Prelude

Introit

*  Processional     O Come, All Ye Faithful   No.   234

* Call to Worship

Joy to the world,

The Lord is come!

Sing it. Say it. Tell the world.

Go, tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere.

Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!

Sing it. Say it. Tell the world.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

So come, all yet faithful, come and worship.

Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Christmas Prayer

Wonderful God,

on this exciting night

you gave us the best present

in the whole universe!

You gave us

your true Child,

Jesus our brother

and Savoir!

Thanks a million, million times

for loving this world

so very much. Amen.

Carol      O Little Town of Bethlehem      No.      230

The Prophet Foretells the Coming of the Savior              Isaiah 9:2-7 – a Choral Reading

Carol        Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus               No.  196

An Angel Gabriel Salutes the Virgin Mary   Luke 1:26-38

Carol               What Child Is This                                        No.  219

St. Luke tells the Birth of Jesus                     Luke 2:1-20

Carol      Angels We Have Heard on High                           No. 238

Christmas Homily      God’s Risky Plan

* Carol                  Joy to the World                No.   246

*  Affirmation of Faith

We believe in the meaning of Christmas, and the importance of celebrating it in the church.

We believe in the God at the center of Christmas, whose hope for the world was imagined by seers and foretold by prophets.

We believe in the messengers of God, who speak to human beings in quiet moments and in dreams.

We believe in the pondering spirit of Mary, who knew God was involved in the birth of her child, and in the generosity of Joseph, who could accept the involvement of God with his wife.

We believe in the beauty of the manger, transformed by the coming of Jesus, and in the eligibility of every simple place to be ennobled by his presence.

We believe in shepherds, that they often hear songs of grace and glory not heard by those who lead busier, noiser lives.

We believe in gold, frankincense, any myrrh, and less expensive gifts as well, especially when they are gifts of the heart and not merely tokens of duty or obligation.

But above all we believe in Jesus, without whom there would be no Christmas, and in using this season to discover again our relationship to him, so that for us it will not be just an ordinary Christmas, but a time of great joy that will change our lives. We too would be born in the stable. Amen.

* Response   This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

Christmas Offering

Offertory 

Doxology and Prayer of Dedication

Service of Light

St John Unfolds the Great Mystery of the Incarnation                   John 1:1-14

Carol                                      Silent Night                        No. 239

Prayer of Simeon                                                                              Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to lighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

Choral Blessing

Benediction