heaven above
Glory to God, Glory in the highest.
Chorus: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Lighting Advent Wreath & The Christmas Story
Luke 2:1-7
Reader: Now at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census —the first —took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his or her own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and traveled up to Judea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s house and line, in order to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The Visit of The Shepherds
Luke 2:8-14
Reader: In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.
And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to all who enjoy God’s favor.”
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Luke 2: 15-20
Reader: The shepherds hurried away, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the Child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.
As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
Sharing the Light
(light your candles here)
The First Noel
The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Chorus: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Chorus: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.
Chorus: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Reader: *Holy One, Loving One, Incarnate One,
The stories say that You listen,
The saints say that You answer.
You, whom we call omnipotent,
You, whom we name compassionate,
ALL: Hear our prayer,
Receive our prayer,
Let our cry come to You,
For we, like Joseph and Mary,
Are looking for our true home in You.
Reader: In this celebration of the birth of the Holy Child,
ALL: We give thanks for family and friends,
For food and for shelter,
For health, and for the one, true gift,
Which is Your presence among us
And within us.
Reader: And we remember those who cannot celebrate:
ALL: We pray for those who mourn,
For those who are in sickness or in pain,
For those who do not know how to pray.
We pray for those willing to take courageous stands,
Those willing to be Your hands and feet
In the hard work of peace.
Reader: We pray for people and for nations.
ALL: For those who inflict violence on others,
And for those who suffer
Under hatred or oppression.
And we pray for leaders,
That they may find uncommon wisdom
And exceptional grace.
Reader: Holy One, Loving One, Incarnate One,
We bring, now, our prayers of thanksgiving and praise.
ALL: Our cries of joy and gladness,
Petition and intercession,
Aloud or in the silence of our hearts.
Reader: Holy One, Loving One, Incarnate One,
Connect us to Yourself;
ALL: Join us with each other
And all the world You made;
Permeate us with Your Spirit,
That we may live as Your image,
The Body of Christ, God you are with us and live through us.
*adapted from Church of the Savior
Silent Prayers
Reader: Lord you are merciful
ALL: You hear our prayers. Amen.
Silent Night
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.
Oh Holy Night
O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night, O night divine!
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we.
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night, O night divine!
The Christmas Message
Joy to the World
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
Blessing:
Go into the world in peace.
Celebrate the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Have faith in God.
Have courage; hold onto what is good.
Return to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted.
Support the weak, help the suffering.
Respond to the call to faithfulness.
Love and serve God, rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Share the Good News of Jesus in word and action.
Always be ready for the second coming of Christ.
Amen.
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Chorus: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I sought the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way.
Chorus: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall
And If I am a Christian
I am the least of all.
Chorus: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.