Below are some worship resources which you are welcome to use at no charge. Please just use a copyright acknowledgment "Copyright Lisa Frenz 2009. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."
Nativity of Our Lord
Order of Worship
As you are able: ▲ = Please stand. ▼= Please sit
Prelude & Lighting of Candles
Call to Worship:
(Spoken over music.)
▲ P: 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.
A: 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.
P: 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.
A: 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."
P: 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
Song: Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
All 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:
All Refrain Oh, come, let us adore him,
oh, come, let us adore him,
oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
Men 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
Women Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
in the highest: Refrain
All 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
Text: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2
Music: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786
Tune Name: ADESTE FIDELES
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
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
A: God of all creation,
C: Through the gift of your Son, Jesus, you have restored us and made us whole. May we always recognize that it is only through this incredible birth that we are brought back into a right relationship with you. Open our hearts to the message of prophets and angels: that Christ is the foundation of the world, our alpha and omega. Amen.
▼ Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
1:1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 1:2 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. 1:3 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, 1:4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 1:5 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"? 1:6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 1:7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." 1:8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." 1:10 And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 1:11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 1:12 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."
Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.
Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847; arr. William H. Cummings, 1831-1915
Tune Name: MENDELSSOHN
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun 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 each child of earth,
born to give us second birth. Refrain
A: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! 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.
C: 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.
P: The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
C: Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God. For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
A: The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
C: Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
P: Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! Psalm 97
▲ Song: All Creatures, Worship God Most High!
Text: Martin A. Seltz, based on a hymn of St. Francis of Assisi (c) 1999 Augsburg Fortress.
Tune Name: LASST UNS ERFREUEN
All creatures, worship God most high!... Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O fire, our brother, mirthful, strong,... Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O sisters, brothers, take your part,... Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Holy Gospel: Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20
2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2:2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria. 2:3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 2:5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 2:6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 2:7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
2:8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 2:11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"
2:15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 2:16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
2:17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 2:18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.▼ Anthem: Gloria (W. Michael Aguilar III)
Message
▲ Theme Song: Angels We Have Heard On High
Text: French carol; tr. "Crown of Jesus," 1862
Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barnes, 1887-1958
Tune Name: GLORIA
Angels we have heard on high,
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain: Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heav'nly song? Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain
A: ...When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
P: As God has poured out the grace of forgiveness and love and peace through Christ, let us also share that grace with among ourselves. Peace be with you.
C: And also with you. (All share a greeting of peace.)
▼ Offering of Gifts & Music
▲ Offering Prayer:
A: As God has given to us, let us give thanks and praise,
C: O God of all blessings, we give you our heartfelt thanks for all that you have given us, and ask that you accept the gifts we give back to you: our time, talent, and possessions. We especially remember your extraordinary gift of your self, Christ Jesus, who was born and lived among us so that we might one day live with you. As you have shown mercy and love to us grant that we may show that same unstinting grace to everyone we meet. In Jesus’ Name we ask this. Amen.
Song: All Is Ready Now
Text & Music: Jay Beech c.1999, baytonemus@poboxes.com
Tune Name: ALL IS READY NOW
Quietly into the stable...fruits of harvest, bread and wine.
'Cross the threshold of creation...Lamb is sacrificed.
Now enthroned as king...all is ready now."
P: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. He destined us for adoption as his children though Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1: 3,5,6,7
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 broken 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
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.
▼ Distribution of Holy Communion
▲ P: May the body and blood of our newborn Savior, Jesus Christ, strengthen and keep you as a child of God.
C: Amen.
Song: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Text: medieval Latin carol; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.
Music: German carol, 14th cent.
Tune Name: IN DULCI JUBILO
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!.
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave;
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
A: The Word of God that is Christ
C: has come to us today in the fragile form of a baby.
A: This child relinquishes immorality to become human,
C: So that we might have eternal life.
A: This child commands a universe,
C: Yet is servant to us all.
A: This child is God with Us,
C: Emmanuel.
May we accept God’s gift of life, and live to serve as Jesus served. 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
C: Amen.
Song: Joy to the World
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759
Tune Name: ANTIOCH
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
Men 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. Serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude