WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Lani Smith

organ/piano duet

*LITANY FOR CHRISTMAS

The Word was made flesh,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

and dwelt among us,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Jesus, Son of the living God, splendor of the Father, Light eternal:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Jesus, King of glory, Sun of righteousness, born of the Virgin Mary:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Lord:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Jesus, Prince of Peace, Shepherd of souls, perfect in holiness:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Jesus, Friend of all, Protector of the poor, Treasure of the faithful:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Jesus, Good Shepherd, inexhaustible Wisdom, our Way, our Truth, and our Life:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Jesus, joy of the angels, and crown of all the saints:

Glory to you, O Lord!

Christ is born! Give him glory!

Christ has come down from heaven! Receive him!

Christ is now on earth! Exalt him!

O earth, sing to the Lord!

O you nations, praise him in joy,

for he has been glorified! AMEN.

*HYMN 134 “Joy to the World”

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

A Service of Lessons and Carols

FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19

Adam and Eve disobey God’s command and disrupt the order and goodness of creation

CAROL “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Hymn 121

SECOND LESSON Genesis 22:15-18

God promises that, through Abraham, all the peoples of the world will be blessed

CAROL “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Hymn 88

THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The people who walk in darkness receive the promise of the Messiah

CAROL “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” Hymn 123

FOURTH LESSON Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9

The Messiah will come from the root of Jesse to restore the peace of creation

CAROL “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Hymn 129

FIFTH LESSON Luke 1:26-35, 38

An angel appears to Mary and announces that she will bear a holy child

CAROL “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Hymn 119

SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7

Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth to her child

CAROL “Away in a Manger” Hymn 115

SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16

Angels appear to shepherds in the fields and announce the birth of the Messiah

CAROL “Angels We Have Heard on High” Hymn 113

EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-11

Magi from the East come seeking the Messiah and offer gifts to the baby Jesus

CAROL “The First Nowell” Hymn 147

NINTH LESSON John 1:1-14

The Word of God becomes flesh and lives among us, full of grace and truth

CAROL “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” Hymn 136

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERTORY ANTHEM “Blessed Savior, Son of God”

Phillip Keveren

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 136 (verse 3) “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

POSTLUDE “The Newborn King” Gilbert Martin