Below are some worship resources which you are welcome to use at no charge. Please just use a copyright acknowledgment "Copyright Lisa Frenz 2005. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."
Order of Worship
▲ = Stand ▼ = Sit
Lighting of Candles
Prelude
Call to Worship: I Saw Three Ships - Solo
▲
A: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion.
C: Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Isaiah 52:7-10
Now the Joyful Bells A-ringing
Music: Nos Galan/Deck the Halls
Now the joyful bells a-ringing,
All ye mountains, praise the Lord!
Lift our hearts, like birds a-winging,
All ye mountains, praise the Lord!
Now our festal season, bringing,
Welcome all, to bide and board,
Set our cheery voices singing:
All ye mountains, praise the Lord!
Cold the year, new whiteness wearing,
All ye mountains, praise the Lord!
Peace, goodwill to us a-bearing,
All ye mountains, praise the Lord!
Now we all God’s goodness sharing
Break the bread and wine out poured:
Christ the Lamb of God, our blessing,
All ye mountains, praise the Lord!
Greeting:
P In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14
P: The Word of God be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Prayer of the Day:
P: Let us pray.
C: Almighty God, you wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully, restored the dignity of human nature. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of Jesus Christ who came to share our humanity, and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
▼ Anthem or other special music
Reader:
Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned throughout the earth. The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink the wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in my holy courts.
Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. The LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, "See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him." They shall be called, "The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD"; and you shall be called, "Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken."
Isaiah 62:6-12
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Tune Name: GO TELL IT
Text Source: Text: African American spiritual, refrain; John W. Work Jr., 1872-1925, stanzas, alt.
Music Source: Music: African American spiritual
Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and ev'rywhere;
go tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
o'er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light. Refrain
The shepherds feared and trembled
when, lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Savior's birth. Refrain
Down in a lonely manger
the humble Christ was born;
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain
Psalm 97:
A: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
Men: Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
Women: His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
All: The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
A: All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
All: Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
Women: For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Men: The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
A: Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
All: Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Tune Name: ADESTE FIDELES
Music Source: Music: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786
Text: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him
born the king of angels:
Refrain Oh, come, let us adore him,
oh, come, let us adore him,
oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
The highest, most holy,
Light of light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Son of the Father
now in flesh appearing! Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
in the highest: Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n!
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing: Refrain
Reader:
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. e went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
Silent Night, Holy Night!
Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885
Music: STILLE NACHT, Franz Gruber, 1787-1863
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,
heav'nly 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 your holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth.
Reader: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, `Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.'
Luke 2:8-12
Ding, Dong, Merrily on High
Ding dong! Merrily on high
in heaven the bells are ringing;
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riven with angels singing.
Refrain: Glo—ria Hosanna in excelsis.
Glo—ria Hosanna in excelsis.
Ring out, merry, merry bells,
The angels all are singing.
Ding dong! Swing the steeple bells,
Sound joyous news we’re bringing! Refrain
Hark now, happily we sing,
The angels wish us merry!
Ding dong! Dancing as we bring
Good news from Virgin Mary. Refrain
Reader:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, `Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, `Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.' So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:13-20
▲
They Came
W. Michael Aguilar III, Shandy Music Industries, PO Box 10402, Portland, OR 97296.
They came, the shepherds and with their flocks... come from this tiny baby boy.
Refrain: Gloria! Gloria! Gloria in excelsis!
Gloria! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria! Gloria! Gloria in excelsis!
Gloria! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
They came, three kings from the east with gifts... come from this tiny baby boy. Refrain
They came, the choirs__ of heavn’ly hosts... come from this tiny baby boy. Refrain
Then came, the people from east and west... come from this tiny baby boy. Refrain
▼ Message
▲
Theme Song:
Testimony of Faith:
I believe in God, our Creator, who at the beginning of time made us to be sons and daughters: who, after we separated ourselves from God, still gave us hope in the promise of the Word.
I believe in God, our Savior, Christ Jesus, who is one with the Creator. Who at the beginning of time called us to be sons and daughters; who loved us so much that he limited himself to life as a human; who was born at Bethlehem, lived in Galilee, walked in Palestine and Israel; who through his life and death and resurrection in this world reunited us with God, bring to us, in his person, God’s all encompassing love and peace.
I believe in God, our Counselor, who is one with the Creator and the Christ. Who from the beginning of time gathers us to be sons and daughters; who feeds us with wisdom, strength, faith and love so that we may come back to God restored to the wholeness for which we were created.
Prayers of the Church
Greeting of Peace:
P: As we are forgiven and reconciled to God through Christ Jesus, let us be reconciled to each other. The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also with you.
(All share the peace of Christ.)
▼ Offering:
▲ Love Has Come
Text: Ken Bible, b. 1950.
Music: Un Flambaeu, Saholy, 17th cent; arr. Robert Buckley Farlee, b. 1950.
Text © 1996 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/ASCAP. Arr. © 2003 Augsburg Fortress
Love has come_ a light in the darkness!... Love! Love! Glory to God on high.
Love is born!_ Come, share in the wonder.... Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
Prayer:
A: We give you thanks and praise, O God of all, for you have sent us the gift of love in your Son Jesus the Christ.
C: Accept our offerings to you, O God: our hearts, minds and souls, our time, talent and possessions. Take and use us and them as you will for you have given us more than we can ever repay. We give them back to you out of the joy with which you fill us. May we always carry the joy of that gift in our hearts to share with all the world. Amen.
▲ Love Has Come
Love has come_ and never will leave us!... Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!
P: Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Emmanuel
Tune Name: MCGEE
Text Source: Text: Bob McGee, b. 1944
Music Source: Music: Bob McGee, b. 1944
P: For to which of the angels did God ever say, `You are my Son; today I have begotten you'? Or again, `I will be his Father, and he will be my Son'? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, `Let all God's angels worship him.' Of the angels he says, `He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.'
Emmanuel
P: But of the Son he says, `Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'
Emmanuel
P: And, `In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.'
Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]
Emmanuel
P: For I received from the Lord
that which I also handed down to you—
that the Lord Jesus
in the night in which He was betrayed
took bread;
and after giving thanks, He broke it and said,
“This is My body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant which is in
My blood;
do this as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and
drink the cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
I Corinthians 11:23-26
Come for all things are ready. The Holy Child of Bethlehem calls you to partake of new life and be one with God.
The Lord’s Prayer:
P: Let us pray,
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
OR
Abba of Jesus (from "Tableprayer: Winter Name of God:) - 1988
Text and Music: Michael Joncas © 1988 by GIA Publications, Inc.
Abba of Jesus, our God in heaven,... forgive us all as we ourselves learn to forgive.
Abba of Jesus, save us from trial,... Jesus Messiah, lead your longing people home.
▼ Distribution of Holy Communion
▲ Dismissal:
P: May the body and blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, the son of Bethlehem, preserve you, renew you, and keep you always in the light of God’s love.
C: Amen.
Sing a New Song
Tune Name: SING A NEW SONG
Text Source: Text: Daniel Schutte
Music Source: Music: Daniel Schutte, admin. New Dawn Music
Refrain: Sing a new song unto the Lord; . . . singing alleluia.
Yahweh's people dance for joy;. . . and let your trumpet sound. Refrain
Rise, O children, from your sleep; . . . and filled your soul with song. Refrain
Glad my soul, for I have seen . . . I know my Savior lives. Refrain
Prayer:
A: Child of God, Light of the world, you have fed us with the food of everlasting life, filling us with your never ending radiance. Illumine our lives so that we may be your light in our world as we work, play and live.
C: Thanks and praise be to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing:
P: The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be caring towards you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (tr. Annal Frenz, 2001)
▼ Community Announcements
▲ Joy to the World
Tune Name: ANTIOCH
Text Source: Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Music Source: Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its King;
let ev'ry heart prepare him room
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sin and sorrow grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
A: Go in peace and joy to serve your newborn King!
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude