PRELUDE
“Improvisation on ‘Divinum Mysterium’” David Lasky
Randy Page, organist
CALL TO WORSHIP
He came as a baby in a manger.
O come, let us adore Him.
He came in a lowly stable.
O come, let us adore Him.
Shepherds brought their worship.
O come, let us adore Him.
Angels sang his praise.
O come, let us adore Him.
Magi brought their gifts.
O come, let us adore Him.
What shall we do?
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
HYMN 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him born the King of Angels:
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
True God from true God, Light from light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
very God, begotten, not created! Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God, glory in the highest! Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! Refrain
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
HYMN 119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased in flesh with us to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald-angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Words of Institution and Scriptural Promises Matthew 28:18-20
Presentation
Elder: Do we, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Clark William Morris by word and deed, with love and prayer?
People: We do.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Baptism
Intercessory Prayer
Welcome
Minister: With joy and thanksgiving, we now welcome you into Christ’s church, for we are all one in Jesus Christ.
People: We promise to love, encourage, and support you and to help you know and follow Jesus Christ.
Hymn “Jesus Loves Me”
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Isaiah 9:2-7
SOLO “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” arr. Mark Hayes
Bridger Warlick, Soloist
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 2:1-20
MEDITATION “Radiant Beams” Rev. Barrett Ingram
HYMN 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark street shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together proclaim thy holy birth
And praises sing to God the King and peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion of the People
Prayer After Communion
HYMN 122 Silent Night, Holy Night!
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright
‘round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia:
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!”
Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love's pure light
radiant beams from Thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Good Christian Friends Rejoice” arr. Christopher Uehlein
Randy Page, organist
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Congregation stands. Please remain seated if standing is difficult for you.
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.