Prelude                        “Silent Night”         arr. Mannheim Steamroller

Processional Hymn            ”O Come, All Ye Faithful”                  No.  234

*  Call To Worship                                                             Alison Harris

A boy has been born for us;

A child has been given to us.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Might God,

Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace

Once we were no people;

Now we are God’s People.

Once we walked in darkness

Now we have seen a great light.

Christmas Prayer                                                           Alison Harris

Eternal God,

by the birth of Jesus Christ you gave yourself to the world.

Grant that, being born in our hearts,

He may save us from all our sins,

and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator,

to whom the everlasting praise and glory,

world without end.  Amen

Prayer of Confession                                                      Alison Harris

Friends, let us admit to each other, and to God, our errant ways.  Let us pray.

We have been stupid.

Because, in spite of what happened at Bethlehem, we still expect to find You among the successful and self-assured people;

We have been impatient.

Because we sometimes wish you had not come in humility but with an army to overthrow corrupt rulers and to publicly punish the greedy and ruthless;

We have been misled.

Because your ways are not our ways and your brand of foolishness outsaves and outglories everything else in the universe;

Most wonderful God, let not our celebrations be ruined by either unrepentance or neglect of your abundant forgiving and rehabilitating mercy.

May the Spirit at the heart of Christmas, breathe into us that healing which makes all things new.  For your name’s sake.  Amen!

Declaration of Forgiveness

My Friends,“You shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it to the very fullest.”  Glory to God!  We are a forgiven and liberated people!

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill to all people.

The Peace

Lighting the Advent Wreath

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” vs. 4                                No. 230

The Coming of the Messiah is Foretold by the Prophet

Isaiah 9: 2-7                                                       Courtney Roosa

Hymn             “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”                No.  216

Offering

*  Doxology                           “Emmanuel, Emmanuel”               No.  204

*  Prayer of Dedication

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 2: 1-7                                                          Brittany Roosa

Hymn             “Away in a Manger”                                  No.  217

ANGELS ANNOUNCE JESUS’ BIRTH TO THE SHEPHERDS

Luke 2: 8-14                                                       Kimberly Roosa

Hymn             “Angels We Have Heard On High”             No.  238

SHEPHERDS VISIT THE CHRIST CHILD

Luke 2: 15-20                                                     Jeena Sheppard

Hymn             “What Child is This”                                 No.  219

THE MAGI FROM THE EAST VISIT THE BABY JESUS

Matthew 2: 1-12                                                    Geoffrey Burr

Hymn                         “The First Noel”                           No.  245

Sermon:                              God’s Risky Plan                 Rev. Mark Earl

*  Hymn             “Angels From The Realms of Glory”                    No.  220

Please pass the prayer cards to the central aisles.

Prayers of the People – Lord’s Prayer

Lighting The Candles

Please do not tip lighted candles.

The candle receiving the flame

should tip towards the lit candle offering the flame

Hymn:                                 “Silent Night                                No.  239

Please hold your candle high as we sing the final stanza of

“Joy to the World”

*  Hymn:                                 “Joy to the World”                        No. 246

*  Benediction

*  Postlude

Merry Christmas Everyone!

*Congregation standing