Children’s Choir Performance
Children’s Moment – Dan Robinson
Lighting the Christ Candle – Kaleb Patrick & Isabelle Piercy
One: We light these candles as a symbol of the completeness in life offered by Jesus Christ.
All: Lord, show us the light that leads to new life.
One: Show us a baby born in a manger who shall become the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Messiah.
All: May we all see the Christ Child among us who needs our love and care today. O come, O come Emmanuel. Amen.
Responsive Hymn – One Candle is Lit (v.5) #128
Christmas Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful #148
Scripture Meditation John 1:9 – Rev. Russell Clark
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
We’ve anxiously waited with GROANING for this moment to arrive.
We’ve had hope that this time would come.
Now the time has come for our Savior to be born – the Prince of Peace, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Now the time has come for us to receive God’s love letter to humanity. Now the time has come for peace and wholeness and completeness.
Like the shepherds who were there when Jesus was born, this king was not what we were expecting.
This baby was so much more. This baby would bring a smile to our face that can’t be taken away; a joy everlasting.
This newborn king arrived to change all of our lives. His story will be the most told story ever.
Like all good stories, sometimes things change depending on who is retelling it.
But the love we feel is everlasting. The love we know is true because we’ve seen it through the loved ones around us this evening and the saints who taught us about Jesus when we were younger, as we teach it to a new generation today.
This love is real and true and good and forever changes our lives. This is the Light of the World. This baby changes everything.
May we experience this love in a new way as we prepare for the sermon and our time of prayer.
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Emmanuel – God with us – revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel.
Rejoice! Rejoice Emmanuel shall come to us, O Israel!
Noel, Noel, born is the king of Israel!
Come, O long expected Jesus born to set your people free.
May our souls give glory to God. May our hearts pour out its praise.
Glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!
O Little town of Bethlehem, how still we see the lie. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. All is calm, all is bright on this silent night, o holy night.
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing over the plains!
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Joy to the world, the Lord has arrived! Let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.
Peace on earth, good will to all, from heaven’s all gracious king!
Come, listen, the sounds of God with us ring clear, and signs of a cross in the distance appear. The Word once made flesh, yet the Word ever near.
One candle is lit for Christ’s birthday is here.
O come let us adore him, o come let us adore him, o come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.
Go tell it on a mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
Hear us, O Lord, as we pray the prayer you taught us…
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But Deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Responsive Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem #144
Sermon Series: The Christ Child: Seeing Christ in the World Today
Sermon: Christ the Newborn King – Rev. Russell Clark
Holy Communion Meditation & Prayer – Chris Piercy
Communion Song – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear #153
We believe Jesus Christ is the gracious host at this table.
Everyone is welcome to participate in communion. Please pass tray to your neighbor after receiving your communion cups. Please help those who need assistance. Hold cups until instructed by Elder to take in unison.
Holy Communion Words of Institution – Chris Piercy
Receiving the Light –
(Give everyone time to make a big circle around the sanctuary and to prepare their candles.)
I remember being in this very room about 20 years ago doing this same thing with you all. Little did I know that I would be your pastor one day 20 years later.
I remember 20 years ago how David Woodall would greet me with a big hug like I was part of his family. Now, Dana, his daughter, does the same.
I remember Rev. Diane Clark speaking to us as your pastor like I am now.
My memory isn’t completely clear with all the details but I remember the lighted candles like we have now, I remember the love like we have here still today, I remember the body of Christ who welcomed me into their church family as you do for so many still today.
The details of our memories and stories change as the years go by but the love lasts.
The light remains lit guiding our way into eternity.
As the light was lit at the beginning of the service, symbolizing the Christ Child coming into our lives, the lights are lit for each of you being the light being sent out to share this story, this love with the world.
Love’s pure light.
Let us sing, Silent Night, together.
Christmas hymn: Silent Night #145
Benediction –
The deacons will help you return your candles to the baskets.
Next Sunday morning, join us for a special New Year’s Eve Breakfast and worship celebrating all God has done for us this year at 11am in the fellowship hall.
May you all have a blessed Christmas morning with your loved ones. May the light and love of Christ live in you always. Joy to the world! The Lord is here! Amen.
Benediction Response – Joy to the World #143