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WORSHIP DECEMBER 25 2016
11 A.M. WORSHIP
THE GATHERING Beth Waltemath
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
THE PRELUDE On December Five and Twenty Richard Lind
*THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
People: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!” Let us worship God, our creator, redeemer and sustainer, Amen.
*THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO
THE CALL TO CONFESSION
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of love, you made us for love. You reached to us from across our sin to make known to us the depth of your love for us. And yet, despite these profuse declarations, we live as though you did not love us. We live as though we were not created for love. We sin, and our hearts are not right within us. Forgive us, we pray, turn our hearts and change us into the loving disciples you call us to be. We pray this in the name of love incarnate, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE (for examination of conscience and personal prayers of confession)
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: What has come into being in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people.
People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Leader: Believe the promise of the gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. - John 1:3b-5
*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn 22)
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to th’eternal Three in One: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new-born King!
*THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
People: And also with you.
(During the peace, children are invited to come forward to the front of the sanctuary for a Children’s Message with Sue Ballay.)
THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
(Visitors and members are invited to sign the blue friendship register pad and pass it down the pew.)
THE ANTHEM Gesu Bambino Pietro Yon
John Young, tenor; Brandon Odom, baritone
When blossoms flowered ‘mid the snows upon a winter night was born the child, the Christmas Rose, the king of love and light. The angels sang, the shepherds sang, the grateful earth rejoiced, and at his blessed birth the stars their exultation voiced. O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Again the heart with rapture glows to greet the holy night that gave the world its Christmas Rose, its king of love and light. Let every voice acclaim his name, the grateful chorus swell, from paradise to earth he came that we with him might dwell. Refrain. (text: Frederick H. Martens)
THE SCRIPTURE LESSON Titus 3: 4-7 (page 203 in the pew Bible, NT)
THE HOMILY Goodness and Loving-kindness Baron Mullis
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Invitation
The Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts!
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give thanks and praise.
Leader: It is truly right…
And with our loved ones, separate from us now, who yet in this mystery are close to us, we join in the song of your unending greatness.
Sanctus Sanctus (Hymn 581)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Acclamation
Leader: You are holy, O God of majesty…Great is the mystery of faith.
People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion of the People
(The congregation is invited to receive the Lord’s Supper at table. As you are seated, please receive the elements from your neighbor, and once you have been fed and are ready, return to your seats via the side aisle. During the serving, the congregation is invited to remain seated singing carols until a seat becomes available at the table. Gluten-free wafers are available upon indication.)
THE CAROLS DURING COMMUNION (please sing all verses except for the first hymn)
Hymn 61 (soloists only)
Hymn 25 Away in a Manger
Hymn 47 Still, Still, Still
Hymn 53 What Child is This
Hymn 27 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
Hymn 48 Lo, How a Rose E’er blooming
THE PRAYER AFTER THE MEAL
*THE HYMN 56 The First Nowell THE FIRST NOWELL
Verses 1, 2, 4 and 6
*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Jonathan Crutchfield
*(The asterisk indicates parts of the worship when the congregation is invited to stand as they are able.)
