P = Presiding Minister
A = Assisting Minister
C = Congregation
You will need:
Altar Candles
Votive candles
Individual Candles & Holders
Other candles placed at windows, etc. if possible
Order of Worship
Stand: = Please stand as you are able. Sit: = Please sit
Prelude
(The lights are set on dim.)
Sit
Call to Worship:
(Lights are turned off when the Call to Worship starts.)
Solo/Anthem: "Night of Silence" or other appropriate song.
Music & Text: Daniel Kantor, (c) 1984 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Tune Name: NIGHT OF SILENCE
1. Cold are the people, winter of life;... its flame will be dying soon.
2. Voice in the distance, call in the night... will we know of the morning.
3. Spirit among us, shine like the star;... we wait for the loving Son.
(Five to eight people [called VB in the litany below], each holding a lighted votive candle cupped in their hands at waist height, slowly enter during the solo, two-four to each aisle. They are followed by the Pastor and Assistant each carrying lighted taper candles. All enter in silence. The five-eight votive bearers form a semi-circle on each side of the altar. The Pastor and Assistant stand before the altar.)
(Spoken over music.)
P: 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.
A: 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.
VB: (raising their votive to shoulder height, they say:) The Light of God shines on us tonight.
P: 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.
A: For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
VB: (raising their votive to shoulder height, they say:) The Light of God shines on us tonight.
P: 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.
A: 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. Isaiah 9:2-7
VB: (raising their votive to shoulder height, they say:) The Light of God shines on us tonight.
(The lights come up.)
Song: Vs. 1,2,3 "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
Tune Name: PICARDY
Text Source: Text: Liturgy of St. James; tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885, alt.
Music Source: Music: French folk tune, 17th cent.
(During the singing of the song the Acolyte(s) enter. One lights the altar candles and the other lights the window candles and any other candles in the room. Once the candles are lighted, the Votive Bearers place their candles on the table provided.)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descending
comes our homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav'nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way;
as the Light of light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes, the pow'rs of hell to vanquish,
as the darkness clears away.
Text: Liturgy of St. James; tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885, alt.
Stand
(Spoken over music.)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: God sends the Light that is Christ into the world.
C: Come, Lord Jesus, be with us now.
A: Not as a deity does God send the Light.
C: Come, Lord Jesus, be with us now.
P: God sends the Light as one of us, a human being, born of flesh and blood.
C: Come, Lord Jesus, be with us now.
A: God sends Christ Jesus, a man born in a small, insignificant town in a poor conquered country.
C: Come, Lord Jesus, be with us now.
P: God sends Christ, who encompasses the world and all creation in the flesh of mortals.
C: Christ, who is Emmanuel, God with us.
Song: Vs. 1,2,4 "It Came upon the Midnight Clear"
Tune Name: CAROL
Text Source: Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876, alt.
Music Source: Music: Richard S. Willis, 1819-1900
(The Pastor and Assistant blow out their candles.)
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to all,
from heav'n's all-gracious king."
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heav'nly music floats
o'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hov'ring wing,
and ever o'er its babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
For lo! The days are hast'ning on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and all the world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876, alt.
Prayer:
P: Let us pray,
C: O God of love, you have brought us together tonight and blessed us with your very self. Open our eyes to the light of Christ which glows in the darkness of a world engulfed in apathy, pain and loss; a world separated from you. Speak to us now that we may hear the good news of your salvation. Bring us into the wonder of your presence. Fill us with that light and carry it out with us into our lives. Amen.
Sit
Special Music: Choir Anthem - "That First Noel" (Price/Besig) or other appropriate music
Lesson: Titus 2:11-14
2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 2:12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2:14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Song: Vs. 1,4 Lo, "How a Rose Is Growing"
Tune Name: ES IST EIN ROS
Text Source: Text: German, 15th cent.; tr. Gracia Grindal, b. 1943
Music Source: Music: Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesang, Koln, 1599
1. Lo, how a rose is growing,... midnight hour.
4. This flow'r, so small and tender,.. dark night of sin.
Lesson: Luke 2:1-7
2:1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2:2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 2:3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 2:4 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. 2:5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 2:6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 2:7 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.
Song: Vs. 1,3,4 "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
Tune Name: ST. LOUIS
Text Source: Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893
Music Source: Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
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 Immanuel!
Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893
Lesson: Luke 2:8-14
2:8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 2:10 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: 2:11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 2:12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
Song: "Angels We Have Heard on High"
Tune Name: GLORIA
Text Source: Text: French carol; tr. "Crown of Jesus," 1862
Music Source: Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barnes, 1887-1958
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
Text: French carol; tr. "Crown of Jesus," 1862
Lesson: Luke 2:15-20
2:15 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." 2:16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 2:17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 2:18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 2:19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Stand
Song: Vs. 1,2 "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.
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Sit
Message
Stand
Theme Song: "Glory in the Highest" (Gloria en las alturas)
Tune Name: CRISTO ES NAVIDAD
Text Source: Text: Puerto Rican traditional; tr. Gerhard Cartford
Music Source: Music: Puerto Rican traditional
Refrain: Glory in the highest and peace on the earth!... our Savior's birth!
1. Jesus seeks no lodging that sets him apart;... a home in your heart. Refrain
2. Open up your heart, then, for Christ to come in;... will be Christmas again. Refrain
A: Come, Creator God.
C: Come, Christ Jesus.
A: Come, Holy Spirit.
C: Come be born in us today.
A: For we believe.
C: We believe in one God, yet, three distinct persons:
Parent, Brother and Counselor.
God our Parent has given us life, creating the world and everything in it.
God our Brother is Christ Jesus who though immortal was born as a human, lived, died and rose from the dead that we might be reunited into the family of God.
God the Counselor guides us, leads us and supports us in our daily lives, giving us faith and hope and strength.
A: Come, Creator God.
C: Come, Christ Jesus.
A: Come, Holy Spirit.
C: Come be born in us today.
Greeting of Peace:
P: As Christ offers us peace and forgiveness, let us offer a sign of that peace to each other. Peace be with you.
C: And also with you.
(All share a word of peace.)
Sit
Offering
Special Music:
Stand
Offering Song: Vs. 1,3 "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,
oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
in the highest: Refrain
Offering Prayer:
A: 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. Tonight 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.
Eucharistic Prayer:
(Spoken over music.)
P: Before time began the light of God's salvation blazed.
C: O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
P: In ages past God's promise of redemption was unveiled.
C: Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
P: Adonai, the Almighty has done great things for all people.
C: Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
P: Through cloud and fire and still small voice, through floods and rainbow and un-emptying jars of oil and flour, through great deeds and quiet words has God been with us.
C: Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."
P: Now is God's salvation revealed. Now is the Light that is Christ made known.
C: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. Psalm 96
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
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.
Sit.
Communion Song: Vs. 1,3,5 "Of the Father's Love Begotten "
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
Distribution of Holy Communion
Stand
Dismissal:
P: May the body and blood under the bread and cup nourish you in hope, faith, and love, keeping you safe in God's family.
C: Amen.
Prayer:
A: Let us pray, God of our salvation, you have gathered your people, all people, at the table of love. Through this gift of yourself you feed us and instill in us the need to share this feast. Show us the way to serve you in all that we are and do.
C: Amen.
P: God of all, hold us close and keep us safe. As night becomes day, as the dark becomes the light, as Word becomes Flesh;
Care for us.
Bless us.
Love us.
Now and always.
C: Amen.
Sending Song: "Silent Night, Holy Night!"
Tune Name: STILLE NACHT
Text Source: Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885
Music Source: Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863
(Individual Candles are lighted as the song is sung.)
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.
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
(Blow out candles.)
Postlude