Christmas Day: Wonderful God

Wonderful God

Nativity of Our Lord

Order of Worship

As you are able: ▲ = Please stand. ▼= Please sit

Pre-Service Music & Ringing of the Bell & Greeting

Suggested Solo: "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" by Robert MacGimsey

▲ Gathering Song "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful"

Tune Name: ADESTE FIDELES

Text Source: Text: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2

Music Source: Music: attr. John F. Wade, c. 1711-1786

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,

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 the 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

Greeting:

P: Grace and peace be to you this glorious day! The day of our salvation! The day of our Savior's birth!

C: Amen! Grace and peace be to you also!

Prayer of the Day:

P: Let us pray,

Praise Song "Sing a new song unto the Lord"

Tune Name: SING A NEW SONG

Text Source: Text: Daniel Schutte

Music Source: Music: Daniel Schutte

Refrain: Sing a new song . . . singing alleluia

Yahweh's people dance . . . let your trumpet sound. Refrain

Rise, O children . . .filled your soul with song. Refrain

Glad my soul . . . I know my Savior lives. Refrain

▼ First Lesson: Isaiah 52:7-10

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. 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.

Responsive Reading: (Psalm 97)

A: The Lord is king!

C: Let the earth exult, the many islands rejoice!

P: Dense clouds are around Him, righteousness and justice are the base of His throne.

A: Fire is His vanguard, burning His foes on every side.

C: His lightnings light up the world; the earth is convulsed at the sight;

P: mountains melt like wax at the Lord's presence, at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

A: The heavens proclaim His righteousness

C: And all peoples see His glory.

P: All who worship images, who vaunt their idols,

are dismayed; all divine beings bow down to Him.

A: Zion, hearing it, rejoices,

C: The towns of Judah exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.

P: For You, Lord, are supreme over all the earth;

A: You are exalted high above all divine beings.

C: O you who love the Lord, hate evil!

P: He guards the lives of His loyal ones, saving them from the hand of the wicked.

A: Light is sown for the righteous, radiance for the upright.

C: O you righteous, rejoice in the Lord and acclaim His holy name.

Choir Anthem: Hush, Little Jesus Boy (Yesu, ulale) (Ilyamba traditional)

Second Lesson: Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)

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.

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." 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." 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."

▲ Gospel Song: "Before This Universe Began"

Music: W. Michael Aguilar III

Words: Lisa Frenz

(see Music)

Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-14

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.

▼ Music for Meditation

Homily

▲ Theme Song "Of the Father's Love Begotten" vs. 1, 3,5

Tune Name: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM

Text Source: Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite

Music Source: Music: plainsong, mode V, 13th cent.

Of the Father's love begotten

ere the worlds began to be,

he is Alpha and Omega,

he the source, the ending he,

of the things that are, that have been,

and that future years shall see,

evermore and evermore.

This is he whom seers in old time

chanted of with one accord,

whom the voices of the prophets

promised in their faithful word;

now he shines, the long-expected;

let creation praise its Lord

evermore and evermore.

Christ, to thee, with God the Father,

and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,

hymn and chant and high thanksgiving

and unwearied praises be:

honor, glory, and dominion,

and eternal victory

evermore and evermore! Amen

Testimony of Faith:

We believe in one God, who is Creator, Ruler of the universe, maker of all we see and all we don't see: Source of all creation!

We believe in one God, who is Jesus Christ, God from God, Light from Light, true God and true human. He is one with the Creator; the Word made flesh, our Messiah: Savior of all creation!

We believe in one God, who is Holy Spirit, Breath of God moving among us. Who is one with the Creator; one with the Christ; our Comforter and our Guide: Mentor of all creation!

Prayers

Greeting of Peace:

C: Although we believe and trust in God, we have forgotten the covenant which God made with our ancestors and sinned.

A: However, God shows the mercy promised to our ancestors, and remembers this holy covenant; giving us the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of our sins.

P: By the tender mercy of our God, the Dawn will break upon us, shining into the darkness and the shadow of death, guiding our feet into the way of peace. Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

(All share Christ's peace.)

▼ Offering & Choir Anthem or special music

▲ The Prayer before The Meal:

A: Wonderful Counselor!

C: Mighty God!

P: Everlasting Father!

A: Prince of Peace!

C: We bless your Name forever!

A: Light of Light!

C: Lord of Lords!

P: King of Kings!

A: Emanuel, God with Us!

C: We bless your Name forever!

P: True God, Giver of Life, Word of our Creator, Spirit of Counsel and Might; God of our essence, be with us now as we join in the celebration of your love.

On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this often in remembrance of me."

After supper Jesus took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this often in remembrance of me."

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you make public Jesus' death until he comes. So, come, eat and drink. This Bread of Life and this Cup of Christ are given for you.

C: Amen.

The Lord's Prayer:

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.

P: Come to the table for all things are ready for the people of God.

Distribution of Communion

The Dismissal:

▲ P: Go now in the knowledge that the body and blood of Christ is your defense and your purpose, your life and your death, your everlasting joy.

C: Amen!

Prayer:

A: Oh, Christ Jesus, Messiah of us all, grant us the awareness to hear your counsel, the confidence to trust your strength, the faith to receive your life, the grace to accept your peace.

C: Amen.

P: On this marvelous day!

This day of new beginnings!

This day of wonders and signs!

May God bless you and keep you.

May God's holy face shine upon you.

May you go in peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen! So be it!

Sending Song "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 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, 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, 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, wonders of his love.

P: Go now to serve and love the Lord!

C: Thanks be to God Almighty!

Postlude